A Timetable for Applying to Graduate School

June-July

- Form a preliminary list of programs that offer the degree and training you seek.

- Take the General GRE Exam and have scores sent to prospective schools (retake in Fall if unhappy).

August-September

- Develop a final list of programs to which you will apply.

- Request financial aid applications that pertain to graduate students.

- Take the Subject GRE Exam (if applicable) and retake the General GRE Exam if necessary, send scores to prospective shcools.

- Get application materials on-line and from prospective programs (Avg cost = $30-$60 per application, should do about 10).

- Develop a plan for completing all necessary applications, paying special attention to all deadlines.

- Calculate application fees to help plan for setting aside money to pay for them.

- Look ahead to find ways of obtaining money for interviews and meetings that you may be required to attend.

- Make a resume for applications and for those who will be writing letters of recommendations.

- Begin writing personal statemnts.

October

- Request that your undergraduate transcript be mailed to prospective programs in time to meet the application deadlines.

- Begin filling out all application materials.

- Contact reference writers and provide necessary materials for letters (resume, reference forms, stamped and addressed envelopes, etc).

November-December

- Finalize admission and financial aid forms.

- Photocopy each application and submit application materials. Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with a checklist of materials submitted to be completed by program staff..

- Contact references to confirm that your letters of recommendations have been written and sent to the selected institutions or you. (Give at least a month for recommendations, supply resume, ask for letter back, ask for in a signed, sealed envelope to make official).

December-January

- Follow up to ensure that your applications were received.

February-March

- Interview with prospective institutions.

March-April

- Upon receipt of letters of acceptance, arrange them from most to least desirable, and formally decline all but the two most desirable.

- If you receive multiple offers, make your decision in a timely manner. Your decision impacts the programs' ability to extend offers to other applicants.

April

- Finalize your financial arrangements for school at which you have been accepted.

- Call or write the individuals who gave you recommendations and inform them of the outcome.

- If accepted, celebrate... if not, try, try, try again (persistance pays off)

Adapted from Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology, (1993). American Psychological Association. Washington, D.C.

*Coming soon - Types of psychology degrees/programs