What GRE/GPA scores do you realistically need to get into a graduate Psychology program?

Question

I realize it ranges among schools, but to get into a decent Master's program, what do you realistically need as far as GRE/GPA? What if you overall GPA is a 3.2, but your final 60 hours is a 3.6? Do many schools look at the final 60?

Answer 1

It certainly depends upon the university from which you earned your undergraduate degree and the university to which you applying for your advanced degree.

If those are your grades you probably have a good chance to get into a master's program. I would talk to the head of your department if you are still an undergrad. See what they think. Be honest with them, tell them your situation, and listen. They will likely be able to direct you. Also, email heads of grad programs/department heads at schools that interest you. See what they think. Worst case scenario, they tell you they don't want you and you save yourself the application fee. Best case, it shows that you are interested and want to do what it takes to get in. Might just help you get an admissions offer.

As for the GPA in the last half of your degree, that certainly does matter. The GPA in the junior/senior years typically is a better demonstrator of ability to do graduate level work. The first two years are often spent taking general education courses that have little or no use for a person's major. Grad admissions folks want smart people with high GPAs, obviously, but they want people who can step foot on their campus and hit the ground running. 3.6 probably demonstrates that you can do that. I would also say to look at your GPA in psych. If you are in the 3.6 range or better in your major, grad admissions folks will look quite favorably upon that.

Be realistic about the schools that will admit you. Don't apply to the worst graduate programs just because they are most likely to take you. Apply to the schools that fit you. Apply to a couple of "reach" schools and to a number of safer schools. That way, if you are admitted to more than one school you have a choice. If you get in somewhere and you don't like it, perhaps it seems beneath you, you can always write them a nice letter and turn down your offer of admissions. No hard feelings. But, its nice to be admitted and its nice to have choice. I guess the point of all that is quite simply to be realistic. Don't be depressed if you don't get into your top choice. Its probably the top choice of dozens or hundreds of other people as well...

If you do apply and don't get in, don't take it personally or too seriously. Almost every graduate program in this country has too many qualified applicants for too few spots. If you are unlucky and aren't admitted (and believe you me there is a lot of luck involved), do what you can to improve your resume and apply again in a year or two.

Finally, do all that you can to demonstrate that you are serious. You will likely have to write a statement of purpose. Don't write some bulls**t about how you have been fascinated by people since you were little and always wanted to do psychological research. Demonstrate that you are serious about the discipline and become a serious practitioner. Grad students are like the junior colleagues of the faculty. Demonstrate that you are worthy to be considered such.

Answer 2

You are really going to have a time of it getting your GPA up to the level needed to get into Davis. If you expect to raise your GPA high enough to get into a top psych program, every grade you earn from this point on will need to be an A. If you manage to do that, your GPA will still only be a 3.6. Start studying now for the GRE; you'll need a high score. You should also see if the schools you will be considering will accept the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), rather than the GRE; it has far fewer math-based questions. In the meantime, check into the CSU psych programs, as one of them may be your only hope. Good luck.