It is important to start gathering information early in order to be able to complete your applications on time. Most people should begin the process a full year and a half before their anticipated date of matriculation. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Application deadlines may range from August (before your senior year) for early decision programs of medical schools using the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS) to later Spring/Summer (after your senior year) for a few programs with rolling admissions. Most deadlines for the fall's entering class are between January and March. You should, in all cases, plan to meet formal deadlines; beyond this, you should be aware of the fact that many schools with rolling admissions encourage and act upon early applications.

The checklist below represents an ideal timetable for most applicants:

APPLICATION TIMELINE

SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLYING

Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs.
Talk to your advisor and professors about interests and application requirements.
Register and prepare for appropriate graduate admission tests.
Investigate national scholarships.
If appropriate, obtain letters of recommendation.

THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO APPLYING

Take required graduate admissions tests.
Write for application materials.
Visit institutions of interest, if possible.
Write your application essay.
Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies.
For medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school, you may need to register for the national application or data assembly service that most programs use.

MATRICULATION TIMELINE

ONE YEAR BEFORE MATRICULATING

Obtain letters of recommendation.
Take graduate admission test if you have not already done so.
Send in completed applications.
Pick up the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Financial Aid PROFILE, if required.

ONE SEMESTER BEFORE MATRICULATING

Check with all institutions before the deadline to make sure your file is complete.
Visit institutions that accept you.
Send a deposit to your institution of choice.
Notify other colleges and universities that accepted you of your decision so that they may admit students on their waiting list.
Send thank you notes to people who wrote your recommendation letters, informing them of your success.

You may not be able to adhere to this timetable if your application deadlines are very early, as is the case with medical schools, or if you decided to attend graduate school at the last minute. In any case, keep in mind the various application requirements and be sure to meet all deadlines. If deadlines are impossible for you to meet, call the institution to determine if a late application will be considered.

(Adapted from Peterson's Graduate & Professional Programs: An Overview-- 1996)

ADDITIONAL TIPS

There is no one general rule that applies to all graduate programs; program details should be checked out on a case-by-case basis.

Begin the graduate and professional school search and application process early! (This means junior year or early senior year.)

Stay organized...maintain a log of your activities by institution/program...plan ahead...give yourself time.

Attend graduate school fairs and other activities at which program information is readily available.

Do not hesitate to contact graduate and professional programs directly if you have any questions.

Have other people proofread your written essay (e.g. faculty member, Writing Center staff member, CDES counselor, etc.).

Gather your letters of recommendation early (you should have at least one faculty member); give your references sufficient time to write your letters. You may need to be persistent in following up with references to ensure they have written your letter. If a school sends their own form, ask them if your letters may be on Gannon University stationery.

There are many sources of financial aid-investigate your opportunities (including loans, work-study, grants, fellowships, and assistantships).

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!! Get your application materials in as early as possible!!

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Updated 11/05/07