International Student Info | Graduate

The graduate school application process takes time, and should begin at least a year before your intended enrollment date. Rushing through the process can hurt your chances of admission. Chances are, you�ll make errors or write a shoddy personal statement. You also risk getting your transcripts and recommendations in late. If you are serious about graduate school, you don�t want this to happen.

The calendar and checklist will help you with your planning. Though most graduate schools allow you to begin your studies in any of the three semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer), it is advisable to plan towards enrolling in the Fall semester, which is when the school year begins. The calendar below assumes this is your choice and begins 12 months before your planned enrollment date.

When	What
August- September (11-12 months)	Begin your search for schools. Think about the qualities you want in a graduate program. Visit the nearest U.S. educational advising center in your country. Use the local library. Explore school websites. Draw up a list of schools that meet the qualities you�ve identified and request an information packet about the school and their program. Find out which tests you�re required to take. Register to take the tests latest November. Begin preparing for the tests. Identify the professors you will ask for letters of recommendation.
October (10 months)	Request for transcripts from your undergraduate college. Make sure the transcript has a description of the courses you�ve taken and the grading system. Request a notarized/certified translation if it is not in English. Request recommendation letters from your professors and employer. Ensure to give them the necessary forms and a stamped, envelope addressed to the schools. Begin writing your statement of purpose. Review your statement and ask someone knowledgeable in your field to critique it. You may also consider using a professional editing service to critique your essay.
November (9 months)	Latest time to take the admission tests and have scores sent to the schools. Start filling out application forms.
December (8 months)	Make copies of your application documents for your records. Send the originals via courier. Check in with your professors and employer to make sure they�ve sent your recommendation. Do the same for your transcripts.
February - April (4-6 months)	You will start hearing from the schools. Contact the graduate department or admissions office if you do not receive any correspondence from them. Accept one school's offer after considering all the factors that are important to you in a graduate program. Notify them and the others of your choice. Ask the school to send you the I-20 or IAP-64 form if it wasn�t sent with the offer of admission notice. Make housing arrangements. Research health insurance options and decide on which one to buy.
May � June (2-3 months)	Apply for a visa. Attend pre-departure orientation programs. These are usually organized by the U.S. educational advising center.
July (1 month)	Look over everything to make sure all�s in order. Visit friends and family for goodbyes. Plan to arrive at least two weeks prior to the school orientation to give yourself time to settle down. And finally, have a nice trip!