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Application Tips

Start early! Look online at the different schools that offer the program you're interested in and learn the different approaches and models for instruction.

After deciding on a particular approach (ex. scientist-practitioner) go through the faculty pages of the schools and identify faculty whose research interests match yours. A good rules of thumb is to identify at least two faculty you'd like to work with. That way, if things don't work out with one, you've got a spare.

Narrow your search/applications to only those schools for which you'd actually attend. If you refuse to live in a cold climate, don't apply to Minnesota.

Contact the faculty via e-mail.
Introduce yourself, mention some relevant experience and ask if they are accepting a graduate student for the next year.
You may also want to ask them for reprints or relevant references (if they are not listed on their webpage). This shows you're interested in their research and saves you the trouble of hunting down, possibly non-relevant papers at the library!
Getting in contact with the faculty member(s) beforehand, even if they do not respond back to you, makes your name recognizable when they are sifting through the sea of applications.

Have several trusted friends/colleagues read your statement of purpose. This, and the letters of recommendation are very important.

Make sure you get everything turned in on time. Know the deadlines and obey them, they really are non-negotiable.