Frequently asked questions about admissions
- Can I apply for a master's degree?
- Are there any admissions prerequisites?
- What is the application deadline?
- To which department should I send my application materials?
- Do you have a minimum required GRE score?
- Do you require or accept the GRE Psychology Subject Test?
- Do you require or accept the new Personal Potential Index report from ETS?
- What should I emphasize in my application?
- Do you hold interviews as part of the application process?
- How many students are usually admitted each year?
- How will I know that you have received my application, when will I know, and how will I know if you have everything?
- What types of jobs do students go into who have graduated from ICD?
- Is there any additional advice for international students?
- I have a question that is not answered here, or would like more information.
Can I apply for a master's degree?
The Institute of Child Development does award both MAs and PhDs, however, we do not offer admission to a terminal master's degree. All students are evaluated relative to their potential in the PhD program, and are admitted with the goal of completing the PhD. Students are allowed, but not required, to earn an MA during their progress toward the PhD.
Are there any admissions prerequisites?
Formal prerequisites are the equivalent of four quarter or three semester courses in psychology and an introductory course in statistics. Also, most students admitted have a substantial background in psychology, courses in mathematics and the natural sciences, and undergraduate research experience.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for receipt of all materials is December 1st for the following fall term. We only admit for fall.
What department should I send my application materials to?
The Institute of Child Development is the Department of Child Psychology. We are housed in the College of Education and
Human Development at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. While we have ties to other departments such as Psychology (in the
College of Liberal Arts) and Educational Psychology (also in the College of Education and Human Development), we are a seperate entity.
All students applying for a PhD in Child Psychology will submit materials to both ICD and the Graduate School.
Students applying for the special joint training track offered in cooperation with Clinical Psychology
should not send any materials to the
Psychology Department.
Students applying for the special joint training track offered in cooperation with the School Psychology department
should send the
application materials required by School Psychology to that department as well.
For more information please refer to the Application Instructions page.
Do you have minimum required GRE scores or GPA in order to apply?
We do not have minimum required GRE scores or GPA for admission. (Note that the Graduate School prefers a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Admission to the Institute programs is competitive. The median grade point averages and GRE scores for students offered admission for Fall Semester 2008, were as follows:
| Undergraduate GPA | 3.89 |
| GRE Verbal | 650 |
| GRE Verbal Percentile | 93% |
| GRE Quantitative | 750 |
| GRE Quantitative Percentile | 84% |
| GRE Analytical | 5.0 |
| GRE Analytical Percentile | 73% |
| GRE V & Q | 1390 |
These ranges are intended only as guidelines but we anticipate that most students admitted to the Institute will have GPAs and test scores comparable to these. We do not use GRE scores as cutoffs, nor do high grades and scores guarantee admission.
Do you require or accept the GRE Psychology Subject Test?
We do not require the GRE Psychology Subject Test, and as such we cannot take any scores for this test into consideration when making our admissions decisions.
Do you require or accept the new Personal Potential Index report from ETS?
At this time, we do not require the PPI report from ETS, and as such we cannot take PPI reports into consideration when making our admissions decisions.
What should I emphasize in my application?
Admission to the child psychology graduate program is based on the applicant's academic record, letters of recommendation, Graduate Record Exams scores (verbal, quantitative, and analytical), TOEFL where applicable, a statement of goals and interests, and perceived program "fit."
The admissions committee will carefully review everything that you submit. The committee looks for evidence that you have the academic preparation and skills to succeed, and that the program can offer you training in your area of interest (perceived program "fit"). To evaluate "fit," the admissions committee will evaluate how well your interests match with the interests of department faculty. You need not identify specific faculty with whom you would like to work, but you may do so if you wish.
The admissions committee evaluates applications in total. This means that strengths may outweigh weaknesses. For example, very strong letters of recommendation and perceived "fit" may outweigh lower GRE scores or grades, or excellent grades in math could compensate for a weak quantitative GRE score. These are just examples. Individual cases vary. However, the best advice is to showcase your strengths, and if need be, to explain how your strengths compensate for your weaknesses in your Personal Statement or in an addendum to the application. See Application Instructions for more information.
Do you hold interviews as part of the application process?
We do not hold interviews. After admissions decisions have been made, we hold a visit weekend for admitted students. See Visiting the Institute for more information.
How many students are usually admitted each year?
In recent years we have admitted 7-14 students total. This includes students admitted to specialty training tracks.
How will I know that you have received my application, when will I know, and how will I know if you have everything?
You will receive an email at the email address you listed on your departmental application form when we receive your departmental application form and check it in to our tracking system. This email will let you know if we are missing anything at that time. (Please note that until we receive your departmental application form, we will be unable to verify if we have received any other materials.)
We generally receive the bulk of applications and materials close to or on the application deadline of December 1st. Around that time, there will likely be a delay from when we receive the application in our mailbox to when we are able to check it in and email you. Please rest assured that we are working as swiftly as possible at that time and will notify everyone as quickly as we can.
You will receive another e-mail when your departmental application is complete. Your departmental application will be considered complete when we have received your departmental application form, curriculum vitae, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, and copies of transcripts and GRE scores. (See application instructions for more information.) This does not mean that your graduate school application is complete, as the graduate school application is a separate process.
What types of jobs do students go into who have graduated from ICD?
Our PhD program is research-oriented and designed to prepare students to be researchers and faculty members. The majority of our graduates go on to careers in research and teaching.
Is there any additional advice for international students?
Please visit the Graduate School's International Student Information page for information about English-language requirements, support and resources.
I have a question that is not answered here, or would like more information.
Please contact the Associate Director of Graduate Studies, Danielle Bordeleau, at borde021@umn.edu or 612-625-9778.