How Do I Apply and When?

It is important that you get started as soon as possible to ensure the earliest admission. Remember that if you get into the school of your dreams and feel as if you need a year off, you may be able to request a delayed entrance. Also, do as much research as possible to find the school that’s right for you.

The timeline below from Peterson’s Graduate & Professional Programs 2001 suggests the following year-by-year strategy:

Junior Year:

• Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs.
• Talk to advisors about application requirements.
• Register and prepare for appropriate graduate admissions tests.
• Investigate national scholarships.
• If appropriate, obtain letters of recommendation.

Summer Before Senior Year:

• Take required graduate admissions tests.
• Write for application materials or request them online.
• Write your application essay.
• Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies.
• For medical, dental, and law school, you may need to register for the national application or data assembly service for most programs use.

Senior Fall Semester:

• Obtain letters of recommendation.
• Take graduate admissions tests if haven’t already.
• Send in completed applications.
• Complete applications for financial aid.

Senior Spring Semester:

• Check with all institutions to make sure your file is complete.
• Visit institutions that accept you.
• Send deposit to institution of choice.
• Notify other colleges and institutions to which you were accepted that you will not be attending.
• Send thank you notes to people who wrote your recommendation letters and inform them of your success.

Applying to, being accepted by, and attending a graduate or professional school is an ongoing process that takes time and patience. A mentor or advisor can be very effective in providing guidance and support in this ongoing process. For more information or help, be sure to use the resources available to you as a student. Talk with your professors, advisors, and visit the Career Center on campus.