College

Wow...well I'm 17 now...I'll be graduating from highschool this spring. I've done alot of thinking and I want to be a psychologist. The field interests me on many lvls, its also the thing I want to persue for life, the joy of helping ppl in this area is a want for me.

Sadly I know NOTHING about college, I've talked to some ppl from colleges, guidance counslloers but I can't for the life of me figure out these areas of concentration, what is required to be a psychologist and what schools near me offer it.

It trully is scaring me, I have a brother in college whom may not graduate because he's failing classes, so every mention of college to him sets him off " he says: they dont know their *** from the whole in a ground" ( he thinks others have caused his dilema of failing)...anyway.....

I'm stumped on what to do....I can't go to a big school because of money....so yeah.........what do I do.......who do I call to ask?....

Dustin

You can actually get grants (Pell Grants--which you wouldnt have to pay back) and loans (which you would have to pay back).

Find schools you would want to go to, send them emails, ask about their admission and costs, and of course, their financial aid...

If you can't afford a large school, consider starting out at a community college. After completing your lower division requirements, you transfer to a 4-year college. You will probably save considerable money.

Also, don't let your brother get you down. His experiences and yours will probably be very different. You have to live your own life.

bfG

Dustin,

Don't sweat it. I'm from Canada, and although our system is a bit different from your own - you can get grants, loans or scholarships to help pay for your education. Or you can get a good part-time job to help finance. Or hit up the extended family, they may be willing to help you out.

Psychology is a very interesting field. Sometimes challenging, but very rewarding. I'm in my 3rd year of a BA with Honours in psychology, and although my grades aren't the greatest - it's a fantastic experience.

Lots of colleges/universities have good websites that answer questions from prospective students. Do your research, and you'll be fine.

((( dustin )))

i was thinking of doing psychology too.. ever since i was 10 i thought of being a T or something..

anyway good luck! hope it all goes well for you

Dustin:
Go to your counselor at school, and ask them how to map
out a plan for you to enter jr. college. The first two years of your AA degree are the same corriculum you're coming out of anyway. After the first two years, and doing well at it and taking the right courses for a Psychology major, you can transfer to a universary or state college to finish up. However bear in mind that it takes a Masters Degree to be a Psychologist. If you want a doctoric that's another year under an internship in a clinical setting.
You know what? Talk this over with your T!!! She will tell
you how to persue this and the courses to take and where
you can get the right help. Listen to her closely and learn
so that you will be prepared. Most of all, it's a long educational program you're entering, it's not going to fly by overnight!!! Probably close to 6/7 years I'd say at least.
If you go right into a state college, then you can do it faster,
but alot of kids don't have to money to do that. You can get scholarships, but your GPA has to be there. You'd have to study hard to try for that. A's and B'S.
I'm glad to hear that you are thinking of a career for yourself
and not just saying it. Your brother sounds like my oldest did when she didn't get the grade she wanted from her professors. Your brother couldn't be slacking off could he?
He's wasting somebody's money if he is!!!
Good luck.

In the U.S. you can be a counselor or a social worker with a master's degree (2-3 years after the bachelor's degree, including internship, which is required. If you want to be a psychologist that requires a phd, and is a minimum of 4 years of graduate school plus an internship. You don't have to get a master's degree before starting the phd programs though, at least for most of them.

What is most important right now is to plan for your bachelor's degree and do the best that you can. It's fine to start at a smaller school, but you may have more options than you think, because there is financial aid available. I got through college at a state university with no help from my parents, so I know it can be done. Get the best grades you can. Clinical psych programs are very competitive to get into. You will find out about other things, like getting experience, doing research, doing volunteer work, that will also help your chances. Talk to other students and professors, and your T, and you will get good advice.

For now, ask your school counselor to help you plan it out and find out about your options, including financial aid. If this is what you really want to do, there are ways to do it.

The internet is also a good source of information. There is a college near here that has an excellent psychology department and it is VERY reasonable. Offer Scholarships all over the country. PM me if you are interested.

Yes, the American Psychological Association has a whole link for students with info:

http://www.apa.org/students/

Even if you CAN afford a big university, there is no reason to go to one for the first 2 years anyway. The first 2 years of college are basically all the same for everyone. You are limited in what you can take, and how many courses you can take. Do your best in those courses and while you are there, you will get to know so much more about selecting a major and finding the best university for you to attend!

When financial issues are there, like everyone before has said.....start in the community college. I also did that......those lower division courses are required by all colleges & if you get the AA degree, they you already have something to show for your first 2 years.

The transfer over with that behind you is simple.....going to a state university is another way to save money.....they are a lot less expensive. Becoming a full psychologist requires a PhD anyway, so there is a lot of schooling ahead of you....save your money to spend on getting your higher level degrees from the universities that count.

A therapist lever I think requires just an MA......& just isn't a good word because that Is a huge amount of work also & there isn't anything to minimize about that.

They have psychology underdivision classes to take in the community college, so you will be able to take classes & get familiar with the subject.....they usually have the psychologi major at the junior college level too.

The important thing is not to let your brother influence you. My husband thought he was a know it all in college & didn't get good grades. He didn't get the job he expected after graduating because of attitude either.....he finally got a great job, but it was difficult to come by.

Schools are a wonderful place to grow & learn.......& they are more than willing to work with those that want to put everything into their ecucation.....they just won't waist their time with those that don't care like your brother.....he is where he is because of his attitude (I know that is probably the wrong thing to say)....but based on my experience in college, what I say is right on.

My parents weren't college people, so I had no idea about college or what I had to do...I was charging unsailed waters in my family, but I did it & am very proud of what I accomplished.....I'm sure that is how you will feel too.

Debbie

there are several websites that you can give your criteria (small campus, rural setting blah blah blah) and they narrow down what college would best fit your lifestyle. like if you said you wanted a big campus in a city they might tell you northwestern in chicago or something. they also have categories like what sports you want the school to have etc...

go to www.collegeboard.com

have you already taken your sat or act? just about every college, except community colleges, require those tests.

i would have thought that your counselors would have been on top of this stuff? they basically slammed it down our throats in high school. if youre just worried about whats going to happen with your classes etc... your academic advisor will help you with that. they will give you step by step instructions and typically have a course catalogue online that will give you the breakdown of what classes you need for whatever major.