You maybe have already known when it comes to applying to graduate school, it's best to be a nerd and get your act together early.  This allows time to resolve unforeseen problems (a lost transcript, a delinquent recommender), and also it actually increases your chances of admission. Previous applying may allow you to slip in before the rush and secure a spot in the program you want.
Program deadlines for fall admission vary, with the most common dates falling between December 1st and February 1st. Define your deadlines right from the start, aim to get your application in at least two weeks early, and adjust your application schedule from there.
May
• Begin your online research, familiarizing yourself with schools, grad school life, and the ins and outs of the application process. The advanced graduate school search is a good way to start identifying specific schools.
• Take a practice GRE test, either from the GRE or online demo. This score can help you determine how much preparation you'll need for the real deal.
• Sign up for a GRE course, or at the very least, start studying on your own with cracking the GRE.
June-July
• Continue your GRE prep.
• Register for the GRE General Test, if required.
• If you're not already sure, research and decide what your specific area of concentration will be within your field.
August
• Take the GRE General Test. If you are not pleased with your scores, this gives you plenty of time to retake the test(s) by mid October.
• Begin your statement of purpose (also called a personal statement or essay), a requirement for most grad school applications. It may help you define your grad school goals.
• Take your research up a notch and start to home in on which schools are best suited to your academic and personal interests. Ask for additional information from these schools--you can email schools directly from their profile pages or from your advanced search results.
• Consider paying a visit to your alma mater to meet up with a few old professors. They can be great sources of career advice and can probably recommend some good programs--and maybe even help you make some connections. It is a good way to refresh their memory of who you are and what you're interested in, which will come in handy when it's time to hit them up for letters of recommendation.
• Start talking to professionals in your prospective field to learn more about what it's really like to do this type of work and long-term opportunities are available.
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