Research
Several recent surveys of graduate school admission committees have shown that
the research experience of undergraduate students is the single most important
factor when distinguishing between qualified applicants. In other words, when
choosing between two applicants who both have GPAs above 3.5, GRE scores above
the 90th percentile, and positive letters of recommendation, the applicant with
more research experience (as opposed to the higher GPA or test score) is more
likely to be selected. Research experience can also significantly help the
applicant whose grades or test scores may be a little below the average graduate
school applicant.
Another one of the strengths of the psychology major at PUC is that we
require all of our students to take a three-quarter research sequence of courses
(Statistics, Research Design and Experimental Psychology). The "Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences" (SPSS), a powerful computer based program
for the statistical analysis of research, is taught in research design. Mastery
of this program is looked upon quite favorably by graduate school admission
committees. Students planning on graduate school are strongly advised to
complete this sequence by the end of their junior year. By the end of this
sequence the psychology student will have designed, carried out and written up
their own psychology experiment. They will also have presented their research at
an on-campus, student research symposium sponsored by PSI CHI. If this project
is carried out thoughtfully and carefully, students should have a good
probability of getting their research accepted for presentation at the Western
Psychological Association Convention and may possibly submit it for publication
in a psychological journal. Either the presenting or publishing of research is a
significant aid in the graduate school admission process. Students are also
encouraged to attend several psychology conventions, even when not presenting
themselves, both to expose themselves to new research in psychology and to learn
about psychology as a profession.
Students interested in further research experience may consider applying to
the honors program in their freshman or early in their sophomore year. This
program is designed to enrich the studies of academically motivated and
qualified students. Many of the general education requirements are met by taking
the core honors classes, which follow more of a seminar format. In the senior
year students complete an honors research project. The benefits of this program
include an enhanced liberal education experience, a second, structured, research
experience, and the designation "With Honors" on the diploma and
transcript. All of these will add to the credentials of the potential graduate
school applicant. Entrance requirements to the honors program may be found in
the school Bulletin.
Interested students may want to seek research experience on their own, either
during the summer at colleges, universities or hospitals near home, or by
assisting a PUC professor with his or her own research. Students with such an
interest are encouraged to discuss it with their advisor.