Graduate Studies: Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: The department of Psychology is an experimental psychology program that trains experimental psychologists for research and teaching positions in academic settings and for research careers in the private sector. If you are interested in a clinical, counseling psychology program, please see the Graduate School of Education.

When can I apply?

The 2009-2010 graduate school application will open on August 1, 2009. The Application for Graduate Study is online.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is December 1, 2009. You are strongly advised to submit your online application and all required supporting materials well in advance of the official deadline. Applications to the Ph.D. program are accepted with admission to begin the Fall Quarter only.

How do I apply?

UCSB no longer offers paper or printed versions of the graduate application. The Application for Graduate Study is online. Your application must be completed, submitted, application fee paid, and any other additional required materials by December 1, 2009.

It is important to indicate on the Graduate Application (under emphasis), the subdisciplinary program area to which you are applying. Here are your options:

Cognition, Perception and Cognitive Neuroscience
Neuroscience and Behavior
Developmental and Evolutionary Psychology
Social Psychology

What is the application fee?

All applications require a non-refundable application fee of $70 for domestic applicants, and $90 for international applicants. Graduate Division will not process your application until the application fee has been received.

Where do I send my application materials?

Please send to the Psychology Department (If possible, please send all supplemental materials together in a complete package):

1. Two official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended;
2. Two copies of your Statement of Purpose with an attached cover sheet;
3. Three Letters of Recommendation (these should be submitted through the Online Graduate Application). If you have any questions about how to do so, please see the Graduate Division’s Admissions website under requirements;

Mailing Address:

Department of Psychology
Attn: G.P.A.
University of California
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9660

Please send to the Graduate Division:

1. Application fee, if not already paid during application submission;
2. Official GRE and TOEFL scores, sent directly from ETS. UCSB's institution code is 4835, and the department code should be left blank;
3. Official IELTS scores can be sent as a alternative to the TOEFL

Mailing Address:

UC Santa Barbara Graduate Division
Attn: Graduate Admissions
3117 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2070

What are the requirements for admission?

Admission to graduate training in the Department of Psychology is competitive and is based on consideration of intellectual potential, research experience and/or promise, academic achievement, and programmatic fit. Successful applicants to the program typically have an overall grade point average in upper division (junior and senior) academic classes above 3.5 (on a 4-point scale), and scores on the verbal and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination above the 80th percentile.

Where may I take the GRE and or TOEFL?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are administered by ETS.

Where do I send my GRE and/or TOEFL scores?

Once you ask ETS to send score reports to UCSB, please allow two to three weeks for processing. Once your scores have arrived, Graduate Division will update your application status.

What are competitive GRE and/or TOEFL scores?

The Graduate Division does not set minimum score requirements for the GRE. For international applicants required to take the TOEFL or IELTS, the minimum TOEFL score is 550 when taking the paper based test, 213 when taking the computer based test, and 80 when taking the internet based test. The minimum IELTS score for consideration is an Overall Band Score of 7 or higher. TOEFL or IELTS scores can be no more than two years old at the time of application.

May I waive the TOEFL or IELTS requirement?

Exceptions to TOEFL or IELTS testing may only be considered for those students who have completed an undergraduate or graduate education at an institution whose primary language of instruction is English.

I am an international applicant. Am I required to submit a pre-application?

The department of Psychology does not require a pre-application.

Is there a foreign language requirement?

There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. degree in Psychology at UCSB.

Will the department accept application materials after the Dec. 1 deadline?

It is important that all supporting materials be received by Dec. 1, 2009. Any materials received after Dec. 1 will be considered late. Late supporting materials may result in a delay in the review of your application by the Admissions Committee. As there is limited space, a late application review may effect admissions decisions.

How do I find out my admissions decision?

You can check your application status online.

Do you offer tours for prospective students?

Due to the high number of applicants, the department of Psychology does not offer individual tours. If you would like a tour of UCSB you can sign up online with the Visitor’s Center.

Who do I contact if I still have questions?

Please email Graduate Info any remaining questions.

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