Before You Apply to Graduate Programs in Psychology: Knowing When You’re Ready and Gaining Postbaccalaureate Experiences

Abstract

This guide is intended to assist aspiring graduate school applicants interested in opportunities to gather information about potential careers in psychology. Instead of focusing on the differences between the various types of graduate programs (or the process of applying), the content herein focuses on the process of assessing one's personal interests while maximizing post-baccalaureate learning experiences. More specifically, this guide begins with a discussion of the often difficult decision regarding whether to take " time off " before applying to graduate school. Then, personal and professional development opportunities are reviewed, including volunteer positions, research assistant positions, and national conferences. I conclude with an autobiographical account of my own pre-and post-baccalaureate experiences. Do you want to go to graduate school to study psychology? If so, when? These extremely important decisions can be very difficult to consider for undergraduate students who are interested in psychology as a potential focus for their career. Unfortunately, little information is available to guide students through this difficult decision, and even less seems to be available to help students navigate the time between the receipt of their undergraduate degree and the time they decide to apply (i.e., " the post-baccalaureate years "). This chapter focuses on the process of assessing one's personal interests while maximizing post-baccalaureate learning experiences. First, it is important to think about whether to take " time off " from school before applying. Next, how does one get a " post-bacc " research job? Last, how can one use these years most effectively to help inform an application decision? Admittedly, this chapter is likely biased towards research-oriented options; however, most of the information may be relevant to students with more applied interests as well. Of course, before addressing each of these questions in detail, it is important to remind the reader that no single source of advice should be relied upon exclusively when making such difficult and personal decisions, including the advice in this chapter. Seek out information from people within your field of interest as well as from those who offer an outside perspective. Keep in mind during this process that opinions can sometimes be highly skewed and informants' levels of enthusiasm and conviction can unjustly bias your predictions of personal happiness. Collect perspectives, compare them to your own, and make decisions with the acknowledgement of individual differences. Given that the process of collecting perspectives and developing personal interests can take a substantial amount of time, it is recommended that students initiate the process early to make a well-informed decision about their choice of program and avoid taking multiple years off unnecessarily before applying to grad school. As an undergraduate, it is easy to become consumed by classes and avoid, or miss, additional opportunities to learn. However, time spent investigating the field before graduation will pay off in a more efficient decision-making process.