Students typically assemble their graduate school application during the fall semester so that they have all the required items in hand well before the application deadline.
31 December
Though the faculty evaluates applications on a rolling basis, applications must be submitted by 31 December in order to receive the fullest consideration. Offers of admission (which come with an assistantship offer) are typically made by the Graduate Program Chair between late January and late March.
15 April
If you received an offer of an assistantship, you must accept or decline the offer by this date.
Near the end of August
New graduate students arrive for orientation and the beginning of classes.