This application checklist
Can serve as a general guide, but all graduate school admission requirements, deadlines and expectations are different, so it’s important to do your research!
- Meet with your academic advisor to discuss graduate school, requirements and pre-requisites
- Explore areas of interest and start researching programs online
- Research programs with the Princeton Review
- Start gathering requirements and dates for admission for different programs and compile them in a spreadsheet
- Research sources of financial aid
- Start applying for research fellowships and Research Assistant positions on campus in order to gain some experience
- Start preparing for the GRE or other standardized testing
- Meet with a Career Coach to work on your resume, personal statement and any additional essay questions
- Identify required supporting documentation like transcripts, letters of recommendation, teaching statements etc.
- Identify and reach out to people who could serve as a reference for you (previous supervisors, professors, research supervisors) and ask them if they feel comfortable serving as a reference for you. Include a copy of your resume and any specific instructions or important deadlines
- Review application deadlines
- Continue to work on summer research projects, internships and study abroad in order to gain experience
- Complete all online applications before the deadline!
- Apply for financial aid or scholarships, if needed
- Connect with current graduate students through LinkedIn to learn more about their experience
- Check the status of your applications regularly to ensure everything has been submitted correctly
- Order an official copy of your transcript after your degree is awarded
- Submit FAFSA if needed
- Schedule a campus visit
- Send thank you notes and updates to everyone who was invested in your graduate school journey (Career Services, people who wrote letters of recommendation for you etc.)
- Congratulations! Report your plans for continuing your education in 12Twenty!