Applying to Graduate School
(notes by Dr. Linda Lysynchuk from information session held on January 21, 2009)
A) Different Areas of Graduate Study
Experimental - This area includes a diverse group of psychologists who do research in the most basic areas of psychology (e.g., learning, memory, cognition, perception, motivation and language). Their research may be conducted with animals instead of humans. Most of these psychologists work in academic settings.
Physiological - Physiological psychologists study the physiological correlates of behaviour. They study both very basic processes (e.g., how brain cells function) and more readily observable phenomena (e.g., behavioural changes as a function of drug use or the biological/genetic roots of psychiatric disorders). Most are employed in academic settings.
Developmental - Developmental psychologists study how we develop intellectually, socially and emotionally over the life span. Some focus on just one period of life (e.g., childhood or adolescence). Developmental psychologists usually do research and teach in academic settings, but many act as consultants to day care centers, schools or social service agencies.
Social - Social psychologists study how our beliefs, feelings, and behaviours are affected by other persons. Some topics of interest to social psychologists are attitude formation and change, aggression, prejudice and interpersonal attraction. Most social psychologists work in academic settings, but some work in federal agencies and businesses doing applied research.
Clinical - Clinical psychologists assess and treat people with psychological problems. They may act as therapists for people experiencing normal psychological crises (e.g., grief) or for individuals suffering from chronic psychiatric disorders. Some clinical psychologists are generalists who work with a wide variety of populations, while others work with specific groups like children, the elderly, or those with specific disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). They are trained in universities or professional schools of psychology. They may be found working in academic settings, hospitals, community health centers, or private practice.
Educational - Educational psychologists are concerned with the study of human learning. They attempt to understand the basic aspects of learning and then develop materials and strategies for enhancing the learning process. For example, an educational psychologist might study reading and then develop a new technique for teaching reading. They are typically trained in Schools of Education and employed in academic settings.
Industrial-organizational - Industrial/organizational psychologists are primarily concerned with the relationships between people and their work environments. They may develop new ways to increase productivity or be involved in personnel selection. They are employed in business, government agencies and academic settings.
Forensic - Forensic psychologists are involved in analyzing crime evidence and aiding law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations.
For more information on theses and other areas of Psychology, go to:
www.allpsychologyschools.com
- CPA Graduate Guide - www.cpa.ca/graduate/guide.html
- visit the web sites of Departments of Psychology
B) I want to counsel people? What programs are available?
Clinical Psychology - MA
- train people in basic counseling skills and assessment
- required to do research
- do a supervised field placement
- usually work in group counseling practices, clinics, program for specific populations (drug abusers, battered wives, chronic psychiatric patients)
Counseling Psychology - MEd.
- emphasize training in counseling/psychotherapy methods
- some training in research methods but usually are not as rigorous as in clinical psychology programs
- some programs are part time and attract people who are older, working and/or have families
- seen as less prestigious than Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology - PhD
- education students about issues related to mental health and mental health treatment
- most emphasize research and require you to take courses in statistics and experimental design
- write a dissertation
- do an internship where you work full time in a hospital, clinic or mental health center
- end up teaching at universities, working in hospitals and clinics or in private practice
Clinical Social Work (MSW)
- teaching students about working in the mental health and social welfare systems
- research usually is not emphasized
- do individual and group psychotherapy
- work in hospitals, clinics, specialized programs and private practice
- perceived as less prestigious than a doctorate degree in psychology
School Psychology (PhD or EdD)
- trained to do counseling and psychological testing in a school setting
- work with children in the school or the staff
- EdD programs place less emphasis on research than PhD programs
Psychiatry - 3 or 4 years after medical school
- specialize in psychiatry during residency
- training is usually biological in its approach (e.g., drug treatment)
- little training in research and psychological testing
- work in hospitals, clinics and private practice
- work with more severely disturbed patients (e.g., schizophrenia)
Working with a BA
- people do get jobs in the mental health field with a bachelor’s degree
- they work in specialized programs
- e.g., programs for chronic psychiatric patients, prison settings, drug addictions
- often difficult work and does not pay very well
- people often use such jobs to get experience and as stepping stones to other jobs
C) What do I do to get accepted in a graduate program?
1) Grades
- the higher your grades the better your chances of getting in
- more competitive programs look for an psychology average of at least 80%
- less competitive programs may accept 75%
2) Writing the Graduate Record Exam (GRE’s)
- can be as important as your grades in determining whether you get accepted
- comprised of two different tests
a) general aptitude test
verbal reasoning
quantitative reasoning
analytical writing
b) advanced psychology test
Description of General Test
- computerized administration
- two verbal sections (38 questions and 30 minutes each)
- two quantitative sections (30 questions and 30 minutes each)
- two analytical sections (25 questions and 30 minutes each)
- one experimental section (30 minutes) - not scored, may be verbal, quantitative or analytical
- each question is worth the same amount
- budget time wisely. In most sections, the questions get progressively more difficult so don’t spend a lot of time on the early questions
- when in doubt guess because there are no penalties for wrong answers
Registration
- You can register online at www.ets.org or by telephone at 1-800-473-2255
- Cost - $140
- Centers - Cambridge, Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie Michigan
- scores will be mailed to you about 6 weeks after the test date
Description of the Psychology Test
- consists of approximately 205 multiple-choice questions
- each question has five options
- questions are drawn from courses of study most commonly offered at the undergraduate level
- yields two subscores (experimental, social science oriented) in addition to the total score
For practice questions, go to www.ets.org
Registering for the Psychology Test
- fee is $150
- paper based
- done at a testing centre in October, November or April
Preparing for the GRE
- materials available at libraries and bookstores
- do practice tests on-line
- prepare for the Psychology test by reviewing class notes and reading introductory textbooks
- write the two tests on separate days
- write in the summer after you have completed your third year
3) Contact Potential Supervisors
- Research the person prior to contracting them
- Contact them by email. Ask if they are taking on new students.
- Consider meeting with them in person.
- Be prepared to discuss your research interests.
4) Completing the Graduate School Applications: Letters of Reference
- consider which professors know you well and will be able to say specific, personal and relevant things about you
- choose professors who have supervised your thesis, who you were a T.A. for
- beware of application deadlines and give the professor lots of time
- fill out the basic sections of the reference letter yourself
- write a brief description for the professor about your education, work and volunteer experience
5) Filling out the Application
- order transcripts early
- follow directions closely
- give yourself lots of time
- have someone look over your application before you send it out
6) Writing a Personal Statement
- This is your chance to identify your qualifications, experience, interests and the reason why you would be a good choice for their program
- write in a concise manner
- tailor your personal statement to the specific program
Your statement of purpose should portray you as:
a) passionately interested in the field
b) intelligent
c) well-prepared academically and personally
d) able to take on the challenges of grad school
e) able to have rapport with professors and fellow grad students
f) able to finish the graduate degree in a timely fashion
g) a potentially outstanding representative of that grad school in your future career
Checklist for Writing a Statement of Purpose
- organization
- a "hook" that demonstrates your passion
- description of your academic background
specific classes you have taken, given by name
specific professors you have had, especially if well-known in that field
- extracurricular activities in the field
- publications or other professional accomplishments in the field
- explanations about problems in background (if necessary)
- explanations of why you have chosen the specific grad school
mention one or two professors in that school and what you know of and appreciate about their work
specific features of the grad program which attract you
- get advice from several of your professors
- proofread and copyedit: ask friends to help
7) Gain Experience
- gain research experience - present papers at conferences or publish articles with faculty
- gain work or volunteer experience
D) How many schools should I apply to?
- to maximize the possibility of getting in, apply to many schools
- apply to a few really outstanding programs
- apply to a few programs that are less competitive
- don’t be too upset if you get rejected
E) Should I go to graduate school right after fourth year or should I take some time off?
If you decide to take a year off:
- think about who you will get to write reference letters
- use time wisely, Gain work experience.
- upgrade lower marks
F) Is it expensive to go to graduate school?
- you may be offered a teaching assistantship or a research assistantship for the first two years
- some universities may waive tuition
- apply for scholarships. Many of the deadlines are in the fall of the year prior to attending grad school so you need to get organized early.
- sources of scholarships include:
Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), http://osap.gov.on.ca/eng/not_secure/ogs.htm
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) www.nserc.gc.ca
Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), www.sshrc.ca
Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca
G) Timetable for Applying to Graduate School
Winter session of third year
think about what type of program you’re interest in
start talking to faculty and get involved in faculty research
Summer before fourth year
make a rough list of schools you might apply to
start writing your personal statement
begin studying for the GREs
Fall term of fourth year
write to schools for information about their programs
make a final list of schools you will apply to
continue studying for the GREs
In October, take the Psychology GREs
near the end of the term, ask professors to write letters of recommendation
Winter term of fourth year
complete your applications and send them off
if possible, visit the schools