Deck 10: What Can You Do With an Advanced Degree in Psychology

Question 1

Which motivation for applying to graduate school tends to be more indicative of someone who is likely to have trouble finishing an advanced degree?

A) "I am deeply curious about the human condition."
B) "I want to dedicate myself to promoting psychological well-being and relieving distress."
C) "I want to be called doctor."
D) "I enjoy research, writing, publishing, and giving professional talks."

Answer 1

"I want to be called doctor."

Question 2

Graduate schools vary in their _____, which is reflected in the thresholds the programs set for GRE scores and grade point averages.

A) selectivity
B) differentiation
C) constellation
D) arbitration

Answer 2

selectivity

Question 3

Why is gaining research experience before applying to graduate school so important?

A) because it gives a faculty member who will write a letter of recommendation first-hand knowledge of your ability to handle graduate school demands
B) because it builds the kind of skills (e.g., teamwork, library navigation) that graduate school will require
C) because if you really don't like research, you can save yourself a lot of time and money by figuring out a different path
D) All of the answers are correct.

Answer 3

All of the answers are correct.

Question 4

When is applying to master's degree programs a good idea?

A) when your academic track record may need to bolstered before you will be competitive for a PhD program
B) when you want to be called "doctor"
C) when you hope to gain a position as an instructor at a university
D) when you have no idea what you really want to do in a psychology-related occupation

Question 5

Which statement is TRUE regarding the process of applying to graduate school?

A) You should apply to several "reach" schools just in case openings become available.
B) Since students are arbitrarily assigned to graduate faculty, you do not have to pay attention to identifying a potential faculty mentor.
C) You should concentrate on the goodness of fit between you and the stated thresholds for admissions on GRE and grade point average.
D) You should apply to at least 15 schools to optimize your chances of getting in.

Question 6

What percentage of students who start graduate school never complete the degree?

A) 35%
B) 75%
C) 20%
D) 90%

Question 7

Once you finish the Graduate Record Exam,

A) you get instant feedback on how well you did.
B) you have to wait about six weeks before you get the results.
C) your target schools admissions officials will get the results before you do.
D) you won't ever be able to find out your score as its kept confidential.

Question 8

Two typical indices of quality for clinical training programs include accreditation status and what other measurement?

A) average number of credits completed at graduation
B) number of honors of program faculty
C) internship placement percentage
D) number of training grants applied for by the faculty

Question 9

Which training format emphasizes clinical practice issues for those who wish to become clinical psychologists?

A) MA
B) PsyD
C) PhD
D) MS

Question 10

Should you waive your right to see your letters of recommendation?

A) No. This practice violates your personal rights.
B) No. The practice is an illegal one and should be discontinued.
C) Yes. To do so signals your trust in the relationship with your recommender.
D) Yes. Letter writers typically give you a copy of what they say, making the waiver meaningless.

Question 11

What is a primary function of the capstone course in the undergraduate psychology curriculum?

A) to provide a vehicle to integrate learning across courses
B) to learn about psychology's application to studying environmental impact
C) to develop a strong foundation in the skills students will need for success in the major
D) to experience real world conditions in applying psychological principles

Question 12

Which factor tends to carry the LEAST weight with graduate admissions officials?

A) letters of recommendation
B) research experience
C) scores on the Graduate Record Exam
D) extracurricular involvement

Question 13

What is the risk you face if you complete your program at an unaccredited graduate program?

A) You won't ever be able to be called "doctor."
B) You will have more stringent deadlines in paying back your student loans.
C) You will end up taking a significantly longer time to complete the degree.
D) You may end up not qualifying for jobs that you want to get after graduation.

Question 14

Ideally, when should the process of taking formal steps to apply to graduate school begin?

A) as soon as you declare your major
B) as a rising junior
C) as a rising senior
D) You should wait until after graduation, so you won't be distracted.

Question 15

What constitutes a big "red flag" in applicants' personal statements for those who are interested in clinical psychology?

A) failure to proofread
B) excessive flourishes in font or format
C) elaborate discussions of past mental health challenges
D) overemphasizing team work experiences

Question 16

What is an important feature you should incorporate into a poster presentation?

A) a photocopy of the poster as a take-away
B) a handout of references used to produce the research
C) a two-minute oral summary of project
D) an acknowledgment of gratitude to the host of the conference

Question 17

APA's Graduate Study in Psychology indexes graduate programs by alphabetical order as well as by:

A) age of the program and honors achieved.
B) size and prestige of faculty.
C) areas of specialty and degrees offered.
D) accreditation status.

Question 18

At student conferences, oral presentations given by students usually last how long?

A) 15-20 minutes
B) 5 minutes
C) 25-30 minutes
D) one hour

Question 19

APA's Graduate Study in Psychology is published:

A) monthly.
B) annually.
C) every other year.
D) only on the Internet.

Question 20

What is a senior thesis?

A) a declaration of your intentions following graduation
B) an opportunity to perform independent research work from start to finish
C) a contractual obligation to conduct service learning for the benefit of the community
D) a detailed description of undergraduate research experiences

Question 21

What are some positive motives for going to graduate school in psychology?

Question 22

What are some of the activities performed by research assistants in psychology departments or faculty labs?

Question 23

Besides the challenge of gaining admittance to graduate school in psychology, what are some other factors would-be student applicants should consider?

Question 24

What are some not-so-good motives for considering graduate school in psychology?

Question 25

What are some of the advantages of gaining research experience as an undergraduate psychology major?