Each university in the United States has its own admissions procedures and deadlines. Deadlines are strictly enforced and universities will not accept students who apply after the deadline, regardless of their qualifications. What follows is a good, general calendar to keep in mind when applying to graduate programs. Of course you will need to contact each school you plan to apply to find out more specific information.

Spring-Summer (1.5 years before you plan to enroll) Begin to gather information about study in the U.S. Search for degree programs that have your specialization, or for faculty with experience in your specialization. Look for programs doing research in your specialization. Check professional journals, your professors, and university web pages listing faculty credentials in your field. Contact departments within the universities that teach your field and request information, brochures, and application forms. Gather information on opportunities for financial assistance, both from universities and outside sources of funding. Fall Once you have received information from specific universities, evaluate your own academic and financial status in relation to what each school requires. Your list of potential graduate programs may change somewhat. Determine which exams you need to take and begin to prepare for those exams. Fall-Winter Register for and take the required exams. The TOEFL and GRE general test and GMAT are computer based exams. Register well in advance for the tests. Your scores for these tests will be sent directly to the schools to which you plan to apply. Begin work on your statement of purpose. Winter Complete application forms. Write your statement of purpose, customizing it for each individual program to which you apply. Strive in the statements to match your academic and career goals to the program into which you are applying. Get official transcripts and letters of recommendation from professors and employers. Submit applications to schools. Be sure to submit all required documents on time including:   official transcripts and translations   completed financial statement   required essays   application fee Winter- Spring Continue to research scholarships. Some scholarships may depend on your being accepted by a graduate program. Spring Period of receipt of acceptance by universities and scholarship organizations. Each university has a deadline by which you must inform them whether or not you have accepted their offer of admission. Inform the school you will attend that you have accepted its offer of admission. You will have to send them a deposit with your acceptance. Inform schools you have chosen not to attend, that you are declining their offers of admission. If you are wait-listed at a school, decide whether or not to remain on the list. Usually you will have to pay a fee to remain on the wait-list. If you chose to remain on the wait-list, you should also accept admission to another school in case you are not admitted from the wait-list. Apply for a passport or renew your passport if it is about to expire. Spring-Early Summer Upon hearing that you will attend one of their programs in the fall, the university will send you the I-20 form. Apply for your student visa as soon as you have an I-20 from the institution in which you intend to study. Make a visa appointment at the US Embassy. Keep in mind that the process of getting the student visa can take up to four months. Fall Attend the university of your choice.