General Application Requirements
Application requirements for graduate school will vary depending on the institution you are applying to, as well as the type of graduate program you are applying for. If you have specific questions about a program’s application requirements, you should contact the program directly. Most graduate schools will require that you submit some, or all, of the following items when you apply.
Note: The information on this page is designed to provide an overview of what to expect when applying to graduate school in psychology. If you are seriously considering applying to graduate school, you should connect with a faculty member from the Department of Psychological Science or PSYC Advising as soon as possible.
Curriculum Vitae
Most graduate programs will require you to submit a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume with your other application materials. Traditionally, your CV will list your academic and professional accomplishments. Generally, the goal of a CV is to be as long a document as possible. Resumes highlight your skills, abilities, and employment history. A resume is often a shorter document, a summary, and may include statements like “Complete work history available upon request.”
Select the following links to view and download a curriculum vita sample.
Letters of Recommendation
Most often, graduate programs require 3 letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from people (e.g., professors, professionals) that know you well – the key phrase you should ask yourself – “can this person speak to my professional skills and abilities?” Even if you did well in a class, if you did not build rapport or a relationship with the professor, you should not ask them for a letter of recommendation.
You can find more information about what letters of recommendation are and how to ask for letters of recommendation on the Coursera website.
Personal Statement
The personal statement, sometimes referred to as the statement of purpose, should summarize your interest in a program, as well as your goals and ambitions. Graduate programs often specify what should be covered in your personal statement, and these requirements tend to vary from program to program. You may have to write and submit multiple versions of your personal statement to fulfill each program’s requirements.
Select the following links to view and download personal statement samples for Master’s, PhD, and PsyD programs.
- Master’s Program Personal Statement Sample 1
- Master’s Program Personal Statement Sample 2
- PhD Program Personal Statement Sample
- PsyD Program Personal Statement Sample
GRE Scores
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is used in graduate school admissions. Some graduate programs may require GRE scores to be submitted with your application. The exam is long (~4 hours), and will require several weeks of advance preparation.
Select the following links to access additional information about the GRE.
- Learn about GRE content and where to schedule a test in your area
- Prepare for the GRE with free and low-cost materials such as prep books, videos, and practice tests
- Learn about changes coming to the GRE in September 2023
Key Extracurricular Activities
Getting into graduate school is very competitive. Graduate programs often favor students who have completed extracurricular activities similar to those that you may engage in while in graduate school. For example, if you are leaning toward clinical or counseling psychology, they may give preference to students who have some sort of counseling experience (e.g., internship with a counselor, being a Psychology Advisor). Similarly, if you are seeking funding from the graduate program you are applying to, that funding will likely come in the form of a teaching assistantship (TA) or research assistantship (RA). At the bottom of this page you can find links to additional information regarding these key experiences including teaching assistantships, research assistantships, internships, and Psychology (Peer) Advising.
Learn More About Extracurricular Activities
Click on the tiles to access additional information about these key extracurricular activities.