STEPS TO GRAD SCHOOL: FOR UNDER-GRADS

First year

  • Start building your resume
  • Attend a conference
  • Start gathering a professional wardrobe
  • Ask upper class students for guidance
  • Use summer to gain experience or take extra classes

Sophomore year

  • Take leadership roles in teams, groups, projects
  • Consider study abroad
  • Get research experience in your field
  • Network - ask people for business cards
  • Research graduate programs
  • Learn about the application process

Junior year

  • Look into graduate level courses
  • Continue to build a strong GPA
  • Search/apply to summer research programs/internships (e.g. U-M summer research)
  • Attend campus open houses (e.g. U-M Visit Day)
  • Attend and present at research conferences
  • Start drafting personal and academic statements
  • Start saving money for applications, transcripts, required exams, and interviews
  • Start preparing for GRE exam
  • Look into application fee waivers and additional resources to help cover application costs

Summer of Junior year

  • Participate in a Summer research program
  • Create a list of graduate programs of interest
  • Look at financial resources for graduate students
  • Finish personal and academic statements
    • Ask faculty and/or colleagues for feedback
  • Take a GRE prep course
    • Search for free practice tests
  • Take GRE exam

Senior year

  • Apply to campus visit programs and/or symposiums
  • Prepare a "recommenders’ package" that includes a list of universities to apply to, deadlines, copies of your transcript, and personal and academic statements
  • Request letters of recommendation (at least two months before the deadline)
  • Apply to your top schools
    • Most applications open in September
    • Deadlines will vary by program!
  • Talk with faculty, family and friends about your options
  • Accept an offer by April 15th (Due to Covid-19, many schools have extended their deadlines.)

STEPS TO GRAD SCHOOL: FOR PROFESSIONALS RETURNING TO SCHOOL

Often after working several years, your goals change and you want to advance your career and/or start a new career path. At this time, many students decide to explore graduate school as one of their key options.  Programs like the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability value the experiences and skills these applicants bring to the classroom.  Relevant work experience and demonstrated skills can give you an advantage during the admissions process so please make sure to highlight these items throughout the admissions process. 

As you take the next steps to graduate school, consider the following items: 

  • How will this impact my overall professional growth? 
  • How will this impact my personal and financial life? 
  • How do gain information to make the best decision for me? 
  • What are the steps that I need to do prepare to apply? To be competitive?