TIPS FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL

There may be many reasons why you may want to go to graduate school. Some of the possible reasons may be:

• To qualify for a career in academia
• To qualify for a professional license in counseling, psychologists, therapists
• To contribute to the science of psychology
• To make a career change
• Career and/or salary advancement
• Because you love the field of study…etc.

Going to graduate school is a huge investment of money, time and work. On top of the financial issue, graduate school will take up a substantial chunk of your life. Most master’s programs take two academic years to complete, and doctorate programs generally take five years.

Making the decision to go to graduate school will not be easy. Where to go? What to do to apply? Getting there will be even harder! Graduate school is very competitive. Not only do students need a good GPA, generally at least a 3.2, but they must secure letters of recommendations, complete lengthy application processes and endure interviews with prospective programs. Most students should consider applying to at least 10 different graduate programs to increase their chances of being accepted.

There are, however, things that students can do while they are an undergraduate to help them prepare for and stand out when applying to graduate programs. We have compiled a list of “TIPS” that may help you on your path to graduate school.

If you need further information about accomplishing these tips for graduate school, please talk with an advisor. The advising team can recommend books, websites, and other reference sources to help you wade through the process of “going to graduate school”.

Look at TIPS for

• Preparing yourself
• Applying to graduate school
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
• Personal Statement

Preparing yourself

• Research experience is one of the best ways to help your chances of getting into graduate school. Get started early!
• Advanced statistics courses will make you a more attractive candidate in the eyes of selection committees for graduate school. Go to www.siop.org, www.hfes.org, www.apa.org, www.spsp.org. www.psychologicalscience.org for more details on how to become a student affiliate.
• Authorship on a peer-reviewed journal article or a conference paper is highly attractive to graduate school selection committees, keep this in mind and be aware of any opportunities available to you.
• Presenting research at an undergraduate conference is another way to really stand out.
• Join Psych Club & Psi Chi.
• Learn how to ask for a letter of recommendation
• Learn how to write a really good personal statement

Applying to Graduate School

• Be aware of impending deadlines and complete the earliest ones first followed by those due later – most applications will have different deadlines
• Most graduate school applicants will have a high GPA (e.g., > 3.5), so you will need to distinguish yourself in other ways
• Many Ph.D. programs will offer assistantships. Assistantships mean a student is paid a small stipend (salary) in exchange for work and/or teaching. Assistantships may also cover the cost of tuition. Please check with the programs you are interested in to find out if they offer assistantships and if they do, what is included in those assistantships
• Note that transferring graduate credits is difficult and may not be possible, so you will likely have to complete all the coursework and requirements for the doctoral program at one institution

Preparing for and Taking GRE

What is GRE?

The GRE General Test measures critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning 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. From www.ets.org/gre/

• Consider taking a practice GRE in your freshman or sophomore year. Many schools will want a score of 1200 or more (600 or higher on both the quantitative and qualitative sections). Knowing where you stand early can help you study for later!
• There are several good resources to study for the GRE, check with your local bookstore; keep in mind that the verbal and quantitative portions are given the most emphasis in graduate admissions. Plan to take at least one practice test before you take the actual GRE.
• Psych Club offers practice GREs every year.
• Check to see if the schools you are considering require the GRE subject test
• Many schools have cutoff scores for applicants, so contact each program you are interested in, or see each programs’ website, for further details about their specific admission requirements.
• Many, but not all schools, require the Psychology GRE (or subject test) to be taken in addition to the GRE. Plan to take this during the summer before your Senior year or early during Fall quarter.
• Introductory psychology texts are good study materials for the Psychology GRE.

Personal Statement

What is Personal Statement?

Personal Statement (or it goes by other names such as: Statement of Purpose, Candidate’s Admission Statement, and so on) is where you can explain why you are applying to graduate school, what interests you about the program, and what your future goals are. It can help graduate admission committees see those intangible qualities that make you a strong candidate.

• Do not write one letter for all your applications. Your personal statement should be unique for every program. Spend enough time on the Personal Statement to effectively communicate your interests, goals, experiences, and qualifications to the selection committee. Enlist the help of your colleagues and faculty when writing the Personal Statement.
• Personal Statements need to answer the unique questions given in the application, but some common themes involve: career plans, general interest in the program, research interests, academic objectives, experience, academic background, motivation, specific faculty you’re interested in working with and why, special abilities, and why you’re interested in the program.

References

Keith-Spiegel, P, & Wiederman, M.W. (2000). The complete guide to graduate school admission: Psychology, counseling, and related professions (2 nd ed.). Mahwah, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. (available through the university library)

Graduate School Admissions Advisor 2000. By a nationwide team of graduate school admissions advisors. New York, N.Y.: Kaplan Educational Centers and Simon & Schuster. (available at the PUP Office for a loan)