Senior Year

"Students will be completing the coursework in their major and finishing any remaining requirements and electives. If a senior project, paper, or thesis is required, it should be planned out by the end of the first semester and completed before the end of the second semester. During the first semester, students should be working with a career adviser to explore specific opportunities or graduate school programs. Exams for graduate school application are due during the fall or early winter. Students should work with their adviser to make sure all academic requirements are fulfilled and graduation forms are filled out." - From You're on Your Own (but I'm here if you need me) by Marjorie Savage. View Savage's University Parent website: www.parent.umn.edu .

Senior Year Milestones

• Apply for graduation
  Students should apply for graduation no later than the first week of their last term. Applications for graduation should be submitted online.
  When: Fall or spring semester (term of graduation)
  For more information: http://onestop.umn.edu/registrar/Graduating
  
  
• Make and attend advising appointments
  Students should plan to meet with their college adviser for a final balance sheet appointment. The student and their adviser will make sure that all graduation requirements will be met for graduation. Students may also want to meet with an adviser in their major department as well.
  When: Fall and spring semester
  For more information: http://ulook.umn.edu
  (Students can use ULook to schedule an advising appointment online)
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• Apply to graduate school(s)
  Most graduate and professional schools have a deadline that falls between October and February of the year prior to the desired start date. Students should check deadlines and contact references well ahead of time as well as making arrangements for any test scores required by the graduate or professional schools to which they are applying.
  When: Fall semester
  
  
• Apply to professional school(s)
  Students who are interested in professional schools, whether in law or medicine, should check with those schools regarding application deadlines. Students should have already taken the appropriate entrance tests such as the MCAT or LSAT, and they should make arrangements for the scores to be sent.
  When: Early fall semester
  
  
• Attend a career fair (or two)
  The Career and Community Learning Center and other colleges on campus offer several career fairs throughout the year. Students are strongly encouraged to attend at least one of these to investigate the opportunities available and to gain a better idea of the type of employment in which they are interested.
  For more information: http://www.cclc.umn.edu/newsandevents/index.html
  
  
• Attend Gradfest
  Gradfest is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Bookstores provides one-stop graduation information. Students can pick up their cap and gown, select a college ring, have their resume reviewed, and talk with recruiters.
  For more information: http://www.bookstore.umn.edu/grad/gradfest.html
  
  
• Check the commencement website
  This website provides information for both students and their families on commencement activities.
  For more information: www.class.umn.edu/commencement
  

• Join the Alumni Association
  The University of Minnesota and the College of Liberal Arts wants to stay in touch with our graduates. Stay connected to the U and CLA through the Alumni Association. Students can check out the benefits of being a member either by visiting the Alumni Association in McNamara Alumni Center, or on their website.
  For more information: http://www.alumni.umn.edu

Things to Think About All Year

• Complete resume/career preparation
  There are numerous services offered through the Career and Community Learning Center. During the fourth year, students should be familiar with these services and attending any relevant workshops or programs.
  For more information: http://www.cclc.umn.edu
  
  
• Prepare for post-graduate success!
  Students need to be thinking of many things as they prepare to graduate. Some of the most common topics on the minds of soon-to-be graduates include finding the right job, post-graduation financial planning and budgeting, separation from friends (and sometimes family), and the countless challenges of being on one's own as a college graduate. Students should be preparing to succeed in these and related areas.
  For more information: www.soundmoney.org/programs/2003/08/30/
  
  
• Student Writing Center
  Student can use this resource to obtain help with their writing. The Student Writing Center can be especially useful for those who have a paper as part of their senior project.
  For more information: http://swc.umn.edu/
  
  
• Major project course
  Students will be taking the final course for their major, many of which include a senior project. More information on these courses and their expectations can be obtained through the individual departments.