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A Comprehensive Guide to Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology

Boris Pasternak

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Published in Getting In: A Step By Step Plan For Gaining Admission To Graduate School In Psychology Second Edition

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Graduate school is a major investment in your future, so it's important to do your research and make sure that you're applying to the right programs for you. If you're interested in a career in psychology, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting into the graduate school of your choice.

Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology, Second Edition

by American Psychological Association

4.4 out of 5

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1. Do your research

The first step is to do your research and find out which graduate schools offer the programs you're interested in. There are many different types of psychology graduate programs, so it's important to find one that's a good fit for your interests and career goals. Once you've found a few schools that you're interested in, you can start to learn more about their programs by visiting their websites and talking to their admissions counselors.

2. Get involved in research

Research experience is one of the most important factors that graduate schools consider when making admissions decisions. If you're serious about getting into graduate school, you should start getting involved in research as early as possible. You can do this by joining a research lab at your university, volunteering to help with research projects, or working as a research assistant.

Research experience will give you the opportunity to learn about the research process and develop the skills that you'll need to be successful in graduate school. It will also help you to establish relationships with potential mentors, who can write you letters of recommendation and help you to find a graduate program that's a good fit for you.

3. Prepare for the GRE

The GRE is a standardized test that is required for admission to most graduate schools. The GRE consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Verbal Reasoning section tests your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. The Quantitative Reasoning section tests your math skills. The Analytical Writing section tests your ability to write clear and concise essays.

Preparing for the GRE can be a lot of work, but it's important to do well on this test if you want to get into graduate school. There are many different ways to prepare for the GRE, so find a study method that works for you and stick to it.

4. Write a strong personal statement

The personal statement is your chance to tell the graduate school admissions committee who you are and why you're interested in their program. The personal statement should be well-written and error-free. It should also be tailored to each school that you're applying to, highlighting your skills and experiences that are relevant to their program.

5. Get letters of recommendation

Letters of recommendation are an important part of the graduate school application process. These letters should come from people who can attest to your academic abilities, research experience, and personal qualities. When choosing who to ask for letters of recommendation, it's important to choose people who know you well and who can write strong letters on your behalf.

6. Interview well

If you're lucky, you'll be invited to interview for graduate school. The interview is your chance to meet with the admissions committee and to show them why you're the right person for their program. The interview is also a chance for you to learn more about the program and to get a sense of whether it's a good fit for you.

Preparing for the interview is important, so make sure that you do your research and practice answering common interview questions. You should also dress professionally and be prepared to talk about your research experience, your career goals, and why you're interested in the program.

Getting into graduate school is a competitive process, but it's possible to increase your chances of success by following these steps. By ng your research, getting involved in research, preparing for the GRE, writing a strong personal statement, getting letters of recommendation, and interviewing well, you can put yourself in a position to be admitted to the graduate school of your choice.

Good luck!

Getting In: A Step-by-Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology, Second Edition

by American Psychological Association

4.4 out of 5