Gary- I'd say that Annette is right on track with the publication (we have found that multiple first or only authored presentations can sometimes successfully substitute for the publication but only if they have outstanding numbers and outstanding references). We have also found positive feedback from our admits (we check!) to say that extra-curricular activities related to psychology are extremely important (depending on the program). I think that last point is critical.
As to what courses are critical, I think that is different at different programs but most lists include: Abnormal, Research Methods (Annette's suggestion!), History and systems or equivalent, Biological psychology (or neuropsychology), and an internship would be helpful (most libraries have a copy of or buy the APAs book "Graduate Study in Psychology"- it usually lists things like the admission requirements and suggestions for each school along with averages for admits in recent years etc.). To be honest, they are probably more concerned with science grades than they say they are. That's especially true if he is interested in neuropsychology or related areas in his application. Tim FYI- Here is our list of things that clinical programs who have admitted our students have said were important (note- psychology major rarely, if ever, gets mentioned): 1) cover letter or statement of purpose. I cannot possibly overestimate how important that is. Get a copy of "Graduate Admissions Essays" by Donald Asher. Write, re-write, share, use your universities Continuing Ed, placement or relevant sources to help with it. More than half our admits get comments in their interview that the cover letter made them interesting and put them into the interview stack (cause let's be honest- all the clinical applicants have high numbers, etc.) 2) GRE scores, GRE scores, GRE scores (and under-grad GPA). It is just so competitive now. Worse than medical school according to numerous sources. Perhaps your son with multiple grad school parents is already aware of that! We don't normally recommend students take prep courses but with clinical applicants every tiny edge can matter. 3) excellent letters of recommendation and preferably from at least one person he has done research with!! Check around. Most of the time student's aren't very good judges of who to ask (and a lot of faculty who think they write great letters don't! We read each others letters on a regular basis and comment share suggestions- it makes a tremendous difference!). If it is a large program, have him ask those students who've been admitted who wrote their letters. 4) look like someone who has been planning this. Research is the big one but I suspect that's most of the clinical applicants now. Involvement in professionally related activities is also important. Joining APA, APS, attending professional conferences, Psi Chi, holding office in psychology clubs, internships, volunteering on and off campus (women's and men's centers, rape counseling, hot lines, taking a job as a psyc tech, all look good). _______________________________ Timothy O. Shearon, PhD Professor and Chair Department of Psychology The College of Idaho Caldwell, ID 83605 email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] teaching: intro to neuropsychology; psychopharmacology; general; history and systems ---
