This document provides guidance on strategically applying to graduate psychology programs. It discusses determining one's career goals and interests in research, services, or both. It outlines different degree types and subfields and how to match goals to training programs. The document stresses understanding what is required to get into, through, and out of a program, and finding a good fit rather than applying widely. It provides tips on coursework, tests, letters, interviews, and resources for learning about programs. The key message is that applicants should take a strategic approach to ensure they apply to programs that meet their interests and prepare them for their desired career.

1. Finding Fit
A Strategic Approach to Applying to Graduate
Psychology Programs with PSYCAS
Daniel Michalski, PhD
© 2019 American Psychological Association

2. Why Go To Graduate School?
What is your primary interest in going to graduate school?
1. Interest in research, conducting experiments, and establishing the
psychology knowledge base;
OR
2. Interest in providing services to individuals or groups by applying
psychological knowledge and helping people to understand psychology’s
impact in health, learning, business, and policy to solve problems;
OR
3. Interest in both: Engage in research to improve or refine existing
knowledge in health, learning, and behavior, and apply these principles

3. Training Focus: Degrees and Subfields
1. Disciplinary research training: Most often the PhD degree; some master’s-level
degrees (typically MS)
• Examples: cognitive sciences & decision making; developmental; and social
• APA accreditation: Not applicable (outside scope)
2. Professional service training: Most often PhD or PsyD; some Master’s-level
degrees (MA or MS)
• Examples: clinical; counseling, school; clinical health; and industrial/organizational
• APA accreditation: Applicable only to PhD and PsyD programs in clinical, counseling,
school and combinations of these areas.
3. Applied research and professional service training: Predominantly PhD or PsyD
• Examples: clinical, counseling, school, clinical health, industrial/organizational
• APA accreditation: Applicable to PhD and PsyD programs in clinical, counseling,
school and combinations of these areas.

4. Matching Career Goals to Training
How do I target programs that will meet my career and educational goals?
1. Identify your primary interests from the previous slides, use resources to
find about career options after graduate school, and think about the
training you will need
2. Read the program description and graduation requirements carefully
3. Ask where graduates go after successful program completion
4. Think how a program will help you to achieve your goals

5. Think Beyond Getting Accepted
You should be able to clearly describe, for any
program you want to apply to:
•What it takes to get into a program
•What it takes to get through the program
•What happens once you get out of the program

6. Getting In
•Required courses before starting?
•Required tests?
•Required experiences (e.g., laboratory, work, community
health)?
•Program applications, acceptances, and enrollments?
•Required essays or personal statements?

7. Getting Through
•What is the process for finding a research advisor and/or mentor?
•What are the dissertation/thesis requirements?
•Are there teaching requirements?
•Are there required internships?
•If licensure is a goal, how successful are students with securing internship
placements?
•If research is a goal, how successful are students at receiving funding and
publishing papers?

8. Getting Out
•How long does it take students to complete the program?
•If licensure is a goal, what is the program’s licensure rate
for its graduates?
•If researcher is a goal, how successful are graduates in
securing postdoctoral research positions or starting
research careers?

9. Remember: It Is All About Fit
When planning to apply to graduate school, your primary goal is to employ a
strategic approach that results in identifying a manageable number of programs that
meet your training goals, you have a solid chance of getting into, and you
understand what it takes to get through the program.
Myth
“I need to apply to X number of programs if I want to get into graduate school.”
Truth
“I need to apply to programs that are a good fit for my interests, previous training,
and prepare me for type of career I want.”

10. How Do Programs Determine Fit?
Criteria used by programs to evaluate applicants:
Previous course work
GPAs (e.g., undergraduate, undergraduate major, graduate, etc.)
Standardized test scores
Research, work, and/or volunteer experience
Reference letters

11. Coursework and Test Scores
•Programs may require specific coursework and solid grades in those
courses. Based on APA data, coursework is an important criterion for
all types of psychology programs.
•Test scores are used to determine your foundation for learning new
concepts and preparedness for graduate-level study. Based on APA
data, importance of test scores varies by type of program and
institution.

12. Reference Letters
•Communicate the program’s goals and why you are a good fit to the program
to each of your recommenders
•Programs want to know from these individuals that you have potential for
success
•Best letters are those from individuals who know your academic, research
and work experiences in depth—Friends and family are rarely objective.
•Misconception: Letters from “celebrities” impress programs. Ask yourself: Is
my recommender able to objectively comment on my achievements,
character, and future goals?

13. Interviewing
Programs use interviews to gauge your fit with the program, its faculty,
students, and staff. Expect different activities.
Group socials with students, applicants, faculty, and staff
campus tours
presentations of student research
Types of interviews:
Videoconference
Telephone
In person (either individually or with a group)

14. Interview Strategies
•Impression management: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fulfillment-any-
age/201405/5-ways-make-great-first-impression
•Understand why that program is a good fit for you by knowing about its
requirements, the faculty, their research, and how it fits your goals
•Explain why you think that program is a great opportunity for graduate work—be
specific!
•Ask questions about the courses and training, student success, funding and financial
options, and student life
•Follow-up: Write a solid thank you letter and/or email that includes any simple
questions and demonstrates your continued interest in the program.

15. Decision Time!
After the interview…
• Limit social media engagement
• Refrain from making multiple update requests
• Keep unhelpful thoughts in check
To accept or not…
•Fit
•Finances
•Family, friends, etc.

16. What if I don’t receive an offer?
1. Review your credentials: Would additional coursework or experiences
improve your chances?
2. Feedback: Mentors may be helpful with identifying areas to improve
3. Maintain connections with faculty and mentors
4. Review your options: Other areas of psychology or related disciplines may
provide a pathway to your goals
5. Keep trying! Informed persistence may pay off.

17. Resources to help You be Strategic
Identify your primary interests from the previous slides, use resources to find
about career options after graduate school, and think about the training you
will need.
 Departmental Websites
 Psychology Student Network
 APA Graduate Study in Psychology resource & Summary Reports
 Psychlearningcurve
 Video series
 FAQ and funding your education

18. Graduate Study in Psychology
•Listings of nearly 1,500 graduate-level (master’s and doctoral)
psychology programs from across all subfields of the discipline
•Published in September 2018
•Available in print format or searchable online database
•Self-reported information on factors involved in application review, training
offered, and financial support
•Data collected permits reporting of limited general descriptive statistics on
graduate psychology education. These data are summarized in annual
reports available at www.apa.org/education/grad/survey-data

19. Graduate Study Online
NEW Interface for 2019!
http://gradstudy.apa.org/landing
Subscriptions
3 months $19.99
6 months $39.99
Year $49.99

20. Resources to help you be strategic
Identify your primary interests from the previous slides, use resources to find about
career options after graduate school, and think about the training you will need.
 Departmental Websites
 Psychology Student Network
 APA Graduate Study in Psychology resource & Summary Reports
 Psychlearningcurve
 Video series
 FAQ and funding your education

21. Questions?
APA Office of Graduate and Postgraduate
Education & Training
(202) 336-5934