FAQs: Application Information
What is the application deadline?
All materials must be postmarked on or before January 15.
When will applicants receive notification of selection decisions?
Typically in mid-February.
Can the application materials be completed on the internet or downloaded off of the internet?
Yes, visit the Application Page for further information.
Is an undergraduate major of psychology required to apply to the Program?
No, but for those who did not major in psychology, remedial coursework may be recommended or required.
How many letters of recommendation are required to apply to the Program? Are forms available for those who will write the recommendations?
We require three letters of recommendation. There are no forms that letter writers need to use—letter writers can simply use formal letterhead.
Do I have to specify in my application who I would like to work with as my faculty advisor?
We do request that you specify the faculty member or members that you are interested in working with, because the match of faculty interests to student interests is an important factor in the admission process, given that we operate according to a mentorship model. Note that current advising loads and other factors may preclude a particular faculty member from taking on students in a given year.
Is previous research experience considered when making the selection decisions?
Yes, research experience is strongly considered, even if not in the area of Cognitive Psychology, as this can demonstrate one’s knowledge and skills in research methodology and statistics.
What is the average GPA of applicants accepted into the Program?
The average GPA of students admitted to the Program from 1997-2006 was 3.8, with the range between 3.3 and 4.0.
What are the average GRE scores of applicants accepted into the Program?
The average combined verbal + quantitative GRE scores of students admitted to the Program from 1997-2005 was about 1210, with the range between 1020 and 1360.
Is the GRE Psychology Subject Test required?
The Psychology Subject Test is optional.
What undergraduate coursework is most useful and relevant for graduate study in Cognitive Psychology?
Courses in basic psychology, research methods, statistics, and other coursework consistent with your specific area of interest are most useful as preparation for graduate study.
Is a terminal Master's Degree in Cognitive Psychology available at Colorado State?
No, students seeking admission to our Program should be firmly committed to completing the Ph.D.
Can a person who already earned a Master's Degree at another institution apply to the program?
Yes. From 1997-2006, a little under 15% of students who were admitted to the Program held a Master’s Degree from another institution. We usually accept the Master’s degree from a Department of Psychology in lieu of a Master’s degree from our Program. The more questionable cases are likely to come when a student has a thesis in an area other than psychology.
Can a new student entering with a Master's Degree test out of courses?
Yes. We place students out of courses on a case-by-case basis. Students are asked to provide a course syllabus, list of readings, and other relevant class materials. Based on an evaluation of this information, students are typically placed out of courses of comparable content.