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Rating: 
Summary: The Stress Reliever
Review: I called it that because this book had the answers to the questions I had when no one else did. It goes through what you should consider when applying to a program, and helps you to decide what it is you'd like to study (or at least reviews your possibilities for you; the different areas, etc.). Next, the book reviews the application process itself, from how to make contact with your potential advisor, to how to write your personal statement, and ask for letters of recommendation from your professors. This book was extremely helpful in covering the little details that you should consider and those things which you may have never had to do before (such as ask for letters of recommendation, or even how to decide the best prof to ask). The book next goes over the acceptance/decline/decision part of the process, which I found very helpful. When you're stressed over making a decision or how to decline an offer, this book tells you what to expect and calms you down because you're aware of this information. I highly recommend this book because it reviews the application process from start to finish, and because most of us haven't applied to grad school before, it allows you to feel a little more confident in knowing what you need to do, etc., rather than applying "blind".
Rating:
Summary: Get this Book to Get In!
Review: It is essential to have some type of preparation materials if you are applying to graduate programs in psychology. Areas such as clinical psychology are extremely competitive and the application process can be a long and arduous task.This book is useful long before you ever start applying to programs. It gives pointers on how to prepare yourself as a candidate (even years in advance). However, even if you only have a few months before you start applying this book can still be of use. It gives practical tips and checklists on what you need to do. I highly recommend it to those who are even remotely contemplating graduate school!
Rating:
Summary: Lifesaver
Review: The APA considers a doctorate to be the entry-level degree for a career as a psychologist. The best programs are accredited by the APA, and the competition to gain acceptance is quite fierce. This book is an exceptional guide to understanding the entire process. Written primarily for an undergraduate audience, it begins by leading the undergraduate through a careful self-assessment to determine if the skills, interests and resources are realistically available to support completion of a graduate program. The next chapter is an overview of career options and licensure issues, and covers this material in a more useful manner that Sternberg's "Career Paths in Psychology." The earlier in your college work that you read this book, the more useful chapter four will be. It explains what graduate programs are looking for in GPA, GRE, letter of recommendation, experience, essay, etc., and how you can position yourself to compete effectively for acceptance. I do not believe that planning for graduate admission can begin too early. Chapter five takes one through the process of selecting a graduate school, and chapter six focuses on completion and coordination of the application process. One graduate program that I have talked to eliminates over half of its applicants because the application process in not completed as required! Less than 10% of applicants are accepted into APA programs. The concluding chapter provides therapeutic advice regarding non-acceptance, as well as generally accepted protocols for dealing with multiple acceptances. Checklists and timelines are provided throughout this book to assist you. Every resource you could possibly need is listed in an appendix, as are a list of APA divisions, an early planning checklist for juniors, and a list of state licensing authorities. Read this book before you ask your professors for advice. That alone may tend to prove that you are graduate material.
Rating:
Summary: Tells you everything you need to know
Review: The APA considers a doctorate to be the entry-level degree for a career as a psychologist. The best programs are accredited by the APA, and the competition to gain acceptance is quite fierce. This book is an exceptional guide to understanding the entire process. Written primarily for an undergraduate audience, it begins by leading the undergraduate through a careful self-assessment to determine if the skills, interests and resources are realistically available to support completion of a graduate program. The next chapter is an overview of career options and licensure issues, and covers this material in a more useful manner that Sternberg's "Career Paths in Psychology." The earlier in your college work that you read this book, the more useful chapter four will be. It explains what graduate programs are looking for in GPA, GRE, letter of recommendation, experience, essay, etc., and how you can position yourself to compete effectively for acceptance. I do not believe that planning for graduate admission can begin too early. Chapter five takes one through the process of selecting a graduate school, and chapter six focuses on completion and coordination of the application process. One graduate program that I have talked to eliminates over half of its applicants because the application process in not completed as required! Less than 10% of applicants are accepted into APA programs. The concluding chapter provides therapeutic advice regarding non-acceptance, as well as generally accepted protocols for dealing with multiple acceptances. Checklists and timelines are provided throughout this book to assist you. Every resource you could possibly need is listed in an appendix, as are a list of APA divisions, an early planning checklist for juniors, and a list of state licensing authorities. Read this book before you ask your professors for advice. That alone may tend to prove that you are graduate material.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for psychology applicants
Review: This book gives step by step instructions, from start to finish, to help you get the inside track on applying. I followed it religiously (it was recommended by an undergraduate advisor) and one year later I'm enrolled in an accredited clinical program.
Rating:
Summary: Good book to use for a guide
Review: This book has helped me immensely with my search for a grad school. While I had a general idea of what I needed to do, this book gives a detailed explanation of every step you need to take starting with your junior year. It gives a whole lot of information, without being overwhelming. The book gives you realistic options, and even prepares you for what to do when things go wrong. I am very glad that I bought this book.
Rating:
Summary: Lifesaver
Review: This book truly saved my life. The timelines, the explanations, and the advice really helped me pull together my applications--as it addresses all aspects of the application to graduate school in psychology. Without this book, I honestly would not have known how to approach professors/research supervisors re: recommendations, or how to begin my personal statement. If you would like to greatly improve your chances of getting accepted to graduate school, buying this book (and reading it thoroughly!) are one of the first steps you must take....
Rating:
Summary: The Stress Reliever
Review: This book was one of the best investments i ever made (especially considering the fact that it is so cheap, a big bonus for poor undergrad students). I bought this book, read it, followed all of its advice faithfully - don't be lazy about it! (like typing in the info on the paper application rather than hand-writing it). It helped me complete the applications, prepare for the interviews and know how to turn down the programs i chose not to go to. Yes, this book was so helpful that i got into more than one APA accredited doctoral level clinical psychology program. Even when it seemed hopeless, this short, no-nonsense concrete guide kept me going. My experience proves that it's possible and that your chances go up A LOT if you get a book to tell you how to go about it. Don't ruin your chances with a careless approach, put in the 10 bucks and the few hours to read this, and you will NOT be sorry.
Rating:
Summary: Got me into Grad school
Review: This book was one of the best investments i ever made (especially considering the fact that it is so cheap, a big bonus for poor undergrad students). I bought this book, read it, followed all of its advice faithfully - don't be lazy about it! (like typing in the info on the paper application rather than hand-writing it). It helped me complete the applications, prepare for the interviews and know how to turn down the programs i chose not to go to. Yes, this book was so helpful that i got into more than one APA accredited doctoral level clinical psychology program. Even when it seemed hopeless, this short, no-nonsense concrete guide kept me going. My experience proves that it's possible and that your chances go up A LOT if you get a book to tell you how to go about it. Don't ruin your chances with a careless approach, put in the 10 bucks and the few hours to read this, and you will NOT be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent guide, but not the best...not even for Psych students
Review: This is one of the better books on getting into grad school, but its not the best. For the most part, it talks about things that most students will have figured out themselves by their senior year. There are a few extra tidbits, though, so I'd recommend buying it along with the book by Mumby. There are some similarities between the two books, but Mumby's book will tell you about some things that would never occur to you. In my case, the extra insights are what made the difference when I was applying to grad school (I got into a Psychology MA program). I don't advise wasting your money on most of the other books.
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