Applying for Graduate School: A Timeline

Applying to Graduate Schools: A Timeline

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Summer

Winter Break

Research universities you wish to apply to:

• Get to know their programs
• Look at admission requirements
• Look at degree requirements
• Contact faculty and students

The wait:

• Follow up with graduate coordinators that all your materials were received correctly.
• Be prepared for interviews and potential travel.
• Notifications are typically sent in March and April.

Assemble and submit applications:

• Deadlines vary from mid-December to mid-January.
• Applicants that submit on deadlines after January are rarely considered for Assistantships or Fellowships.
• All the materials must be sent on time.
• Scores & transcripts are sent directly to universities.
• Follow up with professors on recommendation letters, usually submitted electronically.

Prepare for the move:

• Research on-campus and off campus housing.
• Consider getting a summer job at the university and move in early to get to know the area.
• Save or make some money for the move.
• Make sure you've filled in a FAFSA, in case you need to take a loan.
• Contact local student organizations and Latino / Puerto Rican groups for advice on housing, etc.

Schedule and take exams:

• Schedule and take these ASAP.
• GRE General test
• GRE Subject test (in Literature, if required)
• TOEFL (if required)

Prepare your application package:

• Request letters of recommendation
• Write your personal statement
• Select and edit your writing sample
• Request transcripts

Once you are accepted:

• Acceptance letters usually include offers for financial aid (or not).
• Know the deadline for accepting your admission offer.
• Don't accept any offers until you've heard from other universities you've applied to.
• If you have an acceptance offer with an assistantship and/or fellowship package, you can use this to negotiate with other universities you've applied to.
• Don't be shy to ask whether they can bring you in for a campus visit.

Research and Apply for Fellowships:

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/jacobjavits/index.html

http://www.hsf.net/innercontent.aspx?id=424#grads

http://www.hispanicarts.org/scholarshipmenu.htm

http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/minority.phtml

Check out related presentation: Funding your Graduate Studies:

http://prezi.com/nju1wikz3mbt/funding-your-graduate-studies/

If you're accepted without financial aid:

• Don't panic!
• Research campus website for Administrative & Residential assistantships.
• Contact the university's office of minority affairs and ask about opportunities, scholarships, etc.
• Look for local summer and part-time work opportunities.
• Negotiate with graduate coordinator for assistantships starting on your second year of study, provided you pay your own way the first year.
• Worst case, defer admission for a year/semester and reapply for assistantships & fellowships.

Leonardo Flores, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of English

Associate Dean of Educational Technologies

University of Puerto Rico: Mayagüez Campus

Contact Information: http://blogs.uprm.edu/flores