Timeline for Grad School
One of the initial steps in applying to a graduate or professional school is to research application deadlines so that you can develop a timeline of when to submit test scores, of recommendation, personal essays. Check for the timeline to help you in planning your application process.
Going to grad school is a great achievement, so, you are yet to apply for grad school upcoming year.
The deadline to apply to grad school will be mostly in December or January, but you should get prepared with all the documents before applying.
To help you to achieve your goals for getting into your dream school in an easy way, we have provided you with few steps to be considered and keep in mind.
When to Apply to Grad School?
By the time of completing your undergraduate studies, you have to plan accordingly to succeed in your future career and start to make a postgraduate plan.
When you are sure about when you are about to pursue, so it’s better to apply to grad school before 1 year. Applying in grad school starts from the fall semester and as it is a long process to get into a grad school, plan accordingly.
Grad School Admissions Requirements
These will vary from program to program, but you will have to check with the below requirements
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Cumulative Undergraduate GPA (and major GPA)
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GRE scores
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Letters of recommendation
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Personal statement
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Admission interview
Make sure you meet the particular requirements of the programs to which you are applying.
August
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Research on various programs that you would like to pursue using online resources, paper guides and make a list.
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Start practicing various tests and check which standardized test you will need to attempt and when.
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Start searching for financial resources and check out with the school websites.
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Make sure your undergraduate transcript is accurate and complete. Contact the Registrar's office and request corrections if needed.
September
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Take the help of your seniors, faculty and current students to discuss the programs offered in the graduation degree.
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Ask your faculty for recommendation letters and start drafting a personal statement/statement of purpose.
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Make sure you have all the necessary documents before you apply online, finish to fill all the applications.
October
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Be ready with your transcripts and for some programs, you have to scan and upload the transcript, but for some, you have to send them directly to the school/college.
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Contact the college administrator for any errors within the transcript form.
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Take as many tests as possible or re-take standardized tests if necessary.
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Check with the writing samples to accompany your applications.
November
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Check your complete application. Make sure all the sections are clear and check for accuracy and finish answering all the questions without any errors within the application.
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Prepare for all your application fees and submit your marks memo online or send them direc+tly to the college.
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Confirm which programs ask for transcripts early.
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Submit applications with December or January due dates.
January-March
You may begin to receive letters providing admission, offering you a place on a waiting list, or politely denying your admission. It is almost always a good idea to wait until you have heard from all the programs before making a decision about which to attend.
You may be invited to interviews at some of your schools. If an interview is optional, consider exercising the option in order to gain more information about the program and how well it meets your goals.
Make sure you have completed your FAFSA form if you want to apply for need-based financial assistance. Financial awards of a merit nature will generally be included in your letter of acceptance. The application for need-based aid may take longer to process.
April
You may want to make last-minute visits to schools that have offered admission, either to see them for the first time or to re-visit those that are on your very shortlist. If you do visit, plan ahead and make appointments with key individuals and prepare appropriate questions based on careful homework.
Generally, most students accept one of their offers by May 1. By accepting an offer and paying a deposit, you are indicating that you have decided not to accept any other offers. Accepting more than one offer to keep your options open longer is not an ethical strategy. Not only that, if the schools compare notes (and some do), you may jeopardize your standing with both schools/programs.
