">
By Sheridan Salter
Before any student spends the time and effort applying to grad schools in psychology, some soul-searching needs to be done to determine if they're pursuing the right degree in the first place. Many students think they know -- but have no idea -- about the level of scholastic work that is required throughout grad school. Graduate school is not Undergrad 2.0. And for a lot of reasons, it is really not a good idea to apply to grad school because you cannot find employment or have no other idea what to do with your life.
Ph.D. programs are research-intensive. The goal of graduate study is not to simply consume knowledge, but to create it. Therefore, Ph.D. students spend quite a lot of time reading tons of academic journal articles, discussing journal articles, and critiquing journal articles in preparation for designing research that will eventually be featured in journal articles. Did I forget to mention the importance of journal articles?
You won't only just be reading, but you'll be doing a heck of a lot of statistical analysis. Hand in hand with creating original research is statistical analysis. Gotta find out those stunning results, right? You might not ever get to the point of loving statistics, but you must definitely master stats. (And I assure you, there are indeed more than your fair share of statistical geeks in psychology.) You and SPSS will become good friends over the course of 5-6 years of graduate study. Even if you plan on enrolling in a Ph.D program in Clinical Psychology, you will have to become a stats guru. (Or at least master the particular statistical method you will be using).
The very first step to get into a doctoral program in psychology is to figure out if this is indeed the right educational path for you. If the mere thought of a career dealing with the ins and outs statistics sounds like a nightmare, then I urge you to reconsider applying to Ph.D. programs in the first place. If psychology is still your intended career, there are definitely other career paths than the research-intensive doctoral program route. But if you're pretty good with stats, then you're already on the fast track to getting into a top ranked Ph.D. program in psychology.
If this has been helpful and you'd like to learn more, please visit: Get into grad school.
Visit the definitive source on information on applying to Ph.D. programs in psychology: Applying to graduate school
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheridan_Salter
http://EzineArticles.com/?Know-What-Youre-Getting-Into-When-You-Go-For-Your-PhD!&id=3015035
Considering a PhD Program? Not Before You Answer These Questions!
By Sheridan Salter
Make the Right Choice in Identifying Prospective Ph.D. Programs
The decision to go to graduate school is a serious endeavor. Choosing which graduate programs to apply to is another fraught with anxiety for many applicants. Will I choose the right program for me? How do I know which program is right for me? Will this program give me the tools that I need for my future career?
Here is a list of questions to ask before you make a decision to attend a particular Ph.D. program.
When you consider that graduate school may be a turning point in your professional career, you owe it to yourself to seek out the answers to these questions to identify the right program for you. How to get these questions answered? A simple Google search, emailing professors, or conducting a campus visit may be the best route.
Questions to Ask to Figure Out the Right Grad Program for You
* How many applicants are accepted?
* How long will it take you to complete the program?
* What size is the program? Will you feel comfortable in a small or large setting?
* Are the institution and the program accredited?
* How much will the program cost? What financial aid is available?
* Does the department's specialization match your goals?
* How are faculty advisors assigned/selected? Will you have a choice of who your major advisor will be?
* How accomplished are the professors in your area? What are their research interests and how available will they be?
* Does the faculty exhibit special strengths and research qualities through their graduate advisees, published works and funded research?
* Are the current students happy? Do they appear to be good colleagues?
* Are the graduates of the school/program sought by recruiters?
* What are your employment opportunities after graduation?
* Are the faculty and student body diverse? Diversity in a program can make it stronger, since diversity leads to a broader world view.
Some of these questions may be obvious, but others are decidedly less intuitive. For example, I think one of the strongest questions is "Are the current students happy? Do they appear to be good colleagues?"
If you visit an university graduate program and students appear unfocused, lacking guidance, and exhibit an overall unhappy vibe, you might want to consider whether there is something lacking in the program itself that is contributing to students' dispositions. Also, do the faculty members appear happy, motivated, and focused?
Completing a Ph.D. program is a serious undertaking that will require many years of concentrated study. Make sure you do the research beforehand to determine if you are choosing the best program for you!
If this has been helpful, please visit: Get into grad school
Visit the definitive source for how to get into Ph.D. programs in psychology: get into graduate school
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheridan_Salter
http://EzineArticles.com/?Considering-a-PhD-Program?-Not-Before-You-Answer-These-Questions!&id=3098679
