checklist and timeline for grad school apps 2020

Hi!

As a first-generation student, I don’t really have anyone close to me that I could ask for advice pertaining to school selections, exams, or steps to take for applying to schools, so I would really appreciate any input that people may have.

I know that all graduate schools are different, especially when it comes to department, major, etc. but I’d like to create this thread as like a general checklist and timeline of things students should consider when applying t graduate schools for PhDs (i.e. when to get rec letters, when to take GRE, when to do research, when are applications generally due).

I’ll be conducting my own research to try and add to this discussion but I would also love to learn from any of you who have already learned this information or undergone the process.

Thank you.