The Timeline

Below is my application to-do list week-by-week. Though it helped to write this out for the purposes of pacing, just looking at it makes me overwhelmed. I have no idea how I'll fit it all in. If only that GRE requirement hadn't been added.

Application Process To Do List

Week of October 11th:
∆ Study at least 1-2 hours daily for GRE
∆ Make initial 1-2 contacts at schools (1 hour)
∆ RSVP to open houses, etc.

Week of October 18th
∆ Study at least 1-2 hours daily for GRE
∆ Make another contact at schools (1/2 hour)
∆ Research paper (find or, if not found, decide what to do)
∆ Attend a class or event

Week of October 25th
∆ Study at least 1-2 hours daily for GRE
∆ Make another 1-2 contacts at schools (1 hour)
∆ Work on statement of purpose

Week of November 1st
∆ Study at least 1-2 hours daily for GRE (including 1st practice test)
∆ Register for GRE if not already done
∆ Take care of transcript requests not yet completed
∆ November 2nd Open House
∆ November 4th Open House

Week of November 8th
∆ Study at least 2 hours daily for GRE (including 2nd practice test)
∆ Make another 1-2 contacts at schools (1 hour)
∆ Work on statement of purpose

Week of November 15th
∆ Study at least 2 hours daily for GRE (including 3rd practice test)
∆ Work on research paper
∆ Attend a class or event

Week of November 22nd
∆ Study at least 3 hours daily for GRE (including 4th practice test)
∆ Take the GRE at end of the week
∆ Send reminders to recommenders, as needed

Week of November 29th
∆ Work on research paper and statement of purpose
∆ Have folks review draft statement of purpose and research paper
∆ Register for GRE retake, if needed…then study
∆ Are transcripts in?

Week of December 6th
∆ Retake GRE if needed
∆ Send reminders to recommenders if needed
∆ Attend class or event
∆ Complete one of the application form sets

Week of December 13th
∆ Update CV and submit to all websites
∆ Complete one of the application form sets
∆ Revise statement of purpose and research paper

Week of December 20th
∆ Complete one of the application form sets
∆ Revise statement of purpose and research paper
∆ Make any additional school contacts needed

Week of December 27th
∆ Complete one of the application form sets
∆ If possible, have folks do a final review of written work/revise
∆ Submit applications by January 5th at the latest