In addition to the University’s required application materials, applicants should review the information below for additional expectations or application requirements.

Statement of Purpose:

Rather than an essay, we ask applicants to answer the following four specific questions (up to 250 words each).

1. Consider the Program(s) to which you applied in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC and the faculty member(s) who would be your mentor(s); what about their research interests you and motivates your desire to pursue graduate studies?
2. Why do you aspire to earn a Ph.D., and which faculty at UNC do you see as the ideal mentor(s) to help you achieve these goals? Explain how you expect attending graduate school at UNC will contribute to your career goals and what you plan to do with your degree.
3. What knowledge, skills, or experiences do you have that will ensure your success in graduate school?
4. How does your cultural, ethnic or personal background bring a unique perspective to the graduate program and how will it inform your future work?

Area of Interest:  Please select an Area of Interest/Specialization via the drop-down box within your application.  Note that our program offers training in six sub-disciplines (i.e., Behavioral and Integrative Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Quantitative Psychology, and Social Psychology), as well as a Dual program option for applicants who wish to pursue training in two of these areas simultaneously.  

Letters of Recommendation:  Three letters of recommendation are required.  This is the suggested number in most cases.  If an applicant feels that an additional letter is necessary to make the case for his or her admission, four may be submitted.  All recommendation letters must be submitted electronically through the UNC Graduate School’s online application system.  We will not accept letters of recommendation via email or mail. 

Faculty Interest:  Please list at least one (and no more than five) core faculty members you believe can serve as your primary mentor.

The Psychology Department admits only applicants whose objective is the Ph.D., although students may be awarded the M.A. en route to the Ph.D. Admission is limited to the Fall semester only.

Please visit the Psychology Department’s admissions page for more information.

*Only in unusual circumstances and after consultation with the program are other admission terms considered.