Clinical Psychology Schools Degree Program Admissions Tips

Clinical Psychology School Admission Tips

Completing your graduate school studies in psychology is a prerequisite for pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. There are many myths about applying and getting into graduate school and the application process may seem daunting. But, with an early start and simple preparation, you’ll be enrolled in a graduate school before you know it.

First of all, breathe; it’s going to be okay. Take time to research your undergraduate and graduate clinical psychology school choices to find the types of programs that match your interests and future career goals. Requesting information from graduate or professional schools provides you with the best and most current source of information about the nature of each program and its admission requirements.

Graduate School Applications

Here are key ingredients to a successful graduate school application:

• Request extra copies of undergraduate transcripts and test scores
• Prepare a professional resume
• Request letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors
• Work part-time in an psychologist’s office—this is useful for gaining an understanding of the profession and for obtaining professional letters of recommendation
• Take your time in writing application essays
• Complete financial aid forms
• Complete graduate school application forms
• Prepare for and take the GRE

Remember you’re not alone. To keep you focused and centered throughout the application process, discuss your plans with a school counselor, undergraduate advisor or professional mentor. Apply to a number of programs that offer you a reasonable chance of acceptance.

Graduate Record Examinations® (GRE)

The GRE® General Test measures critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.

The GRE® consists of two separate tests: the General Test and the Subject Test in psychology.

• The General Test is composed of three parts: verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. The verbal and the quantitative tests each yield a separate score between 200-800.
• The Subject Test, required by only some programs, measures knowledge of psychological concepts that are essential to graduate study; it also yields a score of from 200-800.

To ensure that you score as high as you can, it is essential to prepare for the GRE®. There are many online resources and guide books available on the market that will help you prepare. Also, there are many companies which offer test preparation courses led by trained instructors.

Register to Take the Computerized Exam

You should plan to take the test in November, so if you don’t do well for some reason, you can always take it again in December. Keep in mind that both sets of scores will be reported to the clinical psychology schools to which you apply, unless you cancel your scores. And while cancelling your scores after taking the computerized General Test can be done, it must be done before you know your scores!

You will receive your unofficial test scores on the General Test - taken on computer - as soon as you complete the test; official scores will be sent to you and to the institutions to which you will be applying within 10-to-15 days after the test. Scores for the Subject Test are usually reported about 6 weeks after you take the test.

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