Bridge Programs

[vianca]

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So I am graduating this December with my bachelors in psychology. I decided not to go straight into a PhD program because I don't have nearly enough research experience as I should. I was a research assistant for about a year or so for a professor, but all I ever did for her was find and summarize articles she could use, never anything hands on. I was planning on getting a research assistant position in the mean time, and apply for grad school next year.
Now, I just got an email from psychology graduate program at University of Pittsburg promoting a bridge program they have. They admit students that are not yet ready to enter a grad program, and give them research experience, along with other valuables that can increase the chances of admission. They are also more likely to admit the student into their PhD program after the 8 month fellowship is completed. This sounds like exactly what I need. 🙂
Now my question is, does anyone know of any other schools that have this or something similar? I would love to apply to more than one program, just to make sure I have something set. If not, where would you recommend I find a good research assistant position? I've been constantly checking online for various hospitals and universities, but have had no luck.

Thanks for the help 🙂

 

[paramour]

So I am graduating this December with my bachelors in psychology. I decided not to go straight into a PhD program because I don't have nearly enough research experience as I should. I was a research assistant for about a year or so for a professor, but all I ever did for her was find and summarize articles she could use, never anything hands on. I was planning on getting a research assistant position in the mean time, and apply for grad school next year.
Now, I just got an email from psychology graduate program at University of Pittsburg promoting a bridge program they have. They admit students that are not yet ready to enter a grad program, and give them research experience, along with other valuables that can increase the chances of admission. They are also more likely to admit the student into their PhD program after the 8 month fellowship is completed. This sounds like exactly what I need. 🙂
Now my question is, does anyone know of any other schools that have this or something similar? I would love to apply to more than one program, just to make sure I have something set. If not, where would you recommend I find a good research assistant position? I've been constantly checking online for various hospitals and universities, but have had no luck.

Thanks for the help 🙂

Are you referring to the NIH funded bridge program? If so, you can search for other participating programs online through the main site.

Link: http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/Bridges/PartInstDoct.htm

(It doesn't look like it as I don't see their program on the site list, and the doctorate bridge programs tend not to include psych/behavioral sciences, but thought I'd post it "just in case.")

There have been other threads asking about how to obtain research experience; I'd search for those. Often, it's a matter of networking, searching, sending out feelers, expanding your search, so on & so forth.

 

[vianca]

first off, sorry for the delayed response, i appreciate you responding.
the program i spoke of isn't a part of the NIH, you were right that program is mainly natural science focused.
i know to get research experience, i should focus on university labs and the sort, but this one was extra appealing because they also let you transfer some of the credit to your grad program if admitted.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Look at large research medical centers and/or VAs. Johns Hopkins, Mass General, UCSF, UCLA, Boston VA, Harvard Med, Stanford .... They have many jobs open up each year as students leave for grad school. You may not see them now because they won't be posted until spring.

 

[vianca]

awesome, thanks!