<p>I'm considering minoring in psych and was wondering what are the "better" in terms of ease or interest of the upper division psych courses and professors. Tentatively speaking, I am taking Psyc 2 (finishing up the series) and Psyc 179 with Koob next quarter. On another note, how significant would having a minor be in the workforce or even for applying to graduate school. I know it is not much but I am genuinely interested in psychology and I feel this would be a good opportunity to expand and explore my academic horizons. Thanks in advance. PS -My major is Bioengineering Biotechnology, B.S.</p>
<p>None of my graduate school applications ever asked for a minor. I guess you could mention it in your application essay, but a minor alone in psychology (and lacking relevant research) wouldn’t be sufficient for entry into a psychology graduate program. As for other grad programs, unless they have some close ties to the psych field, I don’t think they’ll give it much thought either. (Someone as cynical as my boss would argue something like “why did you waste that time on a minor when you could have been working in lab?”)</p>
<p>If you can find a way to make your minor complement you major (the psychology of engineers, perhaps? haha) then its good. I doubt you need the credits, since Engineering has lots of classes to take. It is a good way to expand your horizons and may be fun, but yeah, as astrina said, it may not be good if you are going for a hardcore Engineering grad program. However, many grad programs like well rounded students and a minor is a good way to show that, and you can go into most programs (including med school!) with any major, as long as you fulfill the prerequisites.</p>
<p>Im a bioe:binf and I took Psych 163 (Abnormal Psych) this quarter. Great class, even if you dont minor you should def. take the class imo.</p>
<p>thanks blueskypinkcloud, </p>
<p>@Astrina/hopefullyokay</p>
<p>I just don’t want it to be seen as a detriment to me, more than anything. I am ahead of my schedule and I will have some blanks to fill next year and the following and was going to fill them up with GE’s/TE’s/easy classes. I think I’ll take 1 or 2 upper divs first and see how that goes. Do you know if there is an emphasis factor (such as “biotechnology”).</p>
<p>Getting the distinction of “X” minor means nothing. There is no formal denotation that you met the requirements of a minor. If you are interested in a field or just want easy classes, pick and choose from various departments.</p>
<p>And regarding the point about adcoms liking well-rounded students, I don’t think this is the case. Though it most definitely will not HURT you for grad programs (academic, MA/MS/Ph.D.), I don’t think it will help. The only way I can see it being a positive component is if you find a creative and cohesive way to mend it to your main area of focus (perhaps Human Computer Interaction, Ergonomics, Behavioral Civil Engineering, etc.)?</p>
<p>There is no “emphasis factor” that I know of regarding Psychology(?). </p>
<p>There is one caveat however: if it is VERY obvious that you were taking classes only to inflate your GPA, this may or may not sit well with adcomms. Some won’t really care how you got a certain GPA, but others will most likely place more weight on an individual with the same GPA, but a more directed and relevant courseload. Of course this is speculation, but I would suggest you post some questions on the Grad School section in this board, or to go to thegradcafe (Google it; I think CC censors this site) and post in your respective forum there.</p>