Preparing for Graduate School in Psychology: What You Need to Know
Applying to grad school in psychology is a critical step toward your future career in mental health. You know that whether you want to work in research, clinical practice, or another area of psychology, graduate programs are going to open this door for you.
But first, you have to apply, and many find the process daunting. In some cases, you also have to compete for spots in highly selective programs.
This guide aims to walk through some things you need to know about preparing for grad school. We’ll cover writing compelling personal statements, gathering strong recommendations, and a whole lot more.
Let’s prime you to take these first steps to becoming a mental health professional.
Writing a Strong Personal Statement
Your personal statement is a significant part of your application. Admissions committees want to see more than your qualifications; your passion for psychology should shine through alongside your understanding of the field. That means going beyond generic statements to tailoring your comments to the specific program you’re applying to. Also, you want to give insights into your unique interests in psychology (don’t merely repeat what everybody else is likely to say).
Admissions committees also want to know how their program fits into your long-term career plans. This kind of rational thinking about your future shows you have put considerable thought into your ideal journey. Be specific about what you hope to achieve post-graduation.
Link your career goals to the program's strengths—mention specific faculty members or research areas that align with your interests.
So, what does this look like in practice? Here are a few specific do’s and don’ts:
Do:
Get into the specifics of your academic background, research experience, and career aspirations. Look for things that single you out as unique. It’s important they see you as an individual candidate.
Research the faculty members and mention specific professors whose research aligns with your interests.
Don’t:
Don’t rely on generic statements like "I just want to help people." Instead, focus on how you’ll contribute to the field. Elaborate on your professional goals instead of relying on tired cliches.
Don’t submit a boilerplate personal statement for multiple schools—tailor each one.
Gathering Letters of Recommendation
Strong letters of recommendation come from those who know you well and can speak to your various attributes:
Academic ability
Work ethic
Potential as a graduate student
Enthusiasm for the field
As such, professors, research supervisors, or internship mentors are ideal choices. Avoid asking family members or anyone who doesn’t have firsthand knowledge of your professional qualifications.
Also, remember that you’re imposing on their time. To ensure a strong recommendation, help them along. Provide your recommenders with all the necessary materials (such as your resume and a draft of your personal statement) to make their job easier. Your personal statement, in particular, will indicate to them the things you wish to focus on.
Do:
Ask them well in advance and provide clear instructions.
Offer to meet with your recommenders to discuss your goals. This can lead to more personalized, genuine letters.
Provide your recommenders with a bullet-point summary of your accomplishments to make their job easier.
Ask the people if they would be willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation. If they cannot do that, then you will want to ask someone else.
Don’t:
Don’t wait until the last minute, which can result in rushed or generic letters. They probably have boilerplates to rely on - you don’t want them to use them!
Don’t assume that anyone who’s taught you is automatically a great choice—pick those who truly know your work ethic and passion. In this way, a valuable recommendation is someone who knows you best, not somebody with greater prestige.
Don’t forget to send a thank you note after they’ve written you a letter. Not only is this a nice thing to do, but you want to continue to build on these relationships as you progress in your career.
Preparing for the GRE
You’ll need to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for most psychology graduate programs. You should plan to take the GRE at least six months before application deadlines, giving yourself enough time to retake it if necessary (don’t worry, many need to take it more than once).
Make sure to study not just for the general GRE but also for the Psychology Subject Test if your program requires it.
If your GRE score isn’t as high as you’d like, it’s worth retaking the test. Many schools consider the highest scores from multiple attempts. Use online resources or prep courses to strengthen areas where you need improvement.
This article isn’t comprehensive advice on taking the GRE test - there are plenty of sources for advice on this elsewhere. We just want to reiterate two points:
Give yourself enough time
Don’t fret about taking it more than once.
Do:
Make a solid study plan. It’s a comprehensive exam, by no means easy, no matter how academically gifted you are.
Use online practice tests to familiarise yourself with the format.
Don’t:
Panic if your score isn’t perfect. Many students improve on their second attempt.
Navigating the Application Process
As you navigate the application process, you’ll need to pay attention to strict deadlines for submissions. This may include different deadlines for GRE scores, recommendation letters, and personal statements.
Do your due diligence here. Create a timeline for any program you’re applying for. Set reminders to avoid missing any critical deadlines.
Do:
Create a checklist with each school’s application requirements and deadlines.
Customise each application by mentioning specific faculty or research labs.
Take time to proofread every application to ensure it’s error-free. Have somebody else look over it, too, since we are often biased about our own writing!
Don’t:
Submit applications at the last minute. Start early to avoid mistakes.
Apply to programs just for their status or rankings. Focus on finding the best fit for your career goals.
Forget to double-check you’ve added all the required attachments.
Preparing for Interviews
Many psychology graduate programs require interviews as part of the application process. This is especially true for clinical and counselling psychology tracks.
In these interviews, be prepared to discuss and expand upon everything you wrote in your application. This underlines the importance of being truthful to yourself in documents such as your personal statement. You should be able to speak naturally on these subjects.
Approach the interview as a conversation where you can demonstrate not only your knowledge but also your interpersonal skills—an essential quality in psychology. Practice answering common interview questions, such as “Why do you want to pursue a career in psychology?” and “What do you see as your greatest strengths and weaknesses?”
And don’t forget, it’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous. Interviews can be long, multi-person processes that take time and effort on your part. It’s okay to be nervous, and it shows you aren’t complacent.
Do:
Research your interviewer (if possible) ahead of time so you can ask thoughtful, relevant questions.
Dress professionally, even for virtual interviews, to leave a positive impression.
Be authentic in your responses and let your passion for the field come through. Again, your personal statement should be a useful foundation here.
Don’t:
Over-prepare at the risk of sounding insincere or robotic in your answers.
Forget to consider how you might answer common questions. You don’t want pre-prepared answers, but you also don’t want to be caught off guard.
Avoid asking questions. This is your opportunity to engage with the interviewer, direct the conversation where you want it to go, and show your genuine enthusiasm for the program.
Supplementing Your Application
Before you even begin to craft your personal statement or gather recommendations, it’s worth considering how you can bolster your application with tangible, meaningful experiences.
Graduate programs in psychology are competitive, so they often look for candidates with more than just good grades. They value real-world experience and a proactive commitment to psychological practice.
Engaging in voluntary work, shadowing, or participating in research programs can strengthen your application and help you stand out.
These experiences strengthen your application and have other benefits, such as clarifying your future path. You might develop an unexpected passion for a field of study. You also gain valuable insights from potential mentors, seeing their work day in and day out.
Do:
Start early to give yourself enough time to pursue meaningful opportunities.
Choose experiences aligned with your career goals or areas of interest if you can define these at this stage.
Reflect on any experiences you have. This step is important so you can articulate their significance in your application.
Don’t:
Don’t overcommit yourself to the point of burnout. Focus on quality over quantity.
Don’t assume that all experience is good experience. Seek out opportunities that you know are relevant to your future plans and will be valuable as part of the application process.
Don’t forget to really make the most of your experiences. Develop relationships during your volunteering/research/shadowing. Connections with supervisors or peers could be invaluable for future opportunities. It will also make the work easier!
Final Thoughts on Preparing for Grad School Psychology
Applying to graduate school in psychology is all about putting the best ‘you’ forward. To come across as a standout candidate, you need to:
Craft a compelling personal statement
Gather strong recommendations
Prepare for and perform well on the GRE
Nail those interviews
Ensuring you know the why of your application is a key supplementary factor in your application that provides the cherry on the cake of your demonstrable abilities.
Once accepted, be sure to plan for both the logistical and mental demands of graduate school. Graduate school is not just about getting in—it’s about finding the right fit for your career goals and interests.
The Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) offers a wealth of resources to support you on your journey.
From professional development opportunities to networking with seasoned psychologists, we’re committed to helping you build a successful career in mental health. Explore our comprehensive guides, tools, and expert advice designed specifically for aspiring mental health professionals.