Getting Into Grad School

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and commit to a career as a psychologist, congratulations! Applying to grad school can initially feel overwhelming. You may be wondering where to even begin! In this post I discuss strategies for improving your graduate school application that will help to alleviate your stress!

First, it’s important to decide what kind of program you are most interested in. Have a particular area of research that interests you? Do you see yourself working in academics? Then a Ph.D. program is the place for you! Or if you’re like me and appreciate a balance of clinical work and research, then a Psy.D. may be a better fit.. Finances may also influence your decision as many Ph.D. programs are fully funded (thus more competitive) whereas only some Psy.D. programs receive a limited amount of funding. 

Once you’ve decided between Psy.D. or Ph.D., (or maybe you’ve decided to apply to both) it’s time to find a program. It’s all about the match! Finding the right program for you means finding a program that aligns with your clinical/research interests, values, and beliefs. You can get to know a program more by pursuing the schools' websites, reading about their faculty, learning more about their mission, understanding their curriculum, and inquiring about practicum or externship experiences. I highly recommend reaching out to faculty or current and former students to inquire more about the program to determine whether it's a good fit for you! As much as you feel like you want the opportunity to interview at various programs, it’s important to remember that you are also interviewing them! Other aspects you may be considering as you decide to apply to a particular program may be location, cost, class size, education or testing requirements.  

Now that you’ve learned about the programs and narrowed down your list, it’s time for the dreaded applications. This is your opportunity to demonstrate who you are beyond your CV. You come to the table with unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations – there is no one else like you! In addition, you want to showcase the effort your spent learning about the program. This means tailoring each of your essays to highlight the aspects of each program that excite you. Were you really interested in that specific course about the relationship between trauma and health or are you hoping to apply for the practicum focused on working with children in the foster care system? You should make a case as to why the program is a good fit for you and demonstrate how you would contribute to the program. Don’t forget to share your application materials with your mentors before your submission to receive helpful feedback on ways to improve. 

These simple steps will help you to craft an application that is individualized and help you to stand out in the crowd! Check back for more tips regarding getting into graduate school such as obtaining clinical experience in undergrad or preparing for the interview! 

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