Applying to Graduate School
Prepared by the
Section for Students in Psychology and
the Scientific Affairs Committee,
Canadian Psychological Association
Outline
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Where do I begin?
How do I best prepare myself for
graduate school?
What things should I know in order to apply to
graduate school?
What are the odds of getting in?
What are the demands of graduate school?
What different career options are available once
I graduate?
Where to Begin
 What
is graduate school?
 Is it for me?
 What is my interest?
 What are my goals?
 Undergraduate courses
Experience and References
 Research
Experience
 Human Service Experience
 Extra Curricular Activities
 References
The Application Process
 Do
your research early!
 When to apply?
 How many schools to apply to?
 Contacting schools
 Potential supervisor(s)
Putting the Pieces Together
Application fees
 Grades
 Graduate Record Exams (GREs)
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 www.gre.org
Transcripts
 Statement of Interest
 Scholarships/Funding
 Curriculum Vitae
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Additional Things to Consider
 Total
Application Cost
 Error Free Application
 Competition
Applicants: Offers
University
Western Ontario
Queens
# Applied
216
172
# Offers
42
29
%
19
17
Manitoba
McGill
Dalhousie
140
NA
150
21
NA
9-11
15
5-8
6-7
Memorial
New Brunswick
Ottawa
Laurier
38
53
180
167
12
7
21
26
32
13
12
16
Windsor
York
179
311
38
33
21
11
This table is based on data acquired for the 2005-2006 academic year
% Offers by Area of Psychology
Area of Psychology
Neuroscience
Clinical
Developmental
Social/Personality
Industrial Organizational
% Accepted
28
8
20
25
22
This table is based on data acquired for the 2005-2006 academic year
Additional Things Cont…
 The
Waiting Game
 If at first you don’t succeed…
Graduate School
 What
are the typical demands of
graduate school?
 Course work
 Practica (for applied areas of
psychology)
 Thesis Research
Career Options are Available after
Graduate School
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Clinical or Counseling
Social
Developmental
Neuroscience
Personality and Measurement
Cognition and Perception
Educational
Industrial/Organizational
What is the Job Market Like?
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For all areas of psychology, the job market looks
very promising and will continue to.
Retiring faculty (35% of psychology faculty are
55 years or older and many will retire within the
next 10 years)
Canadian universities will likely have to hire
about 32,000 faculty members over the next 510 years to deal with upcoming retirements and
enrolment increases.
Helpful Resources
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CPA Graduate Guide 2005-2006:
http://www.cpa.ca/students/cpagraduateguide/
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The American Psychological Association - careers in
psychology http://www.apa.org/science/careers.html
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“The Complete Guide to Graduate School Admission” by
Patricia Keith-Spiegel is an excellent source of information
about applying to graduate school
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Dr. Margaret A. Lloyd's absolutely superb Careers in Psychology
site includes a wealth of information about applying for
graduate school. www.psychwww.com/careers/index.htm
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Acknowledgements
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This presentation was developed by the following
individuals:
Dr. David J. A. Dozois, Director-Science of the Canadian
Psychological Association
 Roxanne Sterniczuk, Undergraduate Affairs Coordinator,
CPA Section for Students in Psychology
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