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November 2 2012

Applying to Graduate School? Start Now.

You’ve weighed your options. You’ve researched your field. You’ve mapped out your future career plans. And now you’ve decided that the best option is to apply to graduate school for the next academic year.

Good for you – that means it’s time to get started. Fall of 2013 might seem very far away, but believe me, it will be here before you know it. And applying to graduate school is more work than applying to an undergraduate program, since the requirements can vary and you don’t have a guidance counselor walking you through the process.

Here are the steps you should begin taking now to get your graduate school applications in on time.

First, Pick Your Programs
The first and most important thing you can do is research different graduate schools and select the programs that are the best fit for you. Every program is different in what they require—from the types of exams to the types of documentation you need to send—so the sooner you narrow down your options, the sooner you can start compiling your application materials.

Map Out Your Admissions Deadlines
Take your top programs and map out when each item/admissions package is due by. Then work backwards, factoring in how long it will take you to get each item together. From there, figure out your start date. I bet it’s pretty close to right about now.

Schedule Your Exams
Once you’ve narrowed down the graduate schools you want to apply to and you know which exams they require, you need to schedule your tests. Find out when the test like the GRE is being held in your area and when you can take it. Don’t forget to factor in time for retakes if your scores aren’t what you want them to be. Once you’ve got your exams scheduled, you can set up a study schedule to make sure your’re prepared. (This is especially key if you’ve been out of academia for awhile.)

Ask for Recommendation Letters
This might seem like a small detail, but asking for recommendation letters is one of the first things you should do. Professors are busy, and it may take them days, weeks or even months to get your letters together. In addition, many graduate programs request letters to be sent in a very specific manner to ensure confidentiality, and that process can add days to your turnaround time. Save yourself some headaches and get your recommendation letters taken care of as early as possible.

The hardest part of applying to graduate school is often getting started. By following these steps, you’ll be putting your plan in motion and ensuring you have enough momentum to carry you through until you mail in your applications.

What was your experience of applying to graduate school? Add your advice in the comments below!

For this post, WetFeet thanks our friends at myFootpath.
About the Author: Noël Rozny is Web Editor & Content Manager at myFootpath, a career and education resource for students of all ages.

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