Before You Apply
This page provides resources to students interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology but are not sure where to begin. Use the table of contents below to help you navigate through the website. Click on links to direct you to articles, videos, and tip sheets.
Table of Contents
How do I decide whether graduate school is the right path?
In this article, Dr. Casey Calhoun provides advice on how to decide whether graduate school is the right path; whether it would be better for you to start right after graduating or take time off to get more experience, and how to gain more experience if you decide to take time off from school.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Betsy Morgan gives advice on how to decide whether or not to go to graduate school, an overview of the application process, and how to choose a graduate school program.
How can I make the most out of my psychology degree?
In this podcast episode Dr. Jane Halonen gives advice to students on whether to (a) enter the workforce immediately after graduating with your undergraduate degree or (b) continue your education in graduate school.
The American Psychological Association (APA) also has a Youtube video series titled “How did you get that job?” where they interview people from diverse backgrounds who are working on different jobs in the field of Psychology.
Lastly, APA has a divisions list where you can see all the subfields and getting resources for each. Some of the smaller divisions (e.g., I/O) will provide a list of all the schools that offer grad programs in that area.
Which program should I apply to?
This brief article describes the differences between the three most common post-graduate psychology degrees: Master's, Phd, and Psy.D
What do PhD programs look for in applicants and other tips for applying
Questions to consider for deciding if PsyD is right for you and tips for the application process
What are the general steps in the application process?
The general requirement for graduate school application are:
Submitting a Curriculum Vitae (CV) summarizing your experience
A Personal Statement describing your reasons for applying-- or, if you are applying to a PhD program, a Statement of Purpose detailing your specific research interests
Admissions exam(s), like the GRE-- though this varies from program to program
Letters of recommendation from professionals whom you have worked with, or whom you have volunteered for, and can speak well of your abilities. Typically, programs ask for three letters of recommendation
If you are an international student, or if you completed your undergraduate degree in another language, you might be required to take the TOEFL exam
Every program is different, so make sure you check for all the requirements in the website of your program(s) of interest.
Here are some other resources that can you help with setting up a timeline for applying.
Timeline to Prepare for Graduate School offers tips from as early as when you are a junior in your undergraduate studies all the way to your senior year. But no worries if you are a Senior now (you can focus on just the Senior section) or if you have already graduated (use the timeline to fit your own unique journey).
Recommended Steps for Applicants to Psychology Graduate Programs
Blog that offers tips on how to organize your application materials and includes a link to a blank spreadsheet to stay organized.
Do you have research experience?
Not having research experience does not automatically mean that you will not get accepted into Psychology graduate school programs; however, having research experience does increase your chances of getting accepted, especially for PhD programs.
This article gives advice on how to seek research experience as an undergraduate student.
If you are close to graduating or have already graduated, consider seeking experience after graduation, such as volunteer/work opportunities as a research assistant:
Resources for applying to research positions after getting your undergraduate degree
List of paid internships in General and Developmental Psychology
Summer research programs are another way of gaining valuable research experience. Here are some programs offered:
How can I get clinical experience?
Clinical experience refers to working or volunteering in a place that provides mental health services, such as a counseling center, a psychology clinic, or a hospital. If you are interested in applying to graduate school because you want to provide mental health services getting clinical experience before applying could be beneficial.
How do I plan for admissions exams?
First, check if any of the programs that you are interested in require admissions exams, such as the GRE General Test and/or the GRE Psychology Subject test. Some programs do not require exams while others do, so make sure you investigate this.
If you do have to take the GRE, this article guides you into how to make a plan for studying. It can take up to 21 days for your results to arrive to the university you are applying to, so make sure you register on time and plan accordingly.
You can find many free GRE resources to study as well as practice tests here.
What are some resources for underrepresented students?
Underrepresented students are those who are traditionally not represented in psychology and education (e.g., low-income, first-generation, LGBTQ+, ethnic and racial minority students). Below are some resources that can help underrepresented students in their application process:
How do I apply during times of COVID-19 pandemic?
In this video, Dr. Mitch Prinstein discusses his advice on how to navigate the application process during these times.
The American Psychological Association also offers an 1 hour webinar:
Should I take time off before applying?
Every student's journey is different and some students may want to take time off before applying but are not sure where to start. Dr. Casey Calhoun provides some advice on deciding whether to take time off before applying to graduate school: https://mitch.web.unc.edu/wp content/uploads/sites/4922/2013/10/BeforeYouApply.pdf
More specifically, this guide begins with a discussion of the often difficult decision regarding whether to take “time off” before applying to graduate school. Then, personal and professional development opportunities are reviewed, including volunteer positions, research assistant positions, and national conferences.
Questions or Feedback?
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