1. Graduate School

2. Application Elements Application and Fee Personal Statement/Letter of Intent Letters of Recommendation Transcripts GRE Scores Financial Aid Application (inc. FAFSA) Supplemental Materials

3. Tips for Application Success Undergraduate Years Choosing Programs Making Contact Letters of Recommendation Personal Statement

4. Undergraduate Years Relationships with faculty Grades and GPA Selecting courses  Statistics  Biology  Exposure to several substantive areas  Minor/concentration that makes sense

5. Undergraduate Years Research  Relationships with faculty  Experience  Exposure to professional world  Understanding

6. GRE – General & Subject Test http://www.gre.org/ October deadline for scores Study and/or Practice  Latin: roots, prefixes, suffixes  Algebra, Geometry Anxiety/Stress reduction

7. Finding Programs Internet Search  GradPsych Online (Cheap subscriptions)  http://www.allpsychologyschools.com http://www.allpsychologyschools.com  http://www.psychgrad.org http://www.psychgrad.org  http://www.socialpsychology.org http://www.socialpsychology.org Books  APA Directory of Programs ($24.95/$21.95)

8. Choosing a Program Find the “Best Fits” possible  Degrees and concentrations offered  Faculty research  Training philosophy and orientation: academics, clinicians, researchers  Contact with faculty

9. Making Contact Networking  Conventions & Conferences  Faculty Connections Initiating Contact via Email  Short, simple, succinct  Specific questions  Don’t try too hard to impress

10. Other Factors to Consider  Location  Cost/Financial Aid  Degrees Offered  Substantive Concentration Areas  GPA/GRE requirements  Cost of Living Housing, food, public transportation  Funding for research and travel

11. Other Factors to Consider  Thesis vs. non-Thesis options  Research fit  Successful contacts established  Profile of successful applicants  Graduate placement rate  Interviews Required by some programs, usually clinical Travel expenses

12. Good Advice Be Realistic!  GRE, GPA, etc.  Expenses: App Fee, GRE scores ($12) How many to apply to  As many as possible  2-3 long shots  5-10 competitive  2-3 sure things

13. Letters of Recommendation Ask in advance Choose your words carefully Identify faculty preferences Discuss deadlines and timing

14. Timeline Freshman & Sophomore years  GPA and extracurricular/volunteer  Get involved in research Junior year  Identify substantive area  GRE (General, Subject Test)  Build relationships with faculty

15. Timeline Summer after Junior year  Program search  Ask faculty about letters of recommendation  Begin personal statement Senior year  Select programs  Apply