Use A Timeline to Apply to Ph.D. Programs in Psychology
One of the areas where many students fall short is organizing and streamlining the graduate school application process. Actually, I have previously fallen victim to this fault myself – waiting until too late to get my ducks lined in a row to apply to graduate school. The end result? I did not get accepted to the Ph.D. programs I applied to. Avoid making these mistakes by following a timeline like this:
Twelve months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Determine which standardized tests are required
- Research graduate programs and request catalogs
- Calculate how much grad school will cost. How much will you spend on application fees, admission exams, transcripts, tuition, room and board.
- Set aside money for application fees, admission exams, transcripts, etc.
Ten months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Take a GRE practice test so you know what areas you will need to focus on while studying
- Request additional information from departments
- If you are an undergraduate, reinforce relationships with your professors
- Get more involved in your field
- Read each application carefully. Make a master calendar and task list.
Nine months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Sign up for a GRE preparation course
- Register for the GRE
- Draft a general statement of purpose outlining the reasons why you wish to attend graduate school. You will use some version of this in most applications
Seven months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Narrow your choices – Create a list of safety programs and ideal graduate programs
- Begin talking with your advisor and other professors about your graduate school goals
- Solicit letters of recommendation
- Begin investigating sources of funding
- Get and file applications for financial aid
- Complete your FAFSA
- Begin writing your statement of purpose
Six months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Take the GRE. The earlier you take it, the more time you’ll have to improve your score.
- Identify and contact potential graduate advisors at a variety of schools
Five months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Request transcripts
- Verify transcripts are complete and correct
- Refine your personal statement
Three months prior to the graduate school application deadline:
- Visit graduate schools
- Prepare for your interview (if applicable)
- Submit your graduate school application packages
Source: Applying to Grad School Blog
For more resources about how to get into graduate school in psychology: Graduate School in Psychology
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