Graduate.co.in

One of the areas where many students fall short is organizing and streamlining the graduate school application process. Actually, I have previously fallen victim to this fault myself - waiting until too late to get my ducks lined in a row to apply to graduate school. The end result? I did not get accepted to the Ph.D. programs I applied to. Avoid making these mistakes by following a timeline like this:

Twelve months prior to the application deadline:

* Determine which standardized tests are required 
* Research graduate programs and request catalogs 
* Calculate how much grad school will cost. How much will you spend on application fees, admission exams, transcripts, tuition, room and board. 
* Set aside money for application fees, admission exams, transcripts, etc.

Ten months

* Take a practice test so you know what areas you will need to focus on while studying 
* Request additional information from departments 
* If you are an undergraduate, reinforce relationships with your professors 
* Get more involved in your field 
* Read each application carefully. Make a master calendar and task list.

Nine months

* Sign up for a GRE course 
* Register for the GRE 
* Draft a general statement of purpose outlining the reasons why you wish to attend graduate school. You will use some version of this in most applications

Seven months

* Narrow your choices 
* Begin talking with your advisor and other professors about your graduate school goals 
* Solicit letters of recommendation 
* Begin investigating sources of funding 
* Get and file applications for financial aid 
* Complete your FAFSA 
* Begin writing your statement of purpose

Six months

* Take the GRE. The earlier you take it, the more time you’ll have to improve your score. 
* Identify and contact potential graduate advisors at a variety of schools

Five months

* Follow up with sources 
* Request transcripts 
* Verify transcripts are complete and correct 
* Refine your personal statement

Three months

* Visit graduate schools 
* Prepare for your interview 
* Submit your applications