Applying to Graduate School Tips and Links
Take PY 291 and 490: These classes guide you through selecting
your top ten graduate schools and preparing materials needed for applying.
Items to provide to your Referees:
Vita
Personal Statement
Transcripts
List of your work they have supervised (TA, RA, etc.) - include semester & grade
List of your classes they have taught - include semester and grade earned
Extra-curricular activities
What type of program you are applying to (M.S., Ph.D., PsyD, etc.)
What area you are planning to pursue (Experimental, Counseling, etc.)
List of schools you plan to apply to
When your first recommendation is due
Is there something specific you would like your referee to mention in the letter.
Grace's Procedures for Getting Letters of Recommendation From Your Referees to the
Graduate Schools:
Fall 2007
YOU ARE COMPLETELY RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS
(APPLICATION FORMS & FEES, GRE SCORES, TRANSCRIPTS, ETC.) TO YOUR GRADUATE SCHOOLS.
Approach your referees NOW to be sure you have as many letters of recommendation available as your desired schools require (some ask for three, some four, you need to check each school). BE SURE TO ASK NOW AND ADVISE YOUR REFEREES OF YOUR FIRST DUE DATE. All referees ask for materials to aid them in writing a letter of recommendation (see the list above). Your referees will write the letter then give it to me. You should check when you turn your materials in to me to see if I have letters for you from each of your referees. You must get your referee's permission to read the letter. You and your referee are responsible for getting the letter written in time to send.
AT LEAST ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR FIRST DEADLINE you must get all of the following materials to me:
1. A CHART (supplied by Grace) completely filled out with ALL school names, referee names, due dates and forms required. If you have some referees writing to some of your schools but not to others, be sure to indicate that on your chart. I will assume you want all letters (whether a form is required or not) sent to every school unless you indicate otherwise. All schools which require forms or additional copies of letters should be so indicated on your chart. A letter will be sent with each form. If you are applying to different programs (Clinical, Experimental, Ph.D., M.A.) be sure to inform your referees as well as me. Some referees prefer to write different letters for different programs. IF YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE MUST INCLUDE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION include that information on this chart AND on your address list.
2. A LIST OF ALL SCHOOLS with complete addresses and due dates. This should be the address the referee letter goes to - it may or may not be the same as the address for your application materials. If possible, please also include FAX numbers. An example of the address list is on the next page. If you decide to add or delete a school from your list, let me know. IF YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE MUST INCLUDE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION include that information on this list AND on your chart. It will save me a little time if you submit your list on disk or by e-mail.
3. ALL FORMS to accompany the letters of recommendation. These are forms provided by the school for your referee to complete. All forms must be filled out as completely as possible. This includes the sections which ask for the referee's name, position, institution and address, as well as information about yourself (name, program, address, etc.). If you need any information ask me. Remember that how neatly this form is completed reflects upon both you and your referee - all information should be typed. Remember to check and sign all confidentiality waivers.
4. FINAL copy of your Vita, Personal Statement and Reduction/Transcript (student copy of transcript is fine).
As soon as I have all your materials I will send an e-mail to your referees indicating that I have received your materials and informing them of when your first letter of recommendation is required.
The Psychology Department will supply envelopes and postage for all reference letters.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A DEPARTMENT MAILBOX - GET ONE NOW (AND CHECK IT REGULARLY). I WILL LEAVE NOTES IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR MATERIALS.
My goal is to get letters out at least a month before the deadline. As deadlines approach, I will merge letters with addresses, check forms to make sure they are properly filled out, put them into the referee's mailbox for a signature and record the date. The referee will then sign the letter, complete the form and mail the letter. If you get a notice that a school has not received a letter from one of your referees, check with me to see when it was sent. Another copy of the letter will be mailed if necessary.
IF YOU HAVE REFEREES OUTSIDE OF THE PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT. Your referees may submit letters to me on disk or via e-mail; have them contact me to find out the procedures. I will need to have letterhead (from the outside referee's department) on which to print letters. I will follow the same procedure as for Psychology referees.
|
Letters of Recommendation for (NAME) |
from (NAME) |
|
*
* |
SCHOOL Graduate Coordinator Dr. Smith Office of Graduate Admissions
Return recommendation in sealed envelope to student (application must be submitted as a complete package) |
DUE DATE January 1
January 15
February 1 |
These are some very useful links to web sites that help students
decide which programs they might be interested in, find graduate programs,
and prepare their applications.
Thank you to Dr. Mary Pelton-Cooper for the following information.
National Council of Schools and Programs of Professional Psychology
Dr. Linda Walsh's Psychology Pages
Advice on seeking admission to graduate clinical psychology programs Psychology Pages.
National Institute Of Health Loan Repayment Programs
A useful text; "Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology."Dr. Walsh's Pages on Graduate Programs
Hanover College Directory of Graduate Programs
