Thinking about applying to graduate school? What can you do this summer to prepare?

Is graduate school for you? O What are your career goals? O Do you need to go to graduate school? O Graduate school is a huge investment O Potential 2-7 (or more) years O A lot of money O Time commitment (full time job) O Only 33% of undergrads went directly into a Ph.D. program (2011). O If you are feeling burnt out – think about postponing for a year O Don’t waste the year off!

Sorting out the letters O M.S or M.A O 2 years, thesis O Can be a springboard into a doctoral program O Doctoral Degrees O 5-7 years (+ 1 year internship for clinical) O Ph.D. – doctor of philosophy O Research degree O Emphasized research and academic training O Clinical – trains for clinical practice as well O Psy.D. – doctor of psychology O Professional degree O Emphasizes clinical training – NOT research or teaching O More $, less financial support

So you want to go to grad school…. Doctoral Programs Masters Programs O Rated High Importance O Letters of Rec (99%) O GPA (73%) O Research Exp (72%) O GRE (59%) O Interview (57%) O Overall fit or match! O Rated High Importance O GPA (79%) O Letter of Rec (74%) O GRE (48%) O Research Exp (27%) O Interview (26%) O Overall fit or match!

What should you do this summer to help prepare? 1. GRE!! (more on this later) 2. Find programs of interest O Top 5 programs handout 3. Start preparing drafts of your documents

How to find information about programs? O Graduate Study in Psychology book O around $25 O updated every year O Online – visit the school’s online site O Talk to graduate students enrolled in the program – they can give you insider information / views on the program

How to choose a Program O If it is a Ph.D. program that you are considering, can you get your Master’s Degree along the way? O If you are considering a clinical program, is it APA approved? O Is the school located in a place that you are willing to live for two to six years? O Are the research interests of the faculty compatible with yours? O What is the reputation of the department? O For information about the national rankings of various programs, visit the following website:

Documents you can start working on O Personal statement O Curriculum Vita O Getting your letter writers figured out O Many schools have specific admission essay prompts

The GRE… O Alyssa Nagy O Campus Manager of Graduate Programs for Kaplan

Future questions O Come talk to me!! O O O Byrne Hall 518 O Look for focused seminars in the fall O Personal statements and vitas O Rec letters O Application process