Grad School Application Timing in Undergraduate Years

I'm laying out my future plans and I'm kinda puzzled about one thing. Should I be prepping to apply for grad school during my junior or senior year of undergrad? I want to make sure I plan my research and internships accordingly.

It's a smart move to plan ahead for graduate school applications. Typically, you'll want to start preparing in your junior year. This includes taking any required standardized tests, like the GRE or GMAT, depending on your field of study. During the first semester of your senior year, you should be nailing down your list of schools and beginning your applications, as many programs will have deadlines by late fall or early winter. By your senior year, you should also have completed or be engaged in research and internships that will strengthen your graduate school applications. It's important to maintain a balance though—don't let planning for grad school detract from your undergraduate studies and experiences. Dedicating the summer before your senior year to begin your grad school applications is a strategic way to space out the workload.