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Grad School Time Table for Preparation

Planning ahead is key in the graduate school application process. Begin the summer before your senior year of college or at least a year before you plan to attend graduate school. The timetable below can be used as a guide to what steps to take. No generalized chart provides the specifics you will need to meet your personal timeline. As you refine your own timeline, carefully examine each application for deadlines. They may vary significantly. Keep your timeline updated and be sure to follow it.

Examine the preparation timeline for Graduate School

• Write a draft statement of purpose/personal statement.
• Start browsing through guides to graduate programs, websites, and college catalogs.

• Meet with faculty members you know to discuss your personal statement and learn about possible programs.
• Ask for letters of recommendation.
• Begin to develop your personal timeline for the application process.
• Sign up for required standardized tests

• Take standardized tests
• Determine the schools to which you plan to apply and request application materials.
• Finish your timeline based on each institution's application and financial aid deadlines.
• Complete your personal statement, adjusting it to meet each application's specific needs. Have it reviewed by a Counselor at the UB Career Services office.
• Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions. If fall term grades are expected, check with staff in the registrar's office to see if a transcript including fall term grades can be sent in time to meet your deadlines.

• Complete application forms. Work using a rough draft until your application form is complete.
• Provide the individuals who are writing your recommendations all the information they will need. Consider opening a Reference File with UB Career Services office.

• Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to submit the application early.

• Contact departments about the possibility of an on-site visit. It is helpful to visit the campus.

• If you are applying for need-based financial aid programs, you may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return.

Deadlines and Admission Decisions

Apply as early as possible to be sure you get appropriate consideration for scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. International applicants should remember that sufficient time is required to secure an I-20 or IAP-66, so early application is strongly recommended. Deadlines are program specific and can be determined by accessing the appropriate program's website.

Make certain that you contact each graduate program you intend to apply via telephone, internet or e-mail regarding the deadline dates. Keep a journal / accurate records of each program's deadline dates or use the Grad School Time Table for Preparation as a helpful guide. This will allow you to submit the application without errors, get your standardized test scores forwarded to the department, get multiple recommendation letters, obtain original transcripts and send all the application materials on time.

A graduate program's admission decisions will vary significantly by institution, degree program, and enrollment targets. The admission committee's decisions are made on an individual basis and based on numerous factors. Here are some of those factors:

• undergraduate GPA
• undergraduate institution and degree program
• standardized test scores (i.e. GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, PCAT).
• letters of recommendation
• personal statement
• interview
• portfolio
• work experience

Your GPA is generally considered with in the context of your undergraduate major and undergraduate institution. A 3.0 or better should be your target goal! Applicants can compensate for a lower GPA with a good standardized test score. Your junior and senior GPA and/or the GPA in your major are frequently reviewed in addition to your overall undergraduate GPA. Also, work experience in your field of study may compensate for a low GPA or standardized test score.