Getting into Grad School Ian Newby-Clark, PhD Associate Professor, Psychology Graduate Coordinator Member, Doctor Who Information Network (DWIN)

Overview  Kinds of Graduate Schools  The Nature of Psych. Grad School  Applying  Funding  Where to Next?  Professors’ Views  Do and Don’t  Timeline

Graduate Schools  Psychology  Various Areas  Counseling  Education  Social Work  Occupational Therapy

Grad School in Psychology  Masters/PhD or PhD Only  Expected to go on to PhD  Research Intensive  Publishing  Conferences  Teaching (sometimes)  Coursework  Depends on School and Area

Applying (Four Parts)  Grades  “A” is best but not required (Stats!)  Last two years  References  At Least Two  How do you STAND OUT?  GREs (  General and Subject  Personal Statement

Internal Funding  Teaching Assistant  Research Assistant  Supervisor’s Grant  Internal Scholarships  Teaching

External Funding  OSAP  Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS)  Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council (SSHRC)  Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC)  Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR)  Look for “Niche” Scholarships  The Allure of “Top Up”

Where to Next?  Academe  Practice  Labs  Government  Industry  Consulting  Write a Novel

Do  Speak to Profs and TA’s  Get Experience  Work toward Thesis  Study for GRE’s  Pick an Exciting Topic  Read Articles  Work on Your Writing Skills!

Don’t  Generic Applications  Be Too Modest  Feign Interest  Wait Until the Last Minute  Ignore Budgeting  Martyr Yourself to Fashion  Take it Too Personally

Timeline  Year Before (AT LEAST):  Research Experience  GRE’s  Meet at Least 3 Profs  Summer/Early Autumn  Send a Cover Letter to Schools  Review APA and CPA Books  Talk to Profs About Plans

Timeline  Mid-Autumn (November)  Final List of Schools  Checklist for Each School  Organized List to Profs  Stamps, Checklists, Dates, CV, Special Info  Order Transcripts/GREs  Work on Personal Statement  EDIT EDIT EDIT!

Timeline  December  Watch Doctor Who Christmas Special (and Wait)  January  Thank Your Referees (and Wait)

Timeline  February (Interviews)  Cheap Travel and Good Outfit  Be Honest and Be Yourself  Period.  Speak to Students  Get Lots of Info  Funding, switching advisors, course load...  Check Out the City  Restaurants, Cost of Living, Future Spouses  Remember to Interview Them

Timeline  March  Make Your Lists with Your Choices  It’s YOUR DECISION  Can You Be Happy There?  Financially Okay?  April  Make Your Decision  Inform Other Places (ASAP)  May  Retirement  Enjoy!