September
• Register for the November GRE Subject Test, if necessary. These tests are still administered on paper and are only given three times a year: November, December, and April. 
• Once you've isolated the most appealing schools, pick a professor or two from each program whose interests match up with yours and start to familiarize yourself with their work. This means it's time to hit the library.
• Remember those professors at your old school with whom you met last month? Choose two or three to as your recommenders. For the start, send a friendly note telling them your plans and asking if they'd be willing to write you a recommendation. After they get back to you, give them a deadline two weeks earlier than you plan to have your application in.
• Look into merit-based grants and fellowships as possible ways to help finance your education; do a scholarship search on our website and add any financial assistance application deadlines to your schedule.
• Keep polishing your statement of purpose.
October
• Finalize your list of potential schools.
• Continue to prepare for the GRE Subject Test if you're taking one.
• While we recommend completing your applications online - it's quicker and easier-if you're doing any applications on paper, get a hold of these hard copies now.
• Request official transcripts, paying careful attention to where they should go.
• Send your recommenders the appropriate forms, the latest version of your personal statement, your resume, and stamped-and-addressed envelopes. Then carefully noting where each recommendation should be sent.
• Start making contacts at your prospective schools. Current graduates are frequently willing to answer questions and help you get a feel for the programs. Even if professors are too busy to get back to students, it doesn't hurt to try to touch base, since these are the people who will decide the fate of your application. By asking a simple question, like whether they'll be teaching the following year, it can be a good excuse to start a dialogue-or at least put yourself onto the map of their consciousness.
• If you're visiting your prospective schools, set up some informational interview sessions with professors and financial aid officers.
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