Strength of Undergraduate Schedule?

[Sun Lips]

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Hi Everyone,

A question I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on was the strength of the undergraduate schedule in terms of gaining admission to graduate school for Ph.D. programs (likely Clinical programs).

I'm a little concerned only because it looks as though I will be obtaining my BA with a 4.0 GPA in Psychology courses. However, I feel as though a few classes I've taken might not be all that impressive in the grand scheme of things (e.g., history and systems of psychology as opposed to say cognitive neuroscience).

I'm starting to get a little worried about this issue, I really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[AcronymAllergy]

While taking something like cognitive neuroscience could potentially help in one way or another eventually, as long as you've taken all the necessary pre-req courses for the programs to which you're applying, you should be fine. Your letters of recommendation, GRE scores, personal statement, and research experience are going to matter signficantly more than what classes you've taken as an undergrad.

 

[DocRacz]

Funny that you mention History and Systems...I just finished taking that class in graduate school!

Honestly I don't think the curriculum is super important...most of the classes that you take in undergrad don't translate into graduate school coursework. If you took cognitive neuroscience in undergrad, it may prepare you a bit more for the graduate course, but isn't going to get you out of it. Better (in my opinion) to focus on the research and clinical possibilities than the curriculum (especially with a 4.0...congrats!)

 

[katinatree]

Hi Everyone,

A question I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on was the strength of the undergraduate schedule in terms of gaining admission to graduate school for Ph.D. programs (likely Clinical programs).

I'm a little concerned only because it looks as though I will be obtaining my BA with a 4.0 GPA in Psychology courses. However, I feel as though a few classes I've taken might not be all that impressive in the grand scheme of things (e.g., history and systems of psychology as opposed to say cognitive neuroscience).

I'm starting to get a little worried about this issue, I really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

History and Systems is a great class and necessary for schools who want to be APA accredited. It might not seem like it matters very much right now, but knowing the roots of our field and how things have changed and are changing is important, as we cannot expect that the way things are now will stay the same forever.

 

[roubs]

Hi Everyone,

A question I wanted to hear some of your thoughts on was the strength of the undergraduate schedule in terms of gaining admission to graduate school for Ph.D. programs (likely Clinical programs).

I'm a little concerned only because it looks as though I will be obtaining my BA with a 4.0 GPA in Psychology courses. However, I feel as though a few classes I've taken might not be all that impressive in the grand scheme of things (e.g., history and systems of psychology as opposed to say cognitive neuroscience).

I'm starting to get a little worried about this issue, I really appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

Since you can't go back and re-do college the only thing you can do is prepare an answer to this question in case you are asked in an interview.

I don't think you will be asked this question in an interview.

 

[bmedclinic]

I dont think it'll matter that much. Remember some people still get into graduate programs without having a psych background. Others go to, to be quite frank, poor undergraduate universities so of course they're getting subpar education and a 4.0 to match. Most programs are choosing you based on the belief that you have the ability to learn and adapt.

In fact, at one point when I was out in the community yesterday doing therapy I was considering if I'd be a better therapist if I had an undergrad degree in theatre just because of all the drama! Ha! 🙂

 

[JockNerd]

I don't think it makes or break anyone, but having Org Chem, advanced calc & stats, and neuro courses were mentioned during my interviews (and I go to a counseling psych program... I imagine clinical folks would be even happier). I would also imagine that a schedule filled with the easy psych fluff courses would not be impressive, but again prolly would not destroy an application.