Graduate School Application Timeline

Applying to graduate school is a multi-step process that requires careful planning, organization, and attention to detail. The best time to begin preparing for your graduate school applications is 12-18 months prior to your intended start date.

Phase One: Search and Prepare

This phase of the application process involves collecting all the information you need to make informed decisions about where to apply and how you can position yourself to be the best possible candidate.

Look up programs: Research graduate programs that align with your academic and career goals. As you are researching, pay specific attention to admissions requirements, what qualities the programs value in applicants, and application deadlines among other important factors as outlined in our guide to exploring graduate school.
Enhance your skills and experience: Based on what you learn about what graduate programs are seeking, participate in activities such as internships, volunteering, jobs, shadowing, or community service that may boost your applications.
Maintain academic performance: Aim for a strong GPA, as some programs may require a minimum GPA for admission.
Consult mentors: Discuss your graduate school plans with faculty, advisors, alumni, and mentors to solicit any advice they have as you prepare.
Budget: Graduate school applications come with associated costs that can be helpful to prepare for in advance. These costs include application fees (typically $70-100 per school), official transcript fees, standardized test fees as well as any preparation courses or resources you may use, and travel expenses for campus visits or in-person interviews.

Phase Two: Initiate Action

This phase of the application process involves making some initial decisions about your plans and creating a to-do list outlining the remaining steps of the application process.

Attend info sessions: If a graduate program offers formal info sessions, the dates, times, and locations are typically advertised on the website. If the programs you are interested in do not offer formal info sessions, you can still reach out and ask to connect with a program representative to get your questions answered.
Decide which schools to apply to: Narrow down the graduate programs you have researched to a shorter list of schools you plan to apply to. There is no ideal number of applications to submit, but most students submit between 2-10 graduate program applications.
Make accounts on application websites: Some graduate programs will require you to create an account on their school’s website to submit your application. Some fields use a centralized application website, similar to Common App for undergraduate program applications. Now is a good time to make accounts on those websites and explore exactly what information you will need to submit and how.
Get organized: Make a list of everything you have to do to complete your graduate school applications. A helpful way to approach this is to make a spreadsheet where you list each program you plan to apply to and include columns for application components and deadlines.
Network: Begin building connections at the schools you are applying to by reaching out beyond formal admissions events. Connect with faculty, staff, and/or current students via email or LinkedIn to hear first-hand perspectives of what the program is like and get to know the people you would be studying with.

Phase Three: Compile Your Application

This phase of the application process involves gathering and creating the materials you will submit for your graduate school applications, which will vary from program to program.

Application fees: The fees associated with your applications can often be paid directly via the application portal for each graduate program with a credit card or e-check. If application fees present a financial barrier for you, look into application fee waivers. If waivers are not specifically mentioned on the program website, it’s appropriate to reach out and ask about them.
Transcripts: Most graduate programs require you to submit official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. The processes and timelines for requesting official transcripts vary, but they can usually be found on the website of each institution you have attended. Instructions for requesting official transcripts from UConn can be found here.
Résumé: Your résumé for graduate school applications should reflect your relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. Note that some graduate program applications will ask you to input your experiences in individual text boxes rather than upload a document. For additional résumé advice, visit our Résumé and Cover Letter Guide.
Personal statement(s): A personal statement is a document that allows you to write directly to the admissions team about why you are pursuing admission to the program and why you are a good candidate. For personal statement advice, visit our Writing a Graduate School Personal Statement webpage.
Letters of recommendation: Graduate programs typically request three or more letters of recommendation from faculty members or other professionals with knowledge of your academic skills and interests. For advice on when, who, and how to request a letter of recommendation, visit our letters of recommendation resource.
Test scores: Some graduate programs require test scores as part of the admissions process. Common standardized tests for graduate school include the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Law School Admission Test (LSAT), Medical College Test (MCAT), and Praxis (for educators). International students may have an additional requirement to test their ability to communicate and write in English (for example, the Test of English as a Foreign Language [TOEFL]). Find out the specific test requirements for the programs you are interested in, then pay close attention to test dates and how long it will take to receive your score and send it to graduate programs.
Industry-specific materials: Depending on your industry, graduate programs may require a few additional application materials. Some examples include portfolios for art or design-focused programs, a list of meaningful work and activities for medical school applications, and other essays or writing samples. Be sure to submit all the required materials.
Interview(s): Some graduate programs require an interview as part of the admissions process. If you are invited for an interview, consider using some of our interview preparation resources.

Phase Four: Apply

This phase of the application process involves submitting the materials you have worked on throughout the past few months.

Submit your applications: Once all your materials are uploaded to the application portal, click submit! Celebrate!
Send reminders to recommenders: If the people writing your letters of recommendation have not yet submitted their letters, consider sending them a reminder about the deadline as it approaches.
Confirm receipt of application materials: Once you and your recommenders have submitted all the required application components, consider reaching out to the school to ensure all materials have been received properly. It’s best to reach out at least a few days before the application deadline to ensure you have time to remedy any issues.

Phase Five: Decide

This final phase of the application process involves making a decision about your graduate study plans based on the offers you have received and preparing for matriculation.

Collect decisions: Pay close attention to your email and other notifications from your graduate program application portals for decisions about your status. Common statuses include accepted, rejected, and waitlisted. Once you receive a status, note how long you have to respond and be sure not to miss any deadlines.
Weigh your options: Consider discussing the program(s) that you have been accepted to with a trusted mentor, colleague, or family member. Visit schools where you have been accepted if you can. Continue to rely on the network you have built at each program to gather input.
Notify each program of your decision: Whether you have decided to accept or decline, notify each program of your decision so they are not left wondering.
Share your news: Contact the people who wrote your letters of recommendation and let them know of your decision.
Prepare for matriculation: Read any and all information you have received from the program that you have chosen to attend and request any additional information you may need, including housing resources, funding opportunities, or current students to contact. Respond to any financial aid opportunities that have been offered to you. Continue to research sources of financial aid, including scholarships, fellowships, and graduate/teaching assistantships.