|
Admission Tips for Getting your Psychology Degree |
|
|
|
Saturday, 26 May 2007 |
|
Psychology degree programs are very competitive and can be difficult to get into. If you desire to become a clinical psychologist, successfully completing one of the graduate psychology degree programs is a must. However, there are many myths about getting into graduate school that may make the process a little overwhelming. Here are some tips to help get you started. One of the most important tips is to relax! Take the time you need to research the different psychology degree programs at different schools to see what will match your interests and career goals.
Requesting information from the different schools to get the most current information on the programs and admission requirements for their psychology degree programs is often a good idea. There are many tips to complete a successful graduate school application. Start by requesting extra copies of undergraduate transcripts and test scores. That way you will always have a copy handy if you need one. Prepare a professional resume, and request letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors. For a good letter of recommendation some tips to remember is to allow the professor plenty of time to get a letter in (do not ask for one the night before your application is due) and stick with those professors with whom you have worked closest and who know you well. Work part-time in a psychologist’s office to gain an understanding of the profession and to get professional letter of recommendation. Allow yourself plenty of time to write your application essay, and you might consider having current graduate students or professors proofread it to give you tips on improvement. Also take time to make sure that all of your applications are filled in completely, including financial aid forms and application forms. You will also need to prepare for and take your GRE test. At any point during your process, you can ask for tips and advice from counselors, advisors, or professional mentors. Also, it is help to apply to a number of programs in order to increase your chance of being accepted at one of your choices. An important part of getting accepted into psychology degree programs is taking and earning a good score on your Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). This test measures your critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills in two separate tests; a general test with verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing parts, and the subject test which measures knowledge of psychological concepts. There are some tips that will help you with your GRE test. Make sure that you take time to study and prepare. There are numerous resources and guidebooks available, and your professors may be able to give you additional tips. Always take the test in November, so you can retest in December if necessary – just keep in mind that both sets of scores will be reported to your school. Official scores will be sent to you and your applied schools approximately 10 to 15 days after testing for the general test, and six weeks after the subject test. |
