BS in Neuroscience applying to MA I/O Psychology

[marcusmartialis]

Hi,

I graduated back in June with a BS in neuroscience. Even though I loved the science, I hated the research (it's extremely repetitive and prone to random errors; plus I want to work with humans). In recent months I discovered psychology as a possible grad school option. It combines the scientific thinking that I like with the human interaction that I crave. I plan to apply to masters programs in psychology and/or I/O psychology. However, I have several concerns:

1) I only took one psych course (Intro) in undergrad with no psych lab/stats courses (though I took many other lab/stats courses for my major).

2) My work experience profile is probably not a fit for I/O program (in a medical volunteer club for 2 years, tutored mol bio for 2 years, did research at a biochem lab for 3 years, now working as a TA in a research class). I have a strong research background which might give the false impression that I'm more into research than applied psych...

3) Having recently decided to enter psych, my knowledge in the field is limited compared to my peers who spent years researching it.

I would really like to enter an I/O program because my eventual goal is to become a consultant. An I/O program can provide me with the business education background/internship/networking that's crucially important for any career in business (something I neglected as a science undergrad). Sure, I can go for a PhD in I/O after getting my MA in general psych, but I'd rather not commit to a research program that takes up 5 years of my life...

Other backgrounds:

1) Graduated Magna Cum Laude from a top UC school

2) Highest departmental honors with research thesis

3) GRE- 157VR/167QR/4.5W

Should I even try to apply to I/O psych or just focus on general psych? How should I tailor my research background so that I seem fit for psychology? Has anybody been in the same situation and would like to share your opinion? Any input is highly appreciated! Thanks guys!

Edited January 1, 2017 by marcusmartialis

[swil92]

If you are interested in being a consultant for businesses, I suggest I/O psychology (there aren't many programs offering a terminal masters degree in general psychology, plus it wouldn't afford you many job opportunities, should you decide not to pursue a PhD).

It is good that you already have a few years of research experience, even if it isn't in psychology. My best suggestion is to volunteer to work in a psychology research lab at a local university.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, based on what you said, I'm not sure if you realize that psychology is primarily a research field. The applied subfields (I/O and clinical) are also primarily geared toward turning out researchers. Many terminal applied psychology programs tend to be geared toward preparing students for entry into a PhD program. 

I'm not sure if you can get a job as a consultant with only a masters in I/O - I would double check on that one. Also, even if you aren't interested in research, I would strongly advice against revealing that in your personal statement, interviews, and any interaction with faculty until you are well into your program, regardless of whether you applying to masters or doctoral programs.

Edit: Your grades and GRE scores are good enough for entry into a masters program (your verbal GRE might be a little low for doctoral). The rest will depend on your SOP and LORs. Make sure you have a good relationship with at least one professor who can write a strong letter, then two more that can attest to the fact that you're sane. You should be good to get in to a masters (probably unfunded).

 

Edited January 2, 2017 by swil92

[eternallyephemeral]

I agree with everything @swil92 said. I actually came from a more biological psych/cognitive neuro background (though my degree was in psych) and went into an I/O program because I want to be a consultant as well!

Having a research background is a bonus for you; I/O programs are still research-focused, and don't care as much about work experience as you might think. Some schools also understand that people dont always get exposure to I/O in undergrad, so they may be forgiving about your switch (I was in a similar position and people understood/accepted me).

As said above, I wouldn't necessarily mention that you want to go into industry until you know what the school's attitudes are towards that. I'm referring more to combined Masters/PhD programs and to direct PhD programs, but you don't want to rule these out if you're interested in consulting, because a Masters in I/O may not be enough to get into consulting, depending on what type you're interested in and how fancy of a firm you're trying to go to. PhDs usually enter a consulting firm at the MBA level, and masters-holding graduates usually enter at the undergrad or entry-level. So there can be a big benefit of doing a PhD, in addition to being funded. However, you should make that decision based on what you want.

I also wouldn't advise that you apply to general psych. Those are often cash cow programs that don't really advance your standing as far as research or specific job opportunities are concerned.

Have you thought about doing the Psych GRE? Perhaps this way you could demonstrate that you have psych knowledge, not that there will be much I/O in there. You should start looking up some researchers and reading their papers to prepare, which can give you some ideas for your SOP (even if you don't want to do research as a career, any good I/O program will have you doing primarily research and a bit of other things).

Best of luck!