Timeline and Checklist for Applying to Graduate School
created for the Psychology Club at Manhattanville College 

by Alison S. Carson, Ph.D.

 

First Year

____  Learn about the process and timing of applying to graduate school

____  Get to know the faculty in the Psychology Department and their areas of specialty

____  Go to Psychology Club meetings!

Sophomore Year

____  Begin to think about areas that in which you might like to specialize in psychology

____  Learn about the different types of graduate degrees that you can receive and what you can do with each (e.g., MA, MSW, Ph.D., Psy.D., Ed.D.)

____  Take elective courses in psychology

____  Approach faculty members and ask about their research

____  Think about becoming a research assistant

 

Junior Year (1^st semester)

____  Begin your search for specific APA accredited graduate programs

____  Talk to faculty about programs in your area of interest

____  Look up programs in APA Graduate Study in Psychology found in the Psychology main office (B29)

____  Investigate graduate program websites

____  Find out where researchers that you find interesting are affiliated

____  Send away for graduate program information

____  Participate as a research assistant in a faculty member’s research

____  Consider doing an internship for a semester or a year

____  Become a student affiliate of APA or participating in other professional organizations

____  Prepare for the GRE either in study groups or a professional prep course.  Be aware that to do well on the GRE, you must prepare for them.

 

Junior Year (2^nd semester)

____  Take the general GRE

____  Narrow your graduate school search and select specific programs that you want to apply to

____  Send away for application materials for the fall

____  Participate as a research assistant in a faculty member’s research

 

Senior Year (1^st semester)

____  Apply to graduate school

____  ask faculty that knows you for recommendations

____  write your graduate school essays

____  contact specific faculty at programs to which you are applying with specific reference to your interest in their research

____  Take GRE again (if needed)

____  Take Psychology GRE

____  Participate as a research assistant in a faculty member’s research

 

Senior Year (2^nd semester)

____  Sit back and wait!