Aw thanks. But it's not really me.
In my second semester my professor approached me after class and said that she'd like for me to be her research assistant. We did an independent project the next fall. There were 3 master's students and 4 undergrads (including myself), but most of the people weren't very involved due to life.
I didn't know this until after, but our faculty only take 2 students for an empirical senior thesis. We have 5 psych faculty who supervise thesis students. I realized the night before the application was due that I had senior class standing and could start my project. My advisor said, "just fill out the app, say you're doing an extension of the independent study, and I'll accept you. Later we'll decide what you're doing"
She e-mailed me about the Summer Research Opportunity Program at the university down the street, which is how I was ever even in their psych building. (Though last semester I had a class that took us on field trips to their labs, for the prof was an adjuct and had an office and lab at that University.) The program was a research program but we also did a seminar that taught us about the graduate application process, or I would have had no idea what to do or how. Without my mentor, I would not be a worthwhile applicant, because I had no idea what was necessary beyond classes. (This summer program also provided a Kaplan GRE prep class, which was way better than trying to study alone).
There is research to be done at our school, but not much at all. No lab space or anything.
waiting!!!
