Guide to Getting Into Graduate School > What do graduate schools look for in applications

Academics

Graduate school admissions committees assess intellectual ability in a variety of ways. Reviewers have indicated that they look for applicants who can demonstrate:

• Psychologically-oriented experience
• Schools want to see that you've participated in research projects with faculty members. If you're interested in a clinical or counseling degree, schools love to see prior experience like working in a counseling center.
• Great letters of recommendation
• High intellectual/scholarly ability
• Schools want to see good GRE scores, grades in rigorous math and science courses as well as upper level Psychology courses, a well-written statement of intent, and strong letters of recommendation.
• Creativity and originality
• Measured by reviewing the applicant's vita/resume, letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and research or scholarly work.
• Strong knowledge of area of study
• Measured by reviewing the GRE Psychology sub-test score (if required), grades in core Psychology courses, letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and evidence of research or scholarly work.
• Capability of analytical thought
• Schools are most interested in competitive scores on the analytical section of the GRE (scores well over 500 are viewed most favorably), evidence of research experience, and strong letters of recommendation.
• Broad general knowledge
• Measured by reviewing the applicant's transcript and GRE scores.
• Research skills
• Graduate committees are particularly interested in evidence of undergraduate research done with a faculty member, particularly one who wrote a letter of recommendation. It helps to have good grades in statistics and research methods classes, evidence of publications and/or presentations of research.
• Writing skills
• Measured by reviewing statement of intent, scores on the writing section of the GRE, evidence of publications or presentations of research, grades in writing courses.
• Speaking skills
• This is evaluated closely during interviews, if an interview is given. It is also measured by reviewing letters of recommendation, evidence of presentations, evidence of experience developing speaking skills (e.g. teaching assistant, peer advisor, student leader, etc.).

Personality

Admissions committees also assess an applicant's personal characteristics, acquired skills, and scholarly behavior. The following characteristics, skills, and behaviors are looked for most often in applicants to graduate school:

• Motivated and hard working
• By reviewing letters of recommendation, grades, work history, and evidence of co-curricular experiences pursued (e.g. working in a lab doing research, volunteering in the community, internships in a related area, social and academic club involvement, etc.), graduate school applications committees verify that you are motivated enough to complete a graduate-level education.
• Emotionally stable and mature
• By reviewing letters of recommendation, statement of intent, and in some cases an interview, graduate application committees are looking for qualities that show you are able to meet the emotionally demanding aspects of a graduate school education. Schools want to be sure that students will be able to handle the stresses and be able to work well with other students/faculty during stressful times.
• Teaching skills/potential
• Measured by reviewing letters of recommendation, evidence of teaching or advising experience. Almost all graduate students are expected to become a Teaching Assistant for an undergraduate classroom at some point in their graduate career. Additionally, many graduates end up teaching and researching in academia.
• Works well with others
• Measured by reviewing letters of recommendation, evidence of leadership or involvement in student organizations.
• Strong character or integrity
• Letters of recommendation should highlight your strong character. Psychology has recently come under fire due to a few professors who faked research data, and so applicants with a history of plagiarism or poor character will most likely have a very difficult time getting into a graduate program.
• Special skills (e.g. computer or lab)
• Measured by reviewing statement of intent, evidence of lab or computer work in research and presentations. Special skills bring diversity within a graduate population.
• Intellectually independent
• By reviewing letters of recommendation and your statement of intent, schools assess how good you are good at synthesizing information and coming up with original ideas.
• Possesses leadership ability
• Measured by reviewing letters of recommendation, evidence of leadership experiences, involvement in the department.
• Mentally and physically healthy
• Graduate school is demanding. Being mentally and physically healthy will help you cope better with a stressful environment.