Career Services Center

Graduate and Professional School Planning Timeline

Spring of Junior Year

• Begin asking faculty, advisors and professionals about graduate programs in your field.
• Identify and read professional journals in the field. Learn as much as you can about the current research.
• Identify the leading researchers and institutions for your field of interest.
• Visit the Office of Career Services for information on graduate and professional school programs.
• Develop as many options as you can; then eliminate some by researching them before you leave for the summer.
• Register and prepare for graduate admission tests.

Summer

• Call or write the remaining schools on your list for applications and program information.
• Look over the materials you receive and continue narrowing your list.
• Contact admissions offices for information on acceptance rates, test scores and GPA ranges.
• Ask for information on placement rates and typical employers for each program.
• Talk to professionals in the field regarding their research and employment opportunities.
• Identify alumni currently enrolled or recently graduated from the program and contact them.
• Begin writing your personal statement, which must be modified for each school. 
• If you haven’t done so, register and prepare for admission tests.

September

• When school starts, finish narrowing your list of schools.
• Begin asking for letters of recommendation. 
• Continue working on your personal statement.
• Check on application deadlines and rolling or early admissions policies.
• Read the applications thoroughly and prepare any other materials requested. 
• For medical, dental or law school register with the appropriate application and data assembly service.

October

• Submit completed applications for any early decision programs.
• Prepare for and take graduate admissions exams if you haven’t done so already.
• Contact schools to schedule visits during the fall semester.
• Continue to gather and complete the necessary application materials.

November

• Continue to send applications, paying close attention to deadlines.
• A good rule of thumb is to submit your applications by Thanksgiving break or shortly thereafter.
• Follow up with graduate schools to confirm that all necessary application materials have arrived.