JUNIOR YEAR:
Choice of career - Narrow down choices by consulting with your mentor, Career Services Office, and professionals in fields of interest to you.

• Write to professional and certifying organizations for the most current requirements and trends in the career field
• Read professional journals and newsletters in the library and on-line

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR:
GREs - Begin studying for GRE. Enroll in a class and/or develop an intense study program on your own to prepare. Take practice exams. Register to take the GRE early in the fall of your Senior year. (Go to www.GRE.org for information)

SENIOR YEAR:
September
Research specific schools to determine where you want to apply

• Narrow choices to one or two career fields and complete research efforts begun during Junior year.
• Decide to which programs you will apply. Consider the following:
  *Quality of program - must be accredited
  *Focus or "fit" of program with your particular interests/ needs
  *Cost
  *Availability of grad assistantships and financial need
  *Geographic area
  *Competition for admission
• Choose at least 3 programs based on probability of admission: certain, moderately certain, uncertain
• Thoroughly research schools’ websites to learn about each program and to obtain admission materials, and financial aid information
• Continue studying for GRE and take practice tests

October
GRE - Take GRE (if you have not done so already)

• Apply to a total of at least six schools. Include at least three of your first choice schools as well as three second choice (“back-up”) programs.
• Call or e-mail grad programs and ask any further questions regarding fit between your interests and their program, types of employment recent graduates of their program have, and any prerequisites you may need.

Letters of Recommendation - Ask three professors who know you well and have had you in class to write letters of recommendation for grad school. Give them at least four weeks notice (vacation time and exam grading periods excluded) before letters must be received, and provide all necessary information to them (See Letter of Recommendation Instruction Sheet).

Prepare Application - Begin writing personal statement (application essay). Give a solid draft of this to each professor writing a letter of reference for you. Ultimately you should customize your essay for each school to which you apply.

November & December
Complete Application

• Revise personal statement (get feedback from your mentor).
• Begin filling out application forms and gathering necessary information. Remember all applications must be accompanied by a fee, which varies with each institution.

• Ask 3 professors who know you well and have had you in class to write letters of recommendation for grad school - give them at least 3 weeks notice before due date and provide all helpful information to them.

December - February
Submit applications - Check deadlines carefully and plan to mail applications no later than two weeks before actual deadlines.  Confirm that your professors have either returned their letters of reference to you to submit with your applications or that your professors have mailed the letters directly to the graduate programs.

* January 15, February 1, and February 15, but some are as early as December 1, so plan ahead! Check on deadlines for Financial Aid if they are different from application deadlines.

January and February
Mail applications

• Check deadlines carefully and plan to mail applications no later than 2 weeks before actual deadline. Make sure letters of recommendation have been mailed by professors or note those applications which have the professor return the form/letter to students to be sent with application.
• Many deadlines are January 15, February 1, and February 15 so plan ahead! Check on deadlines for Financial Aid if they are different from application deadlines.

March, April, May
Wait and remain optimistic! - Most schools notify students by April 15.