Get Informed, Establish a Realistic Timeline, & Follow Throughh

Getting into graduate or professional school requires some time and planning. Use the list below to set a personal timeline. Before you know it, you’ll be on your way to earning your advanced degree.

• Develop Relationships
  Early in your academic career, establish good working relationships with your professors, teaching assistants and other faculty members. Talk with them about graduate or professional school. Tell them about your goals and ask them about available programs and for recommendations.
• Goals for Graduate or Professional School
  Establish your goal(s) for attending graduate or professional school before you do anything else. If your goals are career-oriented, determine what you enjoy doing and see how graduate or professional school can help you do just that.
• Understand Career Options
  Look at available career options. Determine what career is right for you based on your undergraduate work, personal interests and personal experiences. It's no longer a prudent decision to pursue graduate or professional study just because you don't know what else to do. The programs are too competitive and the money is too scarce.
• Research Programs
  Start looking for graduate or professional programs in different graduate or professional schools’ brochures, catalogs and Web sites. If possible, visit the graduate or professional schools you are interested in attending. Get a good feel for each school and evaluate your comfort level and the availability of resources.
• Plan Financially and Apply for Assistance
  Prepare yourself financially. Determine the types of financial aid that are available and for which you may qualify. Plan your application process wisely, based on the different financial aid programs’ deadlines.
• Take the Appropriate Standardized Tests
  Research which standardized test(s) you need to take for the particular type of study you plan to do. Look up deadlines and fees for the test(s) you need to take and register as soon as you can.  Mark your calendar so you remember to take the test(s) you signed up for.
• Request Letters of Recommendation
  Ask different people if they’d be willing to write letters of recommendation. Getting professors to write the letters is ideal since they are familiar with the process and know for what graduate or professional schools are looking. Be sure that those people writing the letters have enough information from you, including information about you that you’d like to have included. Plus, provide them with clear directions from the graduate or professional schools to which you’re applying.  Be prepared with three letters from three different people.
• Request Transcripts
  Request that transcripts from your undergraduate college be sent to your graduate and/or professional schools of choice.
• Narrow Down Your Program Choices
  Determine the graduate or professional schools to which you’d like to apply. Request any required materials/information from the schools’ admissions offices or Web sites, and find out deadlines for applying.
• Develop Your Application Essay / Personal Statement
  Prepare a statement of interest. Include a personal story and/or personal interests and goals in the statement, along with information alluding to your understanding of the particular graduate or professional school’s program to which you are applying.
• Complete Applications & Submit Applications
  Fully complete all your applications. Keep copies for your own records. Submit your applications as soon as they are completed. Be aware of the different deadlines for each school and try to get the applications submitted early
• Follow Up
  Make sure your letters and transcripts have been sent and send a follow up letter of thanks once you receive your admission decision.

Adapted from College Zone, Illinois Student Assistance Commission