Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to apply?
The 2009 deadline for applications is December 1. Please note that ApplyYourself will be disabled after December 1.
Will my application be considered if some of my application materials do not arrive by the December 1 deadline?
It is very important that you submit the on-line application form and fee by the December 15 deadline. The ApplyYourself System will shut down at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 1. If you have sent in other application documents but have not submitted the on-line application by that time, from the University’s perspective, you have not formally applied.
We will continue to accept other application materials as they come in, up to the time when the Admissions Committee begins to review completed applications, which is during the second week of December. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission.
Can I apply to more than one program with the same application?
Yes, you can indicate the programs to which you are applying through the on-line application.
Can letters of recommendation/transcripts be sent directly to the Department, or should they be sent to me?
While the Department of Psychology prefers a self-managed application, where all documents are sent to the applicant who then forwards everything to the Department in one envelope, we realize that this is not always possible.
We will accept letters of recommendation and transcripts that are sent to us separately.
Please request these items in plenty of time to comply with our application deadline of December 1.
Do you require a cover sheet for letters of recommendation?
The Department does not require a cover sheet for letters of recommendation. However, if your recommenders are submitting their letters of recommendation on-line, the software will automatically generate a cover sheet which must be completed.
I don’t have a background in Psychology. Will I still be considered for admission?
While we suggest that applicants have completed a minimum of 12 credits in Psychology, it is not a requirement. The Admission Committee will evaluate all aspects of an applicant’s file (letters of recommendation, publications, research experience, etc.) before making an admission decision.
How many originals of each transcript do you require?
We require one original transcript from each college or university attended.
I studied abroad as an undergraduate; will I need to obtain a separate transcript from the school I attended abroad?
If your study abroad credits are listed on your undergraduate transcript, it is not necessary to obtain a separate transcript from your study abroad school.
Should I wait to send my transcript until my Fall semester grades have been posted?
In order to meet the application deadline, we suggest that you send your current transcript without the Fall semester grades. You can always send an updated transcript as soon as it is available.
What is the University of Pittsburgh code for the GRE?
The code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927; the code for the Department of Psychology is 2016. It is important that you enter both codes when deciding where to have your scores sent, otherwise, the department may not receive your score report in time.
What is the minimum acceptable GPA? What are the minimum acceptable GRE scores?
We recommend a minimum GPA of 3.4, and GRE scores in the 600 range on the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Note that these are recommendations and not requirements.
I am applying to the Clinical program and will not be able to take the GRE Psychology Subject Test in time to apply. Will my application still be considered?
If you are not able to take the GRE Psychology Subject test, or if you are concerned that the test results will arrive too late to be included in your file, the Admissions Committee will place greater weight on your Psychology GPA.
How will I know if my application is complete?
You will be contacted by Psychology Graduate Office staff if your application is not complete. Please allow a reasonable amount of time for the staff to process your application materials before contacting us.
How will I be informed of my admission status?
Applicants will be contacted by a member of the faculty regarding their admission status.
All applicants will be notified of their admission status by March 15, 2009.