1. Getting In: The Graduate School Admission Process
Office of career development
Mount Aloysius college
November 2, 2017
Dr. Mary Shuttlesworth

2. Should you go to grad school?
Bad reasons (APA, 2012)
You can’t find a job.
It’s the next logical step.
Promise of money, prestige, fame, call yourself, “Doctor”

3. Should you go to grad school?
Predictors of grad school success (APA, 2012)
Intellectual curiosity
I enjoy tasks that involve thinking.
Conscientiousness:
future planning, willingness to work hard, persistence
Emotional intelligence:
Perspective taking, get along well with others
Self-regulated learner
Take criticism and apply it
Set your own deadlines, goals

4. Graduate Degrees: Master’s
Master’s Degree (Master of Arts or Science)
Usually 2-3 years
Can be useful first step to doctoral degree, but does not have to be
Many students choose to stop at the Master’s level

5. Graduate Degrees: Doctoral
Doctoral Degrees:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)- typically involves research
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)- more practice-focused
Doctor of (specific field)- PsyD, PharmD, DPT, etc.
Variation exists among programs- thoroughly research any program that interests you!

6. Applying to Graduate School
Consider:
Reputation (accreditation)
Program (philosophy, focus, theory, application)
Faculty (matching interests, reputation)
Financial Aid (loans, scholarships)
Assistantships (teaching, research)
Employment Rate/ Career Center Services
Facilities/ Affiliations

7. Applying to Graduate School
Application strategy
Choose 1-3 schools in each category: High Risk, Educated Risk, Safe Risk
Creating the application package
Different institutions offering the same program may have different requirements
Be sure to follow application instructions!
Pay the fees!

8. Applying to Graduate School: Writing a Personal Statement
Stay within guidelines and address topics/questions posed
Demonstrate your writing skills, maturity and motivation
Approach this as writing a professional statement
Opportunity to showcase experiences/abilities that qualify you for graduate work
Have your statement reviewed by a trusted advisor/mentor and/or Career Services

9. Personal Statement Mistakes: Avoid Excessive Self-Disclosure
Way too much honesty. Making personal statements REALLY personal.
“Being a recovering drug addict daughter of a sexually deviant and alcoholic mother has given me profound insights into the field of psychology.”

10. Personal Statement Mistakes: Avoid Professional Inappropriateness
Avoid “Cutesy/clever stuff”
“[We] received a statement of purpose labeled ‘Statement of Porpoise’ that contained drawings of this sea creature and a description of [the applicant] frolicking in the ocean with one on a visit to Florida.”

11. Applying to Graduate School: Writing a Personal Statement
Components of a personal statement
Relevant experiences (internship, coursework, volunteer)
Future career goals- why are you interested in this field?
PhD programs:
Previous research experience, current research interests
How do your current interests relate to the faculty in the program to which you are applying?
Particular courses taken
Internships, employment, volunteer experience
How will this program help you achieve your career goals?

12. Applying to Graduate School: Transcripts
Official vs. unofficial
Request from Registrar 4 weeks prior to application deadline
3.0 minimum GPA for most programs, higher for doctoral programs

13. Applying to Graduate School: Testing
GRE (Graduate Record Exam) required by most schools
Consists of analytical writing, verbal and quantitative sections
Computerized
GRE Subject Test required by some schools
Assesses core knowledge in subject areas (psychology, biology, chemistry, literature, math, physics)
Paper-based test- given 3 times per year
Subject tests are only offered about 3 times per year- April, September, October

14. Applying to Graduate School: Test Preparation
Preparing to take the GRE
Websites for preparation- ETS offers free tests
Books for self-study
Prep courses available, but can be very expensive
Sending scores to programs
When you take the GRE, you select the programs you want to receive your test scores

15. Applying to Graduate School: Letters of Recommendation
Most programs require 3-5 letters of recommendation
Choose faculty/employers who will accurately represent your skills/qualifications
Provide each writer with any necessary materials (recommendation forms, resume, classes taken, projects, deadlines for submission)
Allow writers at least 1 month prior to deadline

16. Inappropriate Authors: Letters of Recommendation
“We once received a very positive letter of recommendation telling about the applicant’s good character and work habits. Unfortunately, we couldn’t use it because it was from her mother.”

17. Inappropriate Authors: Letters of Recommendation
“The applicant had a letter that began, X asked me to write a letter of recommendation for her. She informed me that she took my class last semester. I’ll have to take her word for it; I don’t remember her. If she was in my class, she did nothing to distinguish herself from the other students. Needless to say, I can’t comment on her qualifications.”

18. Undesirable Personality Characteristics Mentioned: Letters of Recommendation
“Perfectionist and painfully shy”
“Immature and unstable”
“Underachiever”
“Bright, but sensitive to criticism”
“Significant problems with procrastination”
“John is learning to let others have their opinions.”
“Not a team player”
“Extremely efficient when she comes to class.”
“His personal hygiene has improved.”

19. Applying to Graduate School: Personal Interview
Opportunity to show your interest, skills and to learn if this is the right program for you
You pay for all expenses.
Before interview preparation:
Read about the program, university, your potential advisor and other program faculty
Generate thoughtful questions
PhD programs: Questions about current research, show your ideas for future research
I see you are working on Project X. What would be my role in this Project?
How would you describe your mentoring style?
How are students in your lab funded?

20. Applying to Graduate School: Personal Interview
During the interview
Dress professionally
Discuss faculty research that interests you, your potential contributions
Ask the questions you prepared
After the interview
Send thank you notes
If accepted, generally receive formal offer by April 1
If wait-listed, might receive offer later

21. Applying to Graduate School: Financial Aid
Department funding- assistantships (teaching, research)
Institutional funding- fellowships, grants
Employer professional development/tuition assistance
Loans

22. Graduate School Planning Timeline
Junior year and Senior year (Fall)
Establish selection criteria for programs
Take the GRE if required
Begin writing your personal statement
Contact faculty and students
Manage time to meet deadlines for admission

23. Graduate School Planning Timeline
Senior year (Fall)
Assemble application packages
Review and collect letters of recommendation
Continue to revise personal statement
Request transcripts from Registrar
Mail/submit all application materials by deadlines

24. Graduate School Planning Timeline
Senior year (Spring)
Contact schools to confirm receipt of application and status of process
Keep references updated on status
Visit programs if they invite you to interview
Notify all accepted and rejected schools
Thank people who were instrumental in the process (letter writers, employers, faculty)

25. Books: Graduate School Resources
Graduate Admission Essays-What Works, What Doesn’t
Graduate Student’s Complete Scholarship Book
Petersons Guide to Graduate School ( all volumes)
How To Write A Winning Personal Statement

26. References Appleby, D. C., & Appleby, K. M. (2006). Kisses of
death in the graduate school application process.
Teaching of Psychology, 33, doi:
/s top3301_5