Choosing a Graduate Program in Psychology

Most Important Variables to Consider  Academic History  Learning Style  Career Interests  Work Experience  Financial Resources

Academic History  Overall GPA  GPA strictly in Psychology Classes  Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and other standardized test scores  Miller Analogies Test (MAT)  Psychology GRE  Number of credit hours earned in undergraduate psychology courses

Academic History of Students Admitted to the Program  Compare your academic background to the statistics available about the programs  GRE  GPA

Career Interests Information from: 2003 Doctorate Employment Survey, APA Center for Workforce Studies (CWS).

Work Experience  What volunteer and work experiences have you had?  Hospitals  Crisis Hotlines  Shelters/drop-in centers  Schools  Peer counseling  Mentoring  Research Assistant  Presentations/Posters/Publications

Financial Resources  Scholarships and Grants  Professional and Honor Organizations  Mortar Board, etc.  Graduate Assistantships  Typically partial tuition payment (3 credit or 6 credit hours)  Some programs (typically PhD) offer nearly full payment  Federal Loans  Stafford  GradPLUS Loans  Private Loans

Accreditation  Master’s programs are not eligible for APA accreditation

Completing the Application PLAN AHEAD

Due Dates  Pay close attention!!!!  Each program is different  PhD: Typically in November & December  PsyD: Typically December & January  Master’s: Varying dates  Get your application in early!

Sending the Application  Pay close attention!!!!  Programs prefer receiving information in different ways  Send it early (weather/holidays may interfere)  Can be costly (particularly if you wait too long)

Application Components  Curriculum Vitae  Transcripts  GREs  Letters of Recommendation  Application  Writing Sample  Letter of Intent/Autobiography  Fee  Additional materials?

Curriculum Vitae  Basically, an Academic Resume  Ask faculty advisor for assistance and revisions  Utilize Career Services/Writing Center for help  Sample layouts and what to include can be found online

Transcripts  Must be Official, in a sealed envelope signed by registrar (not addressed to the student, not a copy)  Must be sent from all institutions of higher education (even if you only took a summer class or were never awarded a degree)  Send directly to the school OR include in the application packet???

GREs  When should I take the GRE?  Depends when the application is due…  GRE scores are always sent from ETS to the school  Allow adequate time to prepare  Consider taking it early (to re-take if necessary)  Visit for more infohttp://  General GRE  Required by nearly all programs  Psychology Subject GRE  Required by some programs  Likely will still have to take the GRE even if you already have a Master’s degree

Letters of Recommendation  Who should I ask?  At least one person from Academia (preferably with a doctoral degree)  At least one person who knows you professionally (i.e., practicum or internship supervisor or an employer in the field)  NOT someone who only knows you personally  Not just someone who can write a letter but someone who will write a GOOD recommendation letter  How many do I need?  Typically 3 or 4  When should I ask?  Aim to ask at least a month prior to the due date

Letters of Recommendation (cont.)  Provide your resume or CV to your recommender  They can better discuss your best qualities and experiences  School specific recommender checklist?  Always ask recommender to complete the checklist AND include an additional letter  Recommender should enclose in a sealed envelope and sign over the seal  How to send them?  IT DEPENDS!!!  Include in application packet (return to you) OR  Send directly from recommender (provide stamped and addressed envelopes)

Application  Online, Paper, or Both?  Fill in completely even if you have provided the information elsewhere  Try to type in your responses instead of just handwriting  Do I send in alone or with other materials?

Writing Sample  Ideal writing samples:  Published Journal Article  Master’s Thesis  Honors Capstone  Literature Review  Related to the field of Psychology  Completed independently by you  Have someone proof read for you  Do NOT send in a sample with professor’s writing or grades indicated

Letter of Intent/Autobiography  Each school is different!  Typically include:  How you learned to like psychology  Why you hope to work in the field  What you hope to do in the field  What you have done in the field  Research interests  Personal enough but not too personal  Have at least one professor proof read  Double-check you include the school’s name and the specific program to which you are applying

Application Fee  Fees vary depending on the program  Some may be free if you complete online  Typically $30 to $70 per application

Application Etiquette 101  Do NOT call the school to find out application information you can find online  Papers should not be soiled/crumbled  Handwriting must be neat or typed  Do not lie or fabricate information  Include your name on everything  Present materials in the order specified (if unspecified, follow the order in which they are listed)  Pay attention to whether the school wants everything in one packet, or information sent separately (i.e., letters of recommendation)

Suit up: What to wear to your interview  Dress professionally  Many people recommend wearing a suit  There may be a fair amount of walking involved (campus tour?) so plan your footwear accordingly

Suggested Guidelines for Attire  Recommendations for Suits  Neutral Colors (Black, Navy, Charcoal Gray, etc.)  Polished, non-scuffed shoes  Recommended closed-toe and a comfortable heel height you can walk in.  Specific Recommendations for Women  Appropriate neckline  Skirts should be at least knee-length  Conservative Jewelry  Think single-strand necklaces, simple earrings  Well-Groomed  If carrying a bag or purse, use a briefcase or a nice-looking purse.

Before the Interview  Prepare for the interview  Be knowledgeable about the program including its goals, faculty, and curriculum  Be prepared to articulate why you are a good fit to a particular program

At the Interview  Be on time  It may sound contradictory, but be yourself while also dressing, speaking, and acting professionally  Make sure to have thoughtful questions prepared. The questions you ask may be just as important as the answers you provide to the questions you receive.  Such as recent research you’ve read, books you enjoy, etc.  Never say you don’t have questions, always ask something.

At the Interview  Smile!!  Speak up in Group interviews, but don’t completely dominate the conversation  Watch what you say/do even during social/mixer time, inappropriate behavior/language can reflect poorly on you

Questions??