Graduate School
The ideal time to begin your planning for graduate school is
at least one year before you plan to start a graduate
program (i.e. spring/summer before your last year of college).
Everyone's timeline will vary, but this timeline can serve as a
guide.
SPRING / SUMMER
- Start a rough draft of your personal statement
- Begin the search for graduate programs via websites and
college catalogs
- The Psychology Advising Center (GMH 343) has an APA catalogue
of graduate programs in psychology
- Don't limit yourself to only one program, search multiple
programs.
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
- Meet with faculty/staff members and Career Services staff to
discuss your personal statement and learn about possible
programs.
- Ask for letters of recommendation. Give your references
at least a month to write a letter of recommendation. Give them
a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae, your personal statement,
and an unofficial transcript to review.
- Map out the application processes for institution's deadlines
and financial aid deadlines. Programs vary in deadlines and
needs.
- Sign up for standardized tests (psychology students typically
need to take the
GRE
and some may need the GRE psychology subject test).
OCTOBER
- Take standardized tests.*
- Determine the schools you plan to apply to and start filling
out applications (many are online).
- Complete your personal statement and adjust it to meet each
application's specific needs.
- Order official college transcripts from the Office of Records
& Registration (GMH 117). The current cost for an official transcript is
$8.
NOVEMBER - JANUARY
Submit applications. Deadlines generally fall between
December 1st and February 15th; deadlines for Ph.D.
programs are typically earliest. Remember it’s good to get the
applications in early.
FEBRUARY
Contact programs about the possibility of visiting (some visits
may be invitation only). Make trips if possible.
APRIL
If you are applying for need based financial aid programs, you
may have to file a copy of your federal income tax return.
*Although many students choose to take the GRE during their
senior year, this is not necessarily the best strategy.
The GRE tests students on verbal skills (vocabulary, something
that's very difficult to study), writing skills (something that
practice will benefit), and basic math skills (high school level
geometry, algebra, and arithmetic; students can significantly
increase their scores on this section by studying and
practicing). GRE scores last for 5 years, so we recommend
that students keep in mind the content of the test and take it
whenever they feel they'll have the most time to prepare (summer
break is a great time).