Sophomore Year  -  Junior Year -  Junior Year Registration for Fall

         Summer between Junior and Senior Years  -  Senior Year Sept./Oct. -  Senior Year Nov./Dec

Senior Year Jan. through April

Freshman Year On

Explore your career alternatives.  Meet with your advisor to plan courses (both in Psychology and in the distribution areas) that best prepare you for your intended career path.

You will need letters of recommendation from faculty members. Get to know your professors both in and out of class. This will insure that they know something about you other than your grade.

Work toward the requirements of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. Try to become a member in your junior year so you can list this on your application.           

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Sophomore Year

Take the required statistics course or register to take it in fall of your Junior year.

Decide whether you will take a concentration in Psychology and/or declare a minor.

Complete as much of your distribution and foundation as possible.       

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Junior Year

Complete the required courses in statistics and research methods. (Grad schools want to see high grades in these)

Choose a career direction. Consider which degree and graduate program is right for you. Do you want an MA, MSW, PhD, PsyD, EdD? What major specialization do you want? There are dozens of possibilities.

Look at Peterson's Guides and the school catalogs in the Counseling and Career Services Center and the APA guides in the Psychology Department.

Write to schools that interest you for their catalog and admissions packet.

Visit their websites. Evaluate their requirements compared to your qualifications.            

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At registration for fall:

- consider taking advanced research methods or doing an independent research project with a professor.

- if you have no relevant job experience, consider doing an internship in fall to gain experience in the field.            

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Summer Between Junior and Senior Year  

Review the information and tentatively choose programs to apply to-maybe 1 or 2 "long shots" (schools whose requirements-GRE, GPA, and/or research you don't meet); 2 or 3 "borderline" programs (you meet some of the requirements); and 3 or 4 that are a "good match". Also apply to 1 or 2 schools that are almost "sure bets" (programs whose requirements you exceed.)

Investigate sources of financial aid, both from the schools you are applying to and from outside sources such as community organizations and foundations. The Career & Counseling Center has books of information.

Visit as many schools as you can. Investigate the research being done by faculty in the program and meet with a faculty member if possible. They may remember you and your interest in their work and favor your application.

Know which tests the schools require (e.g. GRE, MAT, GRE subject test, etc.) and use the summer to prepare for these tests.

Most schools require a personal statement which discusses your personal and educational background and career goals. Prepare a draft of this statement.

Work in the field or do volunteer work in an appropriate agency.   

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Senior Year September/October

Decide which schools you will apply to. Prepare a set of index cards or a chart with all the information on applying to these schools including:  
      -  application materials required, financial aid information, and 
      -  application deadlines. Use the cards/chart to help keep you on track. Put the deadlines on a wall calendar.

If you are doing an advanced research project talk with the professor about presenting a research paper at a conference or co-authoring a research paper. This sets you apart from other applicants.  

If you have completed a research project, submit your paper to an undergraduate research conference. Participation in these conferences will enhance your application.

Complete your personal statement and resume of academic and employment experience. Then use this as a basis to prepare your application for each school. Carefully follow the guidelines for each application and try to include a point or two relevant to that particular school. Ask faculty to review your material. Make any necessary revisions.

Take the Counseling Center's Workshops on preparing for the GRE.

Decide when you want to take the GRE. Call the Sylvan Learning Center to set up an appointment to take the test.            

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November/December

Notify programs you intend to apply to that they will be receiving transcripts and other data for your application. 

Open a placement file at the Counseling and Career Center

Give recommendation forms to the faculty who will be writing recommendations for you. Provide a pre-addressed, stamped envelope for each letter.

Take the GRE's if you have not already done so.

Request that transcripts (from all colleges attended) be sent to your intended programs.

Complete and mail all applications with January deadlines. Type applications neatly and proofread all materials being sent out. Keep copies of your application materials.            

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January though April

Continue to mail applications several weeks before the set deadlines.

Check with faculty members to make sure that all letters of recommendation have been sent.

Call the departments to which you have applied to be sure they have received all your application materials. Most schools will not consider incomplete applications.

Most schools will notify you of your acceptance by about April 15. As you receive notification of acceptance(s), consult with your advisor or a faculty member in making your decision. Once you have chosen a school, be sure to tell other schools that you will not be attending so they can offer your place to a student on their waiting list.

If you are not accepted, look at schools where you can take classes part time as a nonmatriculated student. Gain more work experience. Many people who are not accepted right out of college will be accepted later if they have shown success in a graduate level course and/or have more experience in the field.

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