Universtiy of Texas Pan American
Dr. Jerwen Jou, Faculty Advisor
SOME TIPS ON PREPARING FOR GRADUATE SCHOOL
Dr. Cardena
1. Start preparing early (about 1.5-2 years before the expected school beginning date).
2. Researchearly on the area (e.g., sports psychology, clinical psychology), degree (M.A., Ph.D., Psy.D), geographical area, and universities that you are interested in.
3. Be realistic as to the type of universities that may accept you (e.g., if you do not have stellar GPA and GREs, you may not want to apply to very demanding school unless you can overcompensate those low grades.
4. Typically graduate schools will require:
a) transcripts (so be careful with your GPA throughout your academic career. Ideally, you should collaborate, and be a co-author of paper presentation or publications).
b) results of the GRE general and, sometimes, the GRE for psychology (you have to take these exams many months in advance, and there are courses and books to help you prepare).
c) letters of recommendation (so you should cultivate your relationship with professors and supervisors, stand out in class, collaborate in research, etc.).
d) candidate's statement (this is a narrative as to why you want to go to graduate school and to this specific institution. The importance of this statement cannot be exaggerated. Ideally, you should have investigated the institution's faculty and areas of interest, and have corresponded with one ore two professors, before writing you statement).
5. Apply to various graduate schools (5-10), not only to one or very few ones. Graduate school admission is very competitive, so you should give yourself reasonable odds.
6. If you do not succeed at first, learn from the experience (some schools will give you feedback on your strengths and weaknesses (and apply again the following year(s).
7. Research your financial situation, but bear in mind that many good universities have good financial packages for the students they accept, including full scholarchips.
8. Cultivate a good relationship with your favorite professor(s) and ask for their advice, feedback, etc., as you go through the process. American Psychological Association (www.apa.org) has student organizations and pubilcations that can guide you throughout the process.
GOOD LUCK! BUENA SUERTE!
Listed below are some helpful links:
