PsyD Candidate Selection | Palo Alto University

Candidate Selection

The PGSP – Stanford University PsyD Consortium aims to attract and educate students who are distinguished by their academic achievement, capacity for critical thinking, interpersonal skills, motivation to become exceptional clinicians, and commitment to service. Preference is given to applicants who:

Have demonstrated an interest in the field of psychology through relevant coursework and/or professional experiences.
An overall undergraduate grade-point average of at least a 3.3, a graduate grade-point average of at least 3.5 (if applicable).
Strong interpersonal skills as demonstrated in the admissions interview.

Meeting the above guidelines does not guarantee an interview.

Since applicants with a GPA below 3.1 are highly unlikely to receive an interview offer to our program, we strongly encourage these applicants to strengthen their application (e.g., obtain a Master’s degree with a strong graduate school GPA, etc.) prior to applying to the Consortium.

Each application is given a comprehensive review by the admissions committee. All aspects of the application, including undergraduate academic record (and graduate record, if applicable), professional and/or research experience, and strong recommendations are qualities carefully considered. Although the program uses these criteria to inform the student selection process, it also assumes that recruitment of a student body that is both highly qualified and diverse are very important to the educational process. Thus, factors such as the quality of early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, and life or work experiences are also considered.

After Applying

Interviews

Finalists will be extended invitations to interview at the PAU – PGSP and Stanford University campuses during the application review period, from December through March. While interviews are usually conducted in person, interview delivery for 2022-23 is still under review. The interviews aim to provide prospective students the opportunity to meet faculty and students and understand the mutual degree of fit between the PsyD Consortium and the prospective student.

Admissions Offers

Offers of admission will be made via telephone by April 1, 2023, or shortly after. The deadline for applicants to notify the program of their decision to accept or decline an admissions offer is April 15, 2023.

Admission Policy

If admission is offered, the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium and Palo Alto University reserve the right to withdraw that offer of admission if:

1. You have misrepresented yourself in the application process.

2. We learn that you have engaged in behavior prior to matriculation that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity.

3. You show a significant drop in academic performance or fail to graduate from a program in which you are currently enrolled.

The Consortium adheres to the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology Guidelines pertaining to admissions offers.

All applicants to, and students enrolled in, the program should be assured Palo Alto University practices a nondiscrimination policy regarding disability, gender, military status, age, race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origins in admission, employment, and in the administration of its program and activities. Any otherwise qualified student, or applicant, with a disability may request reasonable accommodation regarding the application process and services as a prospective or enrolled student. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be submitted to the Vice President of Student Services, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, California 94304; telephone 800-818-6136.