Honours Seminar in Psychology Lecture 9: Applying to Graduate School in Psychology

What is a psychologist? Defined by statute, registration Defined by statute, registration I have a magic wand, and tomorrow you will wake up as a psychologist. What kind would you want to be and why? I have a magic wand, and tomorrow you will wake up as a psychologist. What kind would you want to be and why? Areas of Psychology: Areas of Psychology: clinical and counselling psychologists work in mental health settings; clinical and counselling psychologists work in mental health settings; health psychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and private practice; health psychologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres and private practice; school psychologists work in schools; school psychologists work in schools; neuropsychologists work in hospital settings and private practice; neuropsychologists work in hospital settings and private practice; industrial/organizational psychologists work in business, industry, privately; industrial/organizational psychologists work in business, industry, privately; forensic psychologists work in prisons and correctional settings forensic psychologists work in prisons and correctional settings experimental psychologists: universities, government and industry where they conduct research experimental psychologists: universities, government and industry where they conduct research Clinical psychologists in university settings: research and clinical work Clinical psychologists in university settings: research and clinical work

Applying to Graduate School Each school has their own application forms and procedures Each school has their own application forms and procedures The general components of the application are as follows: The general components of the application are as follows: Application form Application form Cover letter, Statement of goals, Research plan Cover letter, Statement of goals, Research plan Official transcripts Official transcripts GRE scores GRE scores Reference forms / letters Reference forms / letters

General Timeline Summer, Fall: Summer, Fall: Figure out which programs you are interested in Figure out which programs you are interested in Who you could work with? Who you could work with? Get application material Get application material Study for and write GRE General and Subject Study for and write GRE General and Subject Look into any available funding and apply Look into any available funding and apply January, February: January, February: Submit application Submit application March: March: Offers are made Offers are made April 15: April 15: Students must act on offers Students must act on offers May, June: May, June: Other rounds of admissions happen Other rounds of admissions happen September September Programs begin Programs begin

Finding a supervisor Most programs allow faculty to pick the best student from a short list of the best students. A few do not. Most programs allow faculty to pick the best student from a short list of the best students. A few do not. You are admitted to a program, not as “somebody’s student” You are admitted to a program, not as “somebody’s student” Use material programs publicize Use material programs publicize Do not contact a faculty member until you know what they do and why you might work with them Do not contact a faculty member until you know what they do and why you might work with them If they contact you, respond asap If they contact you, respond asap When and how? Fall? Winter? April? Phone? E- mail? “Drop in”? When and how? Fall? Winter? April? Phone? E- mail? “Drop in”? Not all faculty take students every year Not all faculty take students every year

Parts of the application There are no universals as to “what is important”, but here are some thoughts

Application form Not important, unless it is mishandled by applicant or schools Not important, unless it is mishandled by applicant or schools Examples: wrong names, wrong programs Examples: wrong names, wrong programs Faculty can bypass or correct problems Faculty can bypass or correct problems Corrective action: Corrective action: Check with school to see that all is in order Check with school to see that all is in order Follow deadlines Follow deadlines Allow time for GRE scores and transcripts to arrive Allow time for GRE scores and transcripts to arrive

Transcripts Important Important Must have an honours degree, usually in psychology (Conversion, honours equivalent) Must have an honours degree, usually in psychology (Conversion, honours equivalent) Different faculty look at different things in the transcript, from GPA to specific grades in specific courses Different faculty look at different things in the transcript, from GPA to specific grades in specific courses Weak GPA does not “doom” an application, but can hurt Weak GPA does not “doom” an application, but can hurt

GRE Scores General: General: Quantitative: Basic math/ stats skills Quantitative: Basic math/ stats skills Verbal: Vocabulary test Verbal: Vocabulary test Writing sample Writing sample Subject Test: Subject Test: Not unlike an intro psych test spanning all areas of psychology Not unlike an intro psych test spanning all areas of psychology Some programs use cutoffs, some do not, some add Verbal to Quantitative Some programs use cutoffs, some do not, some add Verbal to Quantitative Scores have a conceptual M = 500, SD = 100, although versions differ Scores have a conceptual M = 500, SD = 100, although versions differ My criteria: 70%ile or above across board is “excellent”, 50 or above across the board is “good”, some below 50 are problematic or require comment, all below 25 are “bad”. They are always exceptions. My criteria: 70%ile or above across board is “excellent”, 50 or above across the board is “good”, some below 50 are problematic or require comment, all below 25 are “bad”. They are always exceptions.

Your letter Surprisingly important as it is a sample of your writing and how you portray yourself Surprisingly important as it is a sample of your writing and how you portray yourself Spelling, grammar, organisation, is important Spelling, grammar, organisation, is important Identification of research experience, interests, potential supervisors Identification of research experience, interests, potential supervisors Mis-stating a research area is a problem Mis-stating a research area is a problem Other material, such as community service Other material, such as community service Others can help, but you better write it yourself as you may get questions about the letter Others can help, but you better write it yourself as you may get questions about the letter “What is your thesis about?” “What is your thesis about?”

Research experience is also important, so the “year off” between honours and graduate work can be helpful to applications

References Many are “global and glowing” Many are “global and glowing” References should be academic, should have taught you or had research contact with you References should be academic, should have taught you or had research contact with you Sometimes a clinical reference is needed or for mature students, an employer Sometimes a clinical reference is needed or for mature students, an employer You have the right to ask potential referees what kind of reference they can give you You have the right to ask potential referees what kind of reference they can give you For your referees: Give them a package of forms all at once, with a summary of list of what you are applying for and where For your referees: Give them a package of forms all at once, with a summary of list of what you are applying for and where

Other intangibles Personal links of faculty to programs, referees, supervisors Personal links of faculty to programs, referees, supervisors Outside funding: If you get a major award, you will be admitted somewhere Outside funding: If you get a major award, you will be admitted somewhere Geography and mobility: The more widely you apply, the better your chances (geography, areas, not just clinical) Geography and mobility: The more widely you apply, the better your chances (geography, areas, not just clinical) Balance between vague and overly specific in what you want to do Balance between vague and overly specific in what you want to do You will not get into graduate school if you do not apply You will not get into graduate school if you do not apply Check with other students in a program to see what program or supervisor is “really like”, Check with other students in a program to see what program or supervisor is “really like”,

Common misconceptions The “fatal flaw” of an application The “fatal flaw” of an application Graduate students are poor Graduate students are poor Actually they are poor, but do receive assistance Actually they are poor, but do receive assistance Student loans not due Student loans not due There are “secret ways” of getting in There are “secret ways” of getting in “I do not want to put my life on hold” “I do not want to put my life on hold” Life goes on in graduate school. People still get married, have babies, travel Life goes on in graduate school. People still get married, have babies, travel

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