Preparation for Graduate School In Psychology

Contents:
A. How does graduate school differ from undergraduate?
B. How should I prepare for graduate school while and undergraduate?
C. How do I apply to graduate school?
D. Suggested Readings
 

A. How does graduate school differ from undergraduate?

Graduate school represents more of a pairing of student with mentors.  Your faculty and classmates will be your future colleagues.  For your first day in graduate school, you will be considered a psychologist in training, not just a student of psychology.
-Individual faculty you work with and the specific graduate program you attend may be more important than the overall reputation of the school you choose.
-Graduate school has less class work and much more independent learning than undergraduate does.
-Most graduate programs have comprehensive exams, thesis/dissertations, and clinical rotations.  The learning you do in individual classes will all be tied together in these culminating events of graduate training.
-There are three models of training/practice of psychology.  It is important to decide whether you see yourself primarily as a researcher, as a researcher/clinician, or primarily as a clinician before you choose a list of schools.

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B. How should I prepare for graduate school while and undergraduate?

-Decide what areas of psychology interest you.  Take as many upper-level classes in these areas as possible.
-Get to know faculty and graduate students.  Seek their advice about graduate programs and training.
-Learn about what psychologists do by getting research experience, doing an internship on campus or off campus, visiting psychologists in a variety of work settings.
-Read widely.  Pick up psychology journals in your area(s) of interest and skim them regularly.  Get to know the big names in your field and the institutions where they work.
- Become a student member of the professional organization(s) in your area.  Attend a professional meeting if possible.

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C. How do I apply to graduate school?

A. Preparation
-Determine which areas of psychology are of interest to you.  Discuss career options/interest with your advisor and professors.
Look at programs are are either APA or regionally accredited.
-Determine the type of degree you wish to persue (Masters, Doctoral)
Consider recommendations for the field of psychology you have selected.
Estimate time and money needed to complete each degree.
Make contact with professors and/or graduate students in programs that interest you.  Perhaps e-mail with a question about the research he or she is conducting would be a good start.
-Take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).  If necessary, look into GRE prepatory classes.
-When you have narrowed down your program list and have taken the GRE, you are ready to apply.

B. Application Process
-Contact programs to request an application and financial aid information, if necessary.
-Most applications will request the following information in addition to an application.
Letter of Intent or Personal Statement
Letters of Reference
Transcripts
Personal Interview
GRE Scores

C. Patience
-You will usually be notified of your acceptance or rejection before April 15.
-You typically must accept or reject an offer, in writing, by or on May 15.

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D. Suggested Readings

Is Psychology the Major for You? Planning for Your Undergraduate Years provides practical advice for the undergraduate student. APA Member/Affiliate & List: $9.95

Career Paths in Psychology describes the vast range of work available to psychologists. The book shows that psychologists now work in all areas of education, government, and private industry. APA Member/Affiliate & List: $19.95

Getting In: A Step-By-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology provides applicants with manageable goals and the tools to achieve them. Applicants are taught how to define their training goals, what to look for in a program, and why. APA Member/Affiliate & List: $14.95

Graduate Study in Psychology offers students complete practical information on more than 500 psychology programs in the United States and Canada, providing information about programs and degrees offered, admission requirements, application information, financial aid, tuition, etc. APA Member/Affiliate: $19.95 List: $24.95

Dissertations and These From Start to Finish: Psychology and Related Fields will help graduate students in psychology and related fields plan the thesis and dissertation process from beginning to end. APA Member/Affiliate: $19.95 List: $24.95

Is Psychology for Them? A Guide to Undergraduate Advising contains information to assist advisors in assessing student interest, helping students evaluate the job market, initiating student assessment, etc. APA Member/Affiliate: $24.95 List: $29.95

The Psychologist's Guide to an Academic Career is filled with advice on all stages of academic professional life. APA Member/Affiliate & List: $24.95

Psychology/Careers for the Twenty-First Century provides an overall view and explanation of the field and subfields. Free.  American Psychological Association

Succeeding in Graduate School: The Career Guide for Psychology Students. Edited by Steven Walfish and Allen K. Hess. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. $29.25. Order at: www.erlbaum.com.

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