Research colleges and universities in your field of choice using resources such as the Princeton Review, Graduate Schools and Programs page and the Best Graduate Schools index at U.S. News and World Report. Look up websites of colleges and universities with programs that offer programs of interest to you. Go to the department homepage on university websites. Read information about programs and make note of application deadlines.
Look up professor bios on program websites to learn about their scholarly work in your proposed field of research. Read the department admissions criteria carefully. Make a list of prospective programs. Select your first choices from programs for which you meet the admissions criteria, or you can meet them in the near future.
Register to take the Graduate Record Exam General Test on the Education Testing Service website; also register to take Subject Tests if required. You can make an appointment to take the General Test at a U.S. based computer based test center throughout the year. Subject Tests are paper based and are offered at test centers three times per year. Purchase GRE test preparation materials and spend at least three months studying for the exam.
Make final decisions about the schools that you plan to apply to and make application checklists. Contact former professors or other professionals familiar with your potential for scholarly work, let them know about your plans and ask if they will write you a good letter of recommendation.
Fill out applications as directed by the school and the department to which you are applying. Draft statements of purpose for each school. Each program will give you specific directions on the format and theme of your statement. A good statement should include your reason for applying to the school and program, your interest in the field and what you plan to do with your degree.
Give a draft of your statement to a friend and ask him to proofread and critique it. Update your statement to incorporate final changes. Contact your references and ask them to send their letters of recommendation to the schools or to you as directed by the program. Request copies of official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. Order copies of your GRE scores. Once you have collected everything that is required, review your application materials. Submit the completed application to your schools of choice.
Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any school applications for student aid for each school that requires them. Contact departments you apply to or read their websites to be sure that you apply in time to be considered for department-awarded aid such as graduate assistantships and fellowships.