Preparing for Graduate School Guide

Additional Considerations

While your GPA, letters of recommendation, GRE scores and background of research involvement are probably the most critical factors determining admission to graduate school, there are other opportunities you may want to consider.

Enrolling the Honors Program: Participating in the Psychology Honors Program and/or the University Honors Program can not only enhance your undergraduate education, but it will be viewed favorably by those who consider your application to graduate school.

Community Involvement: Psychology majors enhance their understanding of the field by becoming involved in community volunteer work. Many of the human service agencies, hospitals, churches, school-based intervention programs, shelters, and crisis centers in the Memphis area provide opportunities for you to apply the lessons of psychology by working with real people and their problems. Not only does such involvement give you a "real world" experience of contributing to the betterment of people's lives, but is also provides a valuable "reality check" for you to see whether a career in a helping profession really fits your personality and life objectives. The Mental Health Association of Memphis and Shelby County (323-0633) can provide you with the names and numbers of agencies that are eager to discuss training and volunteer opportunities to match your interest.

Additional Considerations

Choosing Schools and Programs

If you're not sure what you're interested in, you need to find out. Look at recent journal issues, and note the author's affiliation for any articles that you find particularly interesting. Attend regional or national psychology conferences. Talk with your advisor and letter writers. Good universities don't always have good psychology programs, so don't apply based on name alone. Get current brochures from many programs - don't rely on old information. Most departments also have Web sites with lots of information.

Your best printed guide is Graduate Study in Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association, which lists all the graduate programs throughout the United States and Canada. The book provides specific information about programs, including the average GPA and GRE scores for the previous year's class, how many students applied, and how many were accepted. It also includes information about financial aid, tuition, deadlines, and internships. This information will give you some sense of how competitive you would be for getting accepted at a particular program. You can order a copy of Graduate Study in Psychology (1999 price: $19.95 + $3.50 shipping and handling) at most full-service bookstores, by calling the APA Order Department at 1-800-374-2721, or via the American Psychological Association (APA).

Once you've identified particular programs and faculty, make contact! Write or e-mail the faculty you would like to work with. Don't be shy about this - professors are easily flattered, and most will be very welcoming. If possible, visit the programs you're interested in (and announce your intentions in advance). A visit will provide evidence of your motivation and commitment, and will set you apart from other applicants. It will also allow you to size up the faculty - are these people you could work with for several years? Be sue to talk to the graduate students, as well - their opinions can be very illuminating.

Applying to Graduate School

Start Early: Most application deadlines fall between January 1st and February 15th - keep track of the deadlines.

Money: You will need to pay for the GRE tests, having the scores sent to the schools, application fees, transcripts, and postage. This can easily cost hundreds of dollars if you're applying to several schools, so be prepared.

How Many?: If you are certain that you want to go to graduate school, you should apply to several programs, across a range of selectivity. Include some long shots as well as "safety schools" that would be likely to offer you admission.

The Personal Statement: Most application forms require you to provide a personal statement. You should highlight your research experience, and emphasize how you fit into the program you are applying to. This is very important. Consider tailoring the statement for specific programs. You should address any oddities in your record (such as a disastrous first year in college), but make sure that you stress your strengths.

There are things you should not say. Don't ramble on about how you want to save mankind, or how curious you were as an infant, or how you would have gone to medical school if you had gotten in somewhere. Even if any of this is true, don't include it.

Have someone (not your roommate) proofread your statement. Even better, have your advisors or letter writers review it - they know what a personal statement should look like.

Supporting Materials: You may choose to include papers with your application. This allow you to demonstrate your commitment to research, and that you know how to write. Ideally, you will have preprints of articles describing research you've been involved with. If not, consider including a copy of a class research paper.

What to do if You're Contacted: If a faculty member calls you, be prepared. Keep a list of questions by the phone so you won't become tongue-tied and come across poorly. The caller may not be from your top choice school, but not matter what, be enthusiastic. Ask about things like stipends and how long students take to complete their degrees.

Surviving the Application Process, then Graduate School

Dealing with Success: If you've gotten in to one of your top choices, congratulations! As soon as you accept an offer, contact any faculty who have called you from other programs, and let them know. You may want to wait until you hear from all of your long shots, but you must make a decision by April 15th.

Dealing with Disappointment: It's possible that you may not be accepted anywhere. If this is the case, you will want to figure out why. Talk to your advisor and letter writers. You can apply to the same schools the following year, but make sure that you've strengthened your record (perhaps by retaking the GRE, or by participating in more research).

The Graduate/Undergraduate Difference: You need to be aware that graduate school is very different than college. The focus of your coursework shifts from relatively broad to fairly narrow. Your grades become less important relative to your research projects. The amount and quality of the work you're expected to perform will increase. High motivation and independent thinking will be required. Keep your eyes on the ultimate goal, and don't despair or get sidetracked.

Common Stressors: What do graduate students complain about? Low status, poverty, loneliness, competition, and fear of the future are commonly reported. If you feel these things, you're not alone.

Ways to Deal with Stress: Exercise has been proven to be an important stress reducer. Don't let yourself get run down. Consider forming a support group with your fellow graduate students - remember that you're all in the same boat. The friendships you form in graduate school will be important to you now, and in your later career.