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Preparing for Graduate School

Key Considerations for Graduate School Admissions

It's important to note that the admissions process for graduate programs differs significantly from applying to an undergraduate college.

Graduate school admissions decisions are typically made on a department-by-department basis. Unlike undergraduate admissions, there isn't usually a centralized team of professional Admissions officers assessing each application. Instead, applications are reviewed by a departmental committee, which may consist of faculty members, administrators, etc.

Why does this matter?  Graduate admissions decisions, made by department members, can vary significantly in the level of scrutiny given to applications, often relying heavily on traditional academic metrics like GPA and standardized test scores, necessitating applicants to carefully consider the strength of their application components before applying.

When applying to graduate programs:

  • Apply to programs that match your interests; ensure alignment between your interests and the program's faculty expertise.
  • Dedicate ample time to refining your application materials—especially your writing sample and statement of purpose.
    • If you can, seek feedback from professors or professionals in your field.
  • Provide recommenders with copies of your other application materials to enhance the specificity and quality of their recommendations.

Application Timeline

Most master’s and doctoral programs have application deadlines between December and January for fall semester admissions; always refer to the deadlines set by your preferred graduate program.

The timeline provided below is quite generous; while it's possible to decide to apply to graduate programs early in your senior year and submit applications in time to begin graduate school the following year, this timeline offers flexibility compared to professional degrees such as the health professions. For timelines related to pre-health see the pre-health advising webpage.

NOTE: This timeline assumes that a student is planning on entering grad school directly after undergrad; this may not be the case for your goals. Feel free to speak with an academic advisor about your specific plans & what that timeline may look like.

Semester Actions
Fall Junior Year
  • Meet with your major & general advisors to go over your degree requirements.
  • Research potential programs and their requirements.
  • Plan courses & prerequisites.
  • Look into Research or Internship experiences.
  • Visit the Career Center to explore career options.
  • Think about who your recommenders will be, if you haven’t already, begin cultivating relationships with them to secure strong recommendations.
  • If you qualify, look into the Psychology honors program.
Spring Junior Year
  • Meet with your major & general advisors to go over your degree requirements.
  • Plan courses & prerequisites.
  • Gain Research or Internship Experiences
  • Further explore career & graduate school options.
  • Begin work on your personal statement.
  • Visit the Career Center (if you have not done so already).
Summer Junior Year
  • Create an initial draft of your statement of purpose, focus on getting your ideas down rather than perfecting it. Set it aside for at least a month before revisiting it.
  • Gain Research or Internship experiences.
  • Prepare for (or possibly take) the GRE by the end of summer to allow ample time for receiving results and integrating them into your application profile.
  • Explore specific graduate programs.
Fall Senior Year
  • Meet with your major & general advisors to ensure you’re on track to graduate for Spring.
  • Review and refine the personal statement you composed during the summer, seeking feedback from trusted individuals such as friends, professors, or mentors to enhance its quality.
  • Finalize your list of graduate school options and stay mindful of their specific deadlines and requirements.
  • Take the GRE (if required/not done so already).
  • Request Letters of Recommendation: Ask faculty members for letters of recommendation at least two months before the application deadline, providing them with a transcript and a clean draft of your personal statement.
  • Finalize your personal statement.
  • Learn how to request official transcripts.
*December - March (Senior Year)
  • Apply to master’s or doctoral programs (*be mindful of your preferred program deadlines).
Spring Senior Year
  • Meet with your major & general advisors to ensure you’re on track to graduate.
  • Send thank-you notes to your recommenders, ideally within a week of them submitting the recommendation.
  • Learn admission decisions; pay attention to admission offer acceptance deadlines.
May - August (Senior Year)
  • Graduate!

Notes:

  1. It is best to start seeking Research Opportunities by your Junior Year to allow for the necessary training in a research lab; many faculty may expect a year-long commitment. Each requirement will be discussed individually between you and the faculty member.
  2. Psychology students are NOT obligated to do an internship, however, it can provide valuable insight in helping you determine your career path.
  3. Visit the GRE website for information and preparation resources. You can also schedule your test date and seat there. After scheduling, you can order a free software program from GRE to aid in your exam preparation.
  4. Graduate programs usually require 3 Letters of Recommendation. Provide faculty with at least 30 days notice, allowing time for questions, reviewing samples, and crafting effective recommendations. If considering a gap year, discuss your request with faculty, as they may request periodic updates to ensure current information for your letters.
  5. The Career Center provides guidance beyond just career searches, offering assistance in researching graduate programs. Counselors can direct you to explore graduate school information. Additionally, they host an Annual Graduate School Fair—check their website for upcoming events.

Other helpful links for Graduate School Preparation:

Undergraduate Psychology
Undergraduate Psychology