<p>I’m just following RheeL3’s advice & requesting UCLA to change my major from Anthropology to Cognitive Science. I already emailed the department & undergrad advisors that I’d like the to change. The only downside is the pre-major status but I have only 4 courses left to complete which definitely will be done by the end of this fall.</p>
<p>Thank you immensely for the advice RheeL3 & I hope anyone who’s facing a similar situation, ultimately ends up with an ideal major. Congrats to those who got in yesterday by the way</p>
<p>I just got admitted as a transfer into psychobiology. I heard the major itself is significantly easier than the other “real” science majors. Do you find that true?</p>
<p>I have a 4.0 GPA, but I didn’t receive any emails inviting me to complete a regents scholarship application
Shall I call/email and ask?
What would you do, Rheel3?</p>
<p>To KidKrasher and rshie002: Going to Graduate School for Psychology is SUPER competitive. If you’re super serious and dedicated on getting into it, this website should be bookmarked ASAP: <a href=“http://www.ugeducation.ucla.edu/urc-care/”>http://www.ugeducation.ucla.edu/urc-care/</a> Even if you aren’t a Psychology major, that shouldn’t stop you from pursing your goal! Best advice, short and sweet: GET INTO RESEARCH ASAP. I wish someone had given me that website. There are SO many programs you can apply to during late Fall/early Winter quarter that allow you to find a faculty mentor, etc. I missed deadlines because no one mentioned these things, so I’m giving you the heads up!!! If you’re wanting to go to UCLA particularly, well, any real competitive school, you need to take Psychology 100 A&B. Because Psychology is such an impacted major, you cannot take these during the regular school year, but instead have to take them during the summer. Take them. Complete them, get yourself some of the Psychology classes you need for these graduate programs. You can head over to the Psychology departmental website and click on Graduate, and download the Handbook which goes over the guidelines, what you should have completed, etc. The myth of: because you went here for undergrad you won’t get accepted for grad is BS. If the admission committee can put a face to your application, you’ll get in, regardless of GPA. That doesn’t mean to slack off, but don’t stress so much over your grades that you can’t get a job/research. </p>
<p>Also…there’s the GRE and GRE Subject Test. Some schools require the Psychology Subject Test, UCLA does. I will be taking that in October. By applying to some of those programs, they could pay for your GRE fees ($160). But regardless, you have to take the GRE. Since you guys are new, and just getting into the school, I’m sure you don’t know, but the GRE is changing this August and will becoming more difficult. Get on it. I know this seems like a lot, and it seems stressful, but think about it positively! You’re on your way! </p>
<p>If you have any questions, please let me know!!!</p>
<p>To nooriebie: I won’t beat around the bush or try to sugar coat it, Life Sciences are a B**.
I know students who got into UCLA straight out of high school, I mean I did too but didn’t attend due to financial/personal reasons, who fail Life Science 1 their sophomore year. You have to be dedicated. As a Psychobiology student who has taken Graduate Division courses, it’s different than CC, it is. Actually compared to CC, it actually doesn’t even compare. You will have some difficulty adjusting, but if you are dedicated and have good study habits, GO TO OFFICE HOURS, etc. I’m sure you’ll do fine. I’m proud to say I still have my 4.00 and am doing great, but there is an adjustment period and initial shock.
Good luck to you!!!</p>
<p>To mrD390: You are super welcome! I am so glad I could help!!! Good luck to you!</p>
<p>To BostonBoy: Hello fellow Psychobiology major! I’m not sure if that holds true. I mean, our classes aren’t as intense as let’s say…Life Science, but it also depends what courses you decide to take. I’m taking Graduate courses, which does have a process, and obviously…they’re tougher. So again…it’s what you decide to take, what you make of them. For example, to me, Biochemistry is enjoyable, but it might not be for the next person. Some people might just be really good at science and shrug them off, others might struggle, etc. Good luck to you in the Fall!</p>
<p>To SmartPants: I honestly do not have any idea, I’m sorry. I was emailed by them inviting me to apply, I didn’t “do” anything except have my 4.0. I think they actually have already decided who got the scholarship…? So I don’t think you can really do anything at this point!</p>
<p>WHERE SHOULD I LIVE?
rent is CRAAAAAZZZZY
i pay 525 to share an ok sized room with our own bathroom…
are there any apartment complexes you suggest me checking out?!?!
please and thank you</p>
<p>^
Apartment hunting is tough, I know! I find the closer you are to campus the more you pay, true fact. I actually don’t know specifically which apartment complexes are the best because I’m on campus and plan to be in the university apartments next years. Sorry about that.</p>
<p>Rheel3- what about research opportunities in the UCLA semel institute and in the brain research institute. Is ucla a good place to pursue neuropsychology since there is the medical center on campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>To rshie002: I don’t quite understand your question. Psychology 10 is required for Psychology 100 A&B. It’s placed upon your transcripts but I’m not sure what you mean by is it accepted by graduate school, lol. </p>
<p>How hard is it to get a research position with a favorite professor? It seems like with so many students, getting a research position in psychology (which is my major as well) will be very difficult because everyone seems so ambitious/competitive. In your classes, are you able to get special attention from your professor? Does the school itself feel crowded, and are you ever overwhelmed?</p>
<p>I’ll get on it once i start at UCLA in the fall. I’m the first to go to college in my family so i dont know how things work. i don’t have anyone to advise me. I checked out the website you gave us and i saw the different research opportunitiues, but how do you know which one to pick? like which one is best and more beneficial? some of them ask for resume and cover letter but i dont have any experience? also are AB540 eligible to participate in these research programs? on how many of those research programs should we work at time (i.e. 2 per semester?)</p>
<p>Would if be possible to change from a psych major to a psychobiology major after your junior year?</p>
<p>I plan on going to medical school so I’m going to be taking those requirements during my two years at UCLA. So if the general major requirements are similar enough and wouldnt put me behind, it would be great to change my major after my first year at LA. </p>
<p>i have specific questions about the grad school stuff and i don’t want it to get lost in here lol.
i can’t seem to pm you if i go to your profile.</p>
<p>To planet2o: Unless your “favorite” professor is doing some sort of research, it might be. Keep insisting that you’re willing to do anything (not anything, I mean like–even being someone who cleans the equipment) for this opportunity. Once they realize that you’re dedicated, you’re more than likely to be taken into consideration when they need some sort of assistance.
As you know, most upper division courses have a lot of students. It is because of this that professors can’t really get to know you on the “one on one” basis, which sucks I know. You have to make the effort to go to office hours firstly so they know your face, lol and to get that sort of relationship going. So no “special attention” going on unless you work at it. The school always feels overcrowded, but that’s the way it always is going to be. I’m actually satisfied with what I have accomplished and as long as the Professors that I work with know me, I’m good! </p>
<p>To KidKrasher: Pick a research opportunity that you would be interested in or is simply in your department. When you’re just starting in with research, you can’t be picky. Choose opportunities within the Psychology department and as you gain experience, you’ll be able to select what you want to do. It’s okay if you don’t have any experience, although some of them do require it, in case I would recommend looking into those programs which get you ready for research opportunities and would look great on your resume/CV like McNair (AAP) or others that the URC office offers. Again, start with one if you have the opportunity to join one once you get into Fall, that’s being unrealistic but it can happen. With the switch of a quarter system, you need to adjust so don’t put too much work on your shoulders…you won’t be able to keep up! Good luck to you and if you have any more questions, please let me know!</p>
<p>To Ella89: I don’t think it would make a difference if you switch or not at this point. I actually know transfers who are English majors who are wanting to go to Medical School too and are taking science classes. Of course, they might run into difficulties later on because most medical schools require that you receive your BA/BS in a science major or Psychology but you’re good. If you’re still wanting to switch to Psychobiology, I’m actually not 100% if you can switch…but definitely chat with your OC about it! Keep in mind this has to happen ASAP. </p>
<p>To rshie002: Sorry, I disabled my PMs because random people from the board message me and it’s a bit overwhelming. I try to be on CC as much as I can right now and even during my breaks at work, but I can’t be getting emails at random times…so if you could please leave your question here, I would appreciate it! Besides, I know other people might have the same question(s)!</p>
<p>Also, do a lot of psychology students get published? If so, do they do the research under a faculty member or is it their own work/ideas? Are faculty members often okay with helping students get published or do most of them just want help with their own research?</p>
<p>Thanks for being on this forum and starting this thread. We lowly transfer students really appreciate this.</p>
<p>RheeL3, first off thanks for taking the time to come back on here and answer some of our questions!</p>
<p>I am an Electrical Engineering major, so I don’t know if you would know how it works for engineering classes, but I thought I’d ask. </p>
<p>Are ALL classes graded on a +/- scale. And if so, what is the scale: A, A-, B+, B…etc.?? I’m really hoping so. I think this is especially important because if you happen to be just “a hair” under the cutoff you won’t be downgraded A WHOLE GRADE that kills your gpa.</p>
<p>This is exactly what happened to me here at my CCC. The 2 courses I got a B and a C in, I was extremely close to the next higher grade. The class that I got a B in (Physics-Fluids, heat & sound) I was at an 89.2% average and I was unceremoniously given a B (in spite of the class being run like a graduate level course at Princeton :rolleyes: ) </p>
<p>The same thing happened to me in the other course (Physics - Electricity & magnetism), which I got a C in (again 78.9% course average - same BRUTAL Professor :rolleyes: ) In fact, out of 23 courses (84 semsester units) I’ve completed here so far at my CCC, these are my ONLY “non-As”.</p>
