Spring of Junior Year

• Begin asking faculty, advisors, professionals, and the Career Services staff about graduate programs in your field. 
• Identify and read professional journals in the field. Learn as much as you can about the current research.
• Identify the leading researchers and institutions for your field of interest. 
• Visit Career Services for information on graduate and professional school programs. 
• Develop as many options as you can; then eliminate some by researching them before you leave for the summer (a spreadsheet approach is helpful).
• Register and prepare for graduate admission tests. 

Summer after Junior Year

• Call or write the remaining schools on your list for applications and program information. 
• Look over the materials you receive and continue narrowing your list. 
• Contact admissions offices for information on acceptance rates, test score, and GPA ranges. 
• Ask for information on placement rates and typical employers for each program. 
• Talk to professionals in the field regarding their research and employment opportunities. 
• Identify Hendrix alumni currently enrolled or recently graduated from the program and contact them. 
• Begin writing your personal statement, which must be modified for each school. 
• If you haven’t done so, register and prepare for admission tests. 

September of Senior Year

• When school starts, finish narrowing your list of schools. 
• Begin asking for letters of recommendation. 
• Continue working on your personal statement.  Have advisors, faculty and Career Services staff review each statement and make recommendations.
• Check on application deadlines and rolling or early admissions policies. 
• Read the applications thoroughly and prepare any other materials requested. 
• For medical, dental or law school register with the appropriate application and data assembly service. 

October of Senior Year

• Submit completed applications for any early decision programs. 
• Prepare for and take graduate admissions exams if you haven’t done so already. 
• Contact schools to schedule visits during fall semester. 
• Continue to gather and complete the necessary application materials. 

November of Senior Year

• Continue to send applications, paying close attention to deadlines. 
• A good rule of thumb is to submit your applications by Thanksgiving Break. 
• Follow up with graduate schools to confirm that all necessary application materials have arrived.