Academic Programs

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Applying to Graduate School

Expand your horizons. Don’t limit yourself.
You can’t get there alone.
Applying can be expensive. Make the most of your investment by making careful choices.
Plan ahead. If you miss a deadline, that may mean waiting a year for the next admissions cycle.
Application Checklist

Before Senior Year

Draft a personal statement of your academic and professional goals
Visit a writing center. They make good writing even BETTER.
Explore graduate programs. Become familiar with
faculty interests, entrance requirements and deadlines
Contact departments that interest you and request
more information
Review for the GRE www.gre.org
Download FREE GRE PowerPrep software
August/September of Senior Year
Share your personal statement with professors you know, ask their advice about programs.
Visit the Writing Center.
Narrow your graduate program choices.
Tailor your personal statement to your chosen graduate programs.
Register to take the GRE.
October of Senior Year
Take the GRE.
Visit the Writing Center.
Order transcripts.
November of Senior Year
Download application forms and complete a draft. Review and edit your drafts.
Submit completed application forms
Ask faculty for recommendations.
Include:
1. description of your goals;
2. list of projects/papers and grades rec’d;
3. recommendation forms, addressed envelopes.
Admissions Timetable
December: Submit your applications.
January: Follow up to ensure that supporting documents were received.
February: Visit your prospective programs, if possible.
March: Submit a FAFSA. Even if you expect to receive funding, it is good to have other options—just in case.
April 15: Nationally agreed-upon date for accepting or declining graduate offers.

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Perspective Graduate Students

College Testing Sites
Graduate Records Examination (GRE)

Alliance Member Graduate Schools

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Updated 06.14.04