Admissions Information

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The School Counseling Program admits students into our program once a year.

When Should I Apply?

We accept applications from August 1 through December 15.

What is the Deadline?

The deadline for applications is December 15 each year.

How Do I Apply?

Create an account (for new users) or login (for returning users) at Slate Application Management System.

What Happens After I Submit my Application?

After the application deadline (December 15), applications are reviewed and rated by multiple faculty. The faculty meet to discuss applications and select a smaller group of applicants to interview.  Those asked to interview submit a brief 5-minute video in which they respond to three interview questions. Multiple faculty review and rate the interview videos. The faculty meet to decide who will be offered admission in the first round. Those not offered admission in the first round are ranked for the second round and as soon as someone declines admission to our program we offer admission to the next person in line. 

If I Am Accepted, When Do I Begin?

Students who are admitted to our program in February begin taking classes in May (summer semester).  Thus, the program technically begins in Summer, not Fall.

Are Summer Classes Required?

Yes.  Our program is a 3-year, 60 credit hour program.  Some classes are only offered in the summer semester. 

Can I Transfer in Credits?

The Graduate School allows a maximum of six (6) credit hours of transfer work from other institutions. For more detailed information, please see the Graduate School Transfer Credit policies.

Application Instructions

There are a number of components associated with applying to the School Counseling Program.

1. Complete a Graduate Application for the University of Utah

1. The application fee is $55 for domestic applicants; $65 for international applicants.
2. The application has nine sections that are required of all people applying to the University of Utah: Personal Background, Additional Personal Information, Academic Program, Residency for Tuition Purposes, Academic History, Prerequisite Coursework, Test Scores, Additional Materials, Recommendations, Disciplinary Information, Signature, and Review.

Apply Here

Below are helpful tips as you apply for the School Counseling Program.

2. Tips for completing the Academic Program section of the application

1. First select “Educational Psychology MED” as your academic program
2. Then for area of interest, select “School Counseling”
3. Then for entry term, select “Summer 202x”
4. Then for where do you intend to complete your degree, select either:
   1. Salt Lake City (Main Campus)
   2. Graduate Center at St. George (St. George Campus)
5. Note: We review applications for each program separately. If you apply to the St. George Program and are admitted to the St. George Program, the expectation is that you will attend the program in St. George. We cannot accept you into the St. George Program and then transfer you to our Salt Lake City campus. The St. George Program is funded through a rural education initiative and is meant to support the K-12 schools in St. George. 

3. Tips for completing the Prerequisite Coursework section of the application.

We do not require any prerequisite coursework, so you do not have to complete that section.

4. Tips for completing the Test Scores section of the application.

1. We no longer require GRE test scores (or any other graduate entrance exam).
2. If you have a GRE score that is less than 5 years old, you are welcome to submit it if you think it would make your application more competitive. But again, it is not required.

5. Tips for completing the Additional Materials section of the application.

1. Essays. You will be asked to respond to three brief essay questions (less than 200 words each).
2. Because of the brief essays, we no longer require a Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement.
3. Please upload a current resume.
4. We do not require a Writing Sample.
5. We do not require Praxis test scores.

6. Tips for completing the Recommendations section of the application.

1. Please provide the names and contact information for three individuals who will submit letters of recommendation in support of your application.
2. The Slate Application System will contact each recommender via e-mail with further instructions.
3. It is customary to ask your recommenders ahead of time so they know to expect the e-mail

7. If you want to know how to be a more competitive applicant, you can:

1. Attend an information session
2. Read “How to Be a More Competitive Applicant”

Application Timeline

How to Be a More Competitive Applicant

Each year we receive approximately 30-40 applications to our Salt Lake City Program and 7-10 applications to our St. George Program.  We then accept 12-16 into our Salt Lake City Program and 5-8 into our St. George Program.  Thus, our acceptance rates can range from 30-50% for our Salt Lake City Program and 50-80% for our St. George Program.

The competitiveness of your application may in some ways depend on who else is in the application pool.

At the same time, there are things you can do to be more competitive.  When we review and rank applications we spend a good deal of time on the personal essays, letters of recommendation, resume/CV, and academic history.  We look for quality and diversity of experience, background, and past academic achievement.

Personal Essays

The personal essays are a chance for us to get to know you.  We will provide you with three essay prompts (that might change from year to year). Reflect on the prompt and write a 200 word or less response to the prompt.

Here are are five tips for responding to the essay prompts:

1. Understand the Prompt and Its Nuances

Carefully read and reflect on the prompt. Identify the key words and what they are asking you to do (e.g., analyze, discuss, reflect, compare). Sometimes, the prompt is asking more than one question. Make sure you address all parts of it. Look for subtle nuances. Is the prompt asking about your past experiences, future goals, or a combination of both? Tailor your response accordingly. If the prompt gives word limits, adhere to them strictly. Going over the limit is rarely a good idea.

2. Structure is Key (Even for Brief Essays)

Even though these are short, they still need a clear structure. A mini-introduction (even one sentence) can set the stage. Body paragraphs should focus on specific points, with each paragraph having a clear topic sentence. A short concluding sentence can summarize your main points and provide a sense of closure. Think of it as a miniature version of a longer essay. Use transitions between paragraphs to create a smooth flow.

3. Focus on Quality over Quantity

Brevity is crucial. Don't waste words on unnecessary fluff or overly long introductions. Get straight to the point and address the prompt directly. Every word should count. Prioritize clear and concise language. Avoid jargon or overly complex sentences unless they are absolutely necessary and you are confident in using them correctly. Strong verbs and precise nouns are your friends.

4. Show, Don't Just Tell (with Brief Examples)

Even in short essays, you can use brief examples to illustrate your points. Instead of just saying you're a hard worker, briefly describe a situation where you demonstrated that quality. These examples should be concise and directly relevant to the point you're making. A single, well-chosen example is more effective than several vague ones.

 5. Proofread Meticulously

Typos and grammatical errors can create a negative impression, especially in a graduate school application. Carefully proofread your essays before submitting them. Ideally, have someone else proofread them as well. Even small errors can detract from your overall application. Pay attention to punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Read your essays aloud to catch any awkward phrasing or errors you might have missed.

Letters of Recommendation

When you are asking people you know to be a “recommender” for our program, be sure they have something good to say about you.  If you aren’t sure, give them an out (e.g., “Do you feel you know me well enough to write about my…”)

Think about who would be the best person to speak to your: 1) ability to graduate level work, 2) current/past performance and skills, and 3) values, passion, and personal character.  

As faculty, we like to see at least one or two letters from other faculty (we trust them when they say they think you can do graduate level work).  At the same time, we understand that it may have been years since you took any courses.  In that case, we like to hear from employers or other people who have mentored you or supervised your work (even if it is volunteer work).

If it has been a while since you have taken classes and you don’t have any recent work experiences, think about volunteering in a school to get some experience and develop a relationship with someone who could write you a glowing letter of recommendation. 

Experiences Working with Children/Adolescents

In your resume/CV we will be looking for relevant volunteer or work experiences.  But keep in mind, it’s perfectly okay if you are not a teacher and have never worked in a school setting.  Be sure to highlight other experiences you have had working with children and adolescents.  And if you haven’t had any relevant experiences with these populations, think about volunteering or becoming a paraprofessional.  This type of experience is not required, but it does help you be more competitive.