Selection Criteria For Doctoral Programs in Psychology
Primary Criteria ("Most Important")
1. Grades
Overall G.P.A.
G.P.A. in Psychology
G.P.A. the last two years of undergraduate study
2. Standardized Test Scores
o GRE Verbal
o GRE Quantitative
o Advanced (Psychology) GRE
3. Letters of recommendation
o Academic referees preferred;
o Best letters are from professors:
1. With whom you have studied or worked recently,
2. From whom you earned good grades or evaluations,
3. Whose own professional identities are aligned with the content area of
the programs to which you are applying. For example, if you are
interested in Clinical Psychology, make sure you have a letter of
recommendation from a professor that also has a clinical background and
can attest to your skills and abilities.
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"Very Important" Criteria
1. Research experience, resulting in publication credit.
2. Degree of fit (extent to which applicant's skills and interests match those of the
program).
3. Research experience, resulting in paper presentation.
4. Degree of interest expressed by members of selection committee in working with the
applicant.
5. Clarity and focus of personal statement.
"Generally Important" Criteria
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Research assistant experience (directed research/study).
Strong, supportive mentor or advocate.
Number of statistics and methods courses taken as an undergraduate.
Number of "harder science" courses taken as an undergraduate.
Prestige and status of psychology faculty in applicant's undergraduate department.
Prestige and status of undergraduate's university.
Writing skills as evidenced by personal statement.
Honors or merit scholarships awarded to the applicant.