The decision to pursue further education at a graduate school or a professional school is a major life choice that can impact many aspects of your life. Begin by reflecting on these key questions:

• Is a graduate degree necessary for advancing my career?
• Will earning this degree enhance my job satisfaction?
• When is the right time for me to pursue graduate studies? Should I take a gap year?
• What financial considerations should I factor in?
• How might this decision affect my personal relationships and long-term goals?

Ideally, you should begin preparing for graduate school in your first year at UC Irvine. However, whether you're a sophomore, junior, or senior, it's never too late to start. Strengthen your graduate school application by:

• Maintaining or improving your GPA
• Building strong professional and mentoring relationships with faculty
• Taking on leadership roles in campus organizations or the local community
• Engaging in experiential learning through internships, study abroad programs, volunteering, and work experience
• Defining your research interests and seeking out relevant research opportunities

Here is a sample application timeline for students planning to attend graduate school immediately after completing their undergraduate degree. Keep in mind that this is just a suggested guide—your specific deadlines may differ based on the requirements of your chosen graduate programs.

Graduate School Application Process

 
Summer | Before Graduation Year

June - September

• Determine which type of graduate degree best fits your career goals (M.A., M.S., MBA, Ph.D., J.D., etc.)
• Research specific graduate programs of interest and complete SSARC’s comparison worksheet
1. UCI Graduate Degree Search
2. UC Graduate Degree Search
3. CSU Degree Search
4. Peterson’s
5. U.S. News & World Report
6. GradSchoolMatch
• Review and complete the Federal Student Aid’s Graduation Preparation Checklist
• Prepare and register for required entrance exams: GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS (international students only)
• Take examinations during summer and/or early fall
• Begin working on statement of purpose and/or personal statement
1. UCI Division of Career Pathways | Write a Statement of Purpose
2. University of California Graduate Admissions | Statement of Purpose
3. UCI Scholarship Opportunities Program
4. Purdue OWL | Writing the Personal Statement

 
Fall | Graduation Year

September

• Continue researching graduate programs of interest
• Attend the Division of Career Pathways’ Graduate and Professional School Fairs and other related workshops
1. Tip: Before attending a graduate school fair, be aware of who will be attending by reviewing the directory or program and preparing a list of questions for admission representatives
• Request official transcripts from the University Registrar
• Request letters of recommendation from your professors and supervisors
1. Tip: Make sure to provide a draft of your statement of purpose and/or personal statement, resume/CV and any additional information the recommender may need to write your letter

October

• As soon as possible after the October 1 release, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form along with any other financial aid applications your chosen grad school(s) may require
Tip: Graduate and professional students are considered independent students for FAFSA purposes, so when you fill out your FAFSA form to apply for grad school aid, you won't need to provide parent information
• Finish statement of purpose and/or personal statement. Receive feedback and edits from faculty, the SSARC Team, and the UCI Center for Excellence in Writing & Communication
• Attend Informational Sessions for the graduate program you are interested in, these sessions normally take place in the fall a few months before the application deadline
Tip: If possible, visit the schools in which you are interested. Talk with admissions staff, department faculty, and /or current graduate students

November

• Submit your completed graduate school applications as early as possible; be aware of final deadlines
Tips: Most graduate school application deadlines are in December. Some programs provide an early submission date or recommended submission date. Other programs admit on a rolling basis which means applications are evaluated as they arrive. Double-check the application timeline of your chosen programs. There may be graduate programs that accept applications as late as June
• Maximize your financial support by researching on opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, and other funding sources as possible

December

• Ensure your transcripts and letters of recommendation have been submitted by following up with the necessary parties.
• If interviews are required or recommended, schedule and thoroughly prepare for them by researching each prospective program to determine their interview process and expectation.

 
Winter | Graduation Year

January - June

• Confirm with each school that they have received all required materials, including test scores, writing samples, resume, supplemental essays, and financial statement
• Be sure to express gratitude by sending thank-you cards or emails to those who supported you throughout your educational and application journey
• Once you receive your graduate school acceptances, carefully compare the programs and their financial aid offers
Tip: If you don’t get accepted, don’t be discouraged! Meet with a SSARC team member or a career counselor to reassess your goals and explore ways to strengthen your application for the next cycle
• After making your final decision, notify the other programs where you were accepted or waitlisted

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

 
Letter of Recommendation Timeline

• 3 months before the letter of recommendation deadline
• Begin working on your application materials
• Create a matrix or spreadsheet outlining each program’s details and requirements
• 8 to 10 weeks before the deadline
• Email your recommender,, asking if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation
• 6-8 weeks before the deadline
• Formally request the letter of recommendation
• Provide your recommender with all necessary materials and any helpful information they may need
• 1 to 2 weeks before the deadline
• If the letter hasn’t been submitted yet, send a polite reminder to your recommender that the deadline is approaching
• A few days after the deadline
• Send a thank-you email to your recommender

Note: This timeline is ideal for pacing the application process, but your timeline may vary depending on your circumstances. Some people complete this process in just 2 months, while others take over a year. Adjust according to your needs to ensure all components are completed thoroughly.

 
Recommendation Materials

To help your recommender write a strong and tailored letter of recommendation, consider including the following items. Keep in mind that while these are useful, your recommender may use as much or as little as they prefer:

1. Letter of Context: A brief outline of your relationship with the recommender, including how long you’ve worked together and what you’ve gained from the experience.
1. Example: If the professor was your Research Advisor, mention the start of the research project, a description of the project, and how it impacted your academic or personal growth
2. Updated Resume/CV and Transcript: Your most recent resume/CV and transcripts to give your recommender a complete overview of your academic and professional background.
3. Statement of Purpose: Share your statement of purpose that best highlights your goals, qualifications, and strengths. This should include:
1. Research experience
2. Academic performance
3. Skills and experience relevant to the program
4. Program Matrix: A detailed chart listing all the programs you are applying to. Include the following in the matrix:
1. Name of the school and program
2. Application deadline
3. Submission method for the letter of recommendation (email, link, postal mail)
4. Contact details of the admissions coordinator or counselor
5. The outcome you are hoping to achieve from the program (e.g., research opportunities, a certificate relevant to your field)
6. The focus area of the program

This information will make it easier for your professor to craft a recommendation that aligns with each program's specific requirements and expectations. (see example pdf)

 
Recommendation Letter Etiquette

Most graduate programs require 1-3 letters of recommendation. Follow these guidelines when requesting a letter:

1. Make a Formal Request
   Reach out to your recommender by email or in person (schedule an appointment) to ask if they would be willing to write a letter on your behalf.
2. State the Purpose
   Clearly explain that the recommendation is for graduate school and why you have chosen this professor specifically, and be sure to ask if they can write a strong letter of recommendation (give them time to consider your request).
3. Ask Early
   Request the letter well in advance and ask formally. Never assume a professor or supervisor will agree to write a recommendation.
4. Confirm Strength of Letter
   It's important to ask if the recommender is comfortable writing a strong letter on your behalf. If they decline, it may be due to various reasons, such as time constraints or not knowing enough about your qualifications.
5. Rejection Isn’t Personal
   If a recommender declines your request, don’t take it personally. They might be too busy, unfamiliar with your achievements, or think another path might suit you better.
6. Avoid Frequent Reminders
   Don’t repeatedly follow up on whether the letter has been sent unless your recommender has specifically asked you to send reminders. When necessary, kindly remind them as the deadline approaches.
7. Prepare for Your Appointment
   If meeting in person, make sure you have a clear agenda to discuss and provide all necessary materials.

 
How to Begin Now

1. Attend Office Hours Regularly
   Make a habit of attending your professor’s office hours to build rapport and seek academic guidance.
2. Take Multiple Classes with a Faculty Member
   Enroll in several courses taught by a professor you might ask for a recommendation. This will give them a deeper understanding of your strengths.
3. Get Involved in Research
   Join labs, practicums, UROP, or independent studies. Working closely with faculty on research projects allows them to know your capabilities firsthand.
4. Maintain Contact Over Time
   Stay connected with professors or supervisors by scheduling 1:1 meetings or sending them periodic updates. Keeping in touch helps them remember you and better understand your progress.
5. Join Clubs and Organizations
   Get involved in extracurricular activities and take on leadership roles. This showcases your initiative and commitment.
6. Attend and Volunteer at Events
   Participating in events and volunteering allows you to network and build relationships with faculty and staff.

The SSARC Team is here to help you navigate this journey. Please make a graduate/professional school consultation appointment with our staff or a peer consultant by visiting https://www.ssarc.socsci.uci.edu/contact.php.