Applying to Grad School

Sarah Novak & Christine D’UrsoMay 2, 2012

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!

Examples

• (handout)

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