UCSC - EOP Graduate Information Program

Step 1. Refining Your Professional Interests
Step 2. Identify Programs
Step 3. Organizational - System & Fellowship Research
Step 4. Creating a Timeline

Stage 2: Beginning the Application - Application Checklist

Stage 3: Bringing it All Together

Stage 4: Follow-Up & Thank You

Stage 5: Decision Time & Financial Aid

STAGE 1. PREPARATION & RESEARCH

STEP 1 -> REFINING YOUR PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS	RESOURCES
What are you passionate about? What are your professional and academic goals/aspirations? What degree(s) are required for your ideal profession?	Career Center EOP Graduate Information Program STARS Advisors Faculty Post Doctorates/Graduate Students Alumni (Career Advice Network, CAN)

STEP 2 -> IDENTIFY PROGRAMS

RESOURCES

What kinds of program(s) would you like to apply to?

How well does that graduate program fit your particular interests, academic background, and goals?

Are there particular campus(es) you would like to further investigate?

What kind of environment would you like to live in?

What are the various programs’ prerequisites?

How many people apply to a given department or program, and how many are accepted?

Are there faculty within your research interests in the program?

FACULTY in your area of interests

Post Doctorates/Graduate Students in programs of your interests

Department Advisors

ONLINE RESOURCES

Peterson’s Guide to Graduate & Professional School

GradSchool.com

Graduate Guide

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Board

Council of Graduate Schools

educationUSA

STEP 3 -> ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEM & FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH

RESOURCES

Review Program Criteria & Description

Identify your application deadlines

Request & Review Applications or review online Application Process

Identify required Graduate School Exam(s)

Research Financial Resources/Fellowship Opportunities (university based and national opportunities)

Identify Faculty/Staff for Letters of Recommendation

Create an Organizational System for graduate school materials (handouts, resources, CV, Transcripts, program info and applications, etc.)

EOP Graduate Information Program

Career Center

Faculty

Post Doctorates/Graduate Students

STEP 4 -> CREATING A TIMELINE	RESOURCES
Organize a Portfolio for requesting Letters of Recommendation Research and Sign up for Grad School Exam(s) & Upcoming Practice Tests 2nd Stage to Organizational System: Create an application TIMELINE for yourself!	EOP Graduate Information Program Career Center STARS Advisors

STAGE 2. BEGINNING THE APPLICATION

Items below should be included in your timeline!

Prepare for Grad School Exam(s)Request Transcripts & Evaluations
(check with each campus on what is needed)Begin Statement of Purpose Begin Fellowship Application
Take GRE (no later than October) Visit potential campuses

STAGE 3. BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER

Items below would be included in your timeline!

Take GRE (no later than October)Request Transcripts & Evaluations (check with each campus on what is needed)Edit and Complete Statement of PurposeApply to Fellowship ProgramComplete and submit Fellowship ApplicationComplete Portfolio for RecommendersSubmit Portfolio and Request Letters of RecommendationMailing and/or submitting online applications
Visit potential campuses

STAGE 4. FOLLOW-UP & THANK YOU

Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA deadline in March)Contact Department/Programs & Fellowship Program and verify they received your application
Follow-up with and thank Recommenders and other supportive individuals

STAGE 5. DECISION TIME & FINANCIAL AID

If accepted to multiple programs then begin to decide which is the best program for you. (Take into consideration financial aid, location, faculty support, etc)If you are accepted and have not visited the campus, ask about financial support to visit.If you are not accepted into a program or not given a campus or external/national fellowship find out why. You must be professionally aggressive and call financial aid, graduate division, the department/program and faculty
Send thank you card to Recommenders and other supportive individuals

TAKING STEPS

Self-Discovery

Accessing Options

Setting Your Goals

Making a Choice

UC Berkeley Timeline
(1st-4th year)

GRAD/PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL RESOURCES

Division of Graduate Studies @ UCSC Peterson's Guide

Graduate School Information

Business School Information Law School Information Medical School Information Professional Associations educationUSA

Project 1000 Gradview