Graduate school is a major milestone, and like any big journey, it requires thoughtful planning—academically, personally, and financially. This presentation will guide participants through the key steps of the graduate school process, from reflecting on their purpose to preparing strong application materials and understanding the options for funding graduate education. Learn how to research programs effectively, build a realistic application timeline, and explore financial pathways such as assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and other resources that can support the graduate school experience. Learning objectives: Identify their motivations for pursuing graduate school and assess personal fit. Research programs effectively and stay organized throughout the graduate school search and application process. Understand major application components, including personal statements, letters of recommendation, and timelines. Recognize and compare different funding options for graduate study, such as assistantships, fellowships, scholarships, and cost of attendance factors. Access helpful tools and campus resources to support their application, funding exploration, and next steps.To receive credit for this program, students must log in through Handshake and complete the survey at the end of the session. Access to this event will be made available 5 minutes before the scheduled start time.