Timeline for applying to US Universities | Fall 2026 Session

If you are viewing this article, we are sure you are waiting with bated breath as the application process is going underway for Fall 2025. However, the lengthy process of applying to universities and being careful in meeting the deadlines might seem a bit overwhelming. From sitting for tests to working on SOPs and LORs to actually applying and commencing your graduate studies - you will need to work like a trojan unless you want to be distressed at the eleventh hour.

This is where a well-planned application timeline comes in handy and is a must-have. Go through these pointers to stay on schedule and prepare well for the demanding months ahead.

If you are planning to apply for Spring, Check out the Spring Application Timeline

1. Gear up for the tests || Feb - June

Preparing for the tests that make or break your university admission process is doubtlessly the number one priority. There are a number of tests that are required to study oversees, in order to test your analytical capabilites, linguistic skills etc. Here we have listed the most common ones that you should start preparing for as soon as you can and strive to score the maximum!

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test is a popular exam to study in countries like USA and Canada. However, these scores are accepted by universities aroud the world. GRE tests your verbal, mathematical and general analytical skills and can be taken if you are pursuing and MBA, or other masters and doctoral degrees. 

In case you are stuck on how to prepare for this examination, allow us to help you out. With our GRE coaching session, we will guide you through proven strategies and help you score the maximum within the time available.

Must Read - Scoring 325 on the GRE in 2 months

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is designed by business schools for business schools. The exam will assess your ability to sustain and succeed in a graduate management course. GMAT will again test your mathematical, analytical and verbal skills and are accepted by business schools worldwide. With a good GMAT score, your entry to top business institutions will become a cakewalk ;)

TOEFL and IELTS

These exams are required to be undertaken by students heading to study where English is the prefered language. If you come from a country where English is not the first language, these tests are necessary to test your proficiency in the language. These tests are held throughout the year, so prepare for it well and retake if you must to improve your scores.

If you have little time emaining to take these tests, it might seem a bit demanding. Our pocket-friendly TOEFL prep plan is here to save the day and ease the process for you.

DUOLINGO

Given the pandemic and the lockdowns, this test has emerged as an appealing aspect for examinees and institutes alike. This English proficiency test can be undertaken on your personal computers and is now accepted by top institutes worldwide. 

Must Read - Scoring 150 on Duolingo in 15 days!

Bonus tip: Do not hesitate to retake these tests if you are unable to hit the mark on the first attempt. Moreover, take a look at our pocket-friendly study material to find the right resources for your studies.

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Work with YMGrad for your applications || July - September

This is high time to work on documents like SOPs and LORs that detail your personality traits and aspirations. These drafts significantly boost your chances of getting an admit. Make sure they are spot-on!

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

A Statement of Purpose is a critical part of the application process, and it is an essay written to highlight your goals, accomplishments, and abilities to the relevant university's admissions committee. The essay's main goal is to persuade the reader that you deserve admission and are a perfect fit for the program.

Writing down the SOP is an arduous task for a majority of the students. This is because they juggle between finding the right framework and accumulating all of the information that needs to be included in the essay. YMGrad, on the other hand, proves to be the genie for the students at this hour. Every applicant's unique SOP is written from scratch by our Ivy League graduates. To discover more, have a look at our SOP service.

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

The Letter of Recommendation (LOR) written by your recommender expounds on your talents, abilities, and characteristics. Whether you are applying for a Master's degree or a Doctorate program, they are the most important factors in admission decisions.

The LOR should come from someone you know professionally, such as your professors, managers, or mentors. One of the essential components is the selection of the recommender. An applicant for a business analytics school, for example, would need a professional LOR, whilst someone with a literature background may use an academic one. Click here for more information on how to write your LOR.

There are other prerequisites required for the application processes, such as the Personal History Statement and general questions on the application portal help. If you are finding these difficult to comprehend and finish within the timeframe, YMGrad is here to help. With our years of experience, we aim to ease the entire process for you and help you meet the deadline.

Peek into our services to learn more.

Shortlist Universities || October - November

Once you have received your test scores and drafted the SOPs, and got your LORs signed, it is time to shortlist the universities. Matching your program and university to your profile remains one of the most important tasks when aiming to study abroad.

Do you believe the university shortlisting procedure is as straightforward as it appears? When you apply different filters, it becomes an uphill battle. Let's pretend you didn't take the GRE. Now you must search for universities that waive the GRE for that particular intake. If you previously met the qualifying criteria for 25 institutions, it's possible that after the GRE restrictions, you'll only be accepted to 15 universities.

Let's add the IELTS score to the preceding example of shortlisting. Given that you currently have 15 institutions on your list let's take a quick look at the universities that accept candidates with 6.5 band scores. Despite the fact that 6.5 is a relatively low IELTS score, you may find yourself applying to seven universities.

Do you see the problem here? While it might feel overwhelming for you, we have years of experience and a smooth process to shortlist the universities according to your profile and list out the institutions that fit the best for you. With this experience, we have developed a FREE tool to help you with this process. Have a look at it!

It's time to apply || November - March

Start sending applications and the required documents to your shortlisted universities. Always remember - Never miss the deadlines! 

Several international applicants dismiss the time it takes to send an admissions application to an institution. However, you should always keep in mind that starting the application process as soon as possible is the best way to go. You'll need to devote a significant amount of time to thoroughly research the university and program that best meets your academic and career goals. In most circumstances, there is some preparation work done ahead of time. Many universities provide an early decision schedule, during which candidates hear from universities sooner than late applicants. You must maintain track of the deadlines.

And, guess what? Some YMGrad Member Universities do not charge an application fee! We'll match you with universities that have no application costs and are a perfect fit for your profile!

Bonus Tip: It is best to go through your study abroad education loan process during December-January. 

Wait for the arrival of Acceptance Letters || February - April

This is the time when you will begin to get acceptance letters from universities. Nonetheless, this time period will put your patience to the test. We understand that you may be impatient at times because institutions often take 2-3 months to respond. Do you have no control over your nerves? ;) We have a solution for you! YMGrad has signature universities that will provide you with their decision in mere two weeks.

These are the best months to look for scholarships and accommodations. A number of external scholarships are available to prospective students. Allow YMGrad to assist you in picking scholarships and reducing your financial obligations. Check out our service that assists with scholarship applications.

Lastly, we hope you get the admissions you've been hoping for!

Work on your post-admission checklist || May - July

Your post-admission process principally involves getting the I-20 immigration form and F1 Visa. Obtaining a visa can be quite demanding. You must obtain the I-20 immigration form, complete the DS-160, search for available slots, and prepare for the visa interview. The entire procedure necessitates the management of several documents, including the passport and financial information.

To lighten your stress, YMGrad's visa application help service assists you with documents, financial planning, and a mock visa interview. Have a look!

Begin your new academic journey || August

Cheers! It's finally here: your acceptance letter from your dream university. ;) Best of luck with the journey ahead!