Okay, so, I’ve been thinking about this whole double major thing for a while, and psychology has always been a big interest of mine. Then I figured, why not go for a master’s too? It seemed like a cool challenge, and honestly, I wanted to make myself more competitive in the job market. So I started looking into programs that offer a combined bachelor’s and master’s in psychology. It wasn’t super common, but there were a few out there.
I dug into the requirements first. Most programs wanted a strong GPA, decent GRE scores, and some relevant experience like volunteering or research. My grades were pretty good, but I was a little nervous about the GRE, so I signed up for one of those prep courses. It was a grind, but I think it helped.
I also started volunteering at a local crisis hotline. It was intense sometimes, but it gave me some real-world experience in dealing with people and their problems. I figured it would look good on my application, plus, I actually enjoyed it. I was learning a lot, not just about psychology, but also about myself.
Next, I narrowed down my list of schools. I considered factors like location, program reputation, and faculty research interests. I visited a couple of campuses and talked to some current students and professors. That was super helpful in getting a feel for the program and the overall vibe.
Then came the application process. Ugh, the essays! I spent weeks writing and rewriting them, trying to make them sound smart but also genuine. I got letters of recommendation from a couple of professors who knew me well and from my supervisor at the crisis hotline.
After I hit the submit button, the waiting game began. It was nerve-wracking! I checked my email like a hundred times a day. Finally, I got the acceptance letter from my top-choice school! I was so excited, I probably did a little happy dance right there in my apartment.
Getting through the Program
The program itself was tough, no doubt. Lots of reading, research papers, and presentations. Plus, I had to balance my undergrad classes with the master’s level coursework. It was a lot of late nights and early mornings. The core undergrad courses were fine, nothing too crazy. Intro to Psych, Stats, Research Methods, all that good stuff. I had already taken some of those as electives, so it wasn’t a complete shock to the system. I did pretty well in those, thankfully.
Then I dove into the master’s stuff. That’s where things got real. We’re talking advanced research methods, specialized seminars on topics like cognitive behavioral therapy, and even some neuropsychology. It was fascinating, but also overwhelming at times. I found myself spending hours in the library, poring over textbooks and journal articles. There were moments when I doubted myself, wondering if I could really handle it all.
I definitely leaned on my classmates a lot. We formed study groups, helped each other with assignments, and just generally kept each other sane. I had to write a thesis, a big research project that takes a good chunk of your last year. I picked a topic that I was really passionate about, something related to the impact of social media on body image. That made the whole process a bit more bearable. I spent months collecting data, running analyses, and writing up my findings. It was a long and arduous process, but I learned a ton.
One of the requirements for the master’s was an internship. I landed one at a local mental health clinic. I got to observe therapy sessions, conduct intake interviews, and even co-facilitate some group therapy sessions. It was an amazing experience. It was challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.
Finally, I made it
And then, after all those years of hard work, I finally graduated! Walking across that stage and getting my diplomas was such a surreal feeling. I had a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in psychology! I was tired, but I’m proud of what I accomplished. It was a long and challenging journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
- Started with a goal: dual bachelor’s and master’s in psychology.
- Researched programs and requirements.
- Studied for and took the GRE.
- Volunteered at a crisis hotline for experience.
- Applied to several programs.
- Got accepted into my top choice!
- Completed challenging coursework and a thesis.
- Interned at a mental health clinic.
- Graduated with both degrees!
Now, I’m ready to start my career and see where this path takes me. Wish me luck!