Considering and Getting into
Graduate School:
Information and Tips that I Wish I Had
As an Early Undergraduate Student
Kari L. Tucker, Ph.D.
Irvine Valley College
What is “Graduate” School?
A school that awards advanced degrees,
with the general requirement that students
must have earned a previous
undergraduate (i.e., bachelor’s) degree.
– http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graduate_school
Best Tips
Pay attention to what is interesting to you!
Seek out resources to help you learn what
you need to know to get into a particular
graduate program.
BUILD YOUR CURRICULUM VITAE!!!
– Competitive programs = Research experience!
What Will Be Covered in
This Presentation
Considering Graduate School
– Is it worth it?
– Choosing a sub-disciplines in Psychology
Available Resources
Things to consider when deciding which program to
apply
What universities want you to prepare for your
completed application
Other recommendations for you when applying
Approximately time-line (what to do when)
Things to consider to build up your CV
Taking the GRE
Hopefully…. encouragement because of what you now
know. 
Considering Graduate School
Cost-Benefit Analysis
– Costs:
Time
Energy / Effort / Motivation
Financial
– Benefits:
The benefits are personally defined, but……
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Gain in knowledge about an area of interest
Increases in financial compensation
Increased opportunities to expand experiences
Self confidence / pride of accomplishment
Bond with others with similar interests / talents
Get to wear the “cool” special gown at graduation
Getting Into Graduate School:
Which Program?
Areas of concentration
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Biopsychology / Physiological Psychology / Neuropsychology /
Behavioral Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology
Psychometrics
Social Psychology
Personality Psychology
Clinical Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Industrial / Organizational Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
School Psychology
Educational Psychology
Health Psychology
Resources for Getting Into Graduate School
and Deciding Which Program?
“Graduate Study in Psychology”
LIST PRICE: $28.95
MEMBER/AFFILIATE PRICE: $23.95
www.apa.org
http://books.apa.org/books.cfm?id=4270091
“Graduate Study in Psychology”
GIVES A LOT OF INFORMATION
number of applications received by a program
number of individuals accepted in each program
dates for applications and admission
types of information required for an application (GRE scores,
letters of recommendations, documentation concerning
volunteer or clinical experience, etc.)
in-state and out-of-state tuition costs
availability of internships and scholarships
employment information of graduates
orientation and emphasis of departments
and programs
other relevant information
Table of Contents
Considering Graduate Study
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Accreditation in Professional Psychology
Programs, Degrees, and Employment
Admission Requirements
Competition for Admission
Time to Degree
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Application Information
Rules for Acceptance of Offers for Admission and Financial Aid
Explanation of Program Listings
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Contact Information
Department Information
Programs and Degrees Offered
APA Accreditation Status
Student Applications/Admissions
Financial Information/Assistance
Employment of Department Graduates
Additional Information
Application Information
Department Listings by State
Index of Programs by Area of Study Offered
Another Resource:
“Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission
to Graduate School in Psychology”
LIST PRICE: $19.95
MEMBER/AFFILIATE PRICE: $19.95
www.apa.org
http://books.apa.org/books.cfm?id=4313012&toc=yes
“Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining
Admission to Graduate School in Psychology”
AS DESCRIBED IN THIS BOOK:
– Describes the application process, and increases chances of being
accepted.
– Gives timelines, tips, and organizes the tasks into manageable steps,
and helps in defining goals, selecting programs, and working through
the application process.
– Gives monthly timetable and detailed worksheets for selecting the best
program, and gives a resource section that provides a list of
publications and organizations that are useful in the various phases of
applying.
– Gives criteria admissions that committees use to evaluate applicants,
how to improve qualifications, and how to showcase your talents in
personal essays, letters of recommendations, and preselection
interviews.
– Also gives costs of a graduate education and financial aid information
– Gives resources and guidance to members of special populations, such
as women, ethnic minorities, gay and lesbian applicants, and applicants
with disabilities for their particular needs.
– See handout for the Table of Contents for this book
Getting into Graduate School:
Things to Consider
When Deciding Which Program
To Help You Make Your Decision:
– Compare your qualifications with
admission requirements
– Contact program and individuals directly
to obtain additional information
– Visit programs
– Compile a list of programs to which you
will apply
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
Transcripts
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Contact Admissions and Records Dept of EVERY
university that you have attended
Confirm with the program that you may send
directly (some times, they prefer all materials are
sent to them in one packet)
Allow 6 weeks
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
Three letters of recommendation
– These are VERY important!
– For competitive programs, it is best if these letters are
from faculty with whom you have conducted research.
More on this later….
– Make sure they know you
– Make sure they can speak highly of you and your
work
– Where possible, complete the forms for them (their
name, job title, office phone, etc.) – type this
information if possible
– Include stamped and addressed envelopes
– Make copies of the blank forms in case problems
arise
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
Curriculum Vitae (i.e., “CV”)
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Your CV can be VERY important!
Can give to letter writers
Enhances the application
Suggested that it is no longer than two pages
Should include the following information when relevant:
Career objectives
Education
Papers presented at professional conferences
Papers published if relevant
Honors or awards
Research experience
Teaching experience if relevant
Clinical experience if relevant
Psychology-related field experience if relevant
Professional affiliations
Job experiences if relevant
Getting Into Graduate School:
Building Your CV
Research experience!!
GPA
Membership and Leadership positions in Honor
Societies
– Psi Beta
– Psi Chi
Honors / Awards
Involvement in the field
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going to and presenting research at conferences,
internships if relevant
publications
grant writing
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
Statement or letter of intent / purpose
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Long-term career plans
Areas of interest
Reasons for choosing the program (e.g., focus of their
program, the research of faculty within the program)
Match between self and program
Think about what is being asked
Background: Skills and accomplishments; Experiences and
events that helped shape you as a person and influence your
present goals and ambitions – BE CAREFUL NOT TO
INCLUDE IRRELEVANT INFORMATION
Demonstrate the relationship between career goals and
academic interest and how the programs focus and philosophy
can help you (faculty, resources, and training which are
compatible with your goals)
Getting Into Graduate School:
Other Suggestions for
Your Statement of Purpose
Think about what is being asked
Avoid platitudes like “I’m really interested in
Psychology,” or “I really want to help people”
Tailor this to EACH program that you apply
Try to convey your passion! You are trying to
influence their decision about you!
Keep relatively short—it is usually recommended to
keep to no longer than two pages
Should be typed and single-spaced
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
GRE: Graduate Record Exam
– GRE test (general)
– GRE test (subject)
– http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.fab2360b1
645a1de9b3a0779f1751509/?vgnextoid=b195e3b5f6
4f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD
“The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative
reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have
been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to
any specific field of study.”
“The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in
eight specific fields of study and can help forecast a candidate's
potential for success in graduate school. Each Subject Test is
intended for students who have majored in or have extensive
background in that specific area.”
GRE General Test—Sample
Verbal
Directions*
– Each question below consists of a word printed in capital letters
followed by five lettered words or phrases. Choose the lettered
word or phrase that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the
word in capital letters. Since some of the questions require you
to distinguish fine shades of meaning, be sure to consider all the
choices before deciding which one is best.
Sample Question
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DIFFUSE:
(A) concentrate
(B) contend
(C) imply
(D) pretend
(E) rebel
GRE General Test—Sample
Verbal
Directions*
– In each of the following questions, a related pair of words or
phrases is followed by five lettered pairs of words or phrases.
Select the lettered pair that best expresses a relationship similar
to that expressed in the original pair.
Sample Question
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COLOR : SPECTRUM :
(A) tone : scale
(B) sound : waves
(C) verse : poem
(D) dimension : space
(E) cell : organism
GRE General Test—Sample
Verbal
Directions*
– Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that
something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five lettered
words or sets of words. Choose the word or set of words for each blank
that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Sample Question
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Early ________ of hearing loss is ________ by the
fact that the other senses are able to compensate for
moderate amounts of loss, so that people frequently
do not know that their hearing is imperfect.
(A) discovery . . indicated
(B) development . . prevented
(C) detection . . complicated
(D) treatment . . facilitated
(E) incidence . . corrected
GRE General Test—Sample
Quantitative
Directions*
– The passage is followed by questions based on its content. After
reading the passage, choose the best answer to each question. Answer
all questions following the passage on the basis of what is stated or
implied in the passage.
Presented with the passage
According to the passage, the two antithetical ideals of photography
differ primarily in the
– (A) value that each places on the beauty of the finished product
– (B) emphasis that each places on the emotional impact of the finished
product
– (C) degree of technical knowledge that each requires of the
photographer
– (D) extent of the power that each requires of the photographer’s
equipment
– (E) way in which each defines the role of the photographer
GRE General Test—Sample
Quantitative
Directions*
– Each of the sample questions consists of two quantities, one in Column
A and one in Column B. There may be additional information, centered
above the two columns, that concerns one or both of the quantities. A
symbol that appears in both columns represents the same thing in
Column A as it does in Column B. You are to compare the quantity in
Column A with the quantity in Column B and decide whether:
– (A) The quantity in Column A is greater.
– (B) The quantity in Column B is greater.
– (C) The two quantities are equal.
– (D) The relationship cannot be determined from the
– information given.
Sample Questions
Column A Column B
1. 9.8
SQ. RT.10
2. (-6)4
(-6)5
GRE General Test—Sample
Quantitative
When walking, a certain person takes 16
complete steps in 10 seconds. At this rate,
how many complete steps does the
person take in 72 seconds?
– (A) 45
– (B) 78
– (C) 86
– (D) 90
– (E) 115
GRE General Test—Sample
Quantitative
Number of Graduate Student Applicants at
University X, 1982–1991
– Presented with a graph
In which of the following years did the number of
graduate student applicants increase the most
from that of the previous year?
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(A) 1985
(B) 1986
(C) 1988
(D) 1990
(E) 1991
GRE General Test—Sample
Analytical Writing
Directions*
– Present your perspective on the issue below, using
relevant reasons and/or examples to support your
views.
Sample Topic
– “In our time, specialists of all kinds are highly
overrated. We need more generalists—people who
can provide broad perspectives.”
What scorers are looking for in this:
– Readers are evaluating the skill with which you
articulate and develop an argument to support your
position on the issue.
GRE General Test—Sample
Analyze an Argument Task
Directions*
– Discuss how well reasoned you find this argument.
Sample Topic
– “Hospital statistics regarding people who go to the emergency room
after roller skating accidents indicate the need for more protective
equipment. Within this group of people, 75 percent of those who had
accidents in streets or parking lots were not wearing any protective
clothing (helmets, knee pads, etc.) or any light-reflecting material (clipon lights, glow-in-the-dark wrist pads, etc.). Clearly, these statistics
indicate that by investing in high-quality protective gear and reflective
equipment, roller skaters will greatly reduce their risk of being severely
injured in an accident.”
What the scorer is looking for:
– How well you “discuss the logical soundness of the author’s case by
critically examining the line of reasoning and the use of evidence. So,
you should consider the structure of the argument—the way in which
these elements are linked together to form a line of reasoning; that is,
you should recognize the separate, sometimes implicit steps in the
thinking process and consider whether the movement from each one to
the next is logically sound.”
Getting Into Graduate School:
3 Important Things
How Can I Prepare for the
GRE?
– ETS:
http://www.ets.org/portal/si
te/ets/menuitem.1488512e
cfd5b8849a77b13bc39215
09/?vgnextoid=302b66f22
c6a5010VgnVCM1000002
2f95190RCRD&vgnextcha
nnel=d687e3b5f64f4010V
gnVCM10000022f95190R
CRD
– Kaplan: $1199.00
http://www.kaptest.com/Gr
aduate/GRE/KaplanPrograms/ClassroomCourses/GR_gre_class.ht
ml (25 hrs. private
$3,299)
– Princeton Review:
$1099.00
http://testprep.princetonrev
iew.com/CourseSearch/Ad
vancedSearch.aspx (grps
of 3 tutoring $1440)
Getting Into Graduate School:
3 Important Things
Where Do You Take
the GRE?
– http://etsis4.ets.org/tce
nter/cbt_dm.cfm
What are the fees?
– $140 General Test—U.S., U.S.
Territories*, and Puerto Rico
– Will be sent to 4 institutions for
free, but then it will be $ 20 for
each additional score report
(ASR) requests
Getting Into Graduate School:
Recommendations
Other recommendations:
It is suggested to give at least 2 months before the
deadline
Buy a calendar to record deadlines
Prepare a checklist for everything you send AND
everything the program receives
Examples: Program, application date, financial aid
deadline, transcripts, GRE general, GRE psychology,
letters of recommendation, program application packet,
financial aid packet.
Keep records to keep thorough record of everything you send in
case mistakes happen
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keep photocopies if possible of requests for transcripts and
score reports, letters of recommendation, correspondence,
and application materials, type applications,
Have someone proofread your work
Getting Into Graduate School:
What Universities Want You to Prepare for
Your Completed Application
Completed financial aid forms
Completed application forms
Getting Into Graduate School:
General Timetable
Fall of your Sophomore year:
– Get information and tips on getting into graduate school!
– Get involved in Psi Beta, Psi Chi, or other co-curricular groups in
psychology
– Go to a psychology conference
– Create sections of your CV
Spring of your Sophomore year:
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Stay involved in Psi Beta / Psi Chi
Think about what area of concentration you’d like to pursue
Discuss ideas with faculty members
Find faculty members with whom you’d like to do research
Present research at a Psychology conference (could be from
data collected in a Research Methods course)
– Update CV
Getting Into Graduate School:
General Timetable
Fall of your Junior year:
– Stay involved in Psi Chi
– Look over your book, “Graduate Study in Psychology”: begin narrowing
your areas of concentration
– Pursue doing research with professors at the transfer institution
(preferably 3 different professors)
– Begin examining the sections of the GRE test –study words (e.g., Vis
Ed cards)
– Update CV
Spring of your Junior year:
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Stay involved in Psi Chi
Decide on area of concentration
Make a rough list of schools to which you might apply
Visit programs if possible
Begin writing your personal statement
Continue studying for GRE test – consider taking a prep course for this
(e.g., Princeton Review, Kaplan)
– Take the GRE test
Getting Into Graduate School:
General Timetable
Fall of your Senior year:
– Stay involved in Psi Chi
– Solidify the list of programs to which you will apply – get application information
for all
– Finish personal statement
– Request transcripts
– Update CV
– Complete all application materials and send them off toward the middle/end of
the semester—send application, financial aid information, statement of purpose,
CV, etc.
– Create checklists for application materials
– Retake GRE if needed
– Toward middle / end of semester, ask professors to write letter of
recommendation – give at least a month
– Contact professors of interest to find out if they are taking new graduate students
for the Fall (they will tell you not to do this, but this is important information for
you)
Read his/her work, and go see them if possible
Exchange ideas
Show your knowledge, interest, and motivation for working with him/her.
Getting Into Graduate School:
YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Keep moving forward—in your mind and
actions!
– Remember your successes, and keep repeating to
yourself, “I can do this! I can do this!”
– Avoid self-defeating statements (“This is too much,” I
can’t do this,” Who would even want me?”)
– Stay focused on one step at a time
To avoid getting overwhelmed, write your goals down, and
then only concentrate on completing the NEXT needed step
(don’t focus on ALL the things you need to do across all the
years…. too overwhelming!). Ask for help when needed! Try
to enjoy each step along the way—You are developing YOU!
Getting Into Graduate School:
The Next “Good” Problem
After all of this, your next biggest problem
will be deciding on which program to
choose! That’ll be a nice problem to have!
Good luck to ALL of you!
Thank you for letting me share the
information that I wish I had as an early
undergraduate student! 