Jenn Hunt & Stephani Foraker

 Good grades is only the starting point!  Important to engage in individualized experiences & department activities  First-hand experience in research or applied settings  Student organizations

 Learn what psychology is really like  Gain valuable experience for jobs or graduate school  Get to know faculty members  Develop skills & learn about yourself  Have fun!

 Psychology Club  Open to all students interested in Psychology  Informational & social events, speakers  Spring research project  Advisor: Dr. Reid

 Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology  Eligibility standards: High GPAs, credit hours  Informational, volunteer, & social events  Advisor: Dr. Foraker

 Psychology Students Interested in Community Outreach (PSICO)  Open to all students interested in community service  Raise money to sponsor families during the holidays  Advisor: Dr. DiPirro  Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)  Open to all students interested in Human Resources  Advisor: Dr. Delprino

 Independent Studies (PSY 495)  One semester  Work closely with faculty a member  Complete a research study  No minimum GPA  Sample topics:  Body image in 6 th grade students  How views of parents affect views of God  Gender bias in hiring judgments  Factors affecting road rage  Opportunities to present and publish research

 Honors Theses (PSY 496 and 498)  Bigger research project - two semesters  Work with committee of three faculty members  Must have GPAs of 3.5+ in psychology and overall  Recent topics:  Social withdrawal in veterans with PTSD  Academic and social adjustment of students with ADHD  Prejudice against Canadians  Opportunities to present and publish research

 Psychology Club Research Team  Research Assistant  Work in faculty lab  Research Participant

 Field Internship (PSY 488)  Complete 150 hours (12 hours per week) at community setting  Weekly internship class  At least second-semester junior  At least 2.5 GPA  Apply before registration for next semester

 Internship sites include:  School psychology in Niagara Falls Schools  School counseling at Gateway Longview  Work with refugees at Journey's End  Work with serious mental illness at Transitional Services, Inc.  Inpatient psychological care at Buffalo Psychiatric Center  Substance abuse work at Northpointe Council

 Teaching Internship (PSY 488)  Assist a faculty member with a class in which you have excelled  Typical duties include  Leading test review sessions  Holding office hours  Helping with grading

 Volunteer-Service Learning Courses  Require service connected to course objectives & community needs  hours, depending on course  Can do in many departments

 Volunteer for community organizations related to psychology  Flexibility in # of hours  Opportunities within walking distance  Opportunities through Psychology Club, Psi Chi  Career Development Center

 Many careers in Psychology require a Masters degree or Ph.D.  Clinical, counseling, school  Academic researcher  Consulting  Very competitive – Need to plan ahead!

UNDERGRADUATE  Broad education  Well-rounded  Class-based GRADUATE  Highly focused  Specialist  Research/experience- based with fewer classes

UNDERGRADUATE  Large number admitted  100s or 1000s / year  Flexibility in final interests/major  Form a good pool  General qualifications & experiences GRADUATE  Small number admitted  Ph.D. programs: < 10/year  Commitment to specific area  Match with program and mentors  Look for specific experiences in that field

 Many parallels  Lots of applications for limited positions  Need experience as well as grades

 Grades: High as possible  >3.0 for MA, >3.5 for Ph.D  Solid course preparation  Likely exceed minimum requirements  Research!!!  Independent studies, research teams, senior thesis  Applied experiences  Internship  Related volunteering or work  Teaching

 Get involved in the department  Psychology Club, Psi Chi, PSICOs, SHRM  Leadership positions  GREs  Need to do well  Ongoing preparation: Read!  Specific preparation: Books, courses (e.g., Kaplan)

 As transfer students, you have less time, so start getting involved right away!