PhD Candidate Selection

Based on an initial review of PhD applications, qualified applicants are invited to participate in one of our PhD Interview Weekends to meet faculty and students and learn more about the program and co-curricular offerings. Interview Weekends are entirely virtual.

Interviews are meant to be a two-way conversation between applicants and the University. The University seeks students who are an excellent fit for our classrooms, labs, and greater community and represent our nation's diversity and our world. But interviews are also an opportunity for applicants to evaluate PAU and the PhD in Clinical Psychology program. It is important that you identify that PAU is aligned with your values, your research interests, and your career aspirations. For that reason, we encourage you to engage, ask questions, and reflect carefully on your experience. 

PAU aims to attract and educate students distinguished by their academic achievement, capacity for critical thinking, interpersonal skills, motivation to become exceptional clinicians, and commitment to service and serving a diverse population. Given the rigor of the program and the university's core values, the PhD faculty seek students who embody:

• Unshakable ethical standards
• Resilience
• Cultural humility
• Openness to learning and to others' lived experiences
• A belief in the inherent dignity of all humans
• A desire to improve the human condition
• Self-awareness
• Seeks and is open to constructive feedback
• Empathy and kindness

Each application is given a comprehensive review by the admissions committee. All aspects of the application, including academic record, professional and research experience, and strong recommendations are qualities carefully considered. In addition, PAU actively seeks to recruit and enroll a student body that is both highly qualified and richly diverse. Thus, factors such as the quality of early educational environment, socioeconomic status, culture, race, ethnicity, and life or work experiences are also considered.

If you are offered admission, the Palo Alto University reserves the right to withdraw that offer of admission if:

• You have misrepresented yourself in the application process.
• We learn that you have engaged in behavior prior to matriculation that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity.
• You show a significant drop in academic performance or fail to graduate.
• The class fills to capacity prior to a student completing the enrollment agreement.

All applicants to, and students enrolled in, the program should be assured PAU 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 Dean of Students, Palo Alto University, 1791 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA  94304; telephone 650-433-3818.