Does Your Intended Major Impact Your College Chances
Because universities know that an intended major isnt concrete, a students intended major generally will not affect whether or not they are accepted to a university.;
However, there are certain instances where an intended major may affect college chances. Some prestigious programs that directly admit students have lower acceptance rates than that of the general university. Additionally, some large public universities have specific numbers of students that they will accept for each major program. At these schools, if you are on the bubble for admissions, your intended major may become a factor.
Simply put, if your intended major has an impact on admissions, the impact will be very small. In general, your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays will determine your chances of admission at different colleges. To predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 schools across the country , utilize our free chancing engine. This engine will let you know how your application compares to those of other applicants and will also help you to improve your profile.
Who Is The Highest Paid Psychologist
Top 5 Highest-Paying Psychology CareersOutpatient Care Center Psychologist. Psychologists who work in outpatient care centers make an average salary of $150,150, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. Forensic Psychologist. Military Psychologist. Psychiatrist. Education.
Types Of Psychology Degrees
Psychology differs from other college majors. For most college majors you can get your undergraduate degree and be fine for the rest of your career. Most students working towards an undergraduate psychology degree will plan on attending a masters program and maybe even a doctorate program. There are some opportunities for students with an associate or bachelors degree in psychology, however, most of the big-time jobs in psychology will require at least a masters degree.
Associate Degree in Psychology
An associate degree in psychology will take around 2 years to complete and is considered an undergraduate degree. Most students who are working towards an associate degree in psychology will be completing this program at a community college or two-year school.
An associate degree in psychology is not going to land you any big-time jobs in the field of psychology to be completely honest, there wont be many job opportunities in the field for these students. Most students will transfer their credits after completion and work towards a bachelors degree in psychology. This is a great option and will help students build a good base of knowledge.
Bachelors Degree in Psychology
Colleges and universities may offer a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. The differences between the two degrees will depend on your individual school, but a B.A. usually requires more liberal arts general education courses while a B.S. requires more general science education courses.
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How To Succeed In Psychology Class
Psychology 101 is one of the most popular classes on college campuses around the world. Most universities and colleges expect students to take it as part of the general education requirements, regardless of whether they are planning a psychology major.
According to online teaching experts at SolidEssay.com, a research paper writing service, for many students the introduction to psychology can be very tough. Often, students dont have exposure to psychology courses before attending college because many high schools dont offer these courses.
The average Psych 101 course can overwhelm even the most hard-working student. Aside from the history of psychology, students need to learn topics including personality, social, cognitive, and biological psychology.
Whether you are just trying to meet a general education requirement or thinking of pursuing a psychology degree, here are some simple tips to help you succeed.
Last medically reviewed on September 3, 2013
Core Concepts And Coursework
Psychology graduate students take courses in theory, research methods, and statistics beginning in the first year of the program and extending into the third or fourth year of the program depending on the students prior experience and degrees. Depending on the area of specialization, the required courses may also include other aspects of the sub-field, such as assessment and intervention for clinical psychology, statistical modeling for quantitative psychology, or laboratory skills for neuroscience.
Coursework is typically completed before the final year of the program, as this time is typically devoted to the students independent research program and the writing of the final dissertation.
- Advanced Statistical Modeling
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#myac Spotlight Student Stories
In a special AC spotlight, we shine the light on not one but TWO amazing students from Ghana.
Meet Michelle and Ayeyi who have big dreams for the future working at either the World Bank or World Health Organization.
Samar Behzad is a recent graduate of Alexander College and is transferring to SFU to pursue her studies in Psychology.
Throughout her time at AC, she has been actively involved in the AC Student Association and has helped out as a student worker.
Samar has traveled and lived in various countries, and shares how that has shaped her and how her experience at AC has created long lasting memories as she continues on in her undergraduate career.
Aubrey Li is an international student at Alexander College and is currently pursuing her studies in Psychology and Sociology.
Aubrey is passionate about volunteering, and with experience volunteering work in China, she hopes to continue her volunteer work in Canada and further develop her experience.
Start With The Basics
Before you begin studying any topic in great depth, it is important to make sure that you have a strong grasp of the basics. In almost any introductory psychology course, the first few weeks of class will be devoted to learning a little bit about the history of psychology as well as the scientific methods that are used in psychological research. By familiarizing yourself with these topics early on, you will be able to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of psychology as you delve deeper into the course.
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Course Structure And Assessment Methods
The majority of undergraduate psychology degree programs last three or four years, with some institutions requiring students to undertake a relevant work placement as part of the course. Placement options are varied, but common choices include roles within hospitals, prisons and rehabilitation centers. This placement year can prove to be vital when pursuing psychology careers after graduation; practical experience is valued highly by prospective employers.
If your university doesnt offer a placement option, you may want to find some work experience yourself, either during the vacations or in a part-time capacity. Although specialized experience can sometimes be difficult to access, many relevant roles can stand you in good stead; for example, working with children and adults with learning difficulties, mentoring, or helping in a care home.
Psychology degrees typically employ a range of teaching techniques, allowing students to gain the diverse skills needed to carry out psychological investigations. This will often include practical lessons; lectures in relevant theory and tools, such as how to carry out research and analyze data; and training with professional software programs. Assessment is also varied, typically including timed examinations, essays, laboratory reports and final project reports.
Do You Enjoy Taking Psychology Classes
- Yes
- No
This first one seems fairly obvious, but the first thing you need to consider is whether or not psychology is something you really love. As a psychology major, you will be taking a wide range of classes covering many different subjects, including personality, development, research methods, and cognition.
If the answer is a resounding yes, then majoring in psychology is definitely something you should consider. If you cannot answer yes to this question, then it might be time to start exploring some alternative subjects that might spark your interest more.
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How To Get Into A Clinical Psychology Phd Program
Applicants to a PhD in psychology program should have an undergraduate degree with in-depth psychology training including laboratory experience, statistics, and research methods. Requirements vary depending on the school, but usually neither a masters degree nor an undergraduate major in psychology is required as long as all prerequisite courses have been met successfully. The minimum grade point average for admittance is typically 3.0, however, the average score of admitted students may be considerably higher as competition can be strong for these upper-level graduate degree programs. Strong performance in math and statistics are considered favorable. GRE scores must be submitted along with transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and references.
Traditional psychology PhD programs tend to be more difficult to enter than PsyD programs, with reportedly only 11% of applicants being admitted each year .;One reason for this selectivity could be that a high percentage of PhD students in psychology programs depend on funding assistance offered by the school in exchange for the research they conduct via research assistantships; in fact, according to a survey by the APA, 80-100% of PhD in psychology students receive some funding and 60-90% receive full funding .5;Since more students are vying for those assistantships and schools only have a certain number available, a lower percentage of applicants are admitted, making the competition tough.
Often Students Don’t Have Exposure To
Human resources, education, customer service, etc.), developing a career within the field of psychology requires a graduate degree. As a major, psychology is notoriously easy. The ranking compares the top psychology programs in the u.s. Basic psychology is also one of the classes that the majority of students find relaxing and very interesting to study. Because the course is introductory, some students imagine that intro psych ought to be a relatively easy course.
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What Do Statistics Say About The Ap Psychology Exam
How hard is the AP Psych exam based on statistical data? To answer this, we’ll look at the pass rate and 5 rate.
In 2020, the pass rate for the AP Psychology exam was 71.3%, which is right around average compared to other AP exams. In comparison, AP Physics C: Mechanics has an 84.3% pass rate , whereas AP Environmental Science has a 53.4% pass rate . The pass rate statistics appear to indicate that the AP Psychology exam has a medium difficulty level when compared with other AP exams.
The 5 rate for the AP Psych exam is 22.4%, which is toward the upper end of the spectrum when compared with other AP exams. There are only 14 AP exams that have 5 rates higher than AP Psychology, compared with the 20-30 with lower 5 rates. This might make you think that the test is on the easier side.
But which is it?What does this data really tell us? Interpreting these statistics means striking a difficult balance. Paradoxically, sometimes AP tests with high pass rates are actually more difficult. Since the subjects themselves are challenging , they only attract the most motivated, well-prepared students.
Similarly, AP tests for easier subjects might have low pass rates because these classes attract less motivated students who don’t always prepare thoroughly. Low pass rates can also happen on extremely popular tests for which the number of students taking the test has increased rapidly, but their average level of preparation has declined due to the uneven quality of AP classes.
Make A Difference In Peoples Lives
If youve ever dreamed of making a real difference in other people’s lives, earning a psychology degree can be an effective way to achieve that goal. Psychologists, counselors, therapists, and community services workers devote their time and energy to helping people overcome adversity, increase their well-being, and realize their full potential. While this type of work can be emotionally demanding and stressful at times,it can also be very fulfilling.
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Whats The Most Useful Degree
Here is a list of the most useful college majors based on post-graduate employment and median annual wage as noted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:Physics. Political science. Business administration. Nursing. Meteorology. General engineering. Materials science. Chemical engineering.More itemsMar 30, 2021
Do You Enjoy Research Experiments And Statistics
- Yes
- No
Psychology majors don’t just study how people think and behavethey also take a lot of classes in experimental methods and statistics. Even if you do not plan on working in a research-oriented career, it is important to gain a solid understanding of how statistics are used in psychology, how to conduct psychology research, and how to interpret the results of research studies.
Your undergraduate psychology coursework will likely include several different classes focusing on statistics and research design. If this sounds like something you would enjoy, then psychology is probably a great choice for you. If, on the other hand, you really do not want to learn more about these topics, then it might be best to consider some other degree options.
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Be Prepared To Put In The Hard Yards
Psychology somehow has a reputation as being easy when compared to degrees like law or engineering, but dont get ready to slack off just yet. Three years of intense statistics subjects will prove that theory wrong. Yes, the realisation that the degree you picked is actually chock-full of maths can be slightly heartbreaking. On the positive side, the consistent praise of employers and research supervisors on the quality of UQ graduates makes it all worthwhile in the end. Plus, in your later years, you can read those hefty scientific journal articles and know exactly what theyre talking about.
Dont let your background in any high school science subjects get too rusty either. There are plenty of electives that draw on biology and chemistry specifically in exploring the neurological background of psychology.;
Get Ready For All Your Family And Friends To Believe The Stereotypes
You will most likely get asked whether you can read minds at every second party or group gathering that you attend. I am not sure why. I dont know what answer they are expecting, but, this is a classic line from non-psychology students. Youll probably explain the first few times that being a psychologist is very different from a psychic. By the end of your;degree, like me, you will probably just be rolling with it.
Also be prepared for some hands-on counselling for your friends and family. You might have only completed one first year subject, but youre still the go-to for anyone seeking advice. I like to think of it as getting some early practical experience.
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Your Lectures Will Be Full
Lectures rooms can hold upwards of 400+ students, and every seat will be full. Avoid being the late person who has to awkwardly find a seat;once class has started, or the inevitable squeeze along a row of people as you seek the very last seat available in the middle of the row. Get to class early, set yourself up nicely, and try not to be overwhelmed by all the new faces.
Dont be disheartened if you dont become best friends with the person next to you by the end of the first lecture. It can be harder to make friends in lectures mainly due to the sheer volume of students. ;Tutorials are great for making friends with peers and taking advantage of the small class sizes with plenty of group question time and activities. If you want a quick and easy way to make friends with your psychology classmates then the Psychology Student Association is for you! They have retreats, barbeques, bar crawls and sports;teams making them your one-stop shop for university friends. Just look for their stall on market day.
Is It Worth Getting A Phd In Psychology
If you plan to work in an academic setting, earning a PhD in psychology will help you gain experience and move into management positions later in your career. Without a PhD, you may still find work as a research assistant but your career growth may be limited. If you do not plan to work in an academic setting, you may find a PhD in psychology helps you gain insight and expertise into a particular issue or population, although it will likely not be a hiring requirement. A PhD will also qualify you to become licensed in;clinical psychology;should you choose to practice in the field.
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Salary Can Be A Concern
One of the biggest misunderstandings among students planning on majoring in psychology is that they expect to start making big bucks immediately after earning their undergraduate degree. Yes, there is certainly the potential to earn a high salary in certain fields. Are those wages the norm? No, and especially not for those without a doctorate degree.
The reality is that there are many professions within psychology that are low- to mid-salary. Actual salaries depend on a wide variety of factors, including the specialty area you choose, the sector in which you work, where you choose to live, and the degree and experience level you have. The lowest paying careers on the spectrum might pay around $20,000 a year, while those on the highest end might pay over $250,000 per year.
One advantage of a psychology degreestrong predicted job outlook. Demand for psychologists is expected to grow at a rate faster than the average for all careers over the next decade.
If the salary is one of your greatest motivations for majoring in psychology, you need to spend some time carefully researching some of the;high-paying options.