Grad School Overview and Timeline

For those planning to attend graduate school right after completing their undergraduate degree, you should start this decision process during the spring of your junior year or the early fall of your senior year. Some graduate programs, especially many in the healthcare field, may require substantial planning before the spring of junior year. Your decision should be based on your career goals and the graduate school options available to you. Explore those options. Research programs online directly and talk to academic faculty and Career Services staff about possibilities.

• Is the program and/or institution accredited? For many professions that lead to credentialing or licensing, that is key.
• What do program graduates do? (If alumni positions don’t interest you, that may not be the school for you)
• What is the size, location, etc. of the school?
• What are the current research interests of the institution’s faculty?
• Are assistantships, fellowships, and/or scholarships available?
• How are the majority of classes taught? Online or in-person? Hands-on or lecture?
• Any other questions important to YOU.

Get to know program requirements and prerequisites. Program requirements, like observation hours, work experience, or field work experience should be done before you submit your application. Prerequisites like specific coursework should be completed (or at least started) before you start your application. Most graduate programs will require a 3.0 cumulative GPA, while some programs may want a higher GPA in a specific subject. If your GPA is below 3.0, you can still make yourself a competitive applicant, connect with Career Services for more information.

It is important to begin planning for any testing requirements during the summer prior to or the early fall of your senior year. GREs, LSATs, and GMATs are entrance tests that may be required by graduate schools. Although you cannot study for these tests per se, you can improve your ability to take them by understanding the types of questions. Some students find online study guides very helpful. It is recommended that you take your GREs in the summer before or early fall of your senior year. For specialized graduate degrees such as medical, dental, or pharmacy school, you will be required to take a specific exam for admission to the program. Test information is available in Career Services.

NOTE: Some programs have an application system specific to the institution, and other disciplines may have systems that reach multiple institutions, such as speech graduate programs (CSDCAS), occupational therapy (OTCAS), physical therapy (PTCAS), or medical doctor programs (AMCAS). Additionally, some of these professional programs will require specific and general supplemental application materials, e.g. a writing sample.

• The application process takes time. Typically applications involve the following:
  • An online application
  • A resume or CV*
  • A personal statement or statement of interest personalized for each institution*
    • You may need to write an additional statement of interest for your specific program application
  • Letters of recommendation (faculty or professional)**
  • Pre-requisite forms
  • Transcripts from all institutions
  • Application fee
• Costs:
  • Applying can be expensive. Official transcripts, application fees and graduate testing fees can add up. Evaluate your schools to be certain that you meet the requirements. If you do so, your time and money will be well spent. If you are eligible (with high financial need status), some of the required tests (GREs, etc.) have waivers and some schools can waive application fees as well.
• Deadlines:
  • Graduate admissions websites generally note application deadlines. They vary by discipline and school. Some schools have “rolling admissions” which means that they accept applications until the class is full. But remember, admissions personnel tell us they often consider early applications more favorably, simply because they have more time for review. Be timely.

*Drop-in hours (no appointment needed) during academic year (fall/spring excluding academic breaks):

**Important note on graduate school letters of recommendation: Career Services recommends that you select letter writers who can speak to your academic abilities and your other career readiness competencies. Most graduate schools will want the majority of letters to come from faculty who have taught you in undergraduate class(es) who can speak to your potential as a graduate student. You may be able to have one or two letters come from supervisors or other college staff who know you and your abilities well. Prior to making your asks, it is advisable for you to update and polish your resume so that you can provide a current copy of your resume to the faculty and professionals you wish to ask for letters of recommendation. Be sure to give faculty plenty of lead time as they are often asked to write multiple graduate school recommendation letters at a time when they are also teaching and preparing for semester exams. If possible, give faculty at least one month’s notice when you ask if they can write a letter for you. Typically, graduate schools will ask you for the name, title, email address and phone number for each recommender, and when you apply, the graduate school will typically email the letter writers with a link for them to upload a confidential letter of recommendation.