stanford university psychology phd acceptance rate

Doctoral Completion & Time-to-degree

This page contains information about degree conferrals, time-to-degree, and retention for doctoral research programs at Stanford. While the most common academic doctoral degree across the university is the PhD, the JSD in Law and the DMA in Musical Arts are also included here. The MD and JD are considered to be professional degrees and are not included. In all cases below, the academic years reported are "summer start years", meaning that the academic year encompasses a period from the start of the summer term through the end of the following spring term. Please see the  definitions  below the dashboard for more details about how the various metrics presented here are calculated.

More information is available about  doctoral program enrollment and demographics , as well as  doctoral program admissions . Note that local variation in policy and practice regarding admission, matriculation, and degree conferral may affect the departmental and school-level metrics below.

Methodology & Definitions

Time-to-degree.

Time-to-degree is the length of time in years from the first day of the student's first term of enrollment in their doctoral program to the day of their degree conferral. Time-to-degree measures elapsed time only, not enrolled time. It does not stop and start if a student takes a leave of absence. If a student was enrolled in a master's degree program prior to matriculating in the doctoral program the separate time in the master's program is not included even if it was in the same department as the doctoral program. For this reason, time-to-degree may be lower in some doctoral programs where it is common to require completion of a master's degree prior to matriculation in the doctoral program. If a student switches between doctoral programs, time-to-degree is restarted from the first term of enrollment in the new program. The only exceptions to this restart of the clock are when program changes are the result of departmental name changes or other restructuring, or when the new program has the same CIP code as the original program.

Graduation Rate

As with time-to-degree, the start of the 6-year period used to calculate graduation rates is the first term in which the student is enrolled in a doctoral program, regardless of any prior or concurrent enrollment in a master's program. The 6-year rate is based on elapsed time only, not enrolled time. It is not based on the concept of a cohort year or graduation year, but on the actual matriculation term and degree conferral term. For example, if a student enrolled at the start of Spring 2010 and graduated at the end of Winter 2016, they would count towards the 6-year rate; however, if they instead graduated at the end of Spring 2016, their time to degree would be more than 6 years due to the extra term of enrollment.

Degree Conferrals

Numbers of degree conferrals are reported by summer start year. For example, all degree conferred from Summer 2016 through the following Spring 2017 would be reported under the 2016-17 year.

Entering Cohort Status

An entering cohort consists of all students entering a doctoral program during autumn, winter, or spring quarter of a single academic year, as well as those entering during the preceding summer. Students are considered to be current in their program if they are still actively pursuing that degree or are on an approved temporary leave of absence. "Current students in a different PhD program" are students who were enrolled at one point in the selected program but subsequently moved to another doctoral program at Stanford and are still engaged in doctoral study. Students who are listed as "completed" have successfully conferred their degree in the selected program or, if they have completed a different doctoral program, have changed programs and been awarded a doctoral degree by another program at Stanford. Program changes resulting from department name changes, organizational restructuring, or between programs with the same CIP code are not considered "changes" in this context. Students who are shown as "discontinued" have either left the university without a degree or switched to a non-doctoral degree program (in many cases a master's degree).

Visit the  Graduate Admissions website  for more information about pursuing graduate study at Stanford.

The data are available for download in Google Drive .

• Data Source(s): PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, Institutional Research & Decision Support

Stanford University is committed to providing an online environment that is accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. If you cannot access this content or use any features on this site, please contact  [email protected]  to obtain alternate formats.

You may submit feedback on this dashboard through the  feedback form .

Master of Arts in Psychology

Current Stanford doctoral students can apply for a Master of Arts in Psychology during the course of their PhD, JD, or MD program.

Graduate students who are already enrolled in the Psychology PhD program and who have completed (a) the first-year and second-year course requirements; and (b) at least 45 units of Psychology courses may apply for conferral of the MA degree. This application should be discussed with the Student Services Manager.

Students who are currently enrolled in a Stanford PhD or professional program in another Department may be granted a Master of Arts in Psychology. In such cases, admission to the MA is considered by the faculty on a case-by-case basis. An admitted student must complete at least 45 units of Psychology courses and possibly other research or course requirements as determined by the faculty.  Interested applicants should consult with the Student Services Manager, Dena Zlatunich ( ecfay [at] stanford.edu (d) denamz [at] stanford.edu (enamz[at]stanford[dot]edu) ).

All applicants must satisfy University residency requirements for the degree and are responsible for consulting with their primary departments or the Financial Aid Office about the effects of the proposed program on their current funding. 

Please note:  The Department of Psychology does not offer terminal MA degrees for students who are not already pursuing another advanced degree at Stanford.

Degree Requirements

• Completion of 45 units of graduate-level Psychology courses
• Completion of the required  Core Courses, including two statistics courses
• A maximum of 18 units may be from lab courses, independent study, outside units, and practica (eg. 222, 258, 269, 275, 281, 297, 282, 290)
• Successful completion of the First Year Project (FYP) or equivalent Master's thesis

Fill out the  application form  and obtain your advisor's signature.

• Submit the completed application form to the Psychology Student Services Manager, who will obtain the Department Chair's signature.

Submit a request for the Master's Degree via Axess using the Graduate Program Authorization Form. To find this form, navigate to the Student Tab, then Petitions and Forms under the Academics tab. Make sure to indicate that you are adding a Master's degree. There will be a checkbox to leave your current graduate program - do NOT check this box!

• Enter your payment and select "Apply to Graduate" in Axess (make sure to select the Master's, not PhD).
• Psychology's Student Services Office will approve your request in Axess.
• Carefully review the  Psychology MA Policy and Process document .
• Set up a meeting with the Student Services Manager (Dena Zlatunich, denamz [at] stanford.edu (denamz[at]stanford[dot]edu) ) to review the process.
• Secure Psychology faculty MA advisor.
• Submit an application to the Student Services Manager. The application consists of the following: Statement of Purpose, CV, and letter of support from primary home department advisor(s). This application will be reviewed by Psychology Faculty.
• If approved by Psychology faculty, the Psychology MA advisor will mentor you as you complete the MA requirements. The requirements include the 45 units of coursework outlined above as well as a Master's Thesis and Master's Thesis defense. For complete details, refer to the  Psychology MA Policy and Process document . 
• Upon completion of required MA coursework, Thesis, and Thesis defense, fill out the  application form  and obtain your advisor's signature.
• Submit a request for the Master's Degree via Axess using the Graduate Program Authorization Form. To find this form, navigate to the Student Tab, then Petitions and Forms under the Academics tab. Make sure to indicate that you are adding a Master's degree. There will be a checkbox to leave your current graduate program - do NOT check this box! 

• Scholarship

Top Psychology graduate schools

Looking for the top Psychology graduate schools? We put together a comprehensive list of the best graduate programs for Psychology, and put the results below. We include the acceptance rate, average GRE scores, and a brief description of each - all the information you need to kick start your research. Read on!

Cornell University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 5.24% .

The Graduate Field of Psychology at Cornell University consists of faculty members from different departments, including Psychology, Neurobiology and Behavior, Communication, and Philosophy. It offers M.A. and Ph.D. programs to train students as researchers, scholars, and teachers in psychology. Cornell's graduate study utilizes a field structure where faculty members with shared interests form fields, and students are admitted to specific fields of study. Within their chosen field, students can select major and minor subjects aligned with their research interests. The Graduate Field of Psychology is responsible for graduate training in psychology, independent of specific departments. Only faculty members belonging to the Graduate Field can serve on students' special committees, emphasizing their role in guiding and mentoring students. Student well-being is a priority for Cornell University's Graduate School, recognizing its importance for academic and life success.

Harvard University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 10.00% .

Harvard's Psychology department is renowned for its interdisciplinary approach and focus on the science of mental life. Dating back to the late 1800s with William James, the department has a rich history and has been at the forefront of the field. Notable figures like B.F. Skinner, Gordon Allport, and George Miller have contributed to its legacy. Presently, the department boasts 27 faculty members and was ranked #1 for Faculty Scholarly Productivity in a 2007 survey. The Graduate Program in Psychology trains 74 graduate students across four major research programs: Cognition, Brain, & Behavior; Developmental Psychology; Social Psychology; and Clinical Science.

Northwestern University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 5.00% .

Northwestern University's Psychology Department offers prestigious Ph.D. programs in Clinical Psychology, Personality, Development, and Health Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Brain, Behavior, & Cognition (BBC), and Social Psychology. Graduate students and faculty conduct influential research in these areas, presenting their findings at conferences and publishing in renowned journals. The program provides comprehensive training in methodology, statistics, and psychology's diverse content. Students receive full funding for five years and engage in interdisciplinary research opportunities. Northwestern's Psychology Department aims to cultivate exceptional scientists for academic and research positions. Located near Chicago on a picturesque campus, the department fosters a dynamic and supportive community for scholars and researchers.

Princeton University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 9.00% .

The Department of Psychology's graduate program focuses on preparing students for a Ph.D. degree and a successful career in psychological science. It offers specializations in diverse areas, such as behavioral economics, cognitive neuroscience, culture, developmental science, diversity science, emotion, language and communication, learning and memory, perception and cognition, the psychology of inequality, social neuroscience, social psychology, and systems neuroscience. The program emphasizes the importance of teaching experience, encouraging students to explore their roles as educators through pedagogy-related talks and workshops. This approach fosters a comprehensive understanding of effective teaching practices, enhancing students' overall educational experience.

Stanford University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 5.10% .

Stanford University's Graduate degree in Psychology boasts a rich history and esteemed reputation within the field. The program delves deep into five main areas of study, including cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, as well as affective science and neuroscience. Its primary goal is to expand students' understanding and expertise in Psychology, equipping them for successful careers or further doctoral studies. To accomplish this, the program entails a comprehensive curriculum comprising specialized courses and independent research projects. The master's program exclusively caters to Ph.D. candidates in Psychology, though exceptions may be made for students enrolled in other graduate programs at the university. The Ph.D. program emphasizes extensive scholarship, independent research, and analytical abilities to enable students to generate original contributions to Psychology's body of knowledge and effectively disseminate such insights.

University of California, Berkeley 's Psychology acceptance rate is 2.92% .

The graduate program in Psychology at Berkeley aims to produce scholar-researchers who possess both a broad perspective and deep understanding of the field. The department is divided into six training units, each with its own requirements, including courses, seminars, and supervised research. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the diverse faculty expertise across the Berkeley campus by enrolling in courses outside the Psychology Department. The program is STEM designated and emphasizes the development of methodological, statistical, and critical thinking skills relevant to all areas of psychology research. The department's research areas encompass Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Clinical Science, Cognition, Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental, and Social-Personality Psychology.

University of California, Los Angeles 's Psychology acceptance rate is 4.00% .

UCLA's Department of Psychology is a leading institution that excels in psychological science, research, and practical application. With a diverse and extensive community, including faculty, Ph.D. students, postdoctoral scholars, and staff, the department is housed in the Psychology Complex with modern facilities. Pritzker Hall, a recently renovated building, is a notable feature. The department focuses on advancing the understanding of human behavior and promoting human welfare through translational research. The renowned UCLA Psychology Clinic offers evidence-based assessment and treatment while serving as a training ground for Ph.D. students and a research site. Collaborations with various disciplines help tackle complex societal issues. The department encourages individuals to contribute to its dynamic academic community.

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign 's Psychology acceptance rate is 9.71% .

The Department of Psychology offers graduate programs for the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. The Ph.D. programs cover diverse areas of psychology, including Attention & Perception, Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical-Community, Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Industrial-Organizational, Quantitative, and Social-Personality. Teaching experience is a crucial part of the Ph.D. program, typically fulfilled through a teaching assistantship. The focus is on preparing students for research and academic careers, with active involvement in research throughout their studies. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged both within psychology and across other fields. Students have access to ample resources, including personal office space, research facilities, and collaboration opportunities. Financial aid is available for up to six years, and completion of the doctoral degree generally takes 4-6 years.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 's Psychology acceptance rate is 6.00% .

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor's Department of Psychology is renowned for its excellence in graduate programs, consistently ranking among the top in the nation. In 2015, it tied with Harvard for 4th place on the U.S. News & World Report's list of top-ranked graduate psychology programs. The department's success can be attributed to the quality of its students, graduates, programs, and faculty. The faculty members are globally recognized for their contributions to the field, driving new discoveries and knowledge in psychology. The department is dedicated to its students' success, offering innovative courses, engaging them in real research, and maintaining an exceptional graduate education record. With specialized PhD degrees in various areas of psychology, as well as joint programs with Social Work, Education, and Women's Studies, graduates are well-prepared for careers in academia, research, healthcare, and more.

Yale University 's Psychology acceptance rate is 6.00% .

The Department of Psychology at Yale University boasts a faculty at the forefront of research and scholarship in the field. Graduate education in psychology focuses on training researchers who will advance the science of psychology. The program admits approximately 15 new Ph.D. students annually, allowing them to specialize in one of five areas of concentration while fostering collaboration across labs and interdisciplinary programs. The department recruits exceptional scholars in clinical, cognitive, developmental, neuroscience, and social-personality psychology, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary interests. The program encourages research that integrates diverse perspectives and addresses real-world issues. With a commitment to individualized attention and inclusiveness, the department provides a stimulating and challenging environment for students.

And there you have it - the top graduate schools for Psychology . These are some of the best schools in the country for this field , and admission into any of them would be a great accomplishment that could set you up for a strong career.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, graduate school acceptance rates: can you get in.

Even the most qualified and confident applicants worry about getting into grad school. But don’t panic! Graduate school acceptance rates, which give the percentage of applicants that were admitted to a particular school or program in an academic year, can help you determine how likely you are to get into a given program.  But where can you find grad school admissions statistics?

In this article, we’ll first investigate the trends and factors associated with graduate school acceptance rates. Then, we’ll take a look at some of the current acceptance rates and give you expert tips on how to find acceptance rates for your programs. Finally, we’ll show you how to determine your odds of getting into grad school.

Graduate School Acceptance Rates: Factors and Trends

Grad school acceptance rates are the same as any other acceptance rate: the lower the acceptance rate, the more selective the school or program is. Similarly, the higher the acceptance rate, the less selective the school or program is. As with undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates vary widely, from extraordinarily selective (less than 5 percent) to incredibly lenient (nearly 100 percent).

Unlike undergrad rates, though, grad school acceptance rates are usually calculated for specific programs or departments and  not for entire universities. This is because with grad school, you are essentially applying to an individual program rather than an overall institution (as you did for undergrad).

Now that we’ve covered all of the basics, let’s look at a few key trends. Our research indicates there are three major factors that help determine grad school acceptance rates:

• School or program prestige
• Degree type
• Amount of funding

Let’s look at how each of these factors influences grad school acceptance rates.

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#1: School or Program Prestige

How prestigious a particular grad school or program is can affect its overall competitiveness and selectivity. In general, the more prestigious a program is, the more competitive it’ll be and thus the lower acceptance rate it’ll have.

An easy way to determine school or program prestige is to consult official rankings, such as those listed on  U.S. News . (Grad schools are typically ranked by field or program and   not by overall institution.)

For example, a 2017  U.S. News  list of the best political science grad programs  ranked Duke’s political science program at #7 and Northwestern’s at #23. Because both of the programs have fairly high rankings, it’s safe to assume they’re probably quite selective.

And this is true: in 2016,  Duke  reported a mere 10 percent acceptance rate to its political science doctoral program, while  Northwestern  reported a 12 percent acceptance rate.

#2: Degree Type

Another major factor is degree type. Generally,  doctoral programs tend to be more selective than master’s programs (though this isn’t always the case as I’ll explain in a moment). This trend is likely due to the fact that doctoral programs often look for higher-quality applicants with proven academic track records and more relevant experience in their fields.

For example, in 2016  University of Michigan’s math doctoral program  had a 17.2 percent acceptance rate, whereas its master’s program  had a much higher 31.8 percent rate. In this case, the doctoral program is clearly tougher to get into than the master’s program.

Still,   master’s programs can have lower acceptance rates than doctoral programs. If we were to take the University of Michigan’s grad programs in computer science and engineering, we’d find that the doctoral program has  a 15 percent acceptance rate  and the master’s  an even lower 8 percent acceptance rate .

Additionally, M.F.A. programs are particularly cutthroat. In 2015, the creative writing M.F.A. program at UT Austin’s James A. Michener Center for Writers only admitted 12 out of 678 applicants — that’s a mere 1.8 percent acceptance rate !

#3: Amount of Funding

Funding, too, plays a big role in how selective a grad program is.

Well-funded  programs typically receive more applications than those offering little to no aid, thereby raising their selectivity. Competition is especially fierce for fully funded programs — possibly because fewer people are willing to go into debt for grad school.

Compared to fully funded doctoral programs, fully funded master’s programs are somewhat rare and thus pretty competitive. UT Austin’s Creative Writing M.F.A. program, for instance, is not only a prestigious program but also one of the most well-funded Creative Writing M.F.A. programs in the country: it  offers full tuition remission and a $27,500 stipend per academic year . It’s no wonder, then, that its acceptance rate is below 2 percent!

What Are the Current Graduate School Acceptance Rates?

For this section, we’ve scoured the internet to bring you a robust assortment of acceptance rates for popular U.S. grad schools.

Before we dive in, note that not all institutions calculate grad school acceptance rates using the same methodologies. Some offer only a single acceptance rate for all of their grad schools put together, while others offer individual rates by school, field, or program.

Now, let’s see how selective these schools really are!

*Statistics for NYU are based on the number of enrolled students and not the number of admitted students. Therefore, expect actual acceptance rates to be slightly higher.

How to Find Graduate School Acceptance Rates: 4 Methods

Unfortunately, grad school admissions statistics tend to be more difficult to find than undergrad acceptance rates.  But there are ways to search for them — you just have to do a lot of digging and possibly a little reaching out.

Below are our top four methods for finding grad school acceptance rates for the programs you’re applying to.

#1: Consult School Websites

By far the most reliable resources for grad school admissions statistics are  school websites.

Start your search by consulting program and departmental pages, particularly admissions and FAQ pages. Look out for any statistics-related keywords or phrases, such as “admission(s) rates,” “acceptance rates,” “enrollment,” “facts and figures,” etc. Use ctrl+F to move swiftly through large chunks of text.

Not all schools publish grad admissions information online, and those that do don’t always report it in the same way as others. For example, Princeton offers a handy PDF  containing acceptance rates for all academic fields of study. On the other hand,  Notre Dame  gives separate admissions charts for each of its grad programs (which you can access by selecting a program and then clicking “Admissions Statistics”).

Additionally, many schools release admissions statistics without explicitly publishing acceptance rates.  In this case, it’s your job to take the statistics provided and use them to calculate an acceptance rate. To find the acceptance rate of a school or program, you’ll need the following information:

• The total number of applicants in a year
• The total number of applicants granted admission  that year

The acceptance rate equals the total number of applicants offered admission divided by the total number of applicants and then multiplied by 100, or:

$$\acceptance \rate = {\number \of \applicants \offered \admission}/{\total \number \of \applicants}100$$

Be sure to  avoid conflating the number of students who were  offered admission   with the number of students who accepted their offers of admission. These two concepts sound alike but are actually different. What you’re looking for is the first statistic — that is, the number of admitted students (regardless of whether they decided to enroll).

If you’re having trouble finding admissions statistics by browsing school websites, search on Google for “[Your School] graduate acceptance rate” and see if any relevant school pages appear. While searching for acceptance rates to use in the table above, I consistently swapped “acceptance rate” with similar phrases, such as “admission(s) rate,” “facts and figures,” “student statistics,” “admittance rates,” and “admission(s) statistics.”

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Don’t be afraid to get creative! You can also use phrases like “Ph.D. admissions statistics” or “master’s admissions statistics” to narrow your search even further. Try to think outside the box as you do your research. What are other ways people talk about acceptance rates?

#2: Check  U.S. News

If your school or program doesn’t offer any admissions statistics on its website, go to  U.S. News . This website offers official rankings of grad programs as well as lists of the most (and least) selective programs in various fields.

For example, I found a 2016 list of the most competitive online M.B.A. programs  and a 2015 list of the most competitive online graduate engineering programs .

If U.S. News doesn’t offer any relevant lists for you to use, try skimming the current grad school rankings to gauge how competitive your program is compared with others in the same field.

#3: Search Other Websites

One less reliable method for looking up grad school admissions statistics is to  look for (unofficial) websites discussing acceptance rates for your school or program.

The Grad Cafe’s  admissions results  section is a solid place to start. Here, applicants post whether they’ve been accepted, rejected, or waitlisted for grad programs.

Search for your program to get a rough feel for how many acceptances and rejections go out each year. You might notice that certain types of applicants are more active than others. Creative Writing M.F.A. applicants, for example, are prolific posters in winter and spring (during admissions season).

Occasionally, Google itself will provide you with grad school acceptance rates, but this only appears to work consistently for well-known law schools, medical schools, and business schools.

Additionally, while using Google, don’t assume that any acceptance rates that pop up are directly connected to your search terms. For example, when I searched “stanford graduate acceptance rate,” Google gave me this result:

This 4.8 percent acceptance rate is  not  the acceptance rate for Stanford’s grad programs (what I searched for) but rather the acceptance rate for undergrads. So always cross-check any statistics Google gives you.

You can also consult grad school data websites such as  Peterson’s and StartClass . Take their grad school acceptance rates with a grain of salt, though — their data isn’t always verifiable online. If possible, try to compare any data you find on these types of websites with the school websites themselves or U.S. News .

#4: Contact Schools

If the internet isn’t giving you the help you need, call or email your schools. Be polite but upfront: ask whether the school calculates acceptance rates for grad programs and where you can find this information online (if available).

If a school refuses to divulge admissions statistics or simply doesn’t report acceptance rates, see if they can give you estimates for how many applications they receive each year, or for how many acceptances they usually extend to applicants in your program.

Graduate School Acceptance: What Are Your Odds?

By this point, you might be wondering how likely it is you’ll actually get into the grad program you wish to attend. After all, acceptance rates are pretty broad — they tell you what everyone’s odds are but not your odds specifically.

Below are three easy steps for determining your odds of getting into grad school, including advice on when it’s better to go for it or choose another program.

Step 1: Check Program Requirements

First, go to your program’s website and pinpoint the admissions requirements page. Now, ask yourself:  do you meet all of the program’s basic requirements? If not, you’ll likely wind up with a rejection (and might not even be able to apply).

However, if you’re still interested in applying, contact the program and ask if they’ll make an exception for you. Your chance of getting accepted is still low, but you’ll at least have your application considered.

If your program strongly recommends qualities you lack, don’t interpret this as an automatic rejection. Sometimes, applicants can make up for deficiencies in other ways. For example, if your undergrad GPA is 3.1 and your program recommends applicants have a minimum 3.2, don’t write off the program — you might still have a shot at getting in as long as the rest of your application is solid.

On the other hand, even if you meet all of a program’s requirements, you’re not necessarily a shoo-in. Remember, all other applicants have met these requirements, too, so you’ll need to find a unique way to make your application stand out.

Step 2: Find Average GRE Scores and GPAs

Your next step is to look up your program’s average GRE scores and GPA  to see how your own scores and GPA compare with those of previously admitted applicants.

You can usually find GRE score information on admissions requirements or FAQ pages. You can also search on Google for “[Your School] [Your Program] average GRE scores.” For step-by-step instructions on how to find average GRE scores, check out  my article on average GRE scores by school .

For GPAs, you can use the same basic methodology. Check admissions requirements and FAQ pages and use ctrl+F to search for “GPA.” If GPA information is available, you’ll most likely come across minimum GPAs or average GPAs (or both). For more tips on how to find GPA information for your grad schools, read our guide .

Now, compare your own GRE scores and GPA with the averages you’ve found. Below are all possible scenarios and what they mean for you and your odds of getting into the program:

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• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  higher than your program’s averages:  Congratulations! You have an excellent chance of getting accepted, especially if the rest of your application is equally impressive. Keep up the great work!
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both  about the same as your program’s averages:  You’re doing pretty well! You are just the type of applicant your program is looking for. The only drawback is that you probably won’t stand out as much from other applicants who have similar GRE scores and GPAs. So take time to make your application sparkle (I’m looking at you, statement of purpose).
• Your GRE scores and GPA are both lower than your program’s averages (or just one of the two is lower):  It ain’t over ’til it’s over! You can still make up for your deficiencies in other ways. While you can’t change your GPA, you can retake the GRE . If your GPA is low, a great strategy for combating this is to discuss it in your statement of purpose, taking care to highlight any external factors that contributed to the low GPA as well as any attributes of yours that prove you’re indeed ready for grad school.

Step 3: Decide Whether to Apply

Now, we get to the final question: do you apply to the program or not?  This is a vague question that’s difficult to answer as is. The real questions you should be asking yourself are as follows:

• Do I meet all of the program’s basic requirements?
• Do I meet most or all of the program’s expectations of applicants (in terms of GRE scores, GPA, etc.)?
• Is the program’s acceptance rate extremely low?
• Do I really like this program?

Although acceptance rates and GRE/GPA comparisons are helpful, don’t base your decision to apply solely on how difficult the program is to get into. We can’t know for sure what kind of applicant a grad program is looking for or who they’re willing to make an exception for.

Take a moment to think deeply about how interested you are in this particular program. Be realistic about your chances of getting in — but don’t cross the line into pessimism. If you don’t meet most or all of a program’s expectations and you’re not super invested in it, consider applying elsewhere.

But if you meet some, most, or all of a program’s expectations and you’re extremely interested in enrolling, give the application a go. Remember, it’s totally normal (and even encouraged) to have a few reach schools. Plus, you’ll never get in if you don’t apply!

Key Takeaways: Graduate School Acceptance Rates

Grad school acceptance rates quantify for us the selectivity of grad schools and programs. More specifically, acceptance rates tell us  what percentage of applicants were offered admission to a particular grad school or program. 

With grad school, acceptance rates are often reported for individual schools or programs,  not  entire universities. Acceptance rates can vary widely depending on program prestige, the type of degree you’re seeking, and how much (or how little) funding a program offers.

Unlike undergrad acceptance rates, grad school acceptance rates are somewhat difficult to locate online. You can look for them using any of the following four methods:

• Peruse school websites
• Check grad school facts and lists on  U.S. News
• Browse other websites and forums such as The Grad Cafe
• Call or email your schools

When trying to determine your  odds of getting into a program, look at your program’s requirements as well as the average GPA and GRE scores of previously admitted applicants to your program. If your GRE scores and GPA are comparable to those of your program, you have a decent shot at getting accepted. If one or both are lower than your program’s averages, however, you can always try to  raise your GRE score  with a retake or address your GPA in your statement of purpose.

At the end of the day, what ultimately matters isn’t that you get accepted to a highly competitive grad program but that you make the right decision for you and you alone!

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Need help with your grad school application?  Learn about the most common grad school requirements  and get tips on how to write a grad school CV or resume !

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Palo Alto PGSP-Stanford Consortium Psy.D. Psychology Review

Founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, today the PGSP-Stanford Consortium, housed at Palo Alto University, brings to bear the expertise of that institution’s faculty with the outstanding reputation of instructors and faculty from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

What should interested students know about this rigorous Psy.D. program before making their educational decisions?

About the Program

Check out the vital signs of the PGSP-Stanford Consortium and the Psy.D. training it offers.

• Institution type: Private, nonprofit
• Campus: Palo Alto University
• Accreditation: APA
• First year of program: 2002, but program was first APA-accredited in 2006

Tuition and fees

• Full-time, in-state tuition: $50,451
• Full-time, out-of-state tuition: $50,451
• Per credit-hour tuition for part-time students: NA
• Institution fees: $6,495

Student outcomes

• Median years to completion: 96 (2009-2019)
• Percentage completing in <5 years: 0%
• Percentage completing in 7+ years: 3% (2018-19)
• Degrees conferred, 2010-2019: 274
• Percentage of students obtaining internships: 100% (2018-19)
• Percentage of graduates earning professional licensure: 94% (2009-2017)

Degrees & requirements

• Psy.D. degrees offered: Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Non-Psy.D. degrees offered: None, but Palo Alto University offers Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
• Program length: Five years, students must attend full-time
• Application method: Online, though APA’s centralized application service
• Application fee: $50
• Admission requirements: Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.3 or graduate GPA of at least 3.5; GRE score of at least 305/1200; admissions interview; three letters of recommendation; statement of purpose

Biggest Pros

What are the biggest points in favor of a prospective student considering the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium?

Stellar reputation

Drawing upon faculty expertise from multiple institutions of higher learning, including one of the most well-regarded schools in the world (Stanford University), the PGSP-Stanford Consortium puts students into direct contact with leaders in their field.

Though their degree will technically be from Palo Alto University, the connections students make and the evidence-based training they receive from Stanford faculty may prove the difference in a crowded professional marketplace.

Rigorous education

Though it’s not for everybody, there’s no doubt that a program that requires students to attend full-time gives learners a chance to become immersed in a topic in a way that more flexible programs can’t do, nor do they try. PGSP-Stanford students will spend at least four full-time academic years devoted to classroom experience, followed by an APA-accredited internship.

These factors combine to put students through the ringer, but those who excel find themselves licensed as psychologists nearly 100% of the time.

Modern education

Accredited as a Psy.D. program by the APA since 2006, this program is relatively new among the roster of popular Psy.D. programs, but what it lacks in a lengthy history, it more than makes up for with a slate of courses aimed at the heart of modern psychology. Classes in the biological basis of behavior are taken right alongside emerging areas like statistics and research methods or culturally competent counseling.

Biggest Cons

As we said, the PGSP-Stanford Consortium certainly isn’t the ideal program for every student, and there are definitely drawbacks to pursuing a degree in this particular program.

With a program lasting at least five years, students should expect to spend more than a quarter-million dollars to earn their Psy.D. from the PGSP-Stanford Consortium. Considering the high degree of professional licensure, it may be well worth it, but for a large percentage of students, the cost will be a non-starter.

Lack of flexibility

Especially for working professionals, the full-time requirement of this program could mean putting a great many things on hold, including jobs and personal matters. Now, we listed the fact that this program is full-time and intensive as a positive, which it is, if students are able to make that work, but since many Psy.D. students are already working full-time, having absolutely no ability to make a program fit their lives instead of the other way around is a knock overall for the majority of students.

The Bottom Line

So is the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium the right program for you? That’s a question only you can fully answer, but here’s a chart that might help.

This program is on the high end from a cost perspective, and the program offers only one Psy.D. degree, while many other schools offer multiple options for students who want to focus on a particular type of psychology. Still, for students who can make the financial and time commitment involved, the PGSP-Stanford Consortium is a rigorous, top-level program.

PGSP-Stanford Consortium Psy.D program made our Editors’ Choice  Best Accredited Psy.D. Programs for 2020 .

Learn more today.

Additional Resources

• Admission Requirements
• Sample Curriculum
• Course Descriptions

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