How to Choose Grad School Programs with Minimal Stress

Hi, it's Micah, One Psychology Clinic's intern! In our first post from our Grad School Application Blog Series, Applying to Graduate School: Real Talk, we uncovered the reality of graduate school applications and also the emotional readiness or negative beliefs that can arise during the decision process.

As a recent graduate who just completed my own application cycle, I experienced many struggles throughout my first decision to apply. However, another bridge I had to cross was deciding which programs to actually apply to. With this came an emotional rollercoaster of constant research, late nights, and heavy amounts of procrastination. Burnout became my number one enemy, and learning how to handle it, especially when deciding between programs, was a journey.

Here are some helpful tips I learned throughout my graduate application experience to help minimize such burnout.

Among a wide variety of graduate programs at multiple postsecondary institutions, it can be overwhelming to determine which school might be best for you.

As a result, frustration can begin as early as program selection rather than just the applications themselves. While it is beneficial that students are given endless options, this opportunity also comes with strong comparisons, conflicting advice, and high stress. 

The pressure to apply widely often results in self-doubt and exhaustion.

On the flip side, the pressure to apply minimally often results in fear of exclusion and rejection.

While there is a lot to consider, choosing programs does not have to feel frantic or all-consuming. Understanding your goals and limits is key to reducing overexertion.

Clarity vs. Quantity

Of course, it is beneficial for students to apply to a variety of programs. However, it is also important to note that applying to more programs does not ultimately lead to better outcomes. Having more clarity with which programs you’d like to apply to and having confidence in these programs are strong factors needed in submitting a strong application.

While variety is important, you never want to prioritize it over the clarity and quality of your applications. Think of it this way: Would you rather submit 10 applications with less clarity and effort over your success in such programs, or would you rather submit 4-5 really strong applications with almost 100% clarity in your personal statements and overall future with the program? 

Hopefully, the latter.

While I had some major programs in mind, I decided to apply to backup programs that also aligned with my future goals, but not at the cost of sacrificing any of my other applications.

Applying to graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. You don't want to burn all of your fuel early on in the process. That is why it’s really important to carefully consider which programs to apply to based on your future goals. Having clarity in the graduate programs you choose to apply to can highly reduce overwhelming thoughts and stressful decisions.

If you’re really struggling to narrow down which programs you decide to apply to, here are some grounding questions I asked myself during this process:

1. What type of training am I seeking?

2. How will this program contribute to my future goals?

3. What characteristics of this program set it apart from others?

4. Will this learning environment support me or overwhelm me?

In the same way that burnout results from highly stressful and overexerting environments, you do not want to place yourself in the same position when applying; burnout shows, even through writing. Taking the time to consider your academic intentions and how they align with a specific program is what will truly make your application shine.

Fit Over Everything Else

Comparison can be a dangerous trap, especially when applying to programs. Many factors may influence your decision to apply beyond whether the program truly aligns with your goals, such as the institution’s prestige or its influence within certain communities.

While this can be a factor in your application decisions, the number one takeaway in program applications is to consider your overall fit and alignment with the program itself.

It is easy to be swept away by the glitz and glamour of certain prestigious programs; however, while it is emphasized, your overall fit is far more predictive of growth and future well-being than the institution alone. While this is not to disregard such advertising, it is important to consider the characteristics of individual programs as well.

Some main takeaways of graduate programs I focused heavily on include:

1. Practicum Placements

   1. Does this program include any placements, and how can they benefit me?

   2. Do they provide help and assistance with placement applications?

2. Training Environment

   1. Does this program offer supervision or mentorship?

   2. Is the cohort size right for me?

   3. Is the culture of this program aligned with my values?

3. Overall Supports

   1. Are there wellness resources?

   2. Is there transparency around educational expectations?

   3. Are there accessible supports?

Final Thoughts

It is absolutely crucial to research the programs you’d like to apply to, but endless research often leads to heavy comparison and in

To keep your research productive, some helpful strategies I used are to:

1. Time-limit your research sessions

2. Take a break if decision-making becomes ineffective

3. Focus on one program at a time

4. Schedule ahead of time to prioritize each program individually

And most importantly,

5. Protect and prioritize your mental energy

From my experience, this is the ultimate concept I hope to instil in future applicants. 

There is only so much you can do at a time. 

Balancing peace and productivity will not only help you produce a fantastic graduate application but will also help you to make thoughtful decisions that will benefit your future.

If you continue to struggle with burnout like this, you are not alone. Burnout is common throughout this process; I experienced it as well, but there are ways to prevent it. If you’d like to reach out for support during this time, we’re here to help.

Check back on this page for more information surrounding the graduate process, or please feel free to reach out to us at info@onepsychology.ca.