Freshman Year (Self-Discovery)
- Explore your interests and abilities. Talk to and visit your academic counselor.
- Develop long term study habits and skills.
- Explore campus resources available to students
(e.g., tutoring services, writing centers).
Sophomore Year (Assessing Options)
- Define and establish your personal, life, and career goals.
- Begin to make contacts in your chosen career area.
- Identify potential mentoring relationships with
professors or graduate students.
- Conduct independent research with a professor of your choice.
- Attend graduate and professional school fairs.
- Begin web searches on summer research internships and co-ops at various universities. Visit the Career Center at your university for more details.
Junior Year (Setting Your Goals)
- Strengthen your mentoring relationships. Discuss your interests with faculty and advisors.
- Research appropriate graduate programs. Contact the department(s) to which you are applying for catalogues and publications. Visit campuses and departments when possible.
- Investigate GRE dates and fees. If possible, take the exam.
- Attend graduate and professional school fairs.
- Participate in a summer research internship, and/or work with faculty on a research project during the academic year.
- Maintain contact with faculty in whose courses you have done well. Visit them during office hours, or schedule an appointment to discuss applying to graduate school.
- Research national and federal fellowships
[e.g., National Science Foundation (NSF), Javits].
Senior Year (Making a Choice)
- Apply early!! Most universities offer electronic
applications. Confirm application deadlines.
- Apply to a number of schools. This will take time and organization. Expect the application process to take as much time as one regular course.
- Register to take the GRE. Check with the department(s) to which you are applying for examination dates.
- Research application fees and fee waiver options.
- Complete the application process (letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, transcripts).
- Contact the schools to ensure that your application is complete.
- Apply early for national fellowships (e.g., NSF, Ford).
After Applying:
- Complete the FAFSA form: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
- Follow up on the status of your application.
- Visit prospective campuses.
- Talk to current students about their experiences.
- Write thank-you notes to people who helped you apply.
Graduates / Taking a Year Off (or more)
- If you have taken time off, consider taking a course in your field to help you prepare.
- Stay in touch with your references. Work with your recommenders to develop up-to-date letters of reference (don’t send out-of-date ones).
- In your personal statement, be sure to indicate what
you’ve learned since you left the university.
|
