<p>I am a senior psychology student and have taken one research course to date, which was enjoyable and educational (as one would expect!) but did not produce presentable results. I am continuing work in that lab this semester, this time not for credit, and am participating in a roundtable discussion course involving recent research findings. I plan on doing additional research next semester, in another area of interest.</p>
<p>I am concerned that I should have additional hands-on experience, perhaps because I spent two of my collegiate years at the community level and did not have the options that are available to me now. I wonder if my GPA drop from community college (3.8+, 67 credits) to my 4-year school, The College of New Jersey (3.2+, 3.3+ within major, 36 credits) will hinder my chances. I am confident that I can raise my GPA to a 3.4 or so by the end of the semester, but I believe transcript deadlines will have passed by then. I am vigorously studying for the GRE, and I'm told a 1300 overall is key.</p>
<p>My questions, in a nutshell (apologies if I'm being wordy):</p>
<p>1) Assuming that my research contributions are and will be respectably thorough, is there need for concern that I did not take enough research courses?</p>
<p>2) How much of a concern is my GPA?</p>
<p>3) I realize that it's difficult to define safety and reach schools at this level, but are there any names that I should look into? I understand that grad school is a more personal experience than undergrad, so I'm studying research and websites of individual professors in addition to general program outlines on school pages. Any tips on how I should look into this?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for your time and feedback!</p>
<p>Cognitive, and Ph.D. From what I'm told, the master's level is generally skipped (though there are schools that offer master's degrees in psych... if I recall correctly, Villanova's a lauded name).</p>
<p>for all psych phd programs, you should be applying to work with an individual professor, not the overall program. it is absolutely necessary to make sure that you identify a prof who has the exact same research interests as you do.</p>
<p>Your GPA and lack of research experience will hurt you in cognitive psychology although you could probably get in somewhere. You might think about an MA in cognitve science to boost your credentials. You would have to repeat those years at your Ph.D. program but you might get into a more prestigious school which would pay off down the line.</p>
<p>At times I've considered changing my concentration to clinical (which better defines my interests, but I originally registered as cognitive and have not yet changed it), which I also have the courses taken to satisfy. I won't go for a MA for a number of reasons. I'd sooner spend more time at my undergrad school or take time off to gather experience in the "real" world, if those are acceptable alternatives.</p>
<p>Your current credentials would make any clinical Ph.D. program a longshot, even the professional schools of psychology. Real life experience is unlikely to have a great impact on your admission status, at least in academic psychology. Staying at your undergraduate college will not appreciably raise your GPA which is your most glaring weakness and will, in many places, get your application thrown out before it is read. I am not sure of your reluctance to puruse an MA, but if you have your heart set on a Ph.D. in psychology, especially clinical, it may be your best option.</p>
<p>I didn't realize how bad my GPA was, though I knew it wasn't where it should be. I didn't expect this to be a cakewalk, certainly... I just figured I would have an option or two if my GRE scores and LORs were strong enough.</p>
<p>The prospect of spending two years I'll have to repeat doesn't brighten my day, but I understand. Thank you for informing me.</p>