Applying to Graduate School Guide - 2022 - Application Timeline and Process

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz

Graduate school application guidance covering key decisions, timing, and a full application workflow. The document explains when to apply, how many programs to target, and what to consider when selecting schools. It outlines required elements including application forms, fees, standardized entrance exams and GRE test preparation, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and key application essays. It also addresses resumes/CVs, interviews and auditions, and decision-making after acceptances, plus options if admission is not achieved.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

The Graduate School Application Timeline

Deciding if Graduate School Is the Next Step for You

When to Go

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Deciding on Graduate School

Where Should You Apply?

How Many Schools Should I Apply To?

The Grad School Application Process

Application Form

Application Fees

Entrance Exams & Test Scores

Transcripts

Letters of Recommendation

Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement/Entrance Essay

Resume/CV

Interviews & Auditions

After the Acceptances—How Do You Choose?

What If I Don’t Get In?

Contents THE GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICATION TIMELINE .................................................................................................................. 4 DECIDING IF GRADUATE SCHOOL IS THE NEXT STEP FOR YOU............................................................................................... 6 WHEN TO GO .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE DECIDING ON GRADUATE SCHOOL ......................................................................... 6 WHERE SHOULD YOU APPLY? OR WHICH SCHOOLS SHOULD YOU APPLY TO?...................................................................... 7 Things to Consider: ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 Helpful Resources: .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD I APPLY TO? .......................................................................................................................... 9 THE GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION PROCESS ......................................................................................................................... 10 APPLICATION FORM .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 APPLICATION FEES ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 ENTRANCE EXAMS & TEST SCORES ................................................................................................................................... 11 Types of Required Standardized Entrance Exams............................................................................................................. 11 Test Preparation................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Free/Low-Cost Test Prep for the GRE ............................................................................................................................... 12 Paid Test Prep ................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Prep for Specific Exam Sites .............................................................................................................................................. 12 What if My Scores Aren’t Great? ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Some Tips for Approaching Standardized Entrance Tests ................................................................................................ 13 Preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) ................................................................................................... 13 Studying for the GRE ......................................................................................................................................................... 13 TRANSCRIPTS......................................................................................................................................................................... 14 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION.......................................................................................................................................... 14 Information to Provide Your Recommender ........................................................................

FAQs

How do you decide whether graduate school is the right next step?

The guide prompts self-reflection on goals and readiness, then covers timing and planning questions before making the commitment to apply.

What standardized entrance exams and test-score steps are covered?

The document explains required entrance exams, details GRE preparation options (free/low-cost and paid), and provides advice for handling results if scores are not strong.

What materials must be prepared for a complete application?

It lists application forms and fees, transcripts, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose/personal statement/entrance essay, and a resume/CV, including how to write impact-focused accomplishment bullets.

What should you do after receiving acceptances or if you don’t get in?

The guide discusses how to choose among acceptances and offers guidance on next steps when admission is not achieved.

Sep 17, 2026

Uploaded by Blitz