Making the Transition from Undergrad to Graduate School
advice from graduate students

" Check requirements to get into graduate school early and try to take as many required classes that apply to your major as an undergraduate. This will save you time and money!"

" If your not absolutely certain about what it is you want to specialize in graduate school, wait a year or two. I waited three years before returning to graduate school and I believe I was more committed and appreciative of what I had to do"

" Don't be competitive with your classmates--use each other as a support system"

" Graduate school is much more work.. people just need to be ready to move onward and upward so to speak"

" Be prepared for a lot of work and accept the fact that you have no extra time or social life!"

" Do take time to explore realities of career options. Graduate school is a time of focus and individual development whether intellectual or professional. Either way, there is sometimes a tendency to idealize and abstract personal needs and goals without actual connections to the 'shortcomings' of the practice"

" Realize it's a different world. In graduate school, you are expected to attend classes. If you miss a class, you miss a tremendous amount of work. Also in grad school, a lot of your learning comes from your experiences (i.e.: practicum experiences in actual school systems, administrations of psychological instruments, etc.) not just from what you learn in class and read in your texts. Graduate school involves learning on a higher level than in undergraduate"

" Read 'Getting In' from the American Psychological Association, talk to practicing school psychologists to find out what they do and read a copy of the National Association of School Psychologists summary about the profession--you can look at the NASP homepage: http://www.naspweb.org/"

" Be prepared to do considerably more reading and research. Learn to be organized if you are not. Carefully investigate graduate schools with the best deals on student tuition"

" Have a system of time management and task management practiced and prepared ahead of time. Have at least two or three free week days before the beginning of school where you may obtain items like ID cards, internet accounts and familiarize yourself with campus. Attend at least one professional conference in school psychology, education or psychiatry. There you can gain first hand experience of psychological/educational/medical debate, of systems and current issues in psychology and new frontiers in the social sciences. You may also gain a better understanding of the 'big picture' in psychology. When you look for housing, carefully consider your surroundings (relatively quiet, close to laundry), the commute to campus, availability of parking at school. Be sure you are in good health. Many of our immune systems took a beating from climate changes, stress and fall allergies"

" You must be organized and focused on the graduate program that you are about to take on. You also need to decide if you are going to be in school full time or part time and how you are going to finance your education and other living expenses"

" Think of graduate school as a job, rather than as school. In graduate school, students have much more control over how much they learn and are really expected to take initiative in their own learning, much like someone would do on the job. Students who may have done just enough to 'get by' in undergraduate may find that they have to delve a lot deeper into their work. Be prepared for the fact that graduate school is much more work and much less fun than undergraduate"

" One must make a firm commitment. Graduate school is much more demanding and introduces many new challenges and experiences. Individuals must be aware that graduate school has many rewards, but those rewards are not often immediate, calling for an incredible ability to delay gratification. Graduate school demands a 'higher class' of students, increasing the competition and requiring more dedication to completing multiple tasks. Those students who have well-established study habits will likely have an easier time adjusting to the demands"

" Be sure that graduate school is what you really want. Graduate school is a lot different from undergraduate school. You no longer sit passively in lecture halls, trying to absorb knowledge. You often become the teacher and are asked to teach a chapter to the class. Graduate school is more hands on and requires that you actually do the work. In school psychology, it is important to know what you are getting into. My advice is to spend some time with a school psychologist and make sure you like testing. Be sure you understand what the day to day life of a school psychologist is really like, before you start graduate school. It will make the whole experience more enjoyable and a better learning experience"

" Go with an open mind and confidence that if you have been accepted, you can do it"

" First and foremost, do not apply to graduate school until you are absolutely sure of what you want to do and that you are ready to do it"

" Visit the campus and become familiar with the academic, social and cultural institutions which might be a source of emotional or professional support. Before you arrive on campus, find out as much information as possible on where campus resources are located, such as libraries, computer facilities, dining halls, administrative buildings, etc. Also, try to speak with other graduate students and faculty members in your department about what they feel are the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Also, try to find out what your courses are going to look like and do a little background research in those subject areas. Try to join those professional organizations and subscribe to journals which support your long-term goals"

" First of all, do not believe the work is harder because it is not. There is just a lot more of it to do! Also, make sure that you do not lie on your applications to fit with a program. If you do not truly like the research of the professors, do not say you do. Be willing to make a commitment and make course work your top priority. Be confident, but not overconfident. Know exactly what type of psychologist you want to be before applying to the program"

" I taught for two years before going back to graduate school. For me, that was the best thing that I could have done. I understand why I am here and what I want to accomplish. Plus, I feel like my expectations are much more realistic as a result of my experiences"

" Don't sweat it. Just because you are going to graduate school, don't automatically think that it will be that much harder than undergraduate. I think given that it is your field and you enjoy those classes so much more, it makes it a lot easier"

" Use the time in graduate school to become aware of your own issues and to define your own values. They will inadvertently come out later in your career. Graduate school is the perfect time when you are learning new things anyway to get in touch with yourself as to what issues you have and what is really important to you. These are the things that will come out in the way you work with children, parents and teachers later on. I would also say take advantage of the resources afforded to you. Get to know the faculty on a more personal level than you perhaps could in undergraduate work. It seems to me that especially in a graduate program, the faculty are dedicated to seeing you succeed"

" Manage your time wisely because it will determine your success or failure. Also, make time for your self because this will ensure sanity"

" Find a mentor--someone who knows the ropes and can tell you what is expected, what the course load is like, how many testing subjects you'll need, etc. Perhaps such a person is a second or third year student in the program. Also, be prepared for the reading and work involved. Many students are not prepared for the volume of work involved in graduate school and how much time it can take!"

" The biggest adjustment I have had to make is the time commitment. By that I mean that I have to be very disciplined and committed with my time"

" Get some experience in the schools, either teaching, volunteering, working as an aide, etc. before going back to school. I taught for two years and my teaching experience really led me into this field. Also, I think it's important to get to know what school culture is like, because as a school psychologist, you will often be working against it, and it's important to have some experience there. Also, I think it is very important to get an idea of what type of school psychology you want to practice and to choose your school accordingly. At Maryland, the program is divided between clinical skills and consultation skills, which is good because you get exposure to both worlds. However, if you are like me and are much more interested in the consultation stuff, as well as curriculum, intervention, etc., being in a program with a heavy clinical focus can be frustrating. Last, but not least, be prepared for rigorous training! You learn a ton, but it's a great deal of work and can be fatiguing and draining at times"

" Find a professor that you think you would be able to work with well. If they feel that you are worth their investment, then their contributions and support are invaluable"

" The main difference between undergrad and grad school is that you actually will apply what you've been learning in many different ways. It's not a lot more difficult, it's just different from what you've been doing as an undergraduate. Be prepared to apply all the theories and to use them. You'll be more respected by the professors as a graduate student, but they'll also expect more of you in the line of logic you use to come to your conclusions"

" Get some work experience with children such as a day care center, school, or social agency"

" Before you choose a grad school, do research. Become well informed about what school psychology is and what the profession entails--a lot of people are surprised. Find out about the advantages of Specialist v. Doctoral programs and decide which suits your career goals. Do research in undergrad or at least know how. Consider the many different settings you can work in with a degree in school psychology--begin to narrow your focus to ones you prefer. Do an undergraduate internship if possible or at least job shadow and interview a practicing School Psychologist to gain practical experience. Make connections at area schools as soon as possible--it will help with research subject recruitment and other practical activities you will be doing. Furthermore, if you haven't REALLY lived on your own before, be prepared for a change. Be ready to use your time management and organizational skills to the fullest. Get to know your peers--they're going through the same things you are--people you can rely on for academic and social support. Also, there are usually more classes which involve practical and hands-on experience at this level and fewer lecture-study-regurgitate classes. Finally, grades aren't everything. If you can leave graduate school ready to begin work in your chosen profession, then you've succeeded"

" Any relevant experience is invaluable in giving you a foundation of knowledge to draw from and build on. I found the class work that I did most useful to me and easier to understand, when I could relate it to something I had done"

" I would tell new graduate students to be prepared to have more work. Stay on task early in the semester; readings, projects, papers, etc. tend to add up as the semester goes on. Also, talk about things with other students in the program. It feels good when you realize that other students feel the same way you do. Don't be afraid to work with the faculty. They are there to help and may even be your colleagues one day"

" I would suggest that undergraduates take as many classes in developmental psychology that they can. Research experience also helps a lot. If you get the opportunity to work with kids, take it. However, if someone is interested in pursuing a Ph.D program as opposed to a specialist degree, I would also encourage that they take time to learn more statistics and experimental design"

" Be prepared to study more and have longer days, be organized, determine your priorities, use your time wisely and save money before you start graduate school so you don't have to work as much or at all during graduate school"

" My advice is to be prepared to mature in graduate school. You are going to have to learn time management skills and plan to network--you will need the contacts later"

" Talk to students and faculty in the programs, find out what model (i.e.: scientist-practitioner) the program follows, if they allow for specialty in an area, know what courses are required prior to and after enrollment, examine the credentialing and certification of the program, find out the job placement rate and were those jobs were located, which department houses the program, etc. Once you have started the program, it is very important to be organized and self-motivated"

" I think it is important to remember that graduate school is a privilege and an honor, and that as such, you must work harder and be more diligent in pursuing your goals. I would encourage individuals to use the resources available to them, especially friendly faces in the field of study, as if you stick together and support one another, success will be more imminent"

" My words of advice are to become familiar with the department with which you will become a part of. Get to know the professors, the secretaries and the other students. This will make the initial transition much easier. Also, stay organized. It is different at first only meeting once a week for classes, so it is important to become a self-motivator. Life will get a little crazy so be flexible and don't forget to have fun once in awhile"

" Become familiar with your surroundings and the other things will follow. I would advise anyone to get to know the resources that the campus and community offers. Another important aspect is time management. The first thing I bought was a planner, which includes both my work and school assignments"

" People who want to become school psychologists should love children and learn to be incredibly organized. Don't forget your sense of humor. it keeps you from becoming burned out! Also, value your classmates--you are a team"

" The best advice I can give is to stay organized!"

" Pray! Make sure that your in the will of God with your career and educational choice. Then if you believe in your heart that God has it in His will for you to continue your education, ask Him what school you should attend. Once you have taken the time to invest in the previous prayers, don't stop praying"

" First, locate as many school psychologists as you can and ask them lots of questions about what they do--many people have misconceptions about this. Secondly, try to figure out if you would like and be challenged by a work environment in which you must be organized, flexible, must juggle lots of responsibilities and work with a variety of different personalities. Self-motivation is also very important. Next, before undertaking graduate school, take some time to assess your resources, both financial and emotional. It was pretty draining for me and I had to give up some things in areas of my life. Also, educate yourself about other areas of education and psychology to be certain that what you really want is not offered elsewhere. Finally, take time to learn about as many programs of graduate study as you can"

" Work as a graduate assistant--provides excellent involvement and experience. Secondly, research the programs (know the people because that makes the difference) and keep looking until you find the one that matches up with your beliefs. Next, always keep an open mind and ask questions. Also talk to people before you apply. Check how they respond to you. You should also talk with current graduate students"

" There are several suggestions that I would give to students in making the transition. First, work for three or four years at any job where you are working with people. The more dysfunctional the job (people wise) the better. Secondly, if you are the real smart type and can get someone to pay the bills, go directly to graduate school. Thirdly, you must take ownership for your behavior. No one makes you go to graduate school. Too many students do not even attempt the readings or the work. You can not BS your way through. When you screw up, admit it and fix it. Good study skills are essential. Read, write, outline, read again and ask questions! You also need to be functional All of us carry excess baggage. While you should not bury it, resolutions and coping skills are essential. Also, take responsibility, make the stands and set the standard. Next, work together as a team with your classmates. Finally, their is nothing worse than staying in a program or situation because you feel compelled to do so. Cut your losses. Do what YOU really, really want to do. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do this for someone else"

" Students need to be aware that many of their first year courses will be in the field of education, having little or nothing to do with psychology itself. This can be quite discouraging if you're coming in with a passion for psychological theories and techniques and expect to focus on this. You're going to have to learn what its like to be a teacher so that you are able to appreciate the teachers point of view. Some of your classes will be about teaching models and strategies and some about the history or philosophy behind the American educational system. There isn't necessarily more work--just more that you need to learn on your own in order to do well. Most importantly, you most be prepared to put in a lot of energy and hours when learning how to administer intelligence tests and other standardized measures like personality and achievement tests. Assessment courses can be grueling because you have to put in a lot of time reading about testing issues; practice using the tests; come to class and take good notes; find enough people you can use as guinea pigs (some programs provide referrals); spend time administering all the required tests (anywhere from an hour to three hours per test while you are learning); spend time going over the test forms (making sure you did everything right, scoring them, double checking your scoring) and writing case reports for some or all of the tests you administered. I suggest beginning graduate school with a much lighter course load than your used to for undergraduate. Three classes is typically considered full-time and I recommend that's all anyone take in their first semester of graduate school. Once you get settled in, you should only take four classes maximum each semester. Realize that you will not only be taking classes, but have a lot to do outside those classes (i.e.: giving tests, working in schools or other field experience, attending meetings, doing research, etc.)"

" First of all, make sure that the program fits your needs. Secondly, motivation is a necessity--no one is holding your hand and walking you through. Finally, it is not a bad idea to take a year or two off after your undergraduate degree to explore the field or clinical work to confirm your interest in a specific area"

" My first piece of advice would be to learn time management skills. Also, because graduate school is so stressful (lack of time) you really need to find a way to relax"

" First of all, be prepared to have several reading assignments. Expect it. Secondly, work on time management skills. Thirdly, get acquainted with the library and research services. Additionally, meet and establish a relationship with your professors. Always ask questions, ask questions, ask questions. Furthermore, during the first semester, see how your class load is going THEN you may start thinking about getting a job-try not to do too much too soon. Also, become friends with members in your program and help each other. Sometimes undergraduate can evoke feelings of competitiveness with peers. Do not let this happen in graduate school. Your once competitive peers are now your empathetic support group. Additionally, become organized. You should also go to any additional seminars, meetings, etc. Furthermore, get a jump start on research topics and papers. Most importantly, try not to stress out about the grades, just enjoy learning the information. You come to graduate school to follow an interest, not make a grade. If you get involved and stay focused, you will be fine"

" Get new student ID cards with graduate status indicated. I have found that the graduate status designed on my ID card provides benefits (e.g.: longer time span to check out books) not extended to undergraduates. You should also inquire as soon as possible if your program has a discussion list on the internet. Valuable information regarding assistantships, funding and program information are posted there. Additionally, collect all information required for affiliate student membership in APA, APAGS, NASP and other state chapters. Furthermore, professors are often more accessible via email, especially for administrative issues, such as setting up appointment times. I have found that professors check email daily and I get a much faster response this way"

" I took time off from school and worked for a few years before going to graduate school. During that time, I worked for a mental health agency. I think that getting some experience in a school or agency prior to applying to graduate school is a good idea. I think that it is useful to know what is out there and what sorts of things you want and need to lean before jumping into a program. If possible, I think it is also advantageous to have coursework in psychology, social psychology and education. Volunteer opportunities in schools or programs such as Big Brother/Big Sister would provide students with some good experience before finishing their undergraduate degree"

" You should get a job first. I think having some work experience in the real world gives you a better perspective once you apply for or begin graduate school. I think that working for a year or two, even if it is in an area outside of psychology, helps you discover more of what you are and what you really want to do career wise. I found my work experience helps me approach my school related tasks in a different mind set than everyone else"

" Know your goals and keep that vision ahead of you as you get bogged down with reading, papers and tests. Don't let small hurdles interfere with what you want"

" Have a good foundation in statistics. Also learn how to organize and manage your time. Be ready to READ!"

" Be ready to write papers! Exercise your organizational skills"

" Be organized or be ready to learn to be organized. Don't stress- -be flexible"

" Make sure your ready and motivated. This might mean waiting a few years before going back to school (I did). Secondly, take things in very small chunks--the big picture can seem overwhelming. Thirdly, take advantage of the resources around you (professors and classmates). Everyone has either been there before or is there now and can have sympathy. They can help you not only with school issues, but with personal ones. Additionally, jump on opportunities (research studies , conferences, etc.) that come your way. Also, join the state organizations/associations pertaining to your area of study (for instance, school psychologists in North Carolina can join the North Carolina Association of School Psychologists)"

" I think the biggest adjustment for me was the more independent nature of studying. In my undergraduate years, I always studied with my friends. We lived together and studied together and this made it easier for me to focus on studying. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything because we were there together in the library all night reading and writing. But now everyone is in a different place in their lives. Not everyone is there studying and you really feel there is more to be done. This makes it harder to find the motivation to work and get things done. Your friends may not be going to school and meeting up with them to relax may be harder, or you may have other duties to distract you (other jobs, family, etc.). It can also be harder to even get this study momentum going with your cohort, because everyone is in other spots too"

" Do research on the accreditation status (NASP, APA) of the institutions your applying to. Secondly, do some serious thinking about which program (Specialist or Doctorate) that will be most suitable for your long-term goals. Thirdly, take time off after undergraduate. You can save money, get some experience behind your belt, take some post-bachelor classes, learn why procrastination is so bad and APPRECIATE BEING IN GRADUATE SCHOOL! You should also work on applications early. Give yourself enough time to take the GRE over if needed. It also eliminates calling the department constantly asking if they have received your application, transcripts and letters of recommendation. Finally, finances in graduate school are difficult. Give yourself enough time so that you can find an area of employment that will make you happy"

" Make friends with people in your classes. Don't think you can get through this by yourself. You need the reassurance, reminders and various things that you get from close contacts with your school peers. Also, if there are projects you can figure out, DO THEM AHEAD OF TIME. Sometimes you need more clarity or guidance on projects and assignments. In that case, wait"

" Be flexible in where you apply to graduate school. I feel that it is who you know not basically what you know. So in essence, you should contact someone at the university of your choice and make sure you sell yourself by visiting the contact person, visiting the university of your choice and setting up more contacts. You should also compose a strong personal statement and choose characteristics about yourself that will make you stand out (i.e.: achievements, awards, research interests, social skills, communication skills). Also, make sure you send the contact person a card, thanking them for everything they have done to help you in the university selection process. If at all possible, communicate through email. Make sure you know what type of schools (tech, liberal arts, etc.) you are applying to and that they meet your interest. Also, make sure that if there is a cultural difference, you will be able to handle the change in the community, university settings and extra activities. Make sure that you understand that some graduate programs can be competitive. Do you feel that you can handle the pressure? If at all possible, apply with a 'buddy' who is interested in the same school and make it a team effort"

" Spend a few years working after undergraduate before going to graduate school, but not as many as I spent (about 15). I have really appreciated my experience as I took graduate courses however. Being out of school (especially working as a teacher) gave me a host of questions that I wanted to have answered. School psychology graduate work allowed me to answer those questions and so it was easy to be interested and to absorb the information"

" Study for the GRE test in order to enter graduate school. In making the transition, undergraduates should be prepared to read much more content and cram a lot faster with more material. I think everyone in graduate school also needs to find emotional support, be it parents, friends or roommates because you are going to have some bad hair days. Graduate students also have to try to keep in perspective that everyone else is busy trying to keep their head above water as well, it's not only you that feels as if you are drowning in the sea of coursework"

" My first suggestion would be to make certain this is what you want. You should then try to initiate contact with the school(s) of your choice. Once you have make all initial contacts, the next step would be to organize yourself completely. It might be a good idea if you have not bought a planner to purchase one. Start reading any and everything around you (i.e.: books, magazine articles, etc.). Also, learn APA style, since most graduate schools require students to use APA style publication when writing papers. Once in graduate school, you will have heavy reading and writing. Most importantly, know that this is a life adjustment, accept this and have fun. This is where you meet colleagues and peers. Begin networking, take each day one step at a time and don't forget to pray"

" The best advice I can give is to really enjoy the summer before you start--that way you'll have fonder days to look back upon. Also, it would probably be a good idea to brush up on statistics, as that seems to be the course content that messes everybody up the most. Finally, I would recommend that new graduate students prepare by getting themselves EXTREMELY organized... get a daytimer or some sort of organizational system that allows them to plug in deadlines, group meetings, meetings to assess children, times for volunteer work, dates for mentoring and/or tutoring.. and the list goes on and on! Overall, though, they can look forward to meeting a lot of great people, learning a ton and reading.. reading.. .reading!"

" Be prepared to work very hard. This means that being a student will be a full-time job. If you are not prepared for this then you ought to reconsider applying. However, because one must also have a healthy lifestyle and it is difficult to balance one' 5 social life, exercise, family, etc. with one' 5 school responsibilities, one must be very organized and be able to prioritize. My advice is to take care of yourself and have a balanced lifestyle. It becomes easy to let school take control of your life, but I advise against it!"

" If you are looking for a school that doesn't have the environment of 'I am dominant and you (as the student) are subordinate; therefore do not question, just do as told'--visit the school and talk to the students there!!! Once you're there, don't try to take as many courses as possible because you want to get done as quickly as possible. I understand that feeling VERY much; however, for that first semester, give yourself a chance to adjust to the new area, the professors and all of the aspects of the program that will gradually unfold (and they often shock you!). You don't want to overload yourself with coursework and then find out that there are many other things in the future that you would like to prepare for, yet have no time. For example, you will want to thoroughly look over the curriculum for whatever degree you are seeking. You will also want to seek out opportunities for further funding and you will want to allow time for researching potential research topics you will want to pursue during the next few years. Allow yourself to get a jump on that instead of overloading with courses, especially during such an overwhelming time. Be prepared for many, many different theories from professors in the program. In my experience, there isn't as much structure in grad school as there was in undergrad. Remind yourself that graduate school is for people who WANT to be there for intrinsic interest, not just for an increase in the paycheck (or at least it should be in my opinion!!!), especially in the field of psychology because we can greatly affect the lives of others who put trust in our abilities. Graduate school should be your full-time job for the next couple of years. Taking out loans is a nightmare, but trying to work a full-time job and go to school and do practicums and research is even worse!!! This may not apply for other fields, but in applied psychology you need to allow time to learn the information well and then apply it to be a good psychologist! Taking a therapy course one semester and then applying it two years later because you've been going slowly through the program due to a full-time job you've been trying to keep will only hurt your ability to therapy and the clients you try to serve.

41st Annual Conference

Preventing Academic and Behavioral Problems in Children: Rethinking Interventions for Schools

Friday,
May 4th, 2008

info & registration

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