WHAT TO DO NOW, HOW TO APPLY, ETC.

Grad school

Now

4 MAIN POINTS: Letters of recommendation

Get to know your professors Prepare a packet for them- forms, copy of your

CV, transcript, list of honors and awards, and any additional info you think might be helpful.

Research experience Get involved in research with a professor.

Now

Grades Be realistic- a 2.5 GPA probably isn’t going to cut it, no matter

how good everything else is… 3.0

GRE scores Take a GRE prep course

Or use books, websites, free practice tests 600 verbal/quant

Extras: Volunteer and participate in campus organizations that relate to

your discipline Psi Chi, Psychology Club, APA, APS, MPA, SPSP Mental health facilities, etc.

Picking a school

Professor, professor, professor *Email the semester/summer before apps go out.*

Sample: My name is Erica Schneid and I recently graduated from the

University of Texas at San Antonio.  I am   now finishing the first semester of my Master's program and hope to transfer out to a Ph.D. program in the fall of '08.  In my undergraduate program, I worked with Dr. Robert Fuhrman on a project in which we tested the spontaneous perceptions of drivers based on the type and color of vehicle they drive. Throughout the course of the study, I became interested in judgments and trait attribution.  I noticed your current projects are a continuation of your Realistic Accuracy Model research and I was hoping to speak with you further regarding these current studies.  Also, I am wondering if you would possibly be accepting any new students next fall.  I understand this is a busy time of the semester and I would appreciate any time you could give.

Picking a school

Professor, professor, professor *Email the semester/summer before apps go out.*

Sample: My name is Erica Schneid and I recently graduated from the

University of Texas at San Antonio.  I am   now finishing the first semester of my Master's program and hope to transfer out to a Ph.D. program in the fall of '08.  In my undergraduate program, I worked with Dr. Robert Fuhrman on a project in which we tested the spontaneous perceptions of drivers based on the type and color of vehicle they drive. Throughout the course of the study, I became interested in judgments and trait attribution.  I noticed your current projects are a continuation of your Realistic Accuracy Model research and I was hoping to speak with you further regarding these current studies.  Also, I am wondering if you would possibly be accepting any new students next fall.  I understand this is a busy time of the semester and I would appreciate any time you could give.

Picking a school

Professor, professor, professor *Email the semester/summer before apps go out.*

Sample: My name is Erica Schneid and I recently graduated from the

University of Texas at San Antonio.  I am   now finishing the first semester of my Master's program and hope to transfer out to a Ph.D. program in the fall of '08.  In my undergraduate program, I worked with Dr. Robert Fuhrman on a project in which we tested the spontaneous perceptions of drivers based on the type and color of vehicle they drive. Throughout the course of the study, I became interested in judgments and trait attribution.  I noticed your current projects are a continuation of your Realistic Accuracy Model research and I was hoping to speak with you further regarding these current studies.  Also, I am wondering if you would possibly be accepting any new students next fall.  I understand this is a busy time of the semester and I would appreciate any time you could give.

Picking a school

Professor, professor, professor *Email the semester/summer before apps go out.*

Sample: My name is Erica Schneid and I recently graduated from the

University of Texas at San Antonio.  I am   now finishing the first semester of my Master's program and hope to transfer out to a Ph.D. program in the fall of '08.  In my undergraduate program, I worked with Dr. Robert Fuhrman on a project in which we tested the spontaneous perceptions of drivers based on the type and color of vehicle they drive. Throughout the course of the study, I became interested in judgments and trait attribution.  I noticed your current projects are a continuation of your Realistic Accuracy Model research and I was hoping to speak with you further regarding these current studies.  Also, I am wondering if you would possibly be accepting any new students next fall.  I understand this is a busy time of the semester and I would appreciate any time you could give.

Picking a school

How to find these professors? Articles in your area of interest, advisor recommendations

What is my area of interest?

Where is the professor? More university than geographical location…

What they are currently working on?

Published recently? If nothing recent, may be a red flag…

Current lab, students Possibly email current grad students

Picking a school

Financial questions What kinds of resources are available to students (TA,

RA, Fellowships, Grants)? Do they offer summer funding? Cost of a Master’s vs. PhD (most programs pay to get the

PhD, but you often have to pay Program's "track record“

students admitted who graduate, get placed average number of years required to achieve a degree?

Goals and objectives of the program Academic and research vs. applied (working at a private

company/business)?

The End- Questions??