Watch this site for upcoming events

Senior Comprehensive Exams
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Van Liere Symposium
Sunday, April 13, 2008

Sunday, June 15, 2008
Commencement

Selecting and Getting into a Graduate School
<Grad School Made Simple>

Selecting a graduate program—
Use APA Graduate Study in Psychology.
Talk to faculty, psychologists you know, and other professionals.
Note location of authors of articles and books you like.
Identify programs with emphases compatible with your interests.
Look at Master’s and Ph.D. programs, don’t narrow your sights.
Write to graduate programs for information about program along with application
forms (late summer or early fall).
Pay special attention to info about faculty interests sent by grad programs.
Consider choosing a state or part of the country to narrow your choices.
Apply to schools of varying degrees of selectiveness: some seemingly too difficult
to get into, some which seem easy.

Letters of recommendation—
It is not necessary to have all psychology letter writers—choose those who know
you well and look upon you favorably.
When asking someone to write for you, pay attention to any hesitation or doubt
expressed by the person. Don’t be bashful about asking directly whether
the person feels he or she can write a supportive letter.
Don’t worry about asking letter writers to write to many schools.
Provide letter writers with a résumé, statement of intent, and grades in psychology
courses.
Make sure letter writers know the kind of program you’re interested in, especially if
you’re applying to several kinds.
Talk to letter writer you know best about what you feel are your weak points or
problem areas as an applicant. Often, he or she can deal with those issues in
the letter of recommendation.
Plan on applying to a minimum of six programs. Twelve or more is
recommended, especially for clinical doctoral or other competitive programs
if you want to have a good chance of being accepted.
Apply to at least one “dream” program where you don’t think you have much of a
chance, but apply to some which look like it might be much easier to get in
as well.

GRE’s—
The Career Development Center has information about test dates and sites.
There are fewer test dates now; more testing is being done individually by computer.
Kaplan and other GRE test preparation programs are worthwhile; there are
discounts for people who sign up in groups with some of these programs.
The psych practice comps is equivalent to the GRE psychology test.
The GRE “aptitude” test is much more important than the psychology test.
Retaking the test if you did not do well is advised; schools will generally use the
higher scores you’ve achieved and practice helps.
When looking at GRE statistics for a program, remember that one-half the students
admitted were below that score: it is not a minimum.

How to stand out from other applicants—
Read the research published by graduate faculty at a school that interests you.
Contact graduate faculty to express interest in their research and find out about
research opportunities in your area of interest.
Let “K” faculty, SIP advisors, family members and friends of the family know
what programs you’re interested in; they may know people there they could
contact.
Try to visit those schools in which you are most interested.
Do your SIP with someone publishing in professional journals.
Plan to participate in the undergraduate conference in the spring.
Find schools which have taken “K” students previously or where there are “K”
grads on the faculty.
Put a good effort into writing your statement of interest.
Do a good job as a teaching or research assistant.

If you’re planning to go to grad school later—
Keep in touch with “K” faculty to let them know what you’re doing.
Take a graduate-level course or two to keep your academic skills honed.
Do volunteer work if you’re not working at a psychology-related job.
Use the time to find programs which best match your interests.

Miscellaneous advice—
Apply for scholarships or fellowships offered by the program. Your chances for admission are not improved by suggesting that you don’t need aid.
Grad school is not a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you don’t get in the first try, keep trying.
If you don’t get in, try to find out from the program what you were lacking.
If you’re accepted into a program they may pressure you for a decision right away.
Talk to a faculty member if this happens to you.