Psi Chis Guide to the Application Process

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Psi Chis Guide to the Application Process

• Curriculum Vitae and Letters of Recommendation

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Part I

• Constructing a Curriculum Vitae

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Whats a CV?

• CV stands for Curriculum Vitae
• Latin Course of Life
• Summarizes your academic life teaching
  experience, research experience
• Your CV should differ according to the position
  you apply for, but you can also have a general
  CV.

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CV or Résumé?

• Length
• CV longer, more detailed, but still concise
• Résumé A page long, less detail, extremely
  concise
• Purpose
• CV Applying for international, academic,
  education, scientific or research positions or
  when applying for fellowships or grants
• Résumé Applying for jobs
• Content
• CV Educational and academic backgrounds as well
  as teaching and research experience,
  publications, presentations, awards, honors,
  affiliations and other details.
• Résumé Personal information, work experience,
  educational experience, other job-related skills

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Sections of a CV

• Personal Information
• Education
• Professional Experience
• Presentations
• Publications
• Honors, Awards, and Memberships
• References

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Personal Information

• Name at the top in large letters
• Mailing address
• E-mail address
• Professional
• Telephone number
• No cell phones!
• Professional answering machine message
• Fax number if applicable

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Educational History

• Start with college
• List all attended institutions
• Explain gaps in education in personal statement
• State the degree you have / will have
• Use anticipated graduation date if applicable
• State GPA
• Cumulative GPA
• GPA for the last two years
• Psychology GPA
• Relevant courses Highlight the important ones

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Professional Experience

• List all applicable experiences
• Teaching Assistanceships
• Research Assistanceships
• Interships
• Include supervisor, dates of participation, brief
  description of duties performed
• McDonalds?

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Presentations and Publications

• Dont group the categories together
• List Presentations, Publications, or both
• Use APA format, single-spaced
• Label items not yet accepted, in preparation, in
  progress

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Honors, Awards, Memberships

• Honors and Awards Deans list, scholarships, any
  other academic awards
• Memberships
• Psi Chi!
• Psychological Society
• Any other leadership position in organizations
• APA, SEPA
• List your volunteer experience according to the
  organization (soup kitchen), but be concise

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References

• Include (generally)
• People who can attest to your academic prowess
• At least two psychology faculty members
• One internship supervisor if psychology-related
• Limit 1 reference from previous institution if
  transfer student
• Get Permission!
• Consult advisors for specific programs

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Other Potential Sections

• Objective (To obtain the degree necessary to be
  able to teach at the university level, and
  increase my knowledge in the academic areas that
  I am most interested in. )
• Teaching Experience Guest lectures, teaching
  classes, presentations
• Service Community, academic, professional
  volunteering This typically falls under
  Professional Experience
• Grants RAMP or other research grants received
• Foreign Language Proficiencies

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Additional Tips

• Make your CV easy to read
• Complete sentences arent necessary
• Get your CV reviewed by faculty members, Glema,
  or Career Services
• Write everything down!

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Bad Stuff

• Age Ethnic identity
• Political affiliation Religious preference
• Hobbies Marital status
• Sexual orientation Place of birth
• Photographs Height, Weight, Health
• Excessive Detail Lies
• Humor

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Whats wrong with this?

• Joan A. Student
• 1200 North West St.
• Orlando, FL 32729
• Phone (cell) (407) 294 5555
• Email lazy_bitch_at_hotmail.com
• My name is Joan Student, and I am the ideal
  candidate for your lab!!!
• EDUCATION
• Bridgewater High, 1994-2006
• Graduated with honors, 3.7 GPA

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Whats wrong with this?

• PRESENTATIONS
• I presented at SEPA last year with my friend
  Sigmund. It was great!
• PUBLICATIONS
• None
• AWARDS
• Deans list, Spring 2008
• Fastest Drunk Award Omega Delta Omega
• Christian Youth Leadership Award - Orlando, FL

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Part II

• Letters of Recommendation

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Letters of Recommendation

• Graduate programs will require three letters of
  recommendation.
• The purpose of these letters is to have someone
  vouch for your ability to study at a graduate
  school level.

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Who to ask.

• Professors in your major are the ideal
  recommenders.
• They can speak to your ability to be in a
  graduate program within the same field.
• Please note Often graduate programs will require
  at least one of your letters come from a
  professor.

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So I am going to ask my Professor.

• When choosing who to ask it is important to look
  for a professor who actually KNOWS who you are.
• You cannot ask a professor that only knows you as
  that kid in the back of the room.

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I dont know a Professor what can I do?

• Get involved in class!
• Help your Professors put a name to the face.
• Ask about working on a project with the
  Professor.
• See if they are doing research.

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Other Alternatives

• You can have other people write your letters.
• Professionals in the field.
• Internship Supervisors
• Employers

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Other Alternatives Continued

• Though professors are best you can use other
  people whose standing is less impressive.
• Your TA
• Colleagues
• Graduate Students

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Getting the Best Recommendation

• Waive your right to see the letter.
• How can you be sure that the letter is good if
  you dont see it?
• Pay attention to the programs requirements for
  recommendations.
• Consider the recommenders attitude, writing
  style and qualifications.

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Asking for Letters

• Prepare a list of recommenders.
• Ask nicely.
• Two months out make an appointment to talk about
  your goals.
• Prepare a packet for each of the recommenders.

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What should be in my packet?

• All necessary forms from each of the graduate
  programs.
• Self-stamped, addressed envelopes.
• Give clear instructions.
• List out the directions for each school.
• Your contact information.

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Follow up

• Reminder a few weeks before the soonest
  recommendation is due.
• To make it seem not pushy tell him you are
  calling to make sure he has no questions and that
  everything is on track.
• Week before- call both programs and recommenders
  to ensure that they have received the
  recommendation.

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Follow up Continued

• Send each of your recommenders a thank-you note.
• When you get your acceptance letters and choose a
  program, you can send another thank-you note
  telling of your happy news.

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Questions?