General Information

Planning Guide

Application Process

Financial Aid

Entrance Tests

Planning Guide for the Application Process

Six Months Prior to Applying

• Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs
• Talk to advisors about application requirements
• Prepare and register for appropriate admissions tests
• Research national scholarships
• If appropriate, obtain letters of recommendation
• Talk with institutions about financial aid, graduate assistantship, fellowship.

Three Months Prior to Applying

• Secure application materials
• Take required admissions tests
• Write your application essay
• Become knowledgeable on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies
• If required, register for the national application or data assembly service

Fall, a Year Before Graduating

• Obtain letters of recommendation
• Take graduate admission tests if you have not already taken them
• Send in completed applications

Spring, Graduating Semester

• Complete the FAFSA and Financial Aid Profile, if required
• Check with institutions prior to their deadline to make sure your file is complete
• Visit institutions that accept you
• Send a deposit to your institution of choice
• Notify other schools that accepted you of your decision
• Send thank you notes to people that wrote you recommendation letters