Applying to Graduate School

Fall of Your Senior Year

September:

Finalize you list of programs to which you will apply. Make note of all your application due dates and whether or not the school has rolling admissions. Then create a deadline for yourself to mail each of your completed applications.
Put together a packet of information to give the people who you will ask to write you letters of recommendation. This may include a copy of your unofficial transcript, a very rough draft of your statement of purpose (to give your recommenders a better idea of what you are interested in studying and why), a list of schools to which you are applying.
Prepare your resume.. Visit MITCO to have it critiqued or attend one of the Smart Resume and Cover Letter Workshops.

October:

Take the standardized test required for your program if you haven't already.
Write your statement of purpose and have it reviewed by a faculty mentor or a writing coach at MIT.
Request OFFICIAL transcripts. You want to make sure they are mailed from MIT to meet due dates.
Complete financial aid and scholarship forms.
Think about alternatives to graduate school.

November/December:

Finalize all application packets.
Contact your recommenders and kindly remind them of the deadlines for your application (if they have not already completed and mailed them). Make sure to send them a thank you letter after they mail your recommendations.
Mail your application packets. (Spending the extra money on return receipt is a good idea so that you are guaranteed the school received your application.)
Follow-up and make sure that each school has received your application packet and that it is complete. You wan to do this at least 1 ½ weeks prior to the deadline so that you can resend anything that didn't make it to the school.

Last updated on Tuesday, November 15, 05 at 02:16:51 PM EST.