School Psychology

[psychstu]

Hello All!

I was wondering if anyone who has been accepted into PhD programs for School Psych straight from undergrad would mind sharing what they had as far as admissions variables (GRE, GPA, Research Experience, Work/Volunteer, Publications/Presentations, etc.).

I'd just like to hear what successful applicants did specifically in order to be accepted. I have looked at websites and seen the mean scores, etc, but I am still curious.

I feel well-qualified but then again get hit with paranoia every now and then because I don't know anyone else applying for School Psych PhD programs.

Thanks in advance!

[TheDude]

I've followed this for a year. I am applying to Ph.D., Educational Psych programs. I think inevitably the kinds of programs we both apply to will be comparable, at least from what I have gathered from past threads. My personality is antithetical to the, "let's square up" mindset that will no doubt permeate this place in a few months....but you asked.

GPA (Maj/Psych): 3.59 (Cum laude), 3.79 Psych 3.9 last 2 years

Research: 3 years research heavy involvement on all levels (i.e., not just a data collector)

2600$ fellowship for independent research study

2 symposium lectures at college for research completed

4 conferences with 4 posters first author (3 regional, 1 national)...maybe a biannual global conference if it pans out in time for CV.

1 paper definitely in route for publication (peer-reviewed in respected journal), co authored, listed second because I don't own the lab! Did all the work, a lot of the stat analyses, a lot of the writing of the manuscript and designed the study scheme.

2nd paper idea is within site of being written by September or October. I'd call it highly probable.

*new research idea that is unique in the literature with a unique analyses, probably not going to get this done when the application process picks up, but it will give me lots of great interview ideas.

LoR: 2 professors asked me if they could write me a letter so those will be great. The last one will be from the department chair...historically hard class that I aced. This will be a so so letter.

GRE: Unknown. I expect this to be the weakest part of my application. I'm studying like mad, but also working a job and doing research. I expect to make program cut offs at 1200, but I'm not expecting to have a 1400 or 1500 score.

I think my overall GPA is a little low compared to those who applied to top programs. I was a major in the arts and have some questionable scores in things like "big band arranging!" I think I'll be able to explain those away. I think my grade trends are where they need to be. My research experience is solid and seems to be above and beyond what I saw from most posting here last year. My GRE is the wild card. I took a year off from school to finish research. I am constantly thinking the test is the theoretical "end game" for me. So I'm psyching myself out in advance. I expect to be above cut offs, but nothing stellar. I think I have enough other things in my CV to make up for it....especially if I target great fits. Other quirks...I'm not Psi Chi because I think it is a rip off and I didn't do any clubs other than psych club for a year.

Hope that helps. I know it wasn't exactly what you asked for but I tried to put it within the context of what I saw here last year.

Hello All!

I was wondering if anyone who has been accepted into PhD programs for School Psych straight from undergrad would mind sharing what they had as far as admissions variables (GRE, GPA, Research Experience, Work/Volunteer, Publications/Presentations, etc.).

I'd just like to hear what successful applicants did specifically in order to be accepted. I have looked at websites and seen the mean scores, etc, but I am still curious.

I feel well-qualified but then again get hit with paranoia every now and then because I don't know anyone else applying for School Psych PhD programs.

Thanks in advance!

Edited July 1, 2010 by musicforfun

[psychstu]

I've followed this for a year. I am applying to Ph.D., Educational Psych programs. I think inevitably the kinds of programs we both apply to will be comparable, at least from what I have gathered from past threads. My personality is antithetical to the, "let's square up" mindset that will no doubt permeate this place in a few months....but you asked.

GPA (Maj/Psych): 3.59 (Cum laude), 3.79 Psych 3.9 last 2 years

Research: 3 years research heavy involvement on all levels (i.e., not just a data collector)

2600$ fellowship for independent research study

2 symposium lectures at college for research completed

4 conferences with 4 posters first author (3 regional, 1 national)...maybe a biannual global conference if it pans out in time for CV.

1 paper definitely in route for publication (peer-reviewed in respected journal), co authored, listed second because I don't own the lab! Did all the work, a lot of the stat analyses, a lot of the writing of the manuscript and designed the study scheme.

2nd paper idea is within site of being written by September or October. I'd call it highly probable.

*new research idea that is unique in the literature with a unique analyses, probably not going to get this done when the application process picks up, but it will give me lots of great interview ideas.

LoR: 2 professors asked me if they could write me a letter so those will be great. The last one will be from the department chair...historically hard class that I aced. This will be a so so letter.

GRE: Unknown. I expect this to be the weakest part of my application. I'm studying like mad, but also working a job and doing research. I expect to make program cut offs at 1200, but I'm not expecting to have a 1400 or 1500 score.

I think my overall GPA is a little low compared to those who applied to top programs. I was a major in the arts and have some questionable scores in things like "big band arranging!" I think I'll be able to explain those away. I think my grade trends are where they need to be. My research experience is solid and seems to be above and beyond what I saw from most posting here last year. My GRE is the wild card. I took a year off from school to finish research. I am constantly thinking the test is the theoretical "end game" for me. So I'm psyching myself out in advance. I expect to be above cut offs, but nothing stellar. I think I have enough other things in my CV to make up for it....especially if I target great fits. Other quirks...I'm not Psi Chi because I think it is a rip off and I didn't do any clubs other than psych club for a year.

Hope that helps. I know it wasn't exactly what you asked for but I tried to put it within the context of what I saw here last year.

Thanks! I was just trying to see 'averages' and so forth.

[TheDude]

I know. The problem is this place is like a clearing house once people get accepted. Some of them will come back and post but many will just fade off into the hustle and bustle of grad school.

If you do thread searches you'll find lots of this kind of stuff. The big thing I noticed, which was obvious, was once you meet a programs minimum requirements (often listed on their site) you are almost assured your application gets looked at. From that point it is about the intangibles like your research experience and fit with a program's research program. When you are targeting schools keep that in mind over what is the top program. I think in a bad economy with applicants up and funding down you play your best hand that way.

Thanks! I was just trying to see 'averages' and so forth.

Edited July 2, 2010 by musicforfun