Spring 2016 Graduate School 101 Workshop Psychology Undergrad Advising

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Spring 2016
Graduate School 101
Workshop
Psychology Undergrad Advising
Agenda
• Pick an area – then pick a program
• Prepare for grad school
• Apply to grad school
• Careers
Deciding what you want
Step 1:
Developing Interests
and Locating Programs
Developing Interests
Hey, you! Yeah, you.
What are you interested in?
 What areas of psychology do you find most fascinating?
 In what areas do you think you might want to pursue an
advanced degree and/or a career?
GENERAL AREAS IN PSYCHOLOGY
Applied v. Research
In the field of psychology we can distinguish between careers that are:
• APPLIED: Involves the consumption and application of psychological
science
• RESEARCH: Involves the generation and dissemination of psychological
science
Many careers involve both practice and research!
Some areas related to practice:
•
Clinical
•
Psychiatric Nursing
•
Counseling
•
•
Applied Behavior
Analysis
Marriage and Family
Therapy
•
Mental Health Counseling
•
School
•
Psychology and Law
•
Community
•
Psychiatry
•
Clinical Social Work
•
Human Service (e.g. student
guidance, art therapy,
occupational therapy)
Some areas related to research:
•
Clinical
•
Industrial/Organizational
•
Counseling
•
Behavioral Neuroscience
•
Applied Behavior Analysis
•
Developmental
•
Social
•
Cognitive
•
Experimental
•
Sports
•
Medicine
How to expand your search and build
knowledge and experience:
• Visit the UF Career Resource Center
• Take A Variety Of Coursework
• Join Psi Chi and the Psychology Club
• Volunteer in the Community
• Develop Relationships with Professors and Professionals in the Field
•
Become Involved in Research
•
Publish or Present your Research
•
Go to Departmental Presentations
•
Assume Leadership Positions
•
Go to Office Hours
Once you’ve identified areas of interest…
Locating Programs
 Explore programs and schools in those areas
Search different universities and programs based on the following:
• Programs that fit your career interests and goals (Duh.)
• Faculty (SUPER IMPORTANT FOR DOCTORAL APPLICANTS.)
• Available Funding & Tuition/Fees ($$$!!)
• Location, Size, and/or Facilities (Be flexible.)
• Application Requirements (fees, exams, etc.)
Master’s v. Doctorate
• Master’s Level Programs
• Typically require 2-3 years to complete, may include research training (but
sometimes not), provide less funding but allow you to get into the
workforce faster (or continue toward a doctorate).
• Master’s in Mental Health Counseling is a license eligible program – prepares
you to practice
• Master’s in Clinical Psych – prepares you for doctoral degree by teaching
clinical diagnosis, research methods, psychopathology and the basics of
psychological testing.
• Doctoral Level Programs
• Typically require approximately 4-6 years, involve a strong emphasis on
research training, provide more funding, and can prepare you for higher
level positions.
Types of Degrees in Psychology
M.A.
• Master of Arts
M.S.
• Master of Science
M.Ed
• Master of Education
Ph.D
• Doctor of Philosophy
Ed.D
• Doctor of Education
Psy.D
• Doctor of Psychology
But, where do I find this stuff???
You can begin HERE
http://www.psych.ufl.edu/~undergrad/
On our website:
http://www.psych.ufl.edu/ Click on Undergrad tab
Careers in Psychology
Graduate School in Psychology
For those who aren’t planning to pursue
graduate school…
For those who are planning to pursue
graduate school…
• Career Ideas
• Program Types and Areas
• Descriptions of Specific Careers
• How to Get a Job
• Where I can Get Help at UF
• Useful Websites
• Graduate School Preparation
• FAQ:
General Graduate School Questions
• FAQ: Applying to Graduate School
Preparing for what you want
Step 2:
Preparing for
Graduate School
Coursework Selection
•What courses are you taking and when?
•What classes are appealing to you?
 Relevant coursework – depending on your
interests/program you want to apply to
• Program requirements are often online
• Do your best to keep your grades as high as you
can
• Minors – could be helpful if applicable to program
and research interests
• Ex. Statistics minor helpful preparation for graduate
stats courses
• Spanish minor helpful if research interests focus on
Hispanic individuals
•  Make it relevant!
“Undergraduate preparation
should include at least one course
in experimental psychology and
one course in statistics. Minimum
preparation for graduate
admission also includes courses
in at least three of the following
areas - cognition, development,
learning, personality,
physiological-comparative,
sensory, and social.”
– UF Graduate Admissions, Psychology
Getting Involved
•DO IT EARLY!!!
Research Experience
Practical Experience
Teaching Experience?
Research Experience
•Find a Research Lab
•Presentations and Publications
Research Experience
•Find a Research Lab
•Presentations and Publications
• Start contacting labs early.
• Preferably, something related to your grad school preferences (just for
practical reasons)
• If you can’t find research to be involved in that perfectly matches your
grad school area of study, don’t worry! Any research experience is good.
• Take advantage of PSY4911, PCO4911, CLP3911!
Practical Experience
•Community Volunteer Work
•Internships
• Start contacting volunteer agencies early
• Look for opportunities relevant to your chosen grad school area
• Helpful in exploring different work settings or areas of interest
• Good for clinical/counseling programs
• Take advantage of PSY4949!
Teaching Experience
•Undergraduate TA
•School Volunteer
Many grad programs will want you to teach (or at least assist)
 Become a TA
• Ask relevant questions during class
• Go to office hours
• Do well in the course
• Take advantage of PSY4940!
 Become a Mentor
• Search “mentoring programs at UF” on the UF website http://www.ufl.edu/
• Good for school psychology/applied developmental programs
Get in Touch with Graduate Students
Grad students can offer a WEALTH of insight!
Get in Touch with Potential Mentors
Show you are worth investing in!
• Connect with common interests.
• You will have to work with someone when you get there!
• Will they be taking grad students?
• It would stink if you applied and they were on sabbatical!
Things we shouldn’t have to say, but we will anyway:
• Make sure your email address is appropriate
• WHAT DOES YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE SAY???
Taking a Year Off
Decide if you would rather try to apply right after completing undergrad or
take some time to gain experience, work, and take a break from school.
• It’s really okay to take a year off! A lot of times it’s actually
preferred.
• Ex: UF Grad School in Psychology Website
• Remember that you will be going up against applicants with
advanced degrees
• Make sure you will be financially stable
Do your programs award graduate stipends?
Getting what you want
Step 3:
The Application
Process
http://www.psych.ufl.edu/files/graduate/SuccessfulStrategies.pdf
START EARLY!!
The Psychology Department reviews applications once a year,
for the Fall semester only. The deadline for receipt of all
applications to the Ph.D. Program is December 1st,
of each year, for the following Fall Semester.
http://www.psych.ufl.edu/index.php/pg-admissions
The GRE
•General Test
•GRE Subject Test
Start planning ASAP!
•Could affect fellowship attainment
•Study for a few months
www.ets.org
•Take GRE the 1st time at least 2-3 months before application due
•Allow for one month between test dates if retaking
•Scores are good for 5 yrs, but some schools prefer within 3 yrs
•Allow for 6 wks for scores to be sent to schools
•Psychology GRE not required
GRE (cont.)
Verbal Reasoning (range 130–170, in 1 point increments)
• analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it
• analyze relationships among component parts of sentences
• recognize relationships among words and concepts
Quantitative Reasoning (range 130–170, in 1 point increments)
• problem-solving ability
• basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
Analytical Writing (range 0–6, in .5 point increments)
• critical thinking and analytical writing skills
• ability to articulate and support complex ideas clearly and effectively
GRE (cont.)
The ScoreSelect® Option



You select by specific test dates, so your scores are all from the same testing session
The schools you designate will only see the scores that you selected to send them
There will be no special indication if you have taken additional GRE tests.
On Test Day
At the test center*, you can choose not to send
your scores at this time OR select either option
below for each of your four FREE score reports:
After Test Day
You can send additional score reports for a fee
and select from these options for each report
you'd like to send:
•
Most Recent option — Send your scores
from your current test administration.
•
Most Recent option — Send your scores
from your most recent test administration.
•
All option — Send your scores from all
General Test administrations in the last five
years.
•
All option — Send your scores from all test
administrations in the last five years.
•
Any option — Send your scores from one
OR as many test administrations as you like
from the last five years.
GRE (cont.)
2011 - 2013
Average scores
But what
is a
‘good‘
score?!
http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/gre_guide_table4.pdf
(seniors/graduated students)
VERBAL
QUANTITATIVE
ANALYTICAL
WRITING
ARTS & HUMANITIES
157
150
4.1
BUSINESS
150
153
3.6
EDUCATION
151
148
3.8
ENGINEERING
150
160
3.5
LIFE SCIENCES
151
151
3.8
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
152
159
3.6
SOCIAL SCIENCES
150
153
3.9
OTHER
150
154
3.5
OVERALL AVERAGE
151.4
153.5
3.7
UF PSYCHOLOGY
NO Minimum
PER the UF DEPARTMENT of PSYCHOLOGY website:
In recent years, most accepted students have had an
average GRE-V of 160 and GRE-Q of 155.
Your Application Packet
GET LOTS of FEEDBACK
• Organize
• Proof Read
• Edit
Curriculum Vitae (similar to a resume)
• What to include
• Contact info
• Education (GPAs, credentials, major/minor, awards, & relevant
courses)
• Research, relevant work, clinical experience, community service
• Organizations, conferences, skills
• References
• Get permission BEFORE listing someone!
• Formatting is key
• Consider “ink < paper ratio”
“An ‘ability to smell fear’ is a quality I’ve
never seen listed on a resume before.”
Personal Statement
• Expand upon CV info in 3 sections
• Past: How you got where you are;
why you are in YOUR psychology niche
• Present: How you have been preparing for grad school;
courses that inspired you; activities outside the
classroom
• Future: How you fit in THIS program; How you will
contribute to your field (in the program and future)
• Be assertive & cut unnecessary words!
Letters of Recommendation
• Generally, need 3 people
• 2 months prior to school deadline
• e.g., academic, research, clinical or job
• Prepare a polished packet about yourself
• BRIEF Thank you cover letter
• A list of information you are providing
• List of schools you are applying to; due
dates; mode of letters
• “Thank you” for your time
Letters of Recommendation (cont.)
(Suggested) Information to provide in your request
• CV
• Personal statement
• Writing sample
• Facts about you: Transcripts, GRE score,
description of work that you completed
• Materials necessary for letter
• Paper, stamped & addressed envelope, website
Don’t Forget…
• GRE Scores
• Transcripts
• Use unofficial for immediate access
• Order official transcripts from student.ufl.edu & send
• Application Forms
• Application Fee - make it official!
• Confirm everything is in… make friends with office staff =)
Take a deep breath…
You WILL survive the application process!
Careers in Psychology
• With a Ph.D. in Counseling/Clinical Psychology you can:
• Practice
• Private Practice
• University Counseling Center; options for teaching & training
• Hospital Setting
• VA
• Research
• Academia – faculty member at a university, do research & teach
• Research for businesses
• Consult
• Become an expert, work for companies or individuals – full or part time
Careers in Psychology
• With a PhD in Experimental Psychology:
• E.G. Developmental Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience,
Social Psychology, etc.
• Research
• Universities, research centers, the government
• Teaching
• Universities, liberal arts colleges
• Consulting
• Private businesses, organizations, companies, corporations
• A consulting psychologist tends to be a person with traditional training
who has opted to use their research skills with businesses and other
populations outside of academia
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