Article summary:
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Only one in five or six psychology undergraduates gain a spot in a Master of Psychology program each year, despite growing demand for mental health professionals.
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Career experience doesn’t have to be paid or clinical. Volunteering, mentoring, conflict resolution, or working in people-focused roles can be great to highlight.
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In personal statements and interviews, avoid generic responses. Instead, share meaningful reflections, including moments of vulnerability, growth, and self-awareness.
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Proactively reach out to organisations or mentors for experience but avoid overcommitting. If needed, take time post-Honours to build your profile without burning out.
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Manage stress by focusing on what you can control, setting boundaries during anxious times, and scheduling preparation early. Support networks outside of the psychology field can help maintain perspective.
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Connect with your early career psychology peers and a range of seasoned experts, including Dr Chris Cheers, at the APS Career Expo to learn more about building a career in psychology.
Applying for a Master of Psychology can feel like a daunting experience. Dr Chris Cheers, psychologist and lecturer, demystifies the experience by sharing strategies for success and tips for managing your own mental health during the process.
Entry into a Master of Psychology is highly competitive.
In 2023, the average undergraduate course in psychology accepted between 200 and 300 students. In contrast, most postgraduate courses offered around 40 places.
In other words, just one in five or six undergraduates gain a spot in a Master of Psychology each year. This is the case even though the need for qualified mental health professionals is soaring.
The statistics can make the application process feel daunting. Students may feel uncertain of how to ensure they stand out – whether they’re writing a personal statement or attending an interview.
To help demystify the experience and provide students with practical strategies to put their best foot forward, Dr Chris Cheers, psychologist, lecturer in the School of Psychology at Australian Catholic University and upcoming speaker at the APS Career Expo, happening over July and August in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane and Melbourne, shares advice.
Understanding the application criteria
The first step in preparing your Master’s application is understanding the criteria.
As most students know, academic performance is important. However, obsessing about achieving a particular grade isn’t helpful.
“Students often focus on the cut-off mark,” says Dr Cheers. “There is a minimum, but it varies between universities, and changes from year to year. So, it’s impossible to know. Instead, focus on doing the best you can, while gaining practical experience.”
In addition to submitting their grades, students usually provide a resume highlighting their experience, as well as two referee reports and a personal statement. Those who are shortlisted then attend an interview.
“I advise students to think about experience broadly,” says Dr Cheers. “You don’t have to have worked in [a paid role] in the psychology field for your experience to count.
“You might have worked voluntarily or had personal experience. What is ideal is that your experience is related in some way to psychology. For example, you might have helped someone in distress, or mediated conflict, or managed a team. It’s how you analyse, understand and learn from your experience that really matters.”
When it comes to referees, Dr Cheers recommends listing one familiar with your academic work and one familiar with your therapeutic, counselling or interpersonal skills.
As for writing a personal statement and performing in an interview, the trick is to avoid re-hashing your resume.
“The things that will make you stand out are the things that make you interesting,” he says. “For example, it’s not what you did for work experience – we can read that in your resume – but how you talk about what you did.
“How were you challenged? How did you respond? What did you learn about yourself and about the field of psychology?”
This kind of information can help your application stand out. Consider how to infuse your personal story and perspective into your personal statement and interviews.
“One of the challenges I’ve had throughout study and work is that I have the capacity to disconnect from my body and what it’s telling me.
“That can be useful academically – to get an assignment done on time – but it also has a use-by date. I’ve reached the point of burn-out and had sicknesses that have put me out for days.
“So, I’ve had to learn to look after myself and reach out for support when I need it. If I were applying for a Master’s program now, I’d be showing that vulnerability. I’d be stating that, if the juggling becomes too difficult, I’m going to apply for an extension, or go part-time.”
How to build your profile
Building a profile involves a combination of gaining practical experience and expanding your network.
One of the best ways to start is by picking up the phone.
“I’m a big proponent of calling people,” says Dr Cheers. “Search online for places you’re interested in working for, or look for people doing the sort of work you’d like to do, then call or email them.
“Tell them, ‘I’m studying, and I have X amount of time I’d like to contribute to your organisation. Is there any opportunity for us to talk?’
“See what happens from there. Even if it turns out to be just one coffee with a mentor, it could be an important learning opportunity.”
When seeking opportunities, it’s helpful to think broadly.
“Experience can be structured or unstructured. For example, if you have time and money, you might complete a course, like Lifeline training.
“But unstructured experience also counts – any work that involves supporting people or doing research in the psychology field.
“You might work in a school as a teacher’s aide, or coach a local sports team, or work in the NDIS, or volunteer in a hospital, or work in a psychology clinic as an intake officer or in administration.”
All this experience counts. Think about the transferrable skills you've gained, such as deep listening, time management and leadership, and highlight them in your application.
At the same time, students should be wary of over-committing, says Dr Cheers.
“Think realistically about how much you can do while studying and/or working. It can be difficult because, in the beginning, a lot of work is often voluntary.
“Let the organisation know your capacity early – even if it’s just a few hours per week.
“There’s a real risk of overloading and burning out, which can impact your grades, and your ability to be grounded during the application process.”
One way of relieving pressure is waiting until after you graduate to focus on building your profile.
“I don’t think it can be underestimated how much time and study it takes to achieve an undergraduate degree at the level required to apply for a Master’s.
“If you don’t have time and space [to build your profile] on top of that, because you’re trying to make ends meet or have other commitments, such as caring responsibilities, consider taking some time out after Honours. The pressures of study are real and very well known.”
Tips for standing out in the personal statement and interview
During the application period, selection committees read through hundreds of personal statements. The challenge is to stand out.
“My tip is to get personal – be unique,” says Dr Cheers. “How can you capture attention and make people want to meet you?”
Instead of structuring your notes around what you’ve done, reflect on your strengths and areas that need polishing. You might determine these through journalling, or by asking supervisors, teachers, mentors and employers for feedback.
“The best statements and interviews are often those that demonstrate vulnerability. It’s important to be able to talk with confidence about your strengths, but also about where you can improve,” says Dr Cheers.
“Use examples that relate directly to your experience and are relevant to the psychology profession. What was it like for you to sit with someone in distress or trauma? How did you react when someone had different values or beliefs? How did you deal with the stress of study and work and placement all at the same time?
“[When you were faced with a challenge], how did you work through it? Did you seek supervision? Did you do training? Did you attend therapy? What skills did you gain in the process? How will you apply those skills when completing your Master’s? Try to demonstrate a growth mindset.”
To ensure your individuality stands out, avoid using AI or following generic structures, he suggests.
“AI can write very well, but it’s very uninteresting. Throw out AI or any other suggestion about how to write or speak – instead, express your unique voice.”
Looking after your mental health during the application process
Many students find the application process anxiety-inducing. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome and burn-out are common experiences.
“Students should try to remember that [these feelings are] normal. It’s because you care – because you're doing something important and meaningful. It’s not an indicator that you're not good enough or doing something wrong.”
Another helpful tactic is determining what is beyond your control.
“Write lists of what you can and can’t control,” says Dr Cheers.
“When your mind ruminates on things beyond your control, use mindfulness to move your attention to the present, and do something that makes you feel good. That might be exercising, hugging your dog, talking to someone.
“Reach out for support, but with a caveat. If you’re talking to fellow students, notice the difference between discussing your experience in a way that feels supportive and in a way that’s anxiety-provoking.
“A contagion of anxiety can happen at application time, so you may need to put up boundaries. It could be better to spend time with the people in your life who have nothing to do with psychology.”
One factor that’s often within students’ control is scheduling. To reduce stress, students could set aside time to prepare applications well before their deadlines.
“Applying really does take a lot of time and energy,” says Dr Cheers. “Start as early as possible. Leave yourself time to reflect on what you’ve written, to show it to other people, and to look after yourself.
“This is especially important in the days leading up to the interview. Unpredictability is anxiety-provoking, so make the process feel more predictable. If you haven’t been to the university before, practice the journey. Make up questions and practice with friends or family.”
Finally, while students should put time, effort and planning into their applications, it’s important to adopt a balanced attitude towards the outcome.
“Whether you get in or not, try to remember that work is only one part of your life,” says Dr Cheers. “You might think you only want to become a clinical psychologist, but there are so many other pathways.
“There will be many, many parts to your life – so many experiences you’ll have that you don’t even know about yet.”
Don’t miss your chance to hear from Dr Chris Cheers and other seasoned psychology experts at the APS Career Expo, held in Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Hobart and Melbourne across July and August. Register for your city today.