<p>So here is my info and I need some help about my chances. I'm not asking for a specific schools, i'm just asking if you think I could get into a top 20 psychology program. </p>
<p>I'm interested in either Neuroscience, Behavioral psychology, or Clinical.</p>
<p>I'm an URM (African American Male)
BA in Psychology with a Biopsych certificate
Psychology department honors
3.7 GPA
GRE V: 160
GRE Q: 165
GRE A: 4.5
1.5 years of research in the same lab (2 years maybe 2.5 by the time I start.
Extensive Bio classes (Intro, genetics, anatomy, cell, might take 1 or 2 more)
Recommendation are 1)Lab mentor, 2)President of University [long story short I made an effort to get to know him all 4 years, visited his office and such, went to his lectures and seminars. junior year and senior year he 'took me under his wing' and he offered to write me a personal recommendation. 3)Teacher
Active in some clubs but nothing impressive. </p>
<p>Any ideas some schools I can get into, or some suggestions?</p>
<p>Underrepresented minority status doesn’t matter much like it (kind of) does in undergrad.</p>
<p>Yes, you could get into a top 20 program. I can’t give you any suggestions without knowing what kind of research you are interested in. I also want to note that “behavioral psychology” is not a subfield of psych, because ALL psychology is the study of human behavior. So perhaps you could explain what you mean by that? Are you interested in biological psychology at all? What about experimental psychology? You may be interested in cognitive or social neuroscience, too. My department (Columbia) has some interesting offerings in cognitive neuroscience and social neuroscience, because you can work with multiple professors across subfields.</p>
<p>Clubs don’t matter for graduate school.</p>
<p>Can the president of your university speak to your research and academic ability? If not, he may not be a good recommendation. You don’t just want a person who knows you; you want a person who can speak to your success in graduate school. Is he in your field?</p>