What course should I take to bolster my psyc. degree??

[atis]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm currently in a public health program, but I'd like to apply to clinical psyc. programs (some mix of neuropsychology/health psychology) this fall. I'd like to make up for holes in my psychology education, and I have the option of taking another psychology course this summer...starting in a week or so...at the undergrad level. I just want some opinions on what I should take...

Background:
My undergrad degree is officially in psychology, although to be honest, I didn't take many more courses than the minimum to fulfill the major requirement (due to a mix of money worries, not starting the major till my junior year, and pretty bad depression senior year). My courses include: 2 neurobiology classes, social psyc, political psyc, cultural psyc, sensation and perception, biopsyc, stats (didn't do too well, hopefully an A in biostats at a graduate level will make up for it?), and psyc. research methods.

My options are: Intro to Clinical Psychology (sounds like something that'd be useful for me to figure out if this is the right thing or not), and Abnormal Psychology (which I'm fascinated by, read loads of books about, but have never had a course in)

I feel like the one glaring omission from my transcript is abnormal psyc. or cognitive psyc., but I think this clinical psychology seems incredibly interesting (and useful.) If you were me...what would you take?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Definitely Abnormal Psych.

-t

 

[JockNerd]

Abnormal! (and more stats 🙂)

 

[atis]

if the veterans think abnormal is the way to go, abnormal it is!


without derailing from the original questions too much, because i think its probably useful info., i was wondering, JockNerd, why you think I should do more stats? I took an advanced stat class (as opposed to psyc. stats) in college, and got a C...yes, very bad. I took graduate biostats last semester and got an A, and I'm in a statistical programming class now. my undergrad is looked upon as a better school than my grad school, so the new classes might not really make up for my undergrad foibles, but...isn't this enough stats?? (please please say yes!)

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Abnormal, definitely.

Clinical's interesting, but at the intro level it's really nothing you couldn't figure out on your own or by reading a therapy skills book. Abnormal is a MUST, and is even required by some graduate schools.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

To supplement your stats courses (and perhaps offset your C), have you had any research experience? If you get hands-on stats work, it can be even more helpful than sitting in classes doing stats exercises.

 

[JockNerd]

if the veterans think abnormal is the way to go, abnormal it is!


without derailing from the original questions too much, because i think its probably useful info., i was wondering, JockNerd, why you think I should do more stats? I took an advanced stat class (as opposed to psyc. stats) in college, and got a C...yes, very bad. I took graduate biostats last semester and got an A, and I'm in a statistical programming class now. my undergrad is looked upon as a better school than my grad school, so the new classes might not really make up for my undergrad foibles, but...isn't this enough stats?? (please please say yes!)

I was actually just joking.🙂 Your stats background sounds great. I had a similar profile (bad showing in one intro stats course followed by good work in subsequent stats courses). Worked out well for me, I'm sure the same is probably going to be true for you. I second Raynee's research comment, however. That's going to be a big factor.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

People get C's...it isn't the end of the world, just don't make a habit of it. Also, if there is another class you can take to show proficiency, that can help. I got a B- from a great (but very difficult) professor my junior year. I thought I deserved better, so I took his follow-up seminar class the next year. I ended up earning an A, and I learned a bit about myself in the process. I deserved the B- because I coasted in the class, and didn't apply myself to the level he expected, even though I did A level work, I had B- level effort.

I gained a lot from the experience of taking a significantly harder class. After the class he offered to write a letter for me if/when I ever decided to go to grad school. A few years later I called him back up, and he gave me a great LOR (actually referencing the B- to A experience, etc)

So I'm not saying to take the same prof again, etc....I'm saying take on another challenging class, and try to do better. It will only get harder in grad school, but it would be nice to know that you've shown success before in a tough academic situation.

-t

 

[atis]

Well, if you don't mind, I was going to post a "what are my chances" thread sometime in a few months but since its Sunday and y'all asked about my research experience...😀

So, unfortunately I didn't do any research in college. Right now I've got a few months doing grunt work at an imaging center, a few months as a r.a. at a psychophysiolgoy lab, and a summer doing data entry/survey monkey stuff (which actually pertained to business psychology so probably irrelevant). This was all because I've moved so much lately. I just started working at a lab
where I'm going to stay until at least next May and I'm looking other research to supplement that.

Other stats: 3.3 overall gpa, 3.67 psyc. gpa, 3.97 grad school gpa

690 on the psyc. GRE (i had a week to study so I'm not thrilled but I'm not going to take it again, I don't think)

1280ish on the general GRE (i KNOW i have to retake that one)...

I realize my chances for getting into a program this app. cycle are slim, but I'm going to try anyways. If I don't get in..well, I'll just keep researching! I think my MPH will be an asset, but who knows?...any opinions/suggestions/comments/insights??

 

[atis]

...anyone? i thought inquisitive minds wanted to know about my research experience 😛
Basically I was wondering if anyone can give me suggestions as to what to do between now and application season to help me get into a program. Or should I just resign myself to waiting till next year?

I also had a question about neuropsychology - if you want to go into clinical neuropsyc., do you approach the application process differently than you would just a regular clinical track? Also, does anyone know of professors doing research that marries health psyc./public health with neuropsychology?

I know these are somewhat disjointed questions, but I'm just trying to gather as much info. as I can. Thanks in advance!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I also had a question about neuropsychology - if you want to go into clinical neuropsyc., do you approach the application process differently than you would just a regular clinical track? Also, does anyone know of professors doing research that marries health psyc./public health with neuropsychology?

Yes. Make sure to look at programs that have a strong neuro program (duh). If helps to look at it backwards. If you want to call yourself a neuropsych, you need to be boarded. You get boarded by completing a 2-year approved post-doc. To get that post-doc (pretty competitive), you need to get a neuropsych internship. To get a neuropsych internship you need pretty solid training in neuropsych in grad school. I'd say if at all possible, try and look at schools that have a formal neuropsych program.

-t

 

[psychwanabe]

First, I agree with everyone that abnormal is the class to take (I know I'm late for the train).

Second, I don't think your stats are such that you should put off trying to get in this cycle. Definitely try to get on a research team like right now. Also, beef up that GRE score. Most importantly (I think) is to match yourself to the right program. This is something I learned during my app cycle last year and will definitely focus on when trying to match for internship. I think you absolutely have to find the right professor for you! Look for someone with a health/neuro focus if that's what you want, and don't be bound by geography! I think your stats will be okay if you find the right match.

Good luck!