<p>Hey guys, this past summer I took a class on clinical psychology at brown during the summer (summer@brown) and I absolutely LOVED it! I plan on taking ap psych next year, because at my school you can't take it until your junior year, but I'm going crazy waiting! This summer I really want to develope my knowledge doing what I love, but i need some help. Is there anything that I could do, over the summer or in the school year, that would help me look very interested in psychology? Preferably clinical psychology although anything would be absolutely great! Any tips on getting a highschool internship? If anybody is majoring in psychology right now how do you like it\ any tips to help me get there? This isn't just something to make me look dedicated to colleges, it's just something I truly love. Thanks guys!</p>
<p>Well, psychology involves more than just clinical psychology and it’s hoped that clinical practitioners build their interventions on a good foundation of scientific psychology.</p>
<p>So, here are some suggestions (for some of these, you might need to be 18 years of age)…
Peer counseling/tutoring at your school—learn about learning difficulties
Childcare (volunteer as an assistant at your church nursery)—learn about child behavior
Volunteer at a literacy program—learn about learning/reading difficulties
Zoo/aquarium internships----watch the monkeys or dolphins and learn about animal behavior
Animal training----train your dog, learn about behavior principles
Volunteer with a vet or at an animal shelter—learn about animal behavior
Volunteer for Special Olympics—learn about persons with disabilities
Volunteer with a veteran’s program—learn about impact of brain injuries
Do a self-modification program—e.g., exercise more, diet, or whatever habits/behaviors you want to change, take data, learn about behavior principles
Do a science fair project—could be on lots of things (think experimental psychology!)
Do a research internship—at a local univ. lab
Be a volunteer in a psychology experiment—at a local univ.
Volunteer at a nursing home—learn about aging, some kinds of neuro problems
Volunteer at a hospital (child unit)—learn about kids in some distressing situations
Some schools have student volunteers in their special ed programs—learn about persons with disabilities</p>
<p>Remember, as an undergraduate, you apply to a college , not to a department. And clinical psychology is something that’s for graduate school. Don’t just do it to look interested in psychology or to show your dedication, whatever that means—do it to learn something, to develop yourself as a person, and maybe to help someone. Also, do some reading on whatever area you sample so you have a frame of reference for it.</p>
<p>Okay thanks for the advice!</p>