By next fall...

Graduate School Application Planning

* Take Practice GRE (July)
* Pick Concentration (July):
* Pick 5-12 Potential Schools & Faculty (July)
o School Websites
o Division Websites (http://www.scra27.org/resources/educationc/academicpr)
o Other Faculty
o Books & Online Guides
o Recent Literature
o Grants (http://projectreporter.nih.gov/reporter.cfm)
* Research Due Dates and Requirements (July)
* Make Timeline (5 months before 1st deadline)
* Make Spreadsheet of Schools (5 months before 1st deadline)
o University
o Program
o School/Dept Code
o Address
o Degree
o Deadline
o % of Applicants Admitted
o Average General GRE Scores
o Average Subject GRE Scores
o Average GPA
o Program Contact
o Faculty
o Website
o Letter of Recommendation Procedures
o Minimum & Maximum # of Letters
o Names of Letter Writers
o Recommendation Forms Required
o Recommendations Submitted
o Writing Sample Required
o Interview Date
o Application Fee
o Separate Financial Aid Application
o Personal Statement Specifications
o 3-5 Most Important Resources that Make Program/Dept/Faculty a Perfect Match Given Your Career, Research & Intellectual Goals, Needs & Interests
* Schedule GRE(s) (5 months before 1st deadline)
* Contact Potential Faculty & Students (4 months before 1st deadline)
* Visit Potential Graduate Programs and/or Faculty (4 months before 1st deadline)
* 2 Months of GRE Preparation (3 months before 1st deadline)
* Take General GRE (3 months before 1st deadline)
* Take Subject GRE (2 months before 1st deadline)
* Request Letters of Recommendation (2 months before 1st deadline)
* Personal Statements R1 (2 months before 1st deadline)
* Personal Statements R2 (1 month before 1st deadline)
* Personal Statements R3 (3 weeks before 1st deadline)
* Complete Application, Fellowship, Scholarship Forms (1 month before 1st deadline)
* Request Transcripts (1 month before 1st deadline)
* Reminder for Letters of Recommendation (1 month before 1st deadline)
* Proofread Application Materials Carefully (2 weeks before deadline)
* Submit Application Materials (2 weeks before deadline)
* Verify Application Receipt (1 week before deadline)
* Celebrate!
* Interview Prep (January)
* Interviews (January & February)
* Celebrate! and Personal Care
* Graduate School Notifications (March)
* Program Selection (April 15th)
* Thank You’s
* Celebrate!




Suggested Resources

* Applying to Graduate School: Tips, Timeline, and Tools of the Trade
o http://www.cic.net/libraries/diversity/gradschoolguide.sflb
* Free GRE Practice Test
o http://www.princetonreview.com/grad/free-gre-practice-test.aspx
* Free ETS GRE Preparation Materials
o http://www.ets.org/gre/general/prepare
* Eye on Psi Chi Graduation Application Articles
o http://www.psichi.org/pubs/search.aspx?category1=7
* APS Article on Applying to Graduate School
o http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=1455
* Graduate School Interview Tips
o http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/students/GraduateSchool/Interviews.html
* APS Article on Interviewing
o http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=2184
* Sample Interview Questions
o http://career.boisestate.edu/files/2010/12/Practice-Interview-Questions-Graduate-Programs.pdf
* Other Graduate Application Links
o http://www.columbia.edu/cu/psychology/dept/resources/getin3.html