:: Choctaw Nation Scholarship Advisement Program ::

SAP’s Graduate School Planning Road Map is a timeline that lists suggested action steps for all four years of undergrad education.

This timeline is for those considering grad school immediately after completion of an undergraduate degree. To use this resource outside of a four-year planning process, use the steps below as guidelines in the 1-2 year period prior to applying to graduate programs.

DOWNLOAD - PDF file: Grad School Road Map (All 4 Years)

You may also download checklists for individual years in the sections below.

Freshman Year

Download a PDF checklist for freshman year here.

Consider graduate school even before declaring an undergraduate major. Many careers require education beyond an undergraduate degree. If you want to become a doctor, then you are considering medical school; therefore, you choose your undergraduate degree in such a way that it prepares you for medical school and the entrance process.
Explore different fields of study while taking general education courses during your freshman year. Research the career possibilities in the fields that interest you. Is graduate school a necessity for the career you want? Meet with your professors for more information since they are experts in that field. Talk to professionals in the community who hold the type of job you aspire towards. Ask good questions, conduct your own research, and begin your search for the best graduate schools for your desired program.
Sign up for the Scholarship Advisement Program (SAP) online here for access to our scholarship database, list of available internships, graduate examination preparatory programs, newsletter, and blog.
Submit materials for the Choctaw Nation scholarship or grant from the Higher Education department if not already receiving. Download the application packet here. Deadline for the fall semester is Oct 1st, and the spring semester is March 1st.
The Choctaw Nation College Clothing Program is a one-time only disbursement you may receive once a student has completed one full-time semester in college. Download an application here.
The Choctaw Nation Child Care Assistance Program offers financial assistance to those who live in the 10½ county tribal service area with child care. This program assists many families with their child care needs while parents are attending colleges or universities. Visit the CNCCA website to learn more about the application process.
Apply for a new laptop. Once you have one semester of college coursework under your belt you can contact Kim White at the Choctaw Nation to apply for a new laptop by calling 800-522-6170 X2339.
Fill out your FAFSA every year once your taxes are complete. Completing this process in January or as soon as possible; this allows you to be considered early for more financial aid opportunities. Go to the FAFSA website to fill out or update your file.

Sophomore Year

Download a PDF checklist for sophomore year here.

Research graduate school programs. U.S. News & World Report publishes a list of the top schools for Medicine, Law, Education, and Business just to mention a few. Visit their website here or pick up their magazine at any bookstore.
If you are considering a master’s program, then also consider a PhD. Not every PhD program requires you earn a master’s degree first. You can actually begin a PhD after earning a bachelor’s degree.
Consider a hand full of programs to apply to; don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply to at least 4 or 5 programs, but no more than 10.
Submit materials for the Choctaw Nation scholarship or grant from the Higher Education department if not already receiving. Download the application packet here. Deadline for the fall semester is Oct 1st, and the spring semester is March 1st.
The summer after your sophomore year is a great time to intern with programs in your field that will give you an advantage on your graduate school applications. You can seek these programs out by talking with your professors and other professionals in the field. Also, check the Scholarship Advisement Program’s (SAP) website here for a list of our favorite internships. Start your search early so you don’t miss any application deadlines.
Fill out your FAFSA every year once your taxes are complete. Completing this process in January or as soon as possible; this allows you to be considered early for more financial aid opportunities. Go to the FAFSA website to fill out or update your file.

Junior Year

Download a PDF checklist for junior year here.

Get paid to attend classes. Contact Patty Mink to apply for the Classroom Training Stipend by calling 800-522-6170 X2209.
Submit materials for the Choctaw Nation scholarship or grant from the Higher Education department if not already receiving. Download the application packet here. Deadline for the fall semester is Oct 1st, and the spring semester is March 1st.
Contact the Choctaw Nation Career Development Program by visiting their website here to see if your college major qualifies for financial assistance or support through their program.
Consider preparatory programs such as Graduate Horizons, which assist students in the graduate school application process. Graduate Horizons is held every other year at a different university for students who have narrowed down their graduate school focus, but prior to actually applying. Visit their website here for more information.
Start prepping for your graduate entrance exam whether it is the MCAT, GRE, LSAT, and so on. The Scholarship Advisement Program (SAP) offers free test preparation courses with The Princeton Review. Check out the test prep page on our website for instructions on signing up.
Attend Ivy League & Friends Choctaw Student Recruitment event hosted by the Scholarship Advisement Program (SAP) each year in November. This event allows students to meet with admissions officers from Ivy League and many prestigious schools. Available workshops offer preparatory information on graduate examinations as well as what makes a great statement of purpose in the application process. Visit our website to register for the event.
Choose 3 or 4 people you will ask for letters of recommendation. Ask these people at the end of your junior year in order to give them plenty of time to write you a good letter. In addition, securing your recommenders in advance ensures you the recommenders that you want as other students may also begin asking them for letters as well. Be prepared to provide your recommenders specific information about yourself that you want included in your letter; your statement of purpose is appropriate.
The summer after your junior year is also a great time to intern with programs in your field that will give you an advantage on your graduate school applications. You can seek these programs out by talking with your professors and other professionals in the field. Also, check the Scholarship Advisement Program’s (SAP) website here for a list of our favorite internships. Start your search early so you don’t miss any application deadlines.
Fill out your FAFSA every year once your taxes are complete. Completing this process in January or as soon as possible; this allows you to be considered early for more financial aid opportunities. Go to the FAFSA website to fill out or update your file.

Senior Year

Download a PDF checklist for senior year here.

Submit materials for the Choctaw Nation scholarship or grant from the Higher Education department if not already receiving. Download the application packet here. Deadline for the fall semester is Oct 1st, and the spring semester is March 1st.
Send in your application. Most graduate applications are due in the late fall or early spring one school year prior to the year you will be attending. Apply as early as possible; do not merely meet deadlines.
Search the Scholarship Advisement Program’s (SAP) Graduate Scholarship Database for applicable fellowships and scholarships.
Apply for additional scholarships from programs such as the American Indian Graduate Center. Applications are due June 1st of the year attending graduate school. Visit their website here to download an application.
Decision time. Visit the schools you have been accepted into and weigh the important aspects of this decision. Consider the location, the funding package, housing prices, etc.
The summer after your senior year is still an appropriate time to intern with programs in your field that will give you an advantage on your graduate school applications. You can seek these programs out by talking with your professors and other professionals in the field. Also, check the Scholarship Advisement Program’s (SAP) website here for a list of our favorite internships. Start your search early so you don’t miss any application deadlines.
Fill out your FAFSA every year once your taxes are complete. Completing this process in January or as soon as possible; this allows you to be considered early for more financial aid opportunities. Go to the FAFSA website to fill out or update your file.
Graduate college and head to graduate school!

For more college planning and funding resources and information, please explore the pages on this website!