Time Line
(from
Psychology Handbook, page 60)
This section outlines certain steps that should be taken in the respective years to aid one in gaining admission to graduate school and possibly increase the chance of gaining a fellowship or assistantship. This time line is reproduced from Norcross, Sayette and Mayne (1996).
|
1. |
Take the core psychology courses – fundamentals, statistics, and research methods |
|
2. |
Find out about faculty interests and research |
|
3. |
Make preliminary contact with faculty members |
|
4. |
Investigate various career choices |
|
5. |
Join psychology student organizations and become an active member |
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6. |
Attend departmental colloquia and social gatherings |
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7. |
Enroll in courses helpful for graduate school, including biological sciences, mathematics, writing, and verbal communication |
|
8. |
Become involved with the Annual Psychology Conference |
|
1. |
Take more advanced psychology courses |
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2. |
Begin applied work, such as labs and practicum |
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3. |
Conduct research with faculty |
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4. |
Continue contact with faculty and upperclassmen |
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5. |
Enroll in professional organizations, e.g., student affiliate of American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society |
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6. |
Draft a curriculum vitae to determine your strengths and weaknesses |
|
7. |
Attend a state or regional psychology convention |
|
8. |
Peruse graduate school bulletins and catalogs to acquaint yourself with typical requirements, offerings, and policies |
June - July: Continue to acquire research competencies, applied experience, and good grades while you:
|
1. |
Begin to narrow down potential schools to 20-40 |
|
2. |
Prepare for the GREs |
|
3. |
Consider taking the GRE-general if you are prepared; this will afford ample time to retake them in the Fall if necessary |
August - September
|
1. |
Write to schools for information and applications |
|
2. |
Receive information packets and read through them |
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3. |
Consult with advisors regarding various programs, application procedures, faculty of interest |
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4. |
Continue to study for the GREs |
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5. |
Register for the October GRE administration |
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6. |
Update your curriculum vitae |
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7. |
Investigate possible financial aid opportunities |
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8. |
Begin a file in the Office of Career Services |
|
9. |
Submit research papers to conferences |
October - November
|
1. |
Take the GRE and the GRE Advanced Psychology Test |
|
2. |
Take the MAT (if necessary) |
|
3. |
Research your area of interest, focusing on the work of faculty with whom you would like to work |
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4. |
Request a copy of your own transcript and inspect it for any errors or omissions |
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5. |
Request letters of recommendation |
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6. |
Begin first drafts of your personal statement |
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7. |
Gather information on available scholarships, fellowships, and loans |
November - December
|
1. |
Complete applications |
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2. |
Maintain a photocopy of each application for your records |
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3. |
Submit applications |
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4. |
Verify that the applications and all necessary materials have been received |
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5. |
Request ETS to forward your scores to the appropriate institutions |
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6. |
Arrange for the registrar to send your transcripts to schools |
January - April
|
1 |
Wait patiently and be prepared for surprise telephone interviews |
|
2 |
Practice and prepare for interviews |
|
3 |
Travel to interviews as invited |
April - May
|
1. |
If other programs make early offers, call your top choices to determine current status of your application |
|
2. |
Accept an offer of admission and promptly turn down less preferred offers |