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Timeline

Timeline Resources to assist with applying to graduate or professional School
*This timeline does not replace the need to pay close attention to your specific program/school application deadlines**

If you find more than one deadline for your program of interest, use the earliest deadline to set your timeline; this is most often the one you must meet to be considered for fellowships and other financial assistance. As competition heightens for admission to top programs, a growing number of students are improving their odds by applying early (at least three months before the deadlines)!

Sophomore/Year
1)Research occupations/industry of interest and determine what program will best the skills for that industry

2)Think about your career goals and determine if graduate school is right for you

3)Research program options and requirements by browsing through guides to graduate programs (online and hard copy),         university websites, and other resources

4)Participate in Career Development Center (CDC) seminars for additional information. Meet your CDC advisor

Junior Year
1)Write a draft of your personal statement

2)Identify schools or programs of interest

3)Schedule and/or participate in graduate school visitations

4)Identify assessment needed and sign up for test preparation!

5)Research fellowships and other types of financial assistance. Consider government agencies, philanthropic organizations, the  schools you apply to, and professional organizations or honor societies as potential sources of funding.

6)Summer Research, internship, or co-op in area of interest

7)Participate in Career Development Center (CDC) seminars for additional information. Meet your CDC advisor


Summer before Senior Year
1)Sign up for required standardized tests

2)Determine the schools to which you will apply


Senior Year
Always check with the universities you are applying with in order to determine their specific application requirements and deadlines for application

August – September
1)Finalize personal statement for application (consider speaking with your current department, professors, and writing center

2)Meet with faculty members in your current department to discuss your personal statement, possible programs/universities to consider, and potential fellowships and other funding sources.

3)Get organized. Create a file for each school you will apply to and keep all related application information in the appropriate file

4)Request letters of recommendation from faculty; provide a copy of your personal statement and résumé/curriculum vitae to each professor.

5)Sign up for required standardized tests if you have not done so

October
1)Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions and request official copies be sent to the schools you are applying to

2)Complete application forms. (Do a draft first and make copies before you send the applications)

3)Remind your recommenders of when your letters of recommendation must be received by (i.e., the application deadline of each program – consider telling them a deadline at least one to two weeks earlier than the actual deadline in case something falls through at the last minute)

4)Contact schools about setting up campus visits if you have not done so

November
1)Make copies of all application pieces for your records

2)Check with schools to verify that your letters of recommendation, test scores, transcripts, and other required documents have arrived to complete your application by the deadline.

3)You may need to remind your recommenders of when your letters of recommendation must be received by (i.e., the application deadline of each program – consider telling them a deadline at least one to two weeks earlier than the actual deadline in case something falls through at the last minute).

Always check with the universities you are applying with in order to determine their specific application requirements and deadlines for application

December
1)Make copies of all application pieces for your records.

2)Check with schools to verify that your letters of recommendation, test scores, transcripts, and other required documents have arrived to complete your application by the deadline

3)Visit if you have not done so

April
1)Mail acceptance forms and, if required, deposits

2)Notify schools that you will not be attending after making a decision

3)Send thank you letters to the writers of your letters of recommendation. Be sure to let them know where you’re going to school.

 

If you would like an appointment with a Career Development Counselor to discuss graduate school, please email ltrotter01@tnstate.edu