Admissions

All materials are submitted online. Visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions and tips for the strongest possible application.

Do not send hard copies of required materials. We are unable to return original documents sent to the department, and they will not be included in your application.

Application Deadline: November 15, 2026 Applications for Fall 2027 must be submitted by November 15, 2026. Applications received after this date will not be considered. The application system opens September 1, 2026. You may apply to one area only.

 

Step 1 — Submit to The Office of Graduate Admissions

• Admissions Application: Complete the online application. Select your area of interest (e.g., Social and Personality, Developmental) and the faculty you wish to work with. Faculty review only the applications of students who have expressed interest in working with them.

Allow up to two business days after submitting your application to receive your EID and temporary password by email. You will use these to log in to MyStatus and upload your remaining materials. Contact Graduate Admissions if you do not receive the email within two business days.

• Application Fee: $65 (domestic) / $90 (international). After paying, you will receive your EID and password to log in to MyStatus and upload materials. Fee waiver information is available here.
• Transcripts: Upload an official transcript from each senior college attended. Transcripts must have been produced within the last calendar year. Do not mail or email transcripts. See PDF upload instructions.
• GRE: Not required for Fall 2027 applicants.

*Some graduate mentors recommend submitting your GREs scores if you have taken the exam, though this is not required and it will not affect review of your application. Reach out to faculty via email or checking their laboratory websites for further information.

• TOEFL Scores (international applicants only): More information on exemptions can be found here. Reports should be sent directly from The Educational Testing Service (ETS) agency. The ETS code for the University of Texas at Austin is 6882.

 

Step 2 — Upload Materials via MyStatus

After submitting your application, you will receive an EID and password to log in to MyStatus. Upload the following materials there:

• Statement of Purpose (optional): No longer than two pages, single-spaced. Describe how your background, accomplishments, and life experiences led you to pursue a PhD. You may also address anything in your record you would like the program to understand.
• Statement of Research Objectives: No longer than two pages, single-spaced. Address the following questions:

–  Why do you want to pursue a PhD in UT Austin’s Psychology Department?

–  What research questions or problems interest you?

–  How have you prepared yourself for graduate study?

–  What skills or competencies would you like to develop in graduate school?

–  Which UT Austin Psychology faculty would you like to conduct mentored research with?

• Three (3) Letters of Recommendation: Enter your recommenders’ names and current email addresses in the “References” section of the application. Recommenders will not receive the request email until after you submit your application. Letters must be uploaded directly by your recommender via the secure link they receive. We do not accept letters from Interfolio. Within 24 hours of your application submission, an automatic email will be generated and sent to the recommenders. The email will contain instructions and a secure link to the letter of recommendation website. You can monitor your requests for reference and other admissions materials on the Application Status Check website.
• Writing Sample: An academic writing sample substantively authored by you (e.g., a senior or master’s thesis, term paper, or publication) that best showcases your writing.
• CV: Upload your curriculum vitae after receiving your EID.
• Other Supporting Materials (optional): Any additional materials that support your application. Upload these via the Miscellaneous Documents section.

 

Checking Your Application Status

You can verify receipt of materials and check your application status on the MyStatus page. Due to the volume of applications, the Department of Psychology cannot confirm receipt of individual items by email.

Graduate Admissions is located in the UT Administration Building. View contact information here.

Find instructions for submitting your application on Graduate Admission's webpage.

Deadline: November 15, 2026

 Graduate School Application for Admission 

View the list of Fall 2027 recruiting faculty here. Please see our advice on contacting potential research advisors.

We do not accept applications for a Master's degree.

Interview Visit Dates (by invitation only):

January 23, 2026: Recruitment Interview Day

Application Deadline

The application deadline is November 15, 2026. Students applying for Fall 2027 must submit all admissions materials by November 15, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The application system will open September 1, 2026. When applying, you will be asked to choose an area of specialization and mentors within that area. You may only apply to one area. You can check the receipt of your materials, as well as your application status on the MyStatus page. Due to the volume of applications, the Department of Psychology cannot confirm the receipt of individual items. Please make sure to read the FAQ page in order to submit the strongest application possible.

Before you Apply to Graduate School

• Interested in Clinical Psychology Grad School? Here's what you need to know! Council of University Directors of Clinical Psychology (CUDCP)
• Is Graduate School for Me?, Psychology Graduate Student Diversity Committee at UT Austin
• Before You Apply to Graduate Programs in Psychology: Knowing When You’re Ready and Gaining Post-Baccalaureate Experiences, Calhoun, C. D.
• Getting Good Research Experience, Bardone-Cone, A., Penn, D., Donte, B., & Solis, J. (2014)
• Preparing a Curriculum Vitae, Husson, A., Dichter, G., & Buck, B. (2014)
• Curriculum Vitae Template, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Personal Statement Workshop: Guidelines, Tips, & Suggestions, Jones, D., Baucom, D., Anton, M., & Gonzalez, M. (2014)

The Graduate School Application Process

• The Grad School Application Process, Prinstein, M., Cohen, M., Choukas-Bradley, S. (2014)
• A Student’s Perspective on Applying to Graduate School in (Clinical) Psychology: A Step-by-Step Guide, Choukas-Bradley, S.
• Mitch’s Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology, Prinstein, M. (2012)
• Examples of Graduate School Interview Questions, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Applying to Psychology Ph.D. Programs Information Sessions

• See videos from the 2023 Applying to Psychology Ph.D. Programs Information Session hosted by UT Austin Department of Psychology’s  Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Society (IDEAS) Committee:
  • Applying to Ph.D. Programs
  • Life as a Graduate Student
  • Ph.D. Programs: Classes, Research, and Funding

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