http://www.trenton.edu/~gruenfel/tips.html
Kev's tips on applying to grad school in (clin) psych) - in
random order
---Talk to people
---Save plenty of money
---TALK TO GRADUATE STUDENTS - do they LOVE it or is it just okay
---if not sure if you should apply to a certain school, ask yourself if
it is the only one you got in to, would you go
---don't think you have to stay in the Northeast (or any specific region)
---do a practice interview
---importance of visiting program: if can't visit, use (1) phone
interview, (2) internet to "see" campus; don't just go by what is on
paper or just what you see when you visit; (3) if you are at an interview
for one school, try to stay an extra day in the area to visit another
school (arrange this in advance)- you will get the benefits of seeing the
campus in person EVEN IF you can't go to the second school's interview
---what they look for: GRE scores (not all look at analytical or
psych), GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation; of lesser
importance is statistics knowledge, computer knowledge, among many others
---what I used to decide to apply to a school: APA-accredited, equal
emphasis on research and clinical aspects (applies to clin programs), has
many theoretical orientations, good financial aid, research interests of
faculty (VERY important if you will be doing research); do not go solely
on reputation since this varies for grad & undergrad- go more on if they
are APA-accredited
---ask yourself why you want to be a (clin) psychologist, why not
social work, experimental psych, psychiatry, counseling psych; also
ask future plans and goals; explore and find answers for yourself since
graduate schools will ask and you must know for yourself as well
---contact professors- go through PSYCLIT (PSYCINFO) and get
abstracts and use email, phone, letters
---CAN NEVER START TOO EARLY!
---if you think you are interested in a particaular field of psych,
talk to a professor who does that type of work to see if you are really
interested
---if not sure what kind of applied areas you want, do an intern or
volunteer
---if all students graduate in 4 (+1 year intern), be a little weary,
since the national average is over 5 (+1) I believe (NOTE- this is a
risky thing to say so please do not place much emphasis on it)
---do not let a school and a professor dictate what YOUR research
will be, that is why you should choose a school where the professors do
research that interest you
---very few get in, but these numbers are a little
pessimistic-seeming since some people get in to several programs and
decline all but one, so alternates get in
---be honest- if you say you are interested in something just to get
in, you will be miserable working on that research for years
---prepare for questions- why do you want to be a psychologist,
strengths & weaknesses, describe self, why OUR program, future goals,
what do you bring to program- why should we admit you, research
interests, your current & past research, who at our school do you want to
work with, interests outside psychology, if clin psy does not exist then
what would you do (note some of these are for personal statements, and
others may be asked at interviews)
---ask them questions- research, clinical, practica, coursework,
finances, area & quality of life; don't ask them questions that are
completely covered in the brochures just to ask questions
Hope This Helps!
Created on 05.JUN.1995
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