Resources

Applying to graduate school...

Begin in the summer before your senior year of college or at least a year before you plan to start graduate school. Study deadlines for specific programs carefully since they may vary significantly depending on the institution to which you apply. All times indicated below are approximate.

Summer

Write a draft statement of purpose (why you want to be admitted to the program to which you are applying). Start browsing through directories of graduate programs and college catalogs.

September

Meet with current faculty members to discuss your statement and possible programs. Ask for letters of recommendation. Sign up for required standardized tests.

October

Take standardized tests. Request application materials from programs in which you are interested. The PETERSON’S GUIDE (available in Career Planning & Development, Collier Library and online) is a good source of information and addresses of graduate school programs.

November

Order transcripts. Ask if the Registrar’s Office can send a transcript with your fall term grades in time to meet the deadlines of programs to which you are applying.

December

Complete application forms (do a draft on a photocopy of the forms first). Give your recommenders the forms to fill out or the addresses to which they should send their letters and copies of your statement of purpose or your response to specific questions asked by the program.

January

Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early. If you are applying for need based financial aid programs, you must also file an application for Financial Aid. You must have Financial Aid transcripts sent to the institution to which you are applying.

February

Contact programs about the possibility of visiting. Make trips if possible. (Be sure to brush up on your Interviewing Skills.)

April

When applying for need based financial aid programs, you may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return

Grad School Info - ONLINE

Law School Information

• Tips from UNA's Career Planning & Development Office
  Skills, knowledge, and classes that law schools look for as well as tips on writing your personal statement and a calendar timeline.

General Information

• Petersons: Education and Career Center.
  Contains comprehensive information on graduate school programs. Details application process. Specific programs or colleges can be researched through a keyword search. Online discussion and instant inquiries are available.

Deciding and Applying

• Advice for Undergrads Considering Grad School.
  One professor’s detailed advice on deciding to attend graduate school. Focuses on personal qualities, goals, and what to expect.
• Movin’ On: Tips About Graduate School.
  Provides advice about researching, evaluating, and choosing a school. Details important aspects of the application process. Addresses common concerns and questions. Suggests an application timetable.
• Getting In: An Applicant’s Guide to Graduate Admissions.
  Guide designed to stimulate creative thinking to increase possibilities of success in the graduate school admissions process.
• Writing Central for Law, Medical, Business, Grad School Applicants.
  Specifies do’s and don’ts for writing application essays for Business, Law, Medical, or Graduate School.

Admissions Tests

• AAMC: Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
• American Dental Association (DAT)
• Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (VCAT)
• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (OAT)
• Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAT)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• Law School Admission Council (LSAT)
• Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Kaplan Grad Line
  GRE info including the Computer Adaptive Test
• Other Post-Secondary Admissions Tests Page
• Test.com Inc

online testing center

Financial Aid

• FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page.
  Comprehensive guide to student financial aid. Links to all sources of aid including loans, fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships. Includes financial aid information for special interest groups. Contains calculators that estimate financial aid needs, budgets, loan payment, college cost projection, and college funding.

Graduate Programs

• The American Association of Medical Colleges.
  Offers information about medical programs, financial aid for medical students, application information, and how to use the American Medical College Application Service.
• Law School Admission Council.
  Information regarding taking the LSAT, online registration, application process and links to Law schools in U.S. and Canada.
• Internet Legal Resource Guide-Pre-Law Student Services.
  Contains a tremendous amount of information. Provides links to law schools around the world. LSAT information, online tutorial and registration. Online law school locator contains information on applying to law school. Essays about the first year of law school and reasons to go are available for download. Law scholarships, grants, and financial aid information are available as well. Pre-law advisor program and law fraternity links are available. Law school rankings by U.S. News, Gourman Report, and the Insider’s Guide, and cost-benefit analysis of law schools are all accessible on-line.
• The MBA Explorer.
  In addition to providing GMAT information, this comprehensive site discusses the facts about getting a MBA, how to choose and finance a MBA program, and other resources available to MBA students. Includes many valuable links.