Exploring Graduate Programs: A Student’s Recommendations
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Step 1 - Determine the type of psychology degree desired.  This is perhaps the easiest way I found to narrow down what I needed to research. Decide first if you are interested in pursuing a master’s degree, Ph.D., or Psy.D. Some schools offer both master’s and Ph.D. degree, while many I came across only offered one.

Step 2 - Narrow down the area of the country or world where you would not mind living for 2 to 7 years.   Many texts organize information on graduate schools offering by state. Keep in mind costs of living. The South and Midwest tend to have excellent schools and the cost of living (e.g., rent, food, utilities) is reasonable. The Northeast and West Coast also have excellent schools, but the cost of living may make life as a student unpleasant. Consider what you can afford and how deeply in debt you might be when finished. Keep in mind that graduate school is not forever - typically 2 years for a masters and 4-7 years for a Ph.D. Often you are so busy while in graduate school, where you live doesn’t matter much anyway.

Step 3 - Go to Career Services. The resources available at Career Services are very helpful and easy to use. Programs are listed in terms of degrees and states (thus, the value of Steps 1 & 2). The Career Services staff are also good resources. They have helped many students conduct searches and have helpful suggestions and advice on certain schools. Take a big notebook and take down information such as: the school and department addresses, application contacts, and degrees offered. More specific information that may be of interest includes: specific faculty research areas, application deadlines, test scores required (e.g., GREs, Miller's) and minimum or average scores of enrolled students, minimum and average GPAs, and the number of students who apply and are accepted yearly. It is preferable to get recent publications sponsored by APA. Using publications only a few years old, I wasted time researching degrees and programs that either no longer existed or had been modified.

Step 4 - Utilize the Internet. If you aren’t familiar with searching the Web, this is a good way to learn. Get help at the library or from a friend with basics such as using a search engine. As you complete broad searches of psychology graduate schools using a search engine, keep track of specific Web site addresses. It is very easy to lose a good site and not be able to get back to it when searching again. One of the best sites is http://www.arches.uga.edu/~jfrick/gradsite.htm . It provides internet site links for graduate schools in psychology.

Step 5 - Read some graduate school rankings. These are not perfect and are all different. The information allows you some means of comparing the quality of the schools you may be considering.

Step 6 - Write to some of the schools you’ve selected. Ask for information about their specific degree programs. Also ask for information on faculty research and research-related requirements. Almost every school I wrote to responded back within a couple of weeks.

Step 7 - Research graduate school tests. Once you’ve determined which schools are of most interest, find out what tests are required or recommended. GREs are commonly required and many graduate programs in psychology want scores from the General and Subject tests. Research the tests and study over a long period of time. Cramming is not recommended. For the General GRE, Career Services has a program that allows you to take a practice exam on the computer and analyze your strengths and weaknesses. I found this very helpful. There are also courses you can pay for that teach you how to take the test. There are books and computer programs available for studying too. For the Subject test in psychology, there are lots of books that include practice tests and helpful reviews of major topics in psychology. Rereading your General Psychology text might help too. Some professors will give or loan you old texts - check in the department before buying a new book!

Step 8 - Keep track of everything. If you ruled out a school, keep a note of it. This will stop you from researching it again! Keep a list of schools written to and check off those that have responded. Save all catalogs and after a few weeks, rewrite to those still missing from your list. When finished all your searching and deciding, bring the extra catalogs to the library or Career Services. They may want them.

Step 9 - Relax. The graduate school is where you are going to spend 2 to 7 years of your life. Pick the best school for your goals. The better the match between your interests and the faculty/department focus and philosophy, the happier you will be. You will also be able to weather the many frustrations to be faced, especially for those seeking a Ph.D. This match is far more important than the geographical location or reputation of the school. The choice you make will affect your entire career!

Step 10 - Letters & your statement.   After deciding on one or more schools to which you will apply, the next tasks are to request letters of recommendations and write personal statements for the applications. Hopefully, you have become familiar with 2-3 faculty members. It’s important that they can write not only about the grades you’ve received in their courses, but also about qualities that make you a good candidate for a graduate program. As you complete your 4 years at FSC, try to get involved in academic clubs, the student government, leadership activities, teaching opportunities, independent studies, and internships. All of this serves as evidence of your abilities and interests.

In writing a personal statement, follow the specific directions. But, don’t be so specific in your interests that you seem narrow-minded or too vague or broad. Don’t dwell too much on personal experiences. Just give brief overviews of experiences that have affected you and directed your career focus. Most of all, check your organization and grammar. Pass the statement by a professor you feel comfortable with revealing personal information for comments. Also, go to CASA for a grammar check!!

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