Clinical Psychology Schools Admissions Tips

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 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

To keep you focused and centered throughout the application process, discuss your plans with a school counselor, undergraduate advisor or professional mentor.

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. The verbal and 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.

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 canceling your scores after taking the computerized General Test can be done, it must be done before you know your scores.

To take the computerized test you'll need to create an account online at MyGRE. You can also call the test center at 1-800-473-2255 or register by mail by downloading and completing the Authorization Voucher Request Form. Payment is due at the time you mail your request. If you register online or by phone you'll need to use an authorized credit card.