<p>I got admitted to UCLA and UC Davis psychology. My goal is to become a clinical neuropsychologist.</p>
<p>I am wondering if grad schools for psychology care more about the prestige of the undergrad institution or the grades, gre scores, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, research that the student has. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Short answer, no.</p>
<p>Obviously a 3.9 at Stanford would mean a lot more than a 4.0 at a tier 4 college, but a high GPA even at a less prestigious college is not looked down upon.</p>
<p>However, keep in mind that psychology programs (and really all research heavy PHD programs in general) use a very holistic process. If you have a 4.0 at a college no one has ever heard of but a subpar GRE score, that won’t look good. Your GRE scores need to be consistent with your GPA. Otherwise, they will assume you had a very easy time in undergrad. A strong GRE score can make up for a low GPA, but not anything else (letters, research experience etc). </p>
<p>Research experience + letters are the main factor in graduate school admissions. The GRE is merely used as a weeder so it is technically not a factor. Of course you can make up for a low GRE score with amazing research, work or life experience etc. However, the GRE is often looked at when looking for funding and research grants.</p>
<p>Keep in mind different graduate programs (and professors) look at different things. One might place a heavy emphasis on GRE and another on research experience. In general, what I said above is true. This tends to be even more true if you are applying to the higher ranked and more competitive graduate programs.</p>
<p>Its all about GPA, grad school test scores, letters of rec etc.etc.
University doesn’t really play a part
Reason being, better scores boost grad schools rankings, plain and simple</p>
<p>I agree with what the others are saying. Prestige will not matter so much especially when comparing one UC to another. All UC’s are great schools. Why else would the world be so jelly of California?</p>
<p>Also, if this is you trying to decide which school to go to, go with the one that feels right. If you don’t know, visit the campuses, it was the best thing I ever did in making my college decision. IMO if you love where you are, your grades and EC’s will reflect that.</p>