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Applying to Graduate School
What You Need To Know About Selecting & Applying To Graduate SchoolDr. Diana Gruman, 2017
What If I Don’t Have a Goal?
-Explore WWU Career Services-Take a variety of courses -Major in something you love -Get good grades-Gain experience---Practical & Research---
I am Graduating…What If I Still Do Not Have a Clear Career Goal?
-Gain relevant work experience-Save money/recharge/volunteer-Explore career paths/Job shadow-Study/Take GRE or other tests
After WWUgraduation
If you DO have a long-term goal… I Want To Be….
YOU ARE HERE
Goal:Clinical Child Psychologist,
PhDFocus on Trauma
and Resilience
Begin with the End in Mind
YOU ARE HERE
Goal:Clinical Child
PsychologistPhD
What GPA and GRE scores are typical?What coursework is required?What type of work experience with children?How much research experience do I need?Do I need pubs or presentations?Who will write recommendation letters?
What Steps?
YOU ARE HERE
Take Dev, Abnormal & NeuroScienceGet GOOD grades (3.6+)Lab Work with Dr. Delker
Volunteer at Brigid CollinsWork at Boys/GirlsClubInterview a trauma specialist
Summer Internship Research at UW child lab
Present at Psychfestand WPA
Get advice from WWU Professors
Select Schools Letters of Rec. Study for the GRE Work on Financial Aid-RAships
Starting Your Search
Job and Research ExperienceExperience in the field can improve your
chances if you are doing related and meaningful work.
Soul-Searching Job Shadowing Career Inventories & Advisement Researching Options in Your Field
Finding Graduate Schools
Ask People With Knowledge/ExperienceUse Resources
• Peterson’s Guides: www.petersons.com/search/• US News Rankings: www.usnews.com/best-
graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings
• CACREP site for counseling: http://www.cacrep.org/• Your Career in Psychology – By Tara Kuther
Search On-Line and Call Programs Direct To Ask Questions About:• Application materials• Information on financial aid• Assistantship applications
Application tips…
Google Yourself and clean up all on-line sites that people can access
Apply to a range: From “reach” to “sure bets”
Know/understand all admissions requirements—they will not review your application until all materials are received.
Schedule interviews with doctoral programsWWU Career services can help you through
this process!
When to Apply
Deadlines vary by degree & programOne year before you plan to attend, you
will need to be in full prep modePh.D program– Fall Deadlines commonMaster’s programs- Winter/Spring common
(WWU counseling is February 1st)Apply early for the best chances of
getting financial aid, assistantships, fellowships, and clarification that your application is complete.
How Many Applications?
Depends Upon… Your Geographic FlexibilityCompetitiveness of Your Field Selectivity of Your Top Choices Urgency to Attend How Much Money You Can Spend Stamina
Typical Master’s Application for Counseling
All materials sent to the Graduate School 3.0 GPA minimum over the last 90 quarter-hours of
study or 60 semester-hours. Psychology major or complete Prerequisites 3 Letters of Recommendation—1-2 professors Statement of interests/ goals GRE Scores Official Transcripts for all schools you attended. Application fee--$75--$125 for Psych ($200+ for MBA) Interview (if selected as a finalist)
Letters of RecommendationTIP: No family friends
Schools may specify who to use (professors, employers)
Ph.D level professors are preferred Choose references who can speak to your
abilities in your field and in academic work As an undergrad: get to know your professors,
work on your writing in the major courses, seek out undergraduate research opportunities
Ask at least 3-4 weeks before deadlines! If you plan to work for a time before going to
grad school – ask to have letter drafted as you leave WWU for later submission
How To Ask For Letters Make personal contact w/ potential writer to
arrange an appointment or phone call Be professional and prepared. Bring:
1. Master list of schools & deadlines2. Resume/ Vita3. Draft of your personal statement4. Transcript (to discuss your academic record)5. Your contact information for questions
Ask: “ Will you write a positive letter of recommendation for me”?
Discuss: Your motivation and goals If given the option, “waive” your right to see the
letters. After: Send a nice thank you note (no gifts).
Personal statement
Make Each School Feel Special: Don’t copy-paste the same essay for different schools; Tailor it!
PROOF READ Strive for perfect grammar & spelling No fancy fonts or frills (12 pt, single spaced)
Some Potential Topics:1. Career/future goals2. Specializations or interests within the field3. Life and related work experience that brought you to
their door4. Personal attributes to show off (work ethic,
organization)5. Specific faculty that you want to work with6. Your desire to become a member of their community
Example Essay: WWU School Counseling ProgramPlease write a brief essay addressing the following:1. What stimulated your interest in school counseling
as a career? 2. What do you consider to be the current role of
the school counselor to promote equity and access for all students?
3. What academic and professional experiences and personal qualities make you a strong candidate for graduate training in counseling?
4. What causes you to be interested in the program at WWU?
Resume/ VitaCareer Services (OM 280) can help you with your
personal statement & resume/vita. Include Contact Information (Tip: update any cheesey
email address) Be Brief (save a long description for cover letter or essay) Use Action Words (supervised youth, designed original
research; implemented programs, analyzed data etc). Talk yourself up but don’t pad the list Include months/years for all experiences Most recent, or most relevant goes first
Purpose Volunteer experienceClinical experience Honors/Awards/AchievementsWork experience
Financial Aid Assistantship: you work a certain number of hours a week,
tuition waiver, monthly stipend (should be enough to live on), Options: Teaching, Research, Administrative
Fellowship: Same as an assistantship, but does not require you to work. (Like a scholarship) Some will ask you to do research.
Grants: government money that you don’t have to pay back
Scholarships: In your program, college, or community See WWU site or things like: www.fastweb.com/college-search/articles/the-latest-and-greatest-for-grad-students
Loans: Stafford, Perkins, independent FAFSA: Fill out every year! As a GRAD you are considered
an independent regardless of your situation (more $ is available to you)
What if I do not get accepted?
You may be discouraged but don’t give up! Contact the Department/School and learn the reasons;
ask if you can apply for a later term. It is GOOD to work for a couple of years before going to
graduate school, many programs prefer this and state it as an admissions requirement!
Take more courses to better your GPA, get applicable work experience, and study for the GRE to better your chances for future applications.
Graduate school is selective, so many programs will only accept 6-24 students depending on the program. This is why you need to apply to several programs!
Be organized! SAMPLE CHART
ApplicationDue Date
Transcripts GRE Scores
Recommendation 1 Recommendation 2
School 1
School 2
School 3
Resources
• APA Resources for Students: www.apa.org/apags/resources/
• Association for Psychological Science (APS): www.psychologicalscience.org/members/apssc
• CACREP for Students: www.cacrep.org/for-students/• Directory of Programs: www.gradschools.com• GRE: http://www.ets.org/gre• What Can I Do With A Major In?
uncw.edu/career/whatcanidowithamajorin.html• WWU Career Center: http://www.wwu.edu/careers/• Innovative Psych Degree Programs:
http://www.bestpsychologydegrees.com/top/innovative-graduate-psychology-degree-programs/