What are top graduate schools in psychology looking for?

[psych-maybe]

What ranges of GRE scores and GPA are acceptable?

Do you think someone who attains the average GPA (3.4-3.5) at a top 10 undergraduate institution stands a chance at admission to graduate programs like Stanford?

[LJK]

Wisconsin at Madison (Top 10) puts up their GPA/GRE statistics: http://glial.psych.wisc.edu/index.php/psychgradprospective/183

But on this board, the most common theme amongst psychology (and other disciplines as well) hopefuls is 'fit'. The departments want high statistics but more importantly they want engaged students who are excited about the research they are doing-these are the people who finish and get good jobs. In order to get these students, they need there to be a clear research interest fit between a professor and the student.

A good GPA from a top university will not hurt your application, but without knowing what your research interests are, which professor(s) at Stanford you are interested in working with, etc. no one can really tell you about chances.

When describing this process to family and friends who haven't gone through it, I compare it to applying for jobs (which in a way it is not just a metaphor). In Psychology you are looking to work in a lab. The lab(s) you are interested in a particular school may have only one opening this year, or maybe competing with other labs to have even one slot. If you are a generically stellar applicant statistically but are applying for a job as a mechanic when you are clearly more qualified to be an accountant, people are going to distrust your resolve to have a career as a mechanic. If they put the time in to train you are you going to take off because you didn't really like it? The same goes with psych labs, great statistics get you noticed but if you are interested in attention but applying to work with someone who works on language, why would they choose you over someone who clearly is interested in language? My understanding is the most important thing is fit and being able to effectively demonstrate that fit to your POIs.

Edited November 30, 2010 by LJK

[cogneuroforfun]

Definitely fit and research experience are more important than GPA or GRE, although all need to be excellent for Stanford psychology. Of the places I looked at, Duke (http://gradschool.duke.edu/about/statistics/admitpsy.htm) and Arizona (http://psychology.arizona.edu/programs/g_each.php?option=9) both list applicant statistics. That may give you some idea of good to great program expectations, along with Wisconsin's as the previous poster linked. But you need to focus much more on research, especially if you have a year or more left in undergrad and can do something about it.