<p>Hi! New here. I’m currently a junior at the University of Houston majoring in Psychology and minoring in Women’s Studies. I am hoping to graduate December 2015 and want to go to graduate school after that. I’m most interested in UH’s social work graduate program–clinical track, though I am still considering some other psych-friendly graduate options. (LMFT, LPC, etc.)</p>
<p>I currently have a 3.19, though after this semester it should bump up to a 3.3-3.4 depending on my grades. I know I’ll need to take the GRE, and plan to take a course to help me prepare for that. I will probably apply for the spring semester, but I know that’s incredibly difficult to get into and won’t get my hopes up. I’ve heard its very important to have strong recommendations from professors or professionals. </p>
<p>I worked for two years at an outpatient drug rehabilitation program for teens as a facilitator in their high school, directed my own group, and did some community outreach. I’m sure my former boss would offer a reference letter. I am also sure I can get a reference letter from a professor. I feel like I should beef this up though by volunteering somewhere. I was thinking of volunteering at the Women’s Resource Center at UH, a women’s shelter, sexual assault hotline, or in a public mental health facility. Something I am interested in that falls in line with my school efforts but that might also be relevant to the graduate school program. I’ve also considered applying for some lab assistant positions at the school in a psych field (social psych, addictions, etc) though I’m not sure these are particularly relevant to my goals or necessary like they may be if I went in the direction of research. What, if any, would increase my chances of getting into the graduate program? Is there anything else you would suggest I do? Help, please and thank you! </p>