Application Timeline

The following timeline is designed to provide a brief overview of the application process. It assumes you are applying for fall admission. Please keep in mind that not all of the steps will be included. Check with each individual school for specific entrance requirements.

Junior Year:

• Research programs; narrow down schools
• Talk with faculty members in your field about your graduate study goals
• Meet with professors you’ll request letters of recommendations from
• Talk with Career Services about application requirements
• Prepare for graduate admission tests
• Investigate fellowships, grants and graduate assistantships

Summer before Senior Year

• Read school catalogs either online or through requested materials
• Organize the application process using the tips listed under Managing the Application Process
• Take practice exams or test prep courses for required admissions test. GRE/GMAT Test Prep course is often offered for summer interim credit at SMSU.
• Register for fall exams
• Collect the necessary applications and forms for financial aid, fellowships and grants

Fall of Senior Year

• Complete applications—typically done online
• Arrange for official transcripts to be mailed
• Take required graduate admissions exams; ensure that the cores have been sent to the appropriate schools
• Write your personal statement—have Career Services, your advisor or professor critique it
• Ask for letters of recommendations to be written
• As appropriate, complete financial aid paperwork—remember that this information needs to be sent in EARLY
• Double check that all the application materials have been received by the school
• Send thank you letters to people who wrote your recommendations

Spring of Senior Year

• Develop a “Plan B” in case you are not admitted to your program(s)
• Visit university that accept you
• If you plan to live in university housing, apply for space
• Send a deposit to the university of choice
• Notify other universities that have accepted you of your decision to attend another institution