18 Months Prior

• Research institutions and programs of interest.
• Investigate national scholarships.
• Register and prepare for appropriate graduate entrance exams.
• Ask people for suggestions of good programs.

15 Months Prior

• Take the required graduate entrance exams.
• Obtain application materials.
• Note application deadlines and admission policies.
• Check to see if you need to register for a national application service (some schools use these to streamline application process).

One Year Prior

• Obtain letters of recommendation. Write thank you notes to each person who writes a letter for you.
• Mail completed applications.
• Take (or re-take) graduate entrance exams if you haven’t already.

Six Months Prior

• Check with all schools prior to their deadlines to make sure your file has been received and is complete.
• Visit all schools that accept you.
• Apply for financial aid and assistantships.
• Send a deposit to the school of your choice.
• Contact the people who wrote your recommendations to inform them of your progress and choice.
• Notify other schools that accepted you.