1. What to Avoid When Applying to Graduate School (and Jobs!)
Kisses of Death
What to Avoid When Applying to Graduate School (and Jobs!)
Amanda Taylor, MS
Jeannette Stein, PhD

2. Variety of Graduate School Options for Psychology Majors
Psychology Programs Counseling Clinical Experimental/Research Industrial Organizational Alternatives Social Work Education Law

3. Admissions Can Be Competitive

4. General Application Process
*Long* before applying
Course selections
Faculty connections
Research Experience
Exploration
Applying
Application, transcripts, GPA, GRE, letters of rec, personal statement, interview, visit

5. Letters of Recommendation
What to avoid?
Inappropriate sources
Instructors who do not know you well
Family, friends, clergy, therapists
Anyone who may report negative characteristics
Asking at the last minute

6. Letters of Recommendation
Ask only those who know you well enough to write a strong letter
This does not include professors who have simply graded your work. Writers should be able to assess your work habits and provide evidence of your ability to succeed in graduate school
Give your writers plenty of lead time
Provide helpful information
Vita
Personal statement
Program information
Deadlines/submission details

7. The Personal Statement
What to avoid?
Personal mental health
Excessive altruism
Excessive self-disclosure
Professionally inappropriate information
Avoid being ‘cute’ or too clever, avoid references to religion

8. The Personal Statement
Focus on professional activities such as research interests and pursuits, academic strengths, relevant experiences such as internships, volunteer work, extracurricular leadership roles

9. Lack of Knowledge About Programs
What to avoid?
Vague, generic interests
Being a ‘misfit’
Being ‘perfect’ without evidence

10. Learn, focus, find your fit!
To be ready for graduate school, you need to know who you are, your interests and how you want to spend your days
Investigate your options thoroughly
Check out the APA’s ‘Graduate Study in Psychology’
Find a good fit
To receive maximum professional benefits from the mentor/student relationship, program fit is crucial for faculty and applicants.
Personal statement should clearly address fit with evidence

11. Poor Writing Skills What to avoid? Spelling and grammar errors
Evidence of carelessness
Poorly written materials
Too long, too detailed, lacking structure

12. Writing Skills Proofread! Take advantage of the Writing Center
Have someone else check your work. Do *not* rely on spellcheck.
Take advantage of the Writing Center
Tutors can help with structure
3rd Floor Library
Seek guidance from psychology faculty
Faculty can help with content

13. Misfired attempts to impress
What to avoid?
Being critical of other programs
Blaming others
Name dropping
Insincere flattery

14. Let us help!
Schedule an appointment to discuss your options with a faculty member whose background best aligns with your interests and goals.
Clinical/Counseling: Taylor, Jarvis, Wrobel, Bellamy
Community: Heinze
Educational: Bedell
Industrial/Organizational: Bedell, Bellamy
Research
Psychobiology: Broadbent
Cognitive: Stein, Miller
Developmental: McGrath (on sabbatical W18)
Social: Horgan
Forensic/Law: Molinaro
Evolutionary: McKibbin
Don’t see a match? No problem! Contact us. We can help.