Graduate School
Application Elements
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Application and Fee
Personal Statement/Letter of Intent
Letters of Recommendation
Transcripts
GRE Scores
Financial Aid Application (inc. FAFSA)
Supplemental Materials
Tips for Application Success
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Undergraduate Years
Choosing Programs
Making Contact
Letters of Recommendation
Personal Statement
Undergraduate Years
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Relationships with faculty
Grades and GPA
Selecting courses
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Statistics
Biology
Exposure to several substantive areas
Minor/concentration that makes sense
Undergraduate Years
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Research
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Relationships with faculty
Experience
Exposure to professional world
Understanding
GRE – General & Subject Test
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http://www.gre.org/
October deadline for scores
Study and/or Practice
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Latin: roots, prefixes, suffixes
Algebra, Geometry
Anxiety/Stress reduction
Finding Programs
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Internet Search
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GradPsych Online (Cheap subscriptions)
http://www.allpsychologyschools.com
http://www.psychgrad.org
http://www.socialpsychology.org
Books
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APA Directory of Programs ($24.95/$21.95)
Choosing a Program
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Find the “Best Fits” possible
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Degrees and concentrations offered
Faculty research
Training philosophy and orientation:
academics, clinicians, researchers
Contact with faculty
Making Contact
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Networking
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Conventions & Conferences
Faculty Connections
Initiating Contact via Email
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Short, simple, succinct
Specific questions
Don’t try too hard to impress
Other Factors to Consider
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Location
Cost/Financial Aid
Degrees Offered
Substantive Concentration Areas
GPA/GRE requirements
Cost of Living
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Housing, food, public transportation
Funding for research and travel
Other Factors to Consider
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Thesis vs. non-Thesis options
Research fit
Successful contacts established
Profile of successful applicants
Graduate placement rate
Interviews
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Required by some programs, usually clinical
Travel expenses
Good Advice
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Be Realistic!
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GRE, GPA, etc.
Expenses: App Fee, GRE scores ($12)
How many to apply to
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As many as possible
2-3 long shots
5-10 competitive
2-3 sure things
Letters of Recommendation
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Ask in advance
Choose your words carefully
Identify faculty preferences
Discuss deadlines and timing
Timeline
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Freshman & Sophomore years
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GPA and extracurricular/volunteer
Get involved in research
Junior year
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Identify substantive area
GRE (General, Subject Test)
Build relationships with faculty
Timeline
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Summer after Junior year
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Program search
Ask faculty about letters of
recommendation
Begin personal statement
Senior year
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Select programs
Apply