How to Apply
Our application for Fall 2024 admission is now closed. You may check your application status through our application portal.
See our FAQ page for frequently asked questions about our graduate programs and application process.
Updates on Admissions for Fall 2024
The following information about our 2023-2024 admissions procedures will help potential applicants plan ahead. These procedures apply to all our PhD programs (clinical, developmental, and social-personality psychology).
We will not require the GREs. Applicants may submit GREs if they choose, but the faculty will be de-emphasizing scores in our admissions process and evaluating applications with a holistic approach.
We will continue to keep our application fee low. Why? The cost of applying to graduate school can run into the thousands, and we are concerned that this creates a barrier that allows only students of financial means to apply (or requires applicants to take on debt). We hope that by alleviating the total cost of grad school applications even a little, we might increase access to academic psychology to underrepresented minorities, first generation college students, and other applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. Please note that if $50 is still a financial burden for you, you may request a fee waiver. After you have submitted your application, use our fee waiver request form to explain your financial situation. Requests must be received by the close of our application. Requests will be evaluated, and fee waivers will be awarded to those applicants with true financial need.
Learn more about applying through the links below:
- Application Checklist and Instructions
- Program-Specific Application Information
- Financial Support
- International Applicants
- Application Process and Timeline
- Applicants with Prior Graduate Studies
- Diversity
- FAQs
- Contact Information
Application Checklist and Instructions
You may login here to check your application status.
Applications for fall 2024 admission are due December 1, 2023.
There is a $50 non-refundable application fee.
To submit an application:
Complete the University of Rochester online application. You will need to upload all of the required documents:
- Official transcript(s)*
- Three letters of recommendation
- CV/resume
- Personal statement
- Diversity statement (500 word maximum; see the prompt within the online application)
- Writing sample (optional)
- GRE scores (not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle)
- English Proficiency scores, for international applicants
*Please scan and upload an official or unofficial copy of your transcript(s) to your application. You will be required to provide the University with an official transcript upon acceptance.
Selecting a Mentor
In the online application you will be asked to select which faculty members you are interested in working with. You must select a first preference for a potential mentor and may select one additional potential mentor.
For more information about which faculty members are reviewing applications this year, please see the Program-Specific Application Information below.
GRE Scores
- GRE scores are not required for the fall 2024 admissions cycle. Faculty will be deemphasizing them in the admissions process and evaluating applications with a holistic approach.
- Scores less than five years old can be submitted.
- Results of GREs taken in December will not reach us in time to consider with your application.
- GRE codes: Institution - 2928; no department code needed.
Program-Specific Application Information
The following faculty are interested in mentoring graduate students for the 2023-2024 academic year:
- Clinical: Dr. Liz Handley, Dr. Christie Petrenko
- Developmental: Dr. Patrick Davies, Dr. Isobel Heck, Dr. Jennie Noll, Dr. Melissa Sturge-Apple, Dr. Nestor Tulagan
- Social-Personality: Dr. Andrew Elliot, Dr. Jeremy Jamieson, Dr. Bonnie Le, Dr. Harry Reis
For more information about each program's admissions criteria, please visit the following pages:
Clinical Psychology Admissions Criteria
Developmental Psychology Admissions Criteria
Social-Personality Psychology Admissions Criteria
Financial Support
Students who are accepted into our PhD programs are granted a full tuition scholarship and receive a fellowship or assistantship supported by department funds or a research or training grant. The departmental stipend for incoming students during the 2023-2024 academic year is $24,000.
University Sproull Fellowships and Provost Minority Fellowships provide additional awards to graduate students of exceptional academic promise.
The University also covers the cost of student health insurance and the University's mandatory health fee. Please see the financial support section of our FAQs for more information.
International Applicants
English Language Proficiency Requirement
All international students whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English language proficiency through the submission of official test scores from one of the following exams. Scores more than two years old from the application deadline are not valid.
- IELTS
- TOEFL or TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- Duolingo
To send in IELTS scores please use the following address:
University of Rochester
Graduate Studies – AS&E
500 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd
P.O. Box 270401
Rochester NY 14627
TOEFL scores can be submitted using the code 2928 (A department code is not necessary).
Duolingo score can be sent directly to the University of Rochester at no cost.
English Language Proficiency Waiver
The English proficiency test requirement is waived for citizens of the following countries whose native language is English:
- Australia
- Canada
- Commonwealth Caribbean Nations
- Ghana
- Ireland
- Kenya
- Liberia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Virgin Islands
The requirement may also be waived if a student has completed at least three years of full time and in-person postsecondary study in one of the countries listed above or the United States. We reserve the right to require further demonstration of English proficiency, even if you have received your degree from one of the above-mentioned countries.
Applying with a Three-Year Degree
If you are applying with a three-year degree from a foreign institution, you will need to provide a WES evaluation stating that the degree you were awarded is equivalent to a bachelor's degree. You can upload this information directly to your online application along with a copy of your transcript.
Application Process and Timeline
Reviewing of materials (and notifying candidates) will begin in December/January. Faculty in each area will conduct interviews with promising candidates in February 2024. Interviews for Fall 2024 admission will be conducted online. Decisions about admissions are made after the interviews.
Because of the large number of applicants, interviews are arranged by invitation only. We regret that we cannot honor requests for interviews initiated by applicants.
Applicants with Prior Graduate Studies
Applicants who have completed graduate work at other universities are evaluated by the same criteria as other students. Transfer of credit for graduate work with approval can be made up to a state-mandated maximum of 30 hours, but these arrangements cannot be made until after an applicant is offered admission.
Diversity
The Department of Psychology deeply values diversity, equity, and inclusion. Qualified applicants from under-represented identities are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our diversity efforts and resources, please visit our diversity, equity, and inclusion page.
FAQs
Please see our FAQ page for a full list of frequently asked questions.
Contact Information
If you have additional questions, please contact us at PsychAcademics@ur.rochester.edu.