Are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in psychology?
GRE
(Graduate Record Examination)
>>Registering for the GRE
Visit the GRE website to find out how to
register (click here)
or contact the CSUDH Testing Office (243-3909, located in Welch Hall
A-210).
>>Studying for the GRE
You can take practice tests on your very own computer using GRE software; this will help you assess what areas you need to focus your studying on. Click here to download the free software and get access to more resources (including test-taking strategies) designed to prepare you for the GRE!
You can also take a GRE prep course (fees vary), some of which are offered as an online course. CSUDH offers a prep course through Extended Education.
In addition, there are various GRE prep books available (published by Barrons, Educational Testing Services, Princeton Review, etc.) that can be purchased online, at your local bookstore, or at the University bookstore. Most will usually include test software.
>>Studying for the GRE
You can take practice tests on your very own computer using GRE software; this will help you assess what areas you need to focus your studying on. Click here to download the free software and get access to more resources (including test-taking strategies) designed to prepare you for the GRE!
You can also take a GRE prep course (fees vary), some of which are offered as an online course. CSUDH offers a prep course through Extended Education.
In addition, there are various GRE prep books available (published by Barrons, Educational Testing Services, Princeton Review, etc.) that can be purchased online, at your local bookstore, or at the University bookstore. Most will usually include test software.
Selecting Graduate Programs
in Psychology---some useful resources for finding programs
>> Graduate Study in Psychology
(updated every year) is a book published by the American Psychological
Association (APA) which lists EVERY graduate program in psychology
across the United States. You can search by school, by state, or
by specific program! The book is available for purchase at
your local bookstore or online (apa.org). For your convenience, a
copy is also available for you to review, during office hours, in the
psychology computer lab (SBS A-240).
>>Thomsons-Petersons
has a great website designed to help you
identify potential graduate programs (identifiable by school name or by
program), petersons.com.
This website also has features on writing personal statements, taking
tests, and information on how to fund your graduate education!
Tips on Obtaining Letters of
Recommendation
>>In general, programs will usually request THREE letters of recommendation.
>>Be sure to ask your professor, mentor, employer, etc. weeks in advance (of your application deadline)! It's a good idea to ask at least three weeks in advance; never wait until the last minute! There are probably many other students who will be asking for letters at the same time you are.
>>Be sure to ask someone who knows you well, and can speak highly of your skills and your ability to excel in a graduate program. If you're not sure if the person is able to write you a good letter of recommendation, then ask them ahead of time if they think they know you well enough to write a letter for you.
>>Give them all the necessary information about the program you're applying to, the deadline, and where they need to send your letter.
>>Follow-up with your request again, before the deadline, just to make sure the letter has been sent. Be sure to THANK them for writng the letter for you!
>>In general, programs will usually request THREE letters of recommendation.
>>Be sure to ask your professor, mentor, employer, etc. weeks in advance (of your application deadline)! It's a good idea to ask at least three weeks in advance; never wait until the last minute! There are probably many other students who will be asking for letters at the same time you are.
>>Be sure to ask someone who knows you well, and can speak highly of your skills and your ability to excel in a graduate program. If you're not sure if the person is able to write you a good letter of recommendation, then ask them ahead of time if they think they know you well enough to write a letter for you.
>>Give them all the necessary information about the program you're applying to, the deadline, and where they need to send your letter.
>>Follow-up with your request again, before the deadline, just to make sure the letter has been sent. Be sure to THANK them for writng the letter for you!
Tips on Writing Personal Statements
>>It is extremely important that you give yourself plenty of time to work on your personal statement and to make as many revisions as are necessary.
>>Be sure to let other people read it (e.g. professor, friends, family) and ask them for honest feedback. The Student Development Center can read your personal statement and provide feedback for you as well.
>>Remember that you will need to tailor each statement/essay to each individual program that you are applying to. It is possible that each one will ask for something different. That means that you cannot use one generic statement for every program that you're applying to.
>>For more tips, please click here for an informative guide about writing personal statements prepared by Dr. L. Mark Carrier.
>>It is extremely important that you give yourself plenty of time to work on your personal statement and to make as many revisions as are necessary.
>>Be sure to let other people read it (e.g. professor, friends, family) and ask them for honest feedback. The Student Development Center can read your personal statement and provide feedback for you as well.
>>Remember that you will need to tailor each statement/essay to each individual program that you are applying to. It is possible that each one will ask for something different. That means that you cannot use one generic statement for every program that you're applying to.
>>For more tips, please click here for an informative guide about writing personal statements prepared by Dr. L. Mark Carrier.
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Contact L. Mark Carrier for questions regarding these web pages.
Last Updated 08/11/06