The gown is the foundation of your ceremony ensemble, which will also include a stole and cords, so it is important that it is sized correctly to avoid tripping or being in the way on graduation day.
Presentation also makes a big difference when giving money. Even a relatively small amount will mean more tucked between the pages of a book or folded into a sincere note.
Here is an approximation of each deadline for each semester: Fall graduation deadlines are around early to mid-October, winter deadlines are around late October, spring deadlines are around mid to late March, and summer deadlines are around early July.
Unlike undergraduate students, graduate students are not eligible for subsidized loans. Any loans taken out as a grad student are unsubsidized, meaning they start accumulating interest immediately.
Deadlines for graduate school applications usually start in December and run through the spring. It is rare for a school to have an application deadline earlier than December for graduate programs unless it is a rolling admission.