Career Development
Center
  Occidental College
 1600 Campus Road,
Coons 109
 Los Angeles, CA
 90041-3314

 Email: careers@oxy.edu
 Phone: 323.259.2623
 Fax: 323.341.4900

Graduate and Professional Education Information

A Suggested Timeline

Junior year--fall

• Decide if graduate/professional school a possibility.
• Determine why you would consider graduate school.
• What types of programs would interest you.
• Start to explore possible programs of interest.
• Talk to faculty and advisors to get their input and ideas.
• Find out how one usually applies
• Through a centralized application service? 
• Directly to the program?
• A combination of both?
• What admission examination is required.

Junior year--spring

• Start your search for possible programs in earnest.
• Write for information about programs you are considering.
• Start investigating how to finance your program.
• Consider taking the admission exam now.
• If a centralized application service is used, find out how it works.
• Reduce your list of possible programs to a manageable number.
• If possible, visit some of the programs.

Senior year--fall

August-September

• Decide to which programs you will apply.
• Get application materials from those universities/programs.
• Review application materials so you know what is expected.
• If using a centralized application service get those materials (application may be due October 1).

October-November

• Take admissions examination if you haven't already.
• Complete financial assistance application forms if due.
• Start working on your personal statement and resume.
• Identify those who you will ask to complete recommendations and meet with them.
• Submit application materials if due or completed early.

Senior year--spring

January-February

• Complete applications and submit them to the appropriate office.
• Have recommendations completed and submitted on time.
• Have your official transcript sent.
• Complete applications for all forms of financial assistance.
• If required or desired, arrange for interviews.

March-April

• Wait to hear.
• When you receive responses, if admitted to more than one program decide which you plan to attend and accept.
• Write to the other programs, thanking them for the offer and notifying them that you have made other plans.
• If you receive more than one acceptance and cannot decide because you have yet to work out funding, it is okay to contact both to find out when you will hear about that.

May

• Have your final transcript sent when your degree is posted.