What Does a Graduate School Application Timeline Look Like?

If you’re a current Concordia student, chances are that you’ve considered attending graduate school at one time or another. If this is a serious consideration for you, it can be extremely helpful to know what a graduate school application timeline might look like while you’re still in college. Starting early and being aware of requirements can help you stay on top of deadlines. Therefore, many sources recommend that you start making a list of potential programs around 18 months before your desired start date. 

Early College 

The earlier you consider whether you’d like to attend graduate school, the earlier you can start taking steps toward reaching this goal. Whether you’re a future educator who’s interested in a Master of Arts in Teaching or a prospective medical professional who wants to take the MCAT and enroll in medical school, it’s good to get a head start. For the most part, “getting a head start” means building and maintaining professional relationships with professors and mentors, working on your writing skills and seeking out volunteer or work experience related to your field of interest.  

In addition, although it’s always a good idea to put your best effort into the classes you take, it’s especially important to maintain a high GPA if you wish to apply to graduate school one day. Grades are certainly not the only aspect of college performance that plays into a student’s chances of graduate acceptance, but they do play a significant role.  

Junior Year 

Your junior year of college is a great time to start creating a list of graduate schools to which you’d like to apply. When you establish a list of potential schools at this stage, you'll have ample time to weigh the pros and cons of attending each school, reach out to admissions counselors, and even make some school visits. You should also consult with your academic advisor to make sure that you’re on track to graduate in time and to fulfill all the prerequisite requirements for your graduate schools of choice.  

If you plan to attend a school that requires an entrance exam of any kind, – such as the MCAT, LSAT or GRE – the time around your junior year is typically when you’ll take it. For the MCAT, suggested test-taking times range between the spring of your sophomore year and the fall of your senior year. Most students take the LSAT, on the other hand, after their junior year or during the fall of their senior year. The suggested time range for the GRE is about the same.  

Senior Year: Summer before 

The summer before your senior year is a fantastic time to gain some experience in your chosen field, such as through an internship or volunteer position. Of course, you can do this throughout college, but it’s especially important to have gained some hands-on experience by the time you begin your final year of undergraduate studies! In addition, you should begin to finalize the list of graduate schools to which you’ll apply. You may also find it advantageous to reach out to potential recommenders for applications and start on your personal statement.  

Senior Year: Fall 

By the fall of your final year of undergraduate study, you should possess a final list of graduate schools. In addition, it is useful to have at least an in-progress personal statement and establish contact with potential recommenders. Many graduate schools request two to three recommendation letters from sources that can speak to your academic or professional abilities, but this is not a universal number – some may require fewer or more.  

As you begin to submit applications – due dates tend to range between November and February for most traditional graduate schools – there are a few more actions that are beneficial to take. First, make sure your resume and/or curriculum vitae are up to date. In addition, in accordance with some schools’ policies, you may need to request official transcripts detailing your undergraduate studies to date. You should also finalize a personal statement that outlines your academic desires and can be personalized to meet the requirements of different schools.  

Senior Year: Spring 

By your final semester of college, it’s likely that you’ll have submitted all the necessary application materials to your graduate schools of choice. Then, if the school’s admissions committee finds that your application presents you as a good fit for your program of choice, you may be invited to complete an online or on-campus interview as part of the screening process. Although all schools have slightly different application processes and requirements for interviews, chances are good that you will have to follow up with your chosen schools after applying.  

Once you hear back from schools regarding your acceptance to a graduate program, you can make a final decision and start the enrollment process! 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s graduate school is designed to lead students to make a difference in their chosen profession. With flexible and convenient eight-week online courses, Concordia’s graduate programs are perfect for working professionals or those who want to complete a program on their own time. Learn more about graduate programs here.