Applying to Ph.D. programs

1. Applying to Ph.D. programs CBS Proseminar Topic Fall 2007

2. Applying after a Master’s program • Similar to applying after BA, but some differences • Not just coursework • Your research projects • Thesis - demonstration of your ability to • Conduct original research • Present written results • Other research experiences • Other professional development experiences • Use your master’s experience to build a focus within an area • Ph.D. programs aren’t the place to decide what you want to do

3. Applying Check list • Finish the thesis • Keep your vita updated • Prepare your list of schools • Consider retaking your GRE • Prepare your list of references • Visit the school • Write your statement of purpose • Apply - don’t miss the deadlines!

4. 1. Finish the Thesis • Good idea to have at least your proposal done when applying • Finish the Master’s before starting the Ph.D. program • May not let you in until you do • Hard to finish the master’s with all of the new work

5. 2. Update your vita See handout on making vita • Keep track of all of your professionally related experiences • All presentations (posters, talks, papers) • Specialized training (workshops, lab experiences, etc.) • Teaching experience • Update regularly • Get in the habit of checking on a monthly basis

6. 3. Prepare your list of programs • How many? • I recommend several (with a range of difficulty) • Which? • Match with advisor • Their research interests • Their prestige, willingness to publish with students (empirical reports and book chapters) • Their recent graduates • Their current graduate students • Quality of the program • How do you tell? • Word of mouth, ratings, publications, resources ,grants • Money - how well are the graduate students paid?

7. 4. Consider retaking GRE • If you are unhappy with your scores take the tests again (hopefully grad school will have helped) • Check out the schools that you are applying to. • Often they list average GRE scores of applicants

8. 5. Prepare your list of references • Who do you pick? • Thesis committee chair • People who know your research skills • People who know your teaching skills • People who know people at the prospective program • What do you give your references? • Written statement • Vita • Organized packet including all the letter forms, clear deadlines, etc

9. 6. Visit the school • Why is it important? • Meet with your future advisor • Meet with your future graduate student peers • Demonstrate your initiative • Put a face to the name on the application • See the resources available to students • Get a “feel” of the place • Make a virtual visit, send an e-mail to potential advisors • Sometimes they’ll pay for your visit

10. 7. Write your statement of purpose • Spend time with this • Plan on several drafts • Get people (especially faculty) to look it over • Customize: tailor at least part of the statement to the people/place that you are applying to • Keep it relatively brief (don’t go over the space allotted) • Proofread (don’t let them read your mistakes) • Things to focus on • Your research experiences • Your goals/plans in the profession

11. 8. Apply • Don’t miss the deadlines! • Allow plenty of extra time for letters, GRE scores, etc. to get there

12. List of 15 things evaluated 9.Application materials indicate that applicant paid considerable attention to assessing a "match' 10. Applicant is the sole author of a paper presented at an undergraduate research conference. 11. Applicant was a research assistant as an undergraduate. 12. Applicant is a "self-starter" (according to recommenders). 13. Applicant was a junior author of paper at APA, APS or a large regional association convention. 14. Applicant won a departmental award in a research paper competition. 15 Applicant is highly motivated to achieve (according to recommenders). • Applicant is listed as a senior author of a research article. • Applicant is sole author on a paper at convention. • Applicant has a letter from a prominent mentor. • Applicant's personal statement reveals a sustained and focused interest in an area appropriate to your program. • Applicant has earned a junior authorship on a research article • Applicant is in the top 5 % of the graduating class. • Applicant writes very well. • Applicant includes a research paper in submitted application package that is relevant to your program focus.

13. After you are in • Assuming you are accepted to more than one • Enjoy - now they’re fighting over you • Visit (especially if you haven’t already) • Ask questions 1 How would you describe student-faculty relations in your graduate program? 2 Is your potential advisor friendly? What's he or she like? 3 Where have recent graduates of the program recently been employed? 4 Are students in the program publishing? Where have they published? 5 Are students expected to buy their own computers, or are there enough computers available in the campus laboratories to get work done there? 6 What do students do for fun? 7 How many students in the program are married? How many are single? 8 How expensive is it to live in the area?

14. Things to avoid doing • Giving recommenders little lead time • Not doing background work on programs and potential advisors • Not considering financial concerns • Not letting somebody read your personal statement

15. Useful resources • http://www.psychgrad.org/ • http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Flats/5353/classes/gradschool.html • http://online.sfsu.edu/~mgriffin/consider.html • http://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/getArticle.cfm?id=1439 • http://www.hds.harvard.edu/careers/tipsheets/phdfaqs.html