Graduate School Application Information

If interested in attending graduate school directly after graduating from Allegheny College, the application process should begin during junior year. Most deadlines, other than those for medical school, are between December and March of the senior year for entry the following fall semester. It’s important to remember that applying early to a school with rolling admissions gives the committee more time to review and evaluate your application.

Ideal Timetable for the Application Process

Fall to Spring of Junior Year

  • Research areas of interest, institutions, and programs.
  • Learn the application requirements.
  • Register and prepare for appropriate graduate admission tests.
  • Investigate scholarships.

Spring to Summer following Junior Year

  • Take required graduate admission tests.
  • Begin writing essays/personal statements or other application materials.
  • Visit institutions of interest.
  • Write your application essay.
  • Check on application deadlines and rolling admissions policies.
  • For medical, dental, osteopathy, podiatry, or law school: there are other requirements, please visit the Pre-Professional Advisor(s) for details

Fall of Senior Year

  • Obtain letters of recommendation.
  • Take graduate admission tests, if you haven’t already.
  • Complete and have your essays/personal statements reviewed
  • Update your resume/CV and have reviewed by Career Education administration
  • Send in completed applications.

Spring of Senior Year

  • Check with all institutions prior to their deadlines to ensure that all materials were received.
  • Visit institutions that accept you- prepare for interviews
  • Send a deposit to your institution of choice.
  • Notify other institutions that accepted you of your decision so that students on waiting lists can be admitted.
  • Notify those who wrote letters of recommendation for you of your success.

Adapted from: Peterson’s Guide to Graduate and Professional Programs: An Overview 1995

Graduate School Resources