Milestones
Programs may have different deadlines. This timeline is based on typical December/January application deadlines.
Summer
- Research schools and review application forms (note deadlines!).
- Study for admissions tests
- Decide who will write your letters of recommendation
September
- Draft your personal statements
- Sign up for admissions tests
- Give your references information on writing letters
October/Early November
- Take admissions tests
- Get feedback on your personal statement from faculty and staff at Career and Internship Services
- Complete application forms
December/January
- Finalize and send applications
- Confirm documents have been received by admissions
March through May
- Programs may invite applicants for on-site visits and interviews
- Responses typically received from programs
- Notify schools of your decision to accept or decline
Admissions Tests
The three most common admission tests for grad and professional school are listed below with more information.
Common Tests
- GRE – Graduate Record Exam - most common of graduate programs
- GMAT – Graduate Management Aptitude Test - business Schools and MBA programs
- LSAT – Law School Admissions Test - you guessed it, law school
Studying for Admissions Tests
There are a lot of tools out there to help you prep for admissions tests including books, online tutorials and classes. Check out Test Prep from UMN Libraries which includes free GRE test prep materials.