Internships?!

[Probablynot]

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Hi! I'm a psychology major in my sophomore year undergrad. I have experience in several labs and I have a high GPA but I would really like to know if anybody knows of anything I might be able to do to make me stand out? I understand that it's unlikely that I will get in to a Ph.D program directly I out of my undegrad but I would like to do something to possibly improve my odds.
I'd appreciate any suggestions on internships (research or clinical experience)
Thanks so much!

 

[PsyStudent925]

Hi there,

I don't have any specific suggestions for internships but just wanted to emphasize research...research...research if you want to go the PhD route. It is getting so competitive that even with 2 years of undergrad volunteer research and 3 years of full-time paid research afterward, I was still sweating bullets about getting accepted this year (fortunately, it worked out). I'd say that getting as much QUALITY research experience under your belt as possible is the best way to make yourself stand out to competitive, funded PhD programs. Do you know yet what your target research/clinical population might be? If so, it would be fantastic to try out research in that area to begin narrowing your focus and gaining experiences to talk about in your all-important personal statements.

 

[glasscandie]

NIH has a bunch of internships for undergrads, I just got accepted to the NIMH non-human primate lab (!!! literally, like, today ha) for the summer and fall. The tried and true way I've found my internships/RA positions was to just e-mail researchers who I was interested in working with, and asking if they had any slots open, or if they'd take a volunteer RA. Senior thesis would be a good thing, too.

 

[FahlenStar]

I understand that it's unlikely that I will get in to a Ph.D program directly I out of my undegrad but I would like to do something to possibly improve my odds...

Not neccessarily! It sounds like you are on the right route with keeping your gpa up and getting some research experience under your belt. If you are looking at clinical I would look at internships where you can get some experience in that area, study hard for the GREs, and get to know some profs for good letters of rec. You can always apply to master programs as backup also. =)

 

[marblegatherer]

Hi Probablynot!

Yes, you can get undergrad internships! I did myself. My school had a class for it, perhaps your school has a similar class- practicum, externship, internship, or so forth?

If not, you may have to do some calling around. I was a volunteer at the rape crisis hotline. Similar crisis hotlines always need counselors, and will take and train undergrads, a great way to get real-life counseling experience on your resume.

Likewise, I'd also call around to local social services non-profits, such as day programs for the developmentally disable or mentally ill and so forth, and talk to them about volunteering your time in return for training/experience.

Paid experience can often be found in group homes.

You could also do an independent study at your school, getting experience using one of the ways above and getting credit. Plus you'd also get some clinical supervision from a professor at your school, which is useful for recommendations for grad school or jobs.

Good luck!

 

[cara susanna]

I didn't do an internship and I still got into a PhD program. Research experience matters more than anything.

 

[marblegatherer]

I didn't do an internship and I still got into a PhD program. Research experience matters more than anything.

I'm not sure I believe that.

Despite no research experience (but ample clinical), I got into several PhD programs without any issues at all.

I think the important factors are:
- Program fit: don't apply to research-heavy programs if you are a clinical person, and vice versa. Understand the culture of the program you are applying to, and make sure you are the "type" of person who is successful there.
- Overall package: good GPA, good GRE scores, solid base of experience, good references, these things matter. Being solid across the board, or at least in most areas, is more important than having one particular amount of anything.
- References: Cannot be understated. Get *good* ones.
- Interview: Don't be an ass. Don't be late. Don't look like something the cat dragged in.

 

[cara susanna]

Honestly, I would argue that you are one of the few exceptions to the rule. Admission into a PhD program without research experience is, of course, possible, but I still don't think it's likely.

 

[marblegatherer]

Eh.

Depends a lot on the kind of PhD program.

For example, the depth psych phd program at Pacifica has zero interest in research experience. Not my cup of tea, but an example.

I think AREA of psych matters here. Cognitive, experimental, neuropsych, these areas want a lot of research experience. Clinical programs vary- the focus is important. Is it a scholar model? Boulder model? Etc.

 

[cara susanna]

Well, I meant Clinical since this is generally a clinical psych forum. I can't speak for other areas of psych.

I applied to pretty practice-oriented programs and they still pretty much only talked about my research during interviews.

 

[marblegatherer]

Well, I meant Clinical since this is generally a clinical psych forum. I can't speak for other areas of psych.

I applied to pretty practice-oriented programs and they still pretty much only talked about my research during interviews.

Weird. Where did you interview, out of curiousity? Back in the day I applied/interviewed to PGSP, Widener, and Carnegie Mellon. Congrats on acceptance!

 

[cara susanna]

Thanks!

I interviewed at Eastern Michigan University, American University, and the University of North Dakota

 

[UCLAzy]

NIH has a bunch of internships for undergrads, I just got accepted to the NIMH non-human primate lab (!!! literally, like, today ha) for the summer and fall. The tried and true way I've found my internships/RA positions was to just e-mail researchers who I was interested in working with, and asking if they had any slots open, or if they'd take a volunteer RA. Senior thesis would be a good thing, too.

Congrats i am working at nimh this summer too! Have fun

 

[glasscandie]

Oh really? Congrats! Which lab? I'll be in building 49. 🙂

 

[leavingprov]

Hi! I'm a psychology major in my sophomore year undergrad. I have experience in several labs and I have a high GPA but I would really like to know if anybody knows of anything I might be able to do to make me stand out? I understand that it's unlikely that I will get in to a Ph.D program directly I out of my undegrad but I would like to do something to possibly improve my odds.
I'd appreciate any suggestions on internships (research or clinical experience)
Thanks so much!

I will also suggest working as an RA-- you can do this part-time while at school and/or full time over the summer. Also, check out the national science foundation's REU program (they have a behavioral sciences group of REUs). You could apply to one of these and spend a summer in a different place, get some research experience, make some contacts-- it's a really great program. Presenting or publishing is also something I would definitely recommend, regardless of whether you are looking at clinically- or research- oriented programs. Best of luck!

 

[UCLAzy]

Oh really? Congrats! Which lab? I'll be in building 49. 🙂

building 35..at the opposite end of campus. just about as far as one can walk from the metro station and still be on the campus lol