Which undergrad major should I pursue for Clinical Psychology w/ track in Neuropsych?

[bdho98]

I'm about finish my second year of undergrad and transfer. My two school choices are University of Rochester and Cornell University. If I entered Rochester I would declare a double major in Brain and Cognitive Sciences + Psychology while enrollment at Cornell would lead me to a B.S. in Human Development w/ concentration in neuroscience. Which school/major do you ladies and gentlemen think would be best for better chances of grad school placement?

 

UoR has a medical school right next door with a neuropsych department and the option of doubling major is very alluring. Plus research would be very easy to come by.

 

Cornell is.... well, it's friggin Cornell! It would be tough to participate in research about neuropathologies, though, because they don't even have a Clinical Psych department and the medical school is 3 hours away. However, the uni is giving me more money than Rochester. Additionally, I won't exactly be a psych major.... I'd be a Human Development major. I don't know if that would be better or worse than the double major from Rochester.

 

Please help me in deciding. It's been stressing me out for weeks. Questions that help guide me would be appreciated as well. Thanks!

[Applemiu]

I would say, go to the place where you think you'll be happier.

[bdho98]

My happiness would be equal at both places.

[clinicalpsychphd20]

Go to Cornell, especially if they give you more money. It's a great name, and very well respected in the field. Yeah, you can't be a psych major - but you don't need to be one to get into grad school. You just need a handful of Psych courses. The research thing is a little more tricky, but you can always do research internships in the Summer in NYC/etc

[ImHis]

I would personally take the school that offers funding. Will it help enough that you can focus on your grades and not have to work?
 

Other questions you may consider...

 

Does one school offer research practicum courses starting in second or third year? In my school, we had independent lab courses starting in second year and one for every year till fourth. That helped people get research experience while also exploring an area of psych more in-depth and get credit at the same time.

 

Does the school offer a variety of courses in psych? The more variety, the more you can start to narrow down where you may decide to focus your research for your final year thesis.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Patont

[Lisa44201]

I would go with Rochester. Having psych research experience will be a decided plus on grad school apps. The only way I could see Cornell being a better choice is if you were able to take some psych courses over at SUNY Binghamton (@1hr away). I think the double major plus applied research experience will do more for you than the name of Cornell.

[Guest joshw4288]

It sounds like you have better research opportunities at Rochester. Research is the priority when it comes to graduate school applications in psychology. I will also caution, that a double major will only be beneficial if you do well with the extra load. Also, you are saying that Rochester is giving you more money, but make sure you are looking at the net costs, not just how much money you are receiving. Additionally, no one cares what the name of your degree is. By this I mean that if the Human Development track offers the equivalent training to the neuroscience track at Rochester, no one will care that one is called "Human Development & Neuroscience" and one is called "Neuroscience". Georgetown has a Psychology Ph.D. program that they titled "Human Development", yet it is really just a Ph.D. program in Psychology with a name that the department feels more fully reflects the broad array of studies that take place within psychology. Point is, don't get caught up in the name of the major, look at the classes that are required in both programs and determine which selection of courses better prepares you for your goals later. 

[BeingThere]

Cornell may be offering more money, but have you compared the cost of living between the two places?  I bet it's cheaper to live near UofR than Cornell.  Further, you don't need to come from an elite undergrad to get into a top grad program.  Quality and relevance of research experience is probably more important than the name on your undergrad diploma for grad school admissions.  UofR is a well-respected school, and it sounds like they can offer you more relevant research experience (and more, quantity-wise as well?).  Don't be swayed by the shiny pretty things.  Content is more important than labels. 

Edited May 9, 2014 by Bren2014

[Gonzophd35]

As a rising senior in the department of Human Development at Cornell who plans to apply to clinical neuropsychology programs, I can offer a few insights. First, research is the top priority in Human Ecology. I currently work in an fMRI lab where this summer I'll be undertaking an independent project analyzing PiB PET scans of patients with Alzheimer's. In addition, I'm spearheading a collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Med) and MIT to construct a earlier diagnostic tool for mild cognitive impairment by way of MRI's and language. Second, no matter where you end up opportunities exist wherever you go.

[Grimnir]

Major in Psychology or Neuro and Compsci or Stats.