high school student

[DoogieMD22]

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I'm a high school junior strongly considering majoring in psychology and pursuing graduate work and a career in clinical psychology. Does anyone have any advice they could share about classes to take, extracurriculars to participate in, volunteer experience to gain, things to strive for, or just information about the field? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[clearcolor]

Start working in a clinical psychology research lab as soon as possible. When you get to college, email professors whose research interests you and see if they have any openings. If you are fortunate enough to live near a research university, you could potentially start this summer as a high school student.

 

[JockNerd]

Hi Doogie. Great that you have such a clear idea of what you want to go into! It really says a lot about your drive and enthusiasm that you're seeking information about things this early. I have some thoughts that you might find helpful.

Does your school offer AP courses? If so, it could be to your benifit to take things like AP psych or bio. You'll be that much further ahead when you start uni, AP courses cost less than uni courses, and they only count as first-year courses, so you won't be missing much! If your school doesn't have AP, you might look into getting intro psych or intro bio done by distance through your local university. That way, you'll be able to take psych courses with intro as a prerequisite in your first year. Your school counselor should know about those courses.

When you are in university, aside from your psych courses most schools like to see at least some skill in the physical sciences, like bio and chem.

Regarding volunteerism-- this can be a bit hard to obtain in HS. I think that all the crisis help lines in the area I'm in require a HS diploma, not sure if it's the same where you are. So, that's one option for after you graduate. Many universities also have peer drop-in counseling centres that you might consider applying to. This can be good, as contacts will be live and in-person, which can be a very different dynamic as compared to phone work (that was my clinical experience for grad applications and it worked out great).

Becoming a research assistant in your first year would be awesome, if you can do it. You'll probably have to work as free labour for a prof for at least your first year, however. But, this is the best experience you can get to prep for grad school. Find a prof who's doing research in an area you think is interesting (look at their interests on the faculty web site) and try to get into the lab. Ideally, where this should lead is to substantial work on a research project leading to your name being on a publication or poster, as well as having that prof supervise your own research in your 4th year. If you build some RA skills early, then find that another prof's interests are more up your alley, you can always switch over to another lab.

Oh, and start studying for the GREs.

Do you have anything that you think is particularly neat about psychology right now? What attracted you to the field?

Good luck!


(Just kidding about the GRE studying...)

 

[perfektspace]

Nothing wrong with having an idea of what you want to do before entering college but keep in mind that your interests may change a great deal in the next 4-5 years. For right now worry about getting into the best college you can. That's the best and only thing you can do right now.

In college many labs will not take freshman because it is assumed they often change majors during their sophomore/junior years. Explore a variety of classes your first 2 or 3 semesters and then join a lab if that's what you want. A B.S. in Psychology can transfer well to medicine so that may be of interest...or you may decide to be a historian. Besides it is not necessary to pre-plan this much. You are going to drive yourself crazy. Your in high school, relax and enjoy the experience. It only gets harder and more hectic.🙂

 

[DoogieMD22]

thanks for all the advice!🙂

 

[psychwanabe]

(Just kidding about the GRE studying...)

...I don't know...I think it's never too early! 😱 j/k

Can I just offer one other viewpoint for Doogie though? I think it's terrific that you have some interests that you feel drawn toward the field of psychology so early in life. My advice is just to remain open to other things once you get into college. You should certainly get experience, learn more and be prepared for a major in this field - but there is a lot to be said for balancing yourself and exploring other options too. The race to get into graduate school in psychology can be so consuming that you forget there is a whole other world of opportunity around you. Just don't forget to take a peek every once in a while. You might just find something you like better!

My two cents. 🙂

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I would recommend taking biology in high school (and definitely physiology/anatomy in university) if you can. The way the field is going, I think most of us will need to know more about how the body works.

I think it's great that you have an idea of what you want to do and you're looking ahead. But just like everyone else already said, keep your options open! When I was 12 I decided I wanted to be a forensic psychologist. Then I started playing instruments and was preparing to go into music instead. I changed my mind a few times after that and eventually came back to Psychology. In hindsight, had I not changed my mind a bunch of times and had the life experience of a musician first, I don't think I'd be as prepared for Psychology as I think/hope I am.

So... if you can find a balance between being focused and prepared and also being well-rounded, you'll be all set! Good luck!