Psychology Graduate Schools – Admission into Your #1 Pick

You’ve probably spent a serious amount of time deliberating whether or not you should apply to psychology graduate schools.  It took a lot of personal work and growth to reach the stage where you’re ready to take the plunge, but now what are you supposed to do?  What waits in the application process and what’s the best way to be prepared for it all?  There are three major keys to the application process.  Those are preparation, application know how, and patience.

Process of Getting into Psychology Graduate School

Getting into psychology graduate schools all start with proper preparation.  First, you must narrow down your search to the areas of psychology you are most interested in.  By discussing possible careers with your advisors and undergraduate professors, you’ll be able to choose your field of discipline necessary to obtain the career you desire.  Next, determine if your career hopes require a doctorate or master’s degree.  And finally, submit an application for the Graduate Record Exam or GRE.  You’ll want to take the GRE sometime in the fall prior to your expected admission into your graduate school.  Once you know your area of interest and have taken the GRE, you are ready to apply to psychology graduate schools. There are present several psychology links on the internet to help you with this.

Contact the psychology graduate schools you wish to apply for to request an application and, if necessary, financial aid information.  Most applications will require some basic information that you will need to prepare and supply along with their application fee.  First will be a letter of intent. Next, you’ll need to provide letters of references. Contact professors and individuals for their permission to write you a letter.  You should also include a copy of your most current resume.  Next, you will need to provide them a copy of your transcript.  You can do this at the Registrar’s Office by supplying them with a list of names, addresses, and appropriate fees.  Finally, be prepared in case the schools request a personal interview.  Plan ahead for any expenses you may incur and be sure you are capable of traveling if necessary.

Finally, here comes the hard part.  Sit back and wait to hear from the graduate schools you’ve applied to.  Most will mail you a letter of acceptance or rejection by April 15th.  You, in turn, will either need to accept or reject an offer in writing by April 15th.  If this is not the deadline one of your schools adheres to, be sure you understand when you must accept or reject their offer as well.