What do you think I should do

[Mannitol]

Hi, I'd like some advice on where to go from here. I'm in a bad situation because I'm currently in a program I'm not interested in. I'm currently 3rd yr bio specialist but i've developed a passion for psych over the years of my undergrad. I'd like to eventually apply to I/O graduate program
cGPA= 2.74. (however for my 5 psych courses that I took. One mark was a B, and the others were A/A+s. Do schools look at psych gpa specifically in any case? also note that I'm Canadian).
I'm contemplating on doing a double major since all i need is one more bio course to finish the bio major. I will need a couple of more courses to finish the psych major however. So I could work on those next year (4th) and maybe take an extra year to boost gpa. Any opinions on this? What's the best course of action at this point. I need some realistic goals.

[Munashi]

The best thing you can do is raise your GPA as much as possible this semester and during your 4th year.  Are you hoping to go for a Masters or a PhD?  Do you want to apply to schools in the US or in Canada?  I don't know much about Canadian admissions, unfortunately.  Although a lot of US schools will ask for your psychology GPA separately, getting in with a *GPA below 3.0 is a significant challenge since most programs are looking for a bare minimum of a 3.5.  I do believe that a change in major might make the low GPA seem less unfavorable (especially if you continue to do well in Psych), but I'm unsure.

 

*I am sorry, I have no idea how Canadian GPAs translate into US GPAs.  Hopefully someone who knows something about this can respond too, you may also consider asking in the international sub forum.

 

Additionally, if you're USA-bound, do your absolutely best to get top of the line GRE scores.  These can help compensate for poor school performance.

 

Finally, get some research experience.  This does now have to be I/O specific, but working in a psychology lab would be great.  Volunteer or try to get a paid lab position over the summer.  Work/volunteer in a research lab during your 4th year.  Gain as much research experience as you can, hopefully with a publication or some posters if you're lucky.  This is one of the best things you can do to bolster your application.

 

As for the double major, if you think you can take the final bio course without sacrificing your GPA, do it.  If not, just focus on maintaining the absolute highest grades you can.

[personalityresearcher]

I second everything Munashi says.

I might also recommend:

1) Develop a specific research interest. The more you know what you want, the better - it'll help you target POIs. This can be helpful because fit plays a huge role in admissions.

2) Do an independent or honors research project where you do everything start to finish. You will develop more specific research skills.

3) Learn stats - take classes, do a minor (don't tank the grades, though!), maybe.

4) Learn different softwares (e.g., SPSS).

5) Work in at least two (ideally three) professor's labs for at least two semesters. Whatever you do - make sure you get to know at lesst two, but ideally three, psyc profs enough that they can write you strong specific LORs.

6) READ the literature.

7) GO to conferences. Network. And present your work.

8) Apply widely - the closer to 20, the better since you're compensating for a lower GPA. Make sure your apps aren't all tier 1 research schools - that's risky.

Edited April 8, 2014 by personalityresearcher

[Elanti]

I agree with everything above. Also, see if you can get accepted into a summer REU program for lab experience and networking opportunities. They help a lot!

[sparrowbirdie]

Along with the aforementioned suggestions, I would suggest doing very well on your GREs even if you're a Canadian student applying to a Canadian school (as opposed to a US school). For example, I've heard that UBC uses the GRE to shut out applicants in the first round (take this with a grain of salt, since who knows what happens during the admissions process).

 

As a personal note, I had a horrid CGPA (3.1) and still got into two different programs in Canada. It might be worthwhile to consider universities in the prairies, as they tend to be a little less demanding about applicants' academic strengths. If there's a school that you definitely are looking to get into based on research fit with a particular prof, see if you can volunteer RA in his or her lab. If you can show your research potential that way, and even get a few posters/publications out of it, you may have a higher chance of getting into that school to work with that specific professor if he/she wants you.

[spunky]

I've heard that UBC uses the GRE to shut out applicants in the first round 

 

shhh! that's our dirty little secret and we don't like it when it gets out every now and then!

 

(still very much true tho)

Edited April 10, 2014 by spunky