What to do if…

You are a first year thinking about graduate school

Develop good relationships with faculty.
Participate in research projects
Improve your writing and research skills. See your class librarian for advice on how to use the different research tools in the library.
Explore areas of interest and focus on your academic work.
Look for summer research opportunities or other experiences that will help build your skills or help you refine your interests (languages, geographic/area interests, research). Even a summer spent working for money while volunteering at a museum, spending several weeks traveling, or reading in your area of interest will be beneficial.
Talk to graduate students in your department or area of interest.
Look at Fellowship opportunities; explore FROGS.
Talk to a Chicago GPS advisors and visit CAPS resources, as well as for help finding summer opportunities.

Attend the Faculty Roundtables.
Develop good relationships with faculty.
Participate in research projects.
Work on and improve your writing and research skills. See your class librarian for advice on how to use the different research tools in the library.
Explore areas of interest and focus on your academic work. Do well academically.
Look for summer research opportunities or other experiences that will help build your skills or help you refine your interests (languages, geographic/area interests, research). Even a summer spent working for money while volunteering at a museum, spending several weeks traveling, or reading in your area of interest will be beneficial.
Talk to graduate students in your department or area of interest.
Visit CAPS for Chicago GPS advisors and resources, as well as for help finding summer opportunities.
Assess whether graduate school is the right path for you. Talk to faculty and Chicago GPS advisors. Conduct informational interviews with alumni who have graduate degrees.

Attend Chicago GPS and Departmental programming about applying to graduate school.
Attend CPO’s Taking the Next Step, Graduate school in the Humanities and Social Sciences session, or Careers in the Sciences.
Research fellowship opportunities for post-baccalaureate and graduate study. Look at Fellowship opportunities like the Fulbright Fellowships that will enable you to spend a year conducting research after graduation. Talk to your academic advisor so that they are familiar with your interests. Explore FROGS.
Participate in research projects. Write seminar papers in your classes.
Improve your writing and research skills. See your class librarian for advice on how to use the different research tools in the library.
Study for and take the GREs.
Explore different graduate programs. Identify schools, review application procedures.
Take note of application deadlines so that you can plan effectively.
Identify faculty from whom to request letters of reference. Make sure they will be in residence when you will be submitting your applications. If they will not, ask them to write for you now, or for the best way to contact them when your applications are due.
Open an Interfolio account for your letters of recommendation.
Begin thinking about and drafting your personal statement.

Attend Chicago GPS and Departmental programming about applying to graduate school.
Make final requests for letters of recommendation. Remember faculty are often very busy. Give them enough time to write for you -- a month is standard.
Open an Interfolio account, if you have not already.
Take GREs if you have not already. Take them early enough so that you will have the results before the application deadlines.
Complete and mail applications.
If you decide to wait before applying to graduate school, attend Chicago GPS programs, “What to do now, before you go.” Talk to faculty about your plans and visit a Chicago GPS advisor at CAPS.
Continue participating in research projects, write a BA paper or complete a BA project.