Post on 02-Jan-2016
description
What is the goal?BA in Psych
BA in Psych
BA in Psych
A job!
Masters Degree / JD
/ MSW / MBA
A job!
Ph.D. / Psy.d. (with or w/o masters)
A job!
*Don’t just focus on getting into a grad program. Make sure that the grad program is likely to help you get a job!
What kind of degree do you want / need? What kind of job do you want?
Teaching (tenure track?
adjunct?)
Research(university? government?
industry? hospital?)
Practice (private? hospital?
school? community?)
Mentoring & Supervising
Others
Writing(manuscripts? grants?
client evaluations?)
Consider the Odds• For law school, medical school, and some masters
programs, you are applying to the program in general– To become 1 of the 300 students entering the law school– To become 1 of the 30 students entering a masters program
• Most psychology programs follow an apprentice model. You are applying to the specific area, or even a particular professor/lab
– I was the only entering grad student in social / health psychology at CMU my year
– Christine was one of 14 entering students in the Clinical Ph.D.
http://www.unc.edu/~mjp1970/Admissions%20Rates.pdf
Search for a Good Match• Like finding a good partner…
• You have to figure out how compatible you are IN ADVANCE to avoid a painful rejection– Will you be successful in the program?– Will you be successful AFTER the program?– Does the program have what you’re looking
for?
• Some “partners” are more desirable, others are MUCH LESS PICKY
• Your application must demonstrate why YOU are a good fit for the program, and why THE PROGRAM is a good fit for you
Learning about programs
• Some specialties have directories of programs– I/O http://www.siop.org/
– Socialhttp://www.socialpsychology.org/maps/gradprograms/
– Health Psych http://www.health-psych.org/
• Think about geography• Ask professors for suggestions
http://www.apa.org/education/grad/faqs.aspx
http://hofstrapsychadvising.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/novak-gradschooladvice.pdf
Application Components
• GPA• GRE Scores (and Psych GRE, if required)• Letters of Recommendation• Statement of Purpose
Essential things your SOP should do
• Articulate a clear, realistic research interest• Even if research isn’t your main goal, you need to
show that you will be able to handle graduate training that includes research
• Set you apart from other applicants
• Demonstrate evidence of relevant experience and preparation
Narrowing Things Down…
• What field of psych / degree are you interested in?– Ex: Social Psychology? Child Clinical Psychology?
• What specific topics are you interested in researching / specializing in?– Ex: Attachment in romantic relationships? Diagnosis of
mood disorders in children?
• You need to tailor each statement for the specific program you are applying to!
Your Application should be SPECIFIC• What experiences have contributed to your interests? What do you
bring to the table?– Do not talk about your personal relationships! Do not talk about your
sibling’s childhood depression! Those things may be real contributors to your interests, but they are NOT APPROPRIATE TO SHARE HERE!
– Coursework? Important (non-sensitive) experiences?– Research Experience: PSY 40, 141, 19X projects? Thesis? Skills?– Relevant clinical experience? Relevant volunteer work?
• How can your interests be fostered in THIS particular program?– Which faculty specialize in your particular interests (or something close to
them)? – How would THIS degree & program help you to get to your career goals?
What does the training entail?You can’t figure out good answers to these questions if you haven’t thought hard about your own interests and motivations & learned a
lot about the particular programs you’re applying to!
Steps of the writing process1. Prewriting—open-ended brainstorming
2. Outline—identifying a few main points and a logical sequence
3. Draft—putting ideas into words, backing claims with evidence
4. Revision—step back and assess how it accomplishes essential points, make big changes if
necessary
5. Proofreading—double-check spelling and grammar, polish prose
Anatomy of the SOP & Examples• In general, include:
1. Brief anecdote about how you became interested in the specific area of psychology
2. Brief description of courses/professors that inspired you 3. Description of research and clinical experiences• Include names of psychologists whom you have worked with; especially if
potential mentor is familiar with psychologist’s work/reputation • Note your importance to the project and what you have learned (but keep in
mind that your CV will include details of your exact responsibilities/technical details)
• Convey knowledge of the literature/theories involved in your past work• Demonstrate how you think and formulate your goals
4. Interests and possible future directions in field 5. Explanation of why a specific graduate program is suited for you;
always identify a potential mentor (even if this is not required!)
• Furthermore….– Use an original opening statement that will pull the committee
readers in – Be specific in your reasoning and descriptions – Consider using a theme throughout your statement – Remember that admissions committees will use your statement
to “read between the lines” of your CV – Keep in mind that contacting potential mentors is useful, but
often plays little to no role in your actual admissions outcome – Ask multiple readers to review your “general” statement before
submission, and at least 1 reader for specific statements written for each school
– Be concise and professional, yet memorable!
Avoid the “Kisses of Death” in Your SOP
• Avoid references to your mental health • Avoid making excessively altruistic statements– “I want to dedicate my life to helping children.”– “My dream is to embark upon a research-focused
academic career examining the fascinating interplay between social judgment and racial biases.”
• Avoid providing excessively self-revealing information
• Avoid inappropriate humor, attempts to appear cute or clever, and references to God or religious issues – too informal / sensitive
Avoid the other “Kisses of Death”
• Poor / bland letters of recommendation
• Lack of information about the program
• Poor writing skills
• Misfired attempts to impress
http://www.unl.edu/psypage/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf
Show your SOP draft to…
• A psych prof• The Writing Center• A friend who writes well• Another psych prof
• It’s not embarrassing – it’s essential
Additional Resources• http://cudcp.us/files/Reports/CUDCP_2011_Psy_Grad_School_Fact_sheet.pdf
• http://www.unc.edu/~mjp1970/TipsForApplyingToGradSchool.pdf
• http://www.psichi.org/pubs/articles/article_756.aspx
• http://www.unc.edu/~mjp1970/BeforeYouApply.pdf