Getting Into Grad School

Dr. Sam HardyAssociate Professor

Chair of Graduate Admissions (non-Clinical Programs)

Department of Psychology

Brigham Young University

What do you want to do with your life?

• You can do any combo of the following with a psych grad degree:• Teaching• Research• Application (therapy, consulting, program development, book

writing, etc.)

• Click here for more information

What degree/program will get you there?

• Masters degree• Clinical

• Social Work (MSW)• Marriage & Family Therapy

(MFT)• School Psychology • Counseling

• Non-clinical • Organizational Behavior (MOB)

• Doctoral degree• Clinical

• Counseling Psychology PhD• Clinical Psychology PhD• PsyD

• Non-clinical• Human Development & Family

Studies• Psychology (e.g., Social,

Development)• Educational Psychology

How do I get in to grad school?

• The Big 5 (mostly in this order)1. Fit (between you and them)2. Research experience3. Letters of recommendation4. Personal Statement5. Scores (GRE/GPA)

(1) Fit

• Why it matters:• Many programs are mentor-based (someone has to pick you)• It’s better for both parties

• How to do it:• Research people and programs• Pick people/programs that match your interests/goals• Reach out to potential mentors

• Are they taking students?• Do they see it as a good fit?

(2) Research Experience

• Why it matters:• Looks good on resume/CV• Makes for the best letters of rec• Helps you know what you want to do• Knowledge/skills• Grad school prep

• How to do it:• Find professors with matching interests in Psychology, MFHD, Education,

Business, Sociology, Social Work, etc.• The better fit to your interests/goals the better.• Contact them about positions in their lab. • Work hard (attention to detail, reliability, innovative, punctuality, passion, etc.)

(3) Letters of Recommendation

• Why it matters:• Third party reference• Rich look at your personality, skills, work ethic, etc.• Narrative of your experience/training• We trust our peers

• How to do it:• Ranking of letters

1. Research experience2. TA or applied experience3. Teacher you took class from4. Employer or personal reference (bishop, etc.)

• Strategize about who to choose• Strategize with them about what to include in letters• Make it easy for them

(4) Personal Statement

• Why it matters:• Writing sample• Narrative of your experience/training• Shows you have done your research on them• Fit (your interests/goals)

• How to do it (outline)1. Why you are interested in that field2. Your experience/training that prepared you3. Your specific interests/goals4. Why their program (and who you want to work with)

(5) GRE/GPA

• Why it matters:• Initial screening (easy way to separate wheat/tares)• Evidence of preparation• Predictor of future performance

• How to do it (besides STUDY):• GRE

• Bad: Verbal (<60%; ~153), Quant (<40%; ~150), Analytical (<3)• Acceptable: Verbal (60%-80%; ~153-159), Quant (40%-60%; ~150-155),

Analytical (3)• Good: Verbal (80%<; ~160), Quant (60%<; ~156), Analytical (4-5)

• GPA• Bad (<3.0)• Acceptable (3.0-3.75)• Good (3.75<)

Git-R-Done!