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Early Assurance Program Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology

Overview

The Early Assurance Program (EAP) to the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology is for YU undergraduates with an intersted in pursuing a graduate degree in mental health and psychology. The program provides early assurance to Ferkauf’s graduate doctoral programs, enabling a smooth transition to advanced studies.

Our program is designed to cultivate the next generation of psychologists who are compassionate, research-focused, and dedicated to improving mental health. This program provides a pathway for high-achieving undergraduates at Yeshiva University to gain early assurance admission to one of the three doctoral graduate programs at Ferkauf.

Eligibility

  • U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
  • Minimum SAT score of 1480 (Critical Reading and Math) or ACT score of 33.
  • High school GPA of 95 or higher.
  • Evidence of interest in psychology through relevant volunteer or work experiences, and leadership activities.

Applicants will be asked to respond to the following essay prompts:

  • Many students who declare themselves psychology majors at the undergraduate level, eventually select a different career path.
  • What is your motivation to choose a career in psychology and what makes you confident in that career choice?
  • Describe your activities that have influenced your decision to pursue a career in clinical and/or school psychology.
  • Why are you interested in attending Ferkauf Graduate School, and how would attending Ferkauf satisfy your specific interests, goals, and aspirations?
  • Please share with us anything about yourself that you would like us to know. (optional)

Academic Requirements

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.75
  • Students do not have to be psychology majors, however, before enrolling in Ferkauf, students must have completed at least one course in each of the areas below with a grade of B+ or better at YU:

    1. Introduction to Psychology or Fundamentals of Psychology
    2. Statistics
    3. Abnormal Psychology or Psychopathology
    4. Research Methods or an advanced research course
    5. Theories of Personality or Social Psychology or Developmental Psychology 
    6. Physiological/Experimental Psychology (Brain and Behavior, Cognition and Learning, Cognitive Science, Sensation, Perception and Motivation, Cognitive Psychology, Human Memory, Psycholinguistics, Clinical Neuropsychology, Behavioral Neurobiology) 

  • Complete at least 100 undergraduate credits by the time of application and 128 credits by graduation
  • Students must complete three years of undergraduate education at one of the YU campuses in NY.
  • Provide required documentation, including official transcripts and committee letters, by the end of junior year.
  • Participate in an internship working with people or in applied clinical service activities in the community for at least two semesters.
  • Participate in a research lab for at least two semesters of which must involve human research (Ferkauf will assist in placement).
    • Summer research can count for one semester.
  • Meet regularly with the Ferkauf program advisor for progress reviews.
  • Take the GRE prior to the doctoral program application deadline in the year preceding matriculation to Ferkauf, and receive a score greater than or equal to a GRE Verbal in the 95th percentile and GRE Quantitative in the 75th percentile.
APPLY NOW

These programs offer exceptional high school students the opportunity to secure early conditional acceptance to Yeshiva University's graduate and professional schools — including the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law — through admission to the YU Honors Program.

To be considered, applicants must:

  • Apply and be accepted to the YU Honors Program (Stern College for Women, Yeshiva College, or Sy Syms School of Business).
  • Meet program-specific academic and experiential benchmarks (e.g., SAT/ACT scores, GPA, essays, and interviews).
  • Students be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
  • Complete supplemental application questions.

Applicants submit:

  • Their application to Yeshiva University and the Honors Program and indicate an interest in an Early Assurance program - apply to as many as you like!
  • Upon acceptance, complete the supplemental application questions.

Each program has specific additional requirements, including essays, recommendation letters, and interviews.

Students must complete their undergraduate education at Yeshiva University to remain eligible for the Early Assurance pathway in the major of their choosing, with a minimum of 3 years on campus. Students offered a spot in the Ferkauf Early Assurance program may learn in Israel for up to two years.

Yes! Students in this Early Assurance Program may also be part of:

  • Straus Scholars
  • Leadership Scholars
  • Lieberman Scholars
Minimum 3.75 GPA and completion of psychology-related courses achieving at least a B+ or higher and research.

Yes. Each program expects students to pursue relevant experiential learning, as well as community internships and human research lab participation. 

No. These are early assurance, not guaranteed admission, programs. Students must continue to meet all academic, professional, and application criteria outlined by the graduate school.

Ferkauf students will take the GRE prior to the doctoral program application deadline in the year preceding matriculation to Ferkauf and receive a score greater than or equal to a GRE-Verbal of > 95% and GRE-Quantitative > 75%.