Timetable for Applying to Graduate School

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Time Table for applying to Colleges for Seniors

You should begin the application process no later than the summer before your senior year of college or at least a year before you plan to start graduate school. Many students who have had graduate school in mind for most of their undergraduate careers start much earlier. This timetable is approximate, but it offers an idea of the steps you must think about and, roughly, when you must complete each step. No generalized chart provides the specifics that you will need to meet your personal timeline.

As you refine your own timeline, then, carefully examine each application for deadlines. They may vary significantly. Keep your timeline updated and follow it.

Summer

	Review Your Test Dates
	Finalize which Fall Admissions Tests You Need to Take or Retake
	Continue to Work on Practice Essays
	Attend Senior Night Informational Meetings with Your Parents
	Continue to Write or Call for Admissions Materials from Target Colleges
	Continue to Schedule Admissions Interviews and College Visits
	Attend Counseling Meeting You Self-Scheduled for Senior Conference
	Register to Re-Take SAT I or II Tests if Necessary
	If Applying to Schools with Early Action or Early Decision Plans, Get Applications Done and SENT!
	Keep Application Checklists Up to Date for Each Target College
	Write a draft statement of purpose/personal statement.
	Start browsing through guides to graduate programs and college catalogs.

August-September

	SCHEDULE A SENIOR COUNSELING MEETING.
	Meet with faculty members that you know to discuss your personal statement and learn about possible programs.
	Ask for letters of recommendation.
	Begin to develop your personal timeline for the application process.
	Sign up for required standardized tests.

October

	Keep Application Folders Up to Date.
	Determine the schools to which you plan to apply, and request application materials.
	Work Hard at Making Progress in Filling Out Your Applications. (First, do a draft on a photocopy of the form).
	Finish your timeline based on each institution's deadline and financial aid deadlines.
	Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (If fall term grades are expected, then check with staff in the registrar's office to see if a transcript including fall term grades can be sent in time to meet the deadlines of programs to which you are applying).
	Give your recommenders all the information that they will need to write recommendations for you for each of your application schools. Gently Remind Instructors (and others) about Due Dates for Letters of Recommendation
	Continue to Schedule Interviews and Visit Target Schools
	Take standardized tests. (Register for SAT I and II Tests if Needed)
	Continue Your Search for Scholarship Opportunities
	Continue to Attend College Fairs, and Meet with College Representatives
	Complete your personal statement, adjusting it to meet each application's specific needs. Work Hard at Making Progress Writing and Reviewing Essays
	Seriously Talk With Your Parents about Financial Aid and the Cost of College

November

	CONTINUE TO WATCH FOR SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. CONTINUE TO FILE APPLICATIONS
	Keep Application Folders Up to Date
	All U.C. Campuses, Impacted CSU Colleges and Many Other Schools Have November 30th Deadlines for Applications!!!!
	Check for Upcoming College Visits or Admissions Interviews
	Register for December 7th SAT I and II Test Date if Needed
	Send Off Completed Scholarship Applications. Continue to Search of Scholarships
	Attend any Admissions Application Workshops Sponsored by Your School
	Make Copies of All Completed Applications for Your Applications File
	Send Applications Off to Target Schools
	Double Check all Dates for Application Materials!!!
	Check With Instructors and Make Sure they are Completing and Sending Letters of Recommendation.

December

	Check ALL Application Due Dates.
	PICK UP AND REVIEW FINANCIAL AID FORMS FROM YOUR COUNSELOR.
	Continue to Discuss Your Financial Situation with Parents and Counselor.
	Watch for Scholarship Opportunities.
	Continue to Make College Visits, Attend College Fairs and Meet with College Representatives.
	Talk to College Friends over Christmas Break about their Experiences.
	Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early.

January

	FILL OUT INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL AID FORMS PROVIDED BY TARGET COLLEGES
	Attend (with Your Parents) Financial Aid Workshops at Your School
	(with Parents) Financial Aid Night Meetings that may be Held at Your School
	Continue Looking for Private Scholarship Opportunities and Sending Scholarship Applications
	Register to Take SAT I or II in March (March 15th) If Needed
	Encourage Your Parents to Finish Up their Taxes Early. This will Help Speed Up Applying for Financial Aid
	Continue to Work on Financial Aid Forms--Financial Aid Profile and FAFSA

February

	FINANCIAL AID PROFILE AND FAFSA DUE SOON! CHECK DEADLINES.
	Check All Deadlines and Due Dates Coming Up.
	Watch for New Scholarship Opportunities.
	File Your FAFSA and Profile Forms by Deadlines.
	Register to Take SAT I or II in March (March 15th) If Needed.
	Continue to Fill Out Scholarship Applications and Send them in.
	Continue to Research Colleges On Your Target List to Help Decide Where to Go.
	Contact programs about the possibility of visiting. Make trips if possible.
	Complete Financial Aid Forms.

March

	LOOK FOR STUDENT AID REPORT IN THE MAIL
	Continue to Look for Scholarship Opportunities and Send in Completed Applications
	Register for Retakes of SAT I , II or ACT if Needed
	Continue to Visit Schools
	Continue to Research and Evaluate Target Schools
	Check for all Deadlines and Due Dates Still Outstanding
	Check with Your Counselor or Teachers about Advanced Placement Tests

April

	SCHEDULE ANY ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMS FOR MAY
	REVIEW FINANCIAL AID AND HOUSING DOCUMENTS
	Contact Schools that Have Wait Listed" You Before You Finalize Your College Choice
	Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR).
	Register for SAT I or II Tests in May and June. Register for June ACT Test If Needed
	Continue to Visit Target Colleges If Time Allows
	Send in Your Commitment Deposit by the Deadline Required by the School You will Attend
	Continue Your Search for Scholarships and Continue to Apply
	Check Deadlines and Application Due Dates in Your Personal Organizer
	If you are applying for need based financial aid programs, you may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return.

May

	Check Any Deadlines or Due Dates Still Outstanding
	Stay on Top of Your Classes. Watch Your Grades. Be Ready for Finals
	Take Any Advanced Placement Exams for which You Are Eligible
	Continue to Explore Scholarship Opportunities. Continue to Apply for Scholarships
	Inform Schools of Your Final Decision. USUALLY MAY 1ST DEADLINE

June

	CONTACT EVERYONE WHO HELPED YOU. THANK THEM
	RELAX!!! ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!