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Applying to Grauate School
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The Application Process

  • Preparation: Preparation involves all of the courses, research experiences, teaching experiences, presentations and publications that you complete during your entire undergraduate career. Additionally, any professional experience that you have obtained before attending graduate school is part of your preparation for graduate school.

  • Narrowing your choices: Find the institution that will best allow you enough flexibility to foster your intellectual growth, and provide you with the tools and experiences necessary for you to be successful during and after graduate school.

  • Funding: There are many federal and university fellowships and/or scholarships that are based on academic achievement as well as need. This money offers more flexibility in terms of controlling the type of graduate education you receive.

  • Application Package: The actual completion of the application for admission which includes filling out the actual forms, as well as arranging for recommendations, transcript and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores to be sent. This section of our information package has specific details on seven of the major items used by graduate schools to decided who to admit.

  • Interviewing: Before you have been accepted, some programs will want to speak with you (either in person or on the phone) as a part of the admissions process. They use this as an opportunity to help them determine whether or not to admit you.

  • Visiting: After you have been accepted, some programs will want you to actually see the school and meet with faculty members and graduate students.

  • Decisions: Because graduate school is a significant commitment of time and money, you have to decide where you think you will obtain the best education. DonÕt forget to inform other institutions that you will not be accepting their offers of admittance.

    PREPARATION

Summary of Preparation:

  • Choose challenging course work
  • Complete a thesis project
  • Obtain appropriate experiences: research, teaching, professional
  • Seek membership in professional organizations

Tips on Preparation:

  • Preparation for graduate school can begin as early as the first term of your freshman year, and it is never too late to start!
  • If you decide to take time off between undergraduate and graduate school, it may be easier to maintain contact with your undergraduate department than to reestablish your connections. Remember, you will still need recommendations and advice. Make sure these valuable resources are not lost!

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NARROWING YOUR CHOICES

Summary of Narrowing Your Choices:

  • Investigate more than one faculty member's research
  • Research the philosophy of the graduate program
  • Be aware of the institution's funding resources
  • Think about the type of support you will need
  • Be familiar with the school environment
  • Talk to current graduate students in the program

Tips on Narrowing Your Choices:

  • Use an overall checklist that you keep current at all times. You should have a list of the schools that you have requested information from, as well as what information you have received, so that you do not make duplicate requests.
  • Be cautious of departmental publications, since they are not always current.
    • They may have professors listed that are no longer affiliated with that institution.
    • They may list all research interests of the faculty and not necessarily only their current interests.
  • We recommend using the tier system when deciding which schools to apply to. In other words, apply to a few Òsafety schoolsÓ for which you are well qualified, a few schools whose requirements you meet, and a few that you may seem less qualified for on paper, but are still worth a shot.

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FUNDING

Summary of Funding:

  • Find out about funding at each institution
  • Apply for outside fellowships
  • Investigate teaching and research assistantships
  • Use loans as a last resort

Tips on Funding:

  • Each fellowship application takes the same amount of time as regular applications. They generally request test scores, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, etc.
  • Make sure that you do not allow the luxury of fellowships to replace the necessity of teaching experiences and mentoring relationships with faculty members.

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APPLICATION PACKAGE

  • The Application
    • Summary of the Application:
      • Check to see if the psychology department has a separate application
      • Complete all relevant applications
      • Always type, unless instructed to do otherwise
      • Request fee waivers from each institution
      • Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard
    • Tips on the Application:
      • Stock up on envelopes, stamps, paper clips, mailing labels, typewriter ribbon, and correction tape since you will need them!
      • COPY!!! COPY!!! COPY!!! and SAVE!!! SAVE!!! SAVE!!! You never know if and when a form will get misplaced, when a disk or computer will crash, when your application will get lost in the mail, so have backups of everything.
      • Double check that application packets have arrived and are complete.
  • Statement of Purpose
    • Summary of the Statement of Purpose:
      • Read each question carefully
      • Capture your ideas first, then worry about format
      • Proofread your statement of purpose carefully
      • Show your draft to people in the field to which you are applying
      • Have your final product be professional in its appearance
    • Tips on the Statement of Purpose:
      • Since the main purpose of the statement of purpose is to provide the reviewer with a sense of your organization, as well as how well you fit with their graduate program, be sure not to rush your product.
      • Your statement of purpose should be in the active tense.
      • Make sure that you use specific examples to convey your ideas effectively.
      • Professors as well as your recommendors are some of the best providers of constructive criticism.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Summary of the GRE:
      • There are two types of GRE: general and subject
      • Know which standardized exams you have to take
      • Use one of the multiple ways of preparing fro the GRE
      • Keep a record of which scores (as well as past scores) were sent to each school
    • Tips on the GRE:
      • Since there are multiple ways to prepare, find a way that works best for you and stick with it.
      • Be creative and dedicated in your preparation techniques.
      • Make sure you give yourself enough time to have the luxury of deciding to take the GRE again.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Summary of Letters of Recommendation:
      • Build professional relationships with potential recommendors early
      • Choose people that are knowledgeable to your intended field of study
      • Make sure that the recommendors are able to write strong letters of recommendation
      • Provide the recommendor with a list of due dates
      • Provide the recommendor with complete forms and addressed and stamped envelopes
      • Provide information about yourself so the recommendor can use this information in the letter
      • Tactfully check to see if the letters have been completed and mailed
    • Tips on Letters of Recommendation:
      • A negative letter of recommendation will not help you get admitted into graduate school, so make sure that your recommendor can write a strong letter on your behalf.
      • Consider setting earlier deadlines to ensure that all recommendations are completed and received by deadlines.
      • Some applications want you to mail the recommendation form directly, while others want the sealed letter within your application.
      • Don't forget your thank you letters! You never want to Òburn any bridges!Ó
  • Transcript
    • Summary of the Transcript:
      • Allows the admissions committee to know what classes you have completed
      • Provides the admissions committee with an overview of your grade performance
    • Tips on the Transcript:
      • Plan ahead. Some undergraduate schools have a fee for sending each copy of your transcript.
      • Verify that the transcript was mailed and received.
  • Resume' and Curriculum Vita
    • Summary of the Resume' and Curriculum Vita:
      • A resume' is a one-page summary of your experiences
      • A vita is a detailed extended resumŽ which includes your educational, professional, teaching or tutoring experiences
    • Tips on the Resume' and Curriculum Vita:
      • Make sure that your resumŽ or vita contains descriptive verbs in the past tense.
      • Do not overlook the work that you have done; everything can be a learning experiences!

    Tips on the Application Package:

    • Think of the application process as a three credit course in terms of the time and the thought that you devote to it.
    • Use an overall checklist that you keep current at all times. You should know the status of each and every application so that no deadlines creep up unexpectedly.
    • Be organized. Keep each school in a different folder, so that you are less likely to get them mixed up. When completing the final application, do so one at a time.
    • Do not overstress yourself if a part of your package is not what you would like it to be (e.g. I had a rough transition freshman year, which pulled down my GPA). Remember, the decision to admit is based on your entire package, not just one component.

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    INTERVIEWING AND VISITING

    Summary of Interviewing and Visiting:

    • An interview is a part of the admissions process. It can be in person or over the phone
    • A visit occurs after you have been admitted, and the department is trying to convince you to attend their program

    Tips on Interviewing and Visiting:

    • Try to schedule the visit or interview when you will be able to talk to someone it get a realistic idea of what to expect from graduate school.
    • Take visits and interviews seriously. Always be professional. They are not vacations. Make sure that your questions are answered, as well as convince the graduate program that you are the best candidate for their program.
    • "All that glitters is not gold", so be aware that everything may not be as it seems since each school you go to visit is putting their best foot forward.

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    DECISIONS

    Summary of Decision Making:

    • The prestige associated with graduate school is different than the prestige of undergraduate institutions (e.g. quality of institution vs. the quality of the specific program)
    • Since all institutions have positives and negatives, be informed. Decide what is most important to you and make the best decision that you can!

    Tips on Decision Making:

    • Remember the reputation of the school overall does not always apply to the psychology program, and visa versa.
    • Recognize that graduate school is more than the courses you take. The social environment and your individual motivation to attend that school are just as important.
    • Make sure you can have a strong and supportive network.

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