Suggested schedule of things you can do now to prepare for the future

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Sophomore Year

• After completing many of the basic liberal arts requirements in the first year of college, work on basic psychology major requirements, including laboratory and science courses. Become acquainted with several faculty members in the department.
• Investigate various career choices
• Explore volunteer opportunities and internships.
• Make contact with faculty members who research interests you.  Join their labs to gain research experience.
• Investigate departmental honors, Psi Chi, etc.

Junior Year

• Continue, and try to complete, basic requirements, particularly Psychological Methods and Statistics I and II (PSY 2223 and 2224).
• Begin research with faculty and continue throughout junior year (Independent Studies).
• Think about letter of recommendation sources. That is, ask research supervisors and professors about the nature of their requirements for such a letter.
• Draft a resume. Consult faculty and Career Services.
• Do fieldwork if interested in clinical or counseling psychology (including volunteer work).
• Begin work on a paper for possible publication or presentation (start in spring of junior year).
• Join American Psychological Association as student member. http://www.apa.org/
• Begin to investigate prospective graduate programs (consult with faculty and use library resources).
• Network with people working in jobs that appeal to you.

Summer Between Junior and Senior Years

• Obtain study guide for the GRE and begin studying. Take the general GRE in the summer (this wil allow you the chance to re-take it in the Fall, if necessary).
• Investigate the current issue of APA’s Graduate Study in Psychology and Associated Fields (available in the Psychology Department office) and look at the websites of programs that interest you to learn more and locate application materials.  Do a great deal of research on various schools to come up with a list that will meet your needs (consult with your adviser).
• From research work, write paper(s) for publication or presentation.

Senior Year

• Complete, as much as possible, all requirements, research, and fieldwork by December; continue the research and fieldwork, however, because they may be helpful later on.
• SEPTEMBER: Register to take the Fall GRE, if necessary.
• Begin requesting letters of recommendation and do it early so that Professors have enough time.
• Through application materials, find out about any additional requirements or tests needed by individual programs. Have the registrar send your transcripts to the graduate programs.  You may need to take the Psychology GRE in the Fall (depends upon the schools).
• NOVEMBER: Have letters of intent/personal statement written and a polished resume completed. (Have a faculty member or adviser check them for grammar, spelling, and content.)
• DECEMBER: Present research paper at one of the many undergraduate research conferences in the mid-Atlantic area.
• Submit applications.  Verify that all materials have been received before the deadline.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Most graduate schools and many employers will expect you to provide letters of recommendation to support your application. Here are a few tips:

   1. Identify faculty and employers who know you well and can write knowledgeably about your work, activities, and strengths. Ask them if they will write letters when the time comes.
   2. Once you have identified the people who have agreed to write letters provide each of them with a packet that includes:
      a. a list of the letters to be written including names, addresses, and deadlines.
      b. a resume that highlights your work and activities during the past few years.
      c. a list of accomplishments and interests that might be highlighted in their letters.
      d. any required forms.
      e. envelopes with postage and mailing instructions (to you or directly to the addressee).
   3. Remind your recommenders a few weeks before the deadline.
   4. Check with schools or employers to verify that letters have arrived.
   5. Write thank you notes to your recommenders and keep them informed when you have been accepted or hired.