Applying to Graduate School in Psychology

Is Grad School for You?

1. What do you want to do?– Does it require a graduate degree?

Is Grad School for You?

1. What do you want to do?– Does it require a graduate degree?

2. Do you like research?– Most grad programs will involve a

research component

Is Grad School for You?

1. What do you want to do?– Does it require a graduate degree?

2. Do you like research?– Most grad programs will involve a

research component

3. Is this a realistic goal?– Are your grades good? Did you do honours?• Graduate school highly competitive in psychology• Generally need to have a B+ average MINIMUM

– Higher for Clinical programs

Applicants: Offers

This table is based on data acquired for the 2005-2006 academic year according to the CPA

% Offers by Area of Psychology

This table is based on data acquired for the 2005-2006 academic year according to the CPA

Types of Programs• Experimental Psychology– Focus on conducting research

• Many subareas: – Cognitive Psychology– Neuropsychology– Social Psychology– Developmental Psychology– Industrial/Organizational

• Clinical Psychology– Many schools adhere to scientist-practitioner model

• Learn how to conduct research AND treat clients• Exception: PsyD programs (USA) have less focus on research

The Application Process:1. Research Schools/Potential Supervisors

• 4 months – 1 year in advance– Go to school websites and check out their Psyc

faculty– Look up professors who have published in areas you

are interested in– Talk to profs you know about people/places they

would recommend

• Most important consideration:– Supervisor you will be working with – NOT the location or prestige of the school!• Are you interested in his or her research?• What is his/her supervisory style?• Where do his/her students end up?• How long does it take his/her students to complete the

program?

• Often helpful (ONCE YOU’VE BEEN ACCEPTED) to email grad students who work with that supervisor

The Application Process:1. Research Schools/Potential Supervisors

• Other considerations– What is the program like?• How big is it (i.e., how many faculty & students)?• How established is it?• What are the degree requirements?

– How many schools should you apply to?• More schools = more chances of being accepted• More schools = more $ for application fees

The Application Process:1. Research Schools/Potential Supervisors

The Application Process:2. Email Potential Supervisors

• 3 – 5 months in advance– Express interest in their work• Should read a recent publication or two before

emailing

– BRIEFLY describe yourself– Ask whether they are accepting grad students for

the following year• Indicate that you are interested in

applying to worth with them

The Application Process:3. Schedule Graduate Record Exams• 2 – 6 months in advance– General (Verbal, Quantitative, & Analytical sections)– Subject (Psychology)– Info on booking test: www.gre.org• Book early as spaces can fill up!

– Studying WILL help you get a better score• Prep books can be very useful• Cue cards can help you learn definitions

The Application Process:3. Schedule Graduate Record Exams

• At time of test:– May request scores be sent to up to 4 schools– Additional test scores may be ordered for $23US a

score:• https://web1.gre.org/GreWebReg/asrLogin.jsp

The Application Process:4. Write Statement of Interest

• 2 – 4 months in advance– Generally, you should include the following:• Name(s) of supervisor(s) you are applying to work with• Indication of your own research interests

– How you came to be interested in the area– How your interests align with your proposed supervisor(s)

• Why you are applying to grad school– i.e., what are your future career interests?

• Any research (or clinical) experience you have to date and what you have learned from it

The Application Process:5. Contact (Potential) Referees

• 1 – 3 months in advance– Generally 2 or 3 references required– Generally better to ask in person– Who should you ask?

1. Honours’ supervisor2. Prof you have conducted research for/with3. Prof you took at class from

– Smaller the class the better– The higher the grade, the better– The more classes, the better

The Application Process:5. Contact (Potential) Referees

• Provide the professor with as much info about you as possible to help him/her write the letter– Transcript– Résumé (or CV)– Statement of interest– Any work you submitted in taking a course from

him/her

The Application Process:5. Contact (Potential) Referees

• Create a table for the professor that includes the following info for each school:– Program and supervisor(s) you are applying to work with– Whether letter should be sent directly or returned to you– Application deadline (or date you need letter by)– If multiple copies are required and if so, how many

• If a form is required along with a letter, don’t forget to print off the form

The Application Process:6. Order Official Academic Transcripts• 1 month in advance – From all colleges or universities you have

attended

– Ordering U of C transcripts• Can be ordered online through MyUofC• Other options available here:

http://www.ucalgary.ca/registrar/order_transcript• Can be sent directly to the school you are applying to

or picked up by you depending on what is required by each school

The Application Process:7. Email Reminder to Referees

• 1 – 2 weeks in advance– It is fine to email professors to confirm that they

have sent your letters if you have not heard from them and the due date is approaching

– But...be polite and appreciative!• Once you receive confirmation that the letters have

been sent, don’t forget to thank them!

The Application Process:8. Submit Application

• Often due January 15 but some variability– Generally completed and submitted online– Application fee due with your application form

• Don’t forget to submit supporting materials!– Allow enough time if sending by mail– Check each school’s website to determine: • The specific items required• How these items should be submitted• How many copies should be provided

• Supporting materials generally required:– GRE scores– Official transcripts– Statement of interest– Reference letters

• Other supporting materials as required– e.g., U of C requires a research proposal as well

The Application Process:8. Submit Application

The Application Process:8. Submit Application

• Can usually check online 2-3 weeks after your application is due to make sure that all materials have been received by the school

How to Stand Out from the Competition

1. Apply for external funding (SSHRC, NSERC, etc.) – Deadlines tend to be early fall• Should check with the Psychology Department’s Graduate

Programs Administrator for exact dates, other questions

Linda Duffy at psycgrad@ucalgary.ca

How to Stand Out from the Competition

2. Get research experience– Honours’ program– Volunteering in a lab– Working in a lab

3. Get volunteer experience– Do something that relates to your interests– Do something that involves helping others• Particularly if you want to apply to clinical programs

Life as a Grad Student

• Typical demands of graduate school:– Course work– Thesis Research– Practica & internship for clinical psyc– TA-ships– Meetings with supervisor/lab– Attending conferences in your area– May have volunteer roles within the department or

the university (e.g., Graduate Students’ Society)

Differences Between Life as a Grad Student and Life as an Undergrad

1. Fewer courses (except clinical students)– Courses will often involve papers and presentations

rather than exams– Majority of time spent conducting research– Overall, workload is fairly constant with

some very busy periods

2. Fewer peers– Risk of isolation– Attending departmental and grad student social

functions can help you connect with others

Relationship with your Supervisor

• Varies greatly depending on the supervisor in terms of:– Frequency of contact– Availability– Professional distance– Feedback and support– Expectations of you

• Again, this is why emailing a grad student after you get accepted can be very helpful!

Some final words...

• Be willing to move!– Will have more opportunities to get in somewhere– Can be a good life experience too!

• If at first, you don’t succeed...– DO try again!– Build up your application over the year• Take a course to improve your marks• Volunteer/work in a lab• Volunteer/work in the community

Questions?