A2GS 12-Week Timeline to Successfully Apply to Graduate School

Justin Grimes
Aug 26
6 min read

The first set of deadlines for highly competitive graduate programs starts on December 1.

Before you panic, take a moment to.....

Regardless of whether you have a full-time job or a full course load of courses, you can make applying to graduate school manageable. Remember, putting together a Lego set starts with one piece at a time.

There are so many tasks in life that can feel overwhelming, and applying to graduate school can be as well when you don't have a plan.

When I'm teaching people how to get into graduate school, I ask them, How many hours does it take to apply to graduate school successfully?

I get responses of 50, 60, 83, and maybe 100.

It takes, on average, 200 hours to successfully apply to graduate school.

I'm confident you are shocked by this number.

You may be telling yourself that the process doesn't take 200 hours because there isn't much to provide. When you see the timeline below, your thoughts will change quickly.

Before we get into the timeline, please keep in mind that there are 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a week.

A week and a half doesn't sound bad. However, everything you need to apply to graduate school won't be completed in that time frame. Some requirements take time, such as getting letters of recommendation or taking the GRE or GMAT.

Many of my clients are unsure about the requirements for graduate school.

If you want to know what the requirements are to get into graduate school, purchase my book here.

Through research and coaching, I've found that 12 weeks is a reasonable timeframe for applying to graduate school successfully. https://www.applytograduateschool.com/product-page/13-steps-that-get-you-admitted-into-graduate-school-workbook

As you prepare to apply to graduate school over the next 12 weeks, the first question you might ask me is, "Where do I begin?" The second question is, "What should I be doing for the next 12 weeks?"

Applying to graduate school can feel overwhelming without proper planning.

Since 2022, I have come to realize that people need step-by-step guidance to transition from "I want to go back to school" to "I've submitted my graduate school application."

Over 10 million people say they want to go to school, but less than 4 million actually apply. I believe the ones who not only apply, but get admitted, seek out expert help and resources that will guide them through the process.

Would you rather pay $60 for resources to get into graduate school, or $600 in transcripts, tests, test prep, and more based on your own knowledge, hoping you will get in?

I know you will pay the $60 every day of the week.

To help break applying to graduate school into manageable steps, we want you to get a copy of 13 Steps That Get You Admitted Into Graduate School Workbook

I know that you are busy, and you want to clear the path toward admissions success, without forgetting any steps.

I know that whether you are currently in school or it's been 15 years, you don't want to waste any energy or money going through the graduate school application process only to be denied.

If you want to lessen the likelihood of that happening, the $60 you spend on this book and workbook makes it totally worth it.

To give you a preview of what you will learn from these resources and to explain why it takes approximately 200 hours to successfully apply to graduate school, I encourage you to review the A2GS 12-week timeline. This will help you stay on track and make the application process less stressful.

A2GS 12-Week Application Timeline

Week 1: Research Programs and Schools: Begin by researching the graduate programs that interest you. Look into schools offering courses and opportunities aligned with your career goals. Make a list of your top choices. Get your copy of the "13 Steps That Get You Admitted Into Graduate School Workbook" to help you make this list.

Week 2: Check Application Requirements: Once you've identified your top schools, review each application's requirements. Please keep in mind the deadlines, required materials (like transcripts, recommendation letters, and essays), and any tests you must take. Always apply based on the program deadline, NOT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL DEADLINE.

Week 3: Register for Required Tests: If your programs require tests such as the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT, now is the time to register. Create a study schedule to ensure you're prepared to do your best. Create a study schedule to prepare for and complete your Achievable GRE prep course. Achievable offers personalized test prep courses for the GRE, guiding learners through a tailored study experience and ensuring they are fully prepared for the exam. The Achievable GRE prep course delivers high-quality results without breaking the bank. To learn more about the course and get started at $199, visit https://app.achievable.me/enroll/applytograduateschool.

Week 4: Request Letters of Recommendation: Reach out to potential recommenders. These could be former professors, supervisors, or mentors who can speak to you about your qualifications. Be sure to provide them with any relevant information they'll need to write strong letters. If you want a template for asking for a letter of recommendation, we have one in the book 20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School.

Week 5: Draft Your Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose is one of the most critical components of your application. Start drafting your essay, focusing on your academic and professional goals, why you're pursuing this degree, and why the program is a good fit for you. Our Personal Statement Advantage (P.S.A.) program offers a step-by-step guide to writing your personal statement, along with feedback and editing. Click here to receive information on the P.S.A. program.

Week 6: Gather Transcripts and Documents: Collect and submit official transcripts from all colleges you've attended. Some schools take longer to process requests, so ordering them early is best.

Week 7: Prepare for Tests and Conversations About Funding: Use this week to ramp up your preparation for any required tests. Take practice exams and focus on areas where you need to improve. If you haven't spoken with financial aid and the graduate program about funding options, please do so. Look for their graduate school newsletter, grad school website, or reach out to alumni of the program to learn more about funding options. Not sure what to ask? Get the book 20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School for a list of questions to ask faculty, financial aid, or alumni about funding.

Week 8: Revise Your Statement of Purpose: After getting feedback from mentors or peers, revise your statement of purpose. Make sure it's polished, error-free, and truly reflects who you are and what you hope to achieve. Again, A2GS offers feedback and editing services.

Week 9: Finalize Your Application Materials: Gather all your documents, including your resume/CV, recommendation letters, and essays. Double-check for any missing items. Grammarly is your friend.

Week 10: Submit Your Application: It's time to submit your application! Be mindful of deadlines and ensure everything is submitted on time. Make copies of all materials for your records. Save in multiple locations (cloud, Google, Dropbox, flash drive, email, etc.).

Week 11: Follow Up on Recommendations: Please ensure your recommenders have submitted their letters. If they haven't, please remind them of the deadline.

Week 12: Prepare for Interviews: Some programs may require an interview. You can use this time to research common interview questions and practice your responses.

CONGRATULATIONS

You now have a plan you can implement to get closer to achieving your goal of getting into graduate school.

Following this general timeline will help you stay organized and confident throughout the application process.

What qualifies you, Dr. grimes, to be giving me advice on applying to graduate school:

✔ Completed an online master's

✔ Completed an in-person doctorate

✔ I worked as a recruiter for undergraduate and graduate admissions

✔ Provided coaching to students on getting into graduate school in my professional role for several years

✔ Served as an admissions coordinator for a doctoral program

✔ Received a dissertation of the year award, which explored why individuals pursue a graduate degree

✔ I became the first person in my family to obtain a doctoral degree

✔ Was honored with an outstanding graduate student award for my leadership as president of a graduate student organization and mentoring graduate students by the Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Arkansas

✔ Served as an academic coach to assist graduate students in overcoming academic probation

✔ Instructed master's level courses at a Top-Tier Research 1 institution

✔ Accumulated over 17 years of professional experience in higher education

✔ Author of "20 Questions to Answer Before You Apply to Graduate School"

I need more than a book and a workbook. I need a coach.

As an instructor, researcher, author, and international speaker on the topic of applying to graduate school, I have developed the Graduate School Collective Coaching Program. This program provides guidance that goes beyond just reading about the application process. I understand that graduate school cannot be completed in a vacuum; having the right support throughout the journey makes a significant difference.

The Graduate School Collective aims to assist individuals in successfully transitioning from the application process to their first year as graduate students.

Consider enrolling in the Graduate School Collective Coaching program for a more detailed and customized approach. We have a proven, specific timeline to help you get accepted to graduate school in less than 200 hours.