Pointers on the Doctoral Admissions Process
*Ensure that you look into specific programs at least a year in advance. Looking into programs early gives you, as a prospective student, time to thoroughly examine several important facets of the program, such as the admission criteria, faculty interests/experience, university offerings (i.e., research laboratories and equipment, counseling center, program concentrations, etc.), internship placement, faculty helpfulness and amicability, financial aid, curriculum requirements, learning about the city where the university is located, and so forth. Students need time to ponder which universities and psychology programs best fit their financial, physical, social, familial, and educational needs.
*Contact the universities in which you are considering for admission! This helps you learn more about the program than what is displayed on a computer screen. I recall both emailing and speaking over the phone with an admissions advisor. She emailed me information that I had no access to other than by contacting the university directly. During some of our conversations, the admissions advisor asked me about my education, research experience, and work in the mental health field. With this in mind, as undergraduate students, be prepared to give a snippet of your educational and vocational history. If you do not have a lot of experience, then spend time thinking about how your experience in whatever field will prepare you to become a clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist or mental health therapist. By the way, not every admissions advisor or faculty member will ask these questions, so do not be afraid to contact them for that reason.
*Beyond obtaining good grades and GRE scores (General Subjects and Psychology Subject Test), students should spend a bulk of their time on the application process in writing a good statement of purpose and/or critical thinking sample. Spending time to write a well written essay will demonstrate that you have good critical thinking and writing skills. Do not just focus on the essay sounding good, but also make sure that you have elaborate ideas that go into the essay. Crafting a good admissions essay is preparation for Master and Doctoral level work. The sooner you begin to practice advance writing skills, the sooner you will attain such abilities.
Unlike undergraduate study, multiple choice tests and straight lecture halls are not the reality of graduate school (Doctoral). Writing will encompass a large portion of the work assigned to you in graduate school (testing method and disseminating your research findings). Do not fret if you need work in the area of composition and grammar. Start by obtaining reference texts on writing papers (i.e., The Little Brown Handbook, A Writer's Reference, etc.) , watching videos on how to write more effectively and persuasively (youtube), and asking your professors for feedback. Additionally, most schools offer free tutors and writing centers. Take advantage of these resources.
Secondly, letters of recommendation are another vital aspect of the admissions process. Building strong and healthy relationships with mentors, professors, internship/volunteer supervisors, and others will enhance your admissions profile. Ensure that you have professionals that can back the idea that you are knowledgeable, mature, ethical, compassionate, responsive to feedback, and experienced in various areas of psychology.
*Identify areas of interest in psychology. Clearly communicate those ideas in your admissions essays, interviews, and correspondence with university faculty and advisors. Many students apply to programs in psychology; thus, it is wise to list areas of interest that demonstrate uniqueness. I do not recommend fabricating interests!!!Rather, students should take several months thinking about their interests in research, professional goals, specialty areas (i.e., pediatric clinical psychology, geropsychology, industrial/organizational psychology, forensic psychology, sports or performance psychology, etc.). Admissions committees have heard countless students remark that they "just want to help people." Generic answers like that will not make you a competitive applicant. While you may certainly like helping others, that statement does not pertain any central idea on how you intend to help others. Now-a-days, students have to go above and beyond. Spend time thinking about your intention for applying to a specific program and concentration, as you will be asked about that information time and time again.
*Look at your experiences and academic background honestly. If you have gaps in education (writing skills, psychology courses, statistics), meaning that you do not have all of the prerequisites, then you should take a few courses that will make you more competitive. For students that have taken all their coursework in the field of psychology, you still need to assess your weaknesses as an applicant and immediately work on strengthening those areas. Students who have low GRE scores need to spend months, if not a full year or longer, studying subjects in their weakest area. This varies from person to person. Other students may wonder if their GPA is competitive enough. Well, students can also raise their GPA by taking courses at their university. Most universities have summer terms, if not winter terms.
*Lastly, spend time thinking about what type of schools you are applying to. There are many universities in this country. Do not lose hope if one has requirements that seem way too steep. Remember that this country has a wealth of universities like public schools (Oregon State University, University of California, and University of Florida), private schools (California School of Professional Psychology), ivy league schools (Yale, Harvard, and Stanford), faith universities (Wheaton College, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University), military friendly schools (Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Adler School of Professional Psychology, and UC San Diego), historically Black universities and universities that recruit American Indians (Howard University, Hampton University, Oklahoma State University, University of North Dakota), and so forth. Overall, just make sure that you do your research on what type of university that best fits your needs.
Best of Wishes on your academic journey!
*Contact the universities in which you are considering for admission! This helps you learn more about the program than what is displayed on a computer screen. I recall both emailing and speaking over the phone with an admissions advisor. She emailed me information that I had no access to other than by contacting the university directly. During some of our conversations, the admissions advisor asked me about my education, research experience, and work in the mental health field. With this in mind, as undergraduate students, be prepared to give a snippet of your educational and vocational history. If you do not have a lot of experience, then spend time thinking about how your experience in whatever field will prepare you to become a clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist or mental health therapist. By the way, not every admissions advisor or faculty member will ask these questions, so do not be afraid to contact them for that reason.
*Beyond obtaining good grades and GRE scores (General Subjects and Psychology Subject Test), students should spend a bulk of their time on the application process in writing a good statement of purpose and/or critical thinking sample. Spending time to write a well written essay will demonstrate that you have good critical thinking and writing skills. Do not just focus on the essay sounding good, but also make sure that you have elaborate ideas that go into the essay. Crafting a good admissions essay is preparation for Master and Doctoral level work. The sooner you begin to practice advance writing skills, the sooner you will attain such abilities.
Unlike undergraduate study, multiple choice tests and straight lecture halls are not the reality of graduate school (Doctoral). Writing will encompass a large portion of the work assigned to you in graduate school (testing method and disseminating your research findings). Do not fret if you need work in the area of composition and grammar. Start by obtaining reference texts on writing papers (i.e., The Little Brown Handbook, A Writer's Reference, etc.) , watching videos on how to write more effectively and persuasively (youtube), and asking your professors for feedback. Additionally, most schools offer free tutors and writing centers. Take advantage of these resources.
Secondly, letters of recommendation are another vital aspect of the admissions process. Building strong and healthy relationships with mentors, professors, internship/volunteer supervisors, and others will enhance your admissions profile. Ensure that you have professionals that can back the idea that you are knowledgeable, mature, ethical, compassionate, responsive to feedback, and experienced in various areas of psychology.
*Identify areas of interest in psychology. Clearly communicate those ideas in your admissions essays, interviews, and correspondence with university faculty and advisors. Many students apply to programs in psychology; thus, it is wise to list areas of interest that demonstrate uniqueness. I do not recommend fabricating interests!!!Rather, students should take several months thinking about their interests in research, professional goals, specialty areas (i.e., pediatric clinical psychology, geropsychology, industrial/organizational psychology, forensic psychology, sports or performance psychology, etc.). Admissions committees have heard countless students remark that they "just want to help people." Generic answers like that will not make you a competitive applicant. While you may certainly like helping others, that statement does not pertain any central idea on how you intend to help others. Now-a-days, students have to go above and beyond. Spend time thinking about your intention for applying to a specific program and concentration, as you will be asked about that information time and time again.
*Look at your experiences and academic background honestly. If you have gaps in education (writing skills, psychology courses, statistics), meaning that you do not have all of the prerequisites, then you should take a few courses that will make you more competitive. For students that have taken all their coursework in the field of psychology, you still need to assess your weaknesses as an applicant and immediately work on strengthening those areas. Students who have low GRE scores need to spend months, if not a full year or longer, studying subjects in their weakest area. This varies from person to person. Other students may wonder if their GPA is competitive enough. Well, students can also raise their GPA by taking courses at their university. Most universities have summer terms, if not winter terms.
*Lastly, spend time thinking about what type of schools you are applying to. There are many universities in this country. Do not lose hope if one has requirements that seem way too steep. Remember that this country has a wealth of universities like public schools (Oregon State University, University of California, and University of Florida), private schools (California School of Professional Psychology), ivy league schools (Yale, Harvard, and Stanford), faith universities (Wheaton College, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University), military friendly schools (Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Adler School of Professional Psychology, and UC San Diego), historically Black universities and universities that recruit American Indians (Howard University, Hampton University, Oklahoma State University, University of North Dakota), and so forth. Overall, just make sure that you do your research on what type of university that best fits your needs.
Best of Wishes on your academic journey!
