Get Organized!

There are lots of moving parts to applying to grad school and it can be overwhelming to keep track of what things are due and when, especially if you are already a student or if you are working while applying.  It is critical to stay organized so that you do not fall behind on the application process.  Unlike undergrad, grad school applications cannot be filled out the night before – there are transcripts to order and mail, recommendations that must be submitted, and statements and resumes to write.    

Make your own timeline.  Haha.  Just kidding, I made one for you!  But in all honesty, write out your own timeline when you start seriously thinking about applying to graduate school.  I took a piece of paper and wrote out each month and what I planned to have done by the end of each month.  I worked backwards, starting with the application deadlines.  During the most recent round of applications for graduate school, I was already in graduate school.  This meant that I was working full-time, going to school full-time and filling out applications.  I gave myself extra time to make sure I could complete each step of the application process.  Here is an EXAMPLE of a monthly timeline for applications due in December and January.  

January

– University F Application Due Jan. 5

– University E Application Due Jan. 3

December

– University D Application Due Dec. 15

– University C Application Due Dec. 15

– University B Application Due Dec. 15

– University A Application Due Dec. 10

– Remind recommenders to submit letters of recommendation

– Attach electronic transcripts, CV, Personal Statements/Statement of Purpose, Writing Samples, etc. to applications

November

– Last revisions on CV, Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose, and Writing Sample

October

– Order Transcripts

– Order additional GRE scores

– Have each application opened and basic information filled out, e.g. contact, education, employment

– Visit to University B to meet professors and current graduate students  

September

– Applications become available

– Ask for letters of recommendation

– Work with career center to improve CV and Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

– Send Writing Sample to a friend, professor, etc. to get feedback

– Meet via Skype with Professor from University C

August

– Write CV

– Write Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

– Select Writing Sample

– Phone Call with Professor from University E

July

– Email professors from each of your programs…again

June

– Email professors from each of your programs

May

– Make list of definite programs you are interested in applying to

– Write out each program’s application requirements

April

– Take the GRE April 30