A SuggestedTimeline...
The Graduate School Application Process

 

JUNIOR YEAR

fall semester	do research get involved in the discipline & departmental functions make contacts with professors explore different branches of your discipline research the GRE; begin studying for it
spring semester	do more research; apply for REU programs or internships stay involved in the discipline & departmental functions maintain contact and develop rapport with professors begin to narrow your areas of interest begin to look for graduate programs/schools to which you'd like to apply study for or take the GRE
summer semester	participate in a REU program or do an internship continue to think about your areas of interest begin to narrow your list of graduate programs/schools take the GRE plan/make visits to schools that are of interest

 

SENIOR YEAR

fall semester

do more research stay involved in the discipline & departmental functions narrow and then finalize the list of schools to which you'll apply plan/make visits to prospective schools determine deadlines for applications determine (specific) application requirements request letters of recommendation from professors re-take the GRE (if necessary) begin working on a personal statement APPLY!!--complete & submit all applications (depending on the deadline)

spring semester

finalize & send/submit any applications (depending on deadlines) wait for notification of acceptance (this varies from school to school and can occur anytime from mid-February through April)