Junior Year

• January-June: Research schools and request information and applications.

Senior Year

• July-August: Continue research.
• September-December: Discuss decision with advisors and commit to first choices.

Qualifying Examination

Junior Year

• January-March: Research nature of appropriate exam; begin review.
• April-June: Continue review; consider review course. Schedule summer test.

Senior Year

• July-August: Finish general test if possible.
• September-December: Last chance for tests. Take subject tests if required.

Completion of Application

Senior Year

• September-December: Complete applications for first-choice schools.
• January-March: Meet all deadlines.

Letters of Recommendation

Junior Year

• September-June: Create and maintain contacts with potential reference writers through classroom work, volunteer work, internships, research, and employment.

Senior Year

• July-December: Prepare writers for individual requests. Comply with requests from graduate programs.
• January-March: Confirm that letters have been received by deadline.
• April-June: Inform letter writers of outcomes of applications.

Acceptances and Rejections

Senior Year

• January-March: Acceptances begin shortly after deadlines.
• April-June: April 15 common notification date.

Planning for Financial Aid

Senior Year

• July-August: Request financial aid information from programs and other sources.
• September-December: Complete all applications. Collect tax information.
• January-March: Meet deadlines. Aid offer may accompany admission offer.
• April-June: April 15 common notification date.

Calendar adapted from Applying to Graduate School: A Student's Guide (1985) by Marliss G. Strange and Jack W. Bennett.