To become a professional psychologist, you must go to a graduate school in psychology. You must obtain the M. A. degree, the Ph. D., or the Psy. D. The trouble is that, at present, there are many more students wanting to go to the "better known" graduate schools than there are openings in these schools. As a result, graduate schools can be quite selective. Remember, however, that while the "better known" graduate schools are difficult to get into, there is a possibility that one of the "lesser known" graduate schools may have an opening just for you. If you're sure that psychology is what you want, then consider some of the "lesser knowns." All in all, if you send applications to many schools and if your record is good, you have a reasonable chance of getting in somewhere. To learn more about the range of opportunity for graduate study you should obtain a copy of Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields published by the American Psychological Association. This book includes descriptions of nearly every graduate program in the United States and Canada, and is the single best resource of information needed by students wishing to apply to graduate schools.

Grades

Graduate schools look for good undergraduate grades. However, good grades are only impressive when they come in rigorous courses. Generally, therefore, you should think in terms of courses in biology, physiology, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, math, chemistry, physics, computer science, etc.

GRE Scores

Graduate schools also require that you take and do well in the Graduate Records Examinations (GRE's). These tests are administered at Oakland. They are in four parts, verbal, quantitative, analytic, and specialty (psychology). Graduate schools consider the verbal and quantitative parts to be the most important. How to maximize your performance on the GRE? You will do well on the verbal part if you are an avid reader. Simply memorizing list of words just prior to taking the GRE is not nearly as useful as reading "The Classics," looking up vocabulary words, and subsequently finding some way to use them in conversation. Although the GRE purports to be an aptitude test your score on the quantitative section will probably be higher if you have recently taken one or more mathematics courses. Your performance on the psychology part will be improved if you have taken a wide range of psychology courses, sampling from all areas (Basic Processes, Developmental, Social, and Personality and Individual Differences), and if you reread a good introductory textbook during the months prior to the test. Moreover, you might give serious consideration to participating in one of the GRE preparation courses available at Oakland University.

Be aware that "grade inflation" has caused many graduate schools to put a greater emphasis on GRE scores. Although grades are certainly important, there is no way for a graduate school to know how each professor from different universities grade students' work. Even within your own program at Oakland University, professors grade differently and/or place emphasis on different knowledge and skills. As a result, many graduate schools become concerned about "grade inflation" and unknown grading standards among faculty across the nation. Therefore, many graduate schools place a GREATER emphasis on GRE scores.

Research

Graduate schools in psychology also look at you more favorably if you have done some research yourself, or if you have participated in a research project. Thus, it is essential that you become involved in a faculty member's research project. The longer you are involved the more likely it will be that you will become an active collaborator as well as learning many valuable research techniques, and perhaps even the opportunity to make a presentation at a professional conference or to be a contributor on a published manuscript. Becoming a research assistant to a faculty member is absolutely the best way to get a good, strong, letter of recommendation. Graduate schools tend to give high regard to earning of honors. See Honors Work for a description of the criteria that have to be met to earn honors. Graduate schools are also impressed by a good record of "experience."

Letters of Recommendation

All graduate schools also require at least three letters of recommendation. Admission committees weigh these letters heavily. We, as faculty, write a large number of these letters each year. Some are easy to write; these are for students we know something about. Some are difficult to write; these are for students we hardly know. Our advice is that you take part in whatever activities you can around the department, especially research activities, and get to know at least a few faculty members. Most are willing to get to know you. As mentioned above, the best way to get a good letter is to become a research assistant.

Personal Statement

Most applications to graduate schools require a personal statement. This statement should articulate your interests and experiences in psychology, your personal background, and the rationale for applying to a particular graduate program. A well written statement is an important part of your application, but note that it will not offset  poor grades or low GRE scores.

Recommended Courses

What follows are a few suggestions meant to help you to select efficiently from our course offerings. First are our most specific recommendations. They apply whether you are planning to go into a Masters or a doctoral program. They apply whichever specialization within psychology you may wish to pursue, be it Experimental, Clinical, Social, Developmental, Industrial, etc. Following these specific recommendations the various special areas of psychology are discussed and further suggestions are given for each specialty.

Should you like additional information about preparing for and getting into graduate school, please attend our Graduate School Workshop that is offered Winter Semester each year. Look for an announcement in the departmental newsletter PsychMatters .

Recommendations for all Students Thinking of Graduate School in Psychology

The following courses are strongly recommended for all: