<p>The title says it all. I heard people apply the summer before there senior year. What if you're relying on the 1st semester of your senior year to raise your gpa more and another semester of research experience added? Also when you apply should you say how many years of research you currently have or you will have by the time of graduation?</p>
<p>D’s first semester of senior year was crazed with classes, research, and all her grad school apps. If you are planning to start grad school the fall after you graduate in May, you’ll probably find that the deadlines for applications are somewhere in the Dec 15 thru Feb 15 timeframe…it varies by department within the same University, though, and each university seems to have their own dates… You will talk about your past (and current) research.</p>
<p>If you are relying on senior year grades and additional research experience, then wait until next year. Take a year off between your undergraduate and graduate education.</p>
<p>There is no typical time, although there is a season, as astrophysicsmom pointed out: applications are due in the fall/early winter, depending on the field and particular program deadlines. </p>
<p>Some people wait several years after finishing their undergraduate education, while others apply in the fall of their senior year to go right into graduate school. It depends on the individual.</p>
<p>if I apply during before 1st semester grades are in my gpa would probably sit at 3.75 (damage was done during freshman year where I got a 3.454 in not challenging courses), 2 years of research, 1 reu, no publications from a 50-70ranked mechanical engineering institution.</p>
<p>If I applied after my senior year I expect my gpa to be 3.8+ w/ an addition year of research and maybe a pub although I doubt it.</p>
<p>I’m also shooting for a top 10 ME grad school. I looked on a lot</p>
<p>On purdue’s website 1/05 is the deadline to be considered for funding and 3/31 for admission. I definitely want to meet the funding deadline so I guess I have to apply right after I get my 1st semester grades. Does apply, let’s say a few months earlier, impact admission and funding?</p>
<p>As long as you’re in before that deadline, earlier doesn’t matter. The committee won’t sit to consider all the apps until after that date.</p>