Terri Conley, Associate Professor (conleyt@umich)

1. Terri Conley, Associate Professor (conleyt@umich.edu)

3. Dedicated to Success • Complete the PhD degree: 91% • Average Time to PhD: 5.5 years • First position is Academic: 81% • Postdoctoral Fellow: 55% • Tenure Track: 20% • Other University: 6% • Government/Non-Profit/Private Sector: 10%

4. Dedicated to Research Breadth We are committed to fostering research across subfields of psychology and across disciplines! African American Racial Identity Competition and Group Size How Siblings Shape and Annoy Us The Multitasking Brain How Fear Flows through the Mind The East-West Divide in Cognition Effects of Violence on Children Incivility in the Workplace How Liking Turns to Wanting Media and Sexual Socialization Women in Science Fields Cross-training your Brain Why Stress Triggers Binge Eating Genetics in Face & Place Recognition How Spanking Hatches Bullies Conversation Boosts Brain Power Estrogen and the Allure of Vices “Dirty” Hands and Mouths With Age Comes Wisdom What Makes Life Worth Living What Motivates Kids in School Managing Bicultural Identities Minority Attitudes Toward Whites Racial Discrimination in School How Drug Abuse Changes the Brain How Sex Changes our Hormones

5. Out of 81faculty… • 26% are faculty of color • 47% are women • Out of 197 graduate students… • 40% are ethnic minority or international students • 73% are women • Graduate student organizations • Asian American Psych Student Association (APSA) • Black Student Psych Association (BSPA) • Latino/a Student Psych Association (LSPA) • Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) Dedicated to Diversity:Ranked #1in the Nation in Support and Placement of Diverse Students

6. Biopsychology • Clinical • Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience • Developmental • Personality & Social Contexts • Social • Education & Psychology • Social Work & Psychology • Women’s Studies & Psychology Program Areas

7. Learning Attention Reward Motivation Sex Behavior Social Behavior Physiology In the Lab and Field Biopsychology • Ranked #1 Behavioral Neuroscience program in psychology • Research at the interface of behavior, biology, and evolutionary theory • Tracks: Brain and Behavior; Evolution of Behavior

8. Clinical Psychology Assessment Treatment Prevention Psycho-pathology Neuro-developmental disorders Minority mental health Cultural competence • APA-accredited, Clinical Scienceprogram • Prepare students for academic/research careers • Train students in clinical practice (prevention, assessment, case conceptualization, & intervention) to inform their clinical research • APA Suinn Award: excellence in the recruitment, retention and graduation of ethnic minority students

9. Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience Performance Sensation Perception Language Thinking Problem Solving Decision Making Judgment Categorization Learning Memory Attention Motor Control • Research interests in all areas of human cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience • Develop skills in mathematics, statistics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence & psychology

10. Cognitive Development • Social Development • Language • Family • Media • Neuroscience • Poverty • Ethnicity Gender • Motivation • Theory of Mind Developmental Psychology • #1 ranked Developmental Psychology program in the nation • The study of social and cognitive change from infancy to old age • Lifespan Development • Development in context (schools, families, neighborhoods) • Risk and resilience • Normative development

11. Power Identity Oppression Culture Diversity Body Image Stigma Sexuality Emotion Work School Gender Race Personality & Social Contexts • Highly unique program: Blend of Applied Social, Organizational, Personality, & Community Psychology • Focused on the interplay of individual differences and social contexts • Training in a wide range of diverse & innovative methods

12. Violence Culture & Cognition Decision Making Emotion Evolution Group Processes Law Identity Prejudice Self Social Cognition Social Psychology • Top-ranked Social Psych program in US • The study of social behavior • The relations between people and groups • How thoughts, feelings and behaviors are influenced by other people

13. Combined Program in Education and Psychology (CPEP) Motivation Achievement Learning Pedagogy Cognitive Development Social Development Self-Regulation Self-Concept Racial Identity School Climate • Apply psychological theory to educational issues • Faculty from the School of Education and Psychology • Four broad research themes: • Human Development in Context • Cognitive and Learning Sciences • Motivation and Self-Regulated Learning • Resilience and Development

14. Joint Program in Social Work & Psychology Poverty Mental Health Gerontology Youth Engagement Policy Prevention Intervention Law Child Welfare LGBT Youth • First program of its kind • Focus: social problems, social change, social interventions, and social welfare • Joint degree in any area of psychology • Graduates are highly recruited & well-placed in academic jobs

15. Psychology and Women’s Studies Gender, race, and class Violence against women Sexuality Gender harassment Anti-LGBQ prejudice Sex hormones Gender in adolescence Gender in the media • First program of its kind • Joint PhD in Psychology & Women’s Studies • Area of Psych: Personality & Social Contexts • Apply women’s studies theories and methods to psychological research topics • Graduates are well-placed in academic jobs

16. Interrogating Monogamy • Are non-monogamous relationships healthy? • Does (ostensible) monogamy actually prevent the spread of STIs? • Gender Difference in Sexuality OR • Do Women Actually Like Sex Less? • Why do women like casual sex less than men? • Why do women fantasize about submission more than men? • Why do women report less desire than men? My Research

17. The Funding Plan • Five Years Fully Funded: • Tuition – fully covered • Health insurance – fully covered • Stipend – over $100K over 5 years • Five semesters of teaching (as a TA) • Five semesters of research fellowship • Four summers of funding included

18. The MichiganPsychologygraduate program has Retention an overallretention rate of 91%forstudentswho began in the Fall 2000 through Fall 2003

19. Some Links • Psychology Department: • http://www.lsa.umich.edu/psych/grad/program/ • Psychology Diversity: • http://www.lsa.umich.edu/psych/diversity/ • Summer Research Opportunity Program: • http://www.rackham.umich.edu/student_life/diversity/community/srop/

23. Applying to Graduate School in Psychology Terri Conley UM Recruitment Workshop October 14, 2013

24. Is Grad School Right for You?(AKA: a realistic look at life in grad school) • PhD Programs • Average 5-6 years (can take between 4-8 years!) • Can you commit to that right now? • Intense! Full time job! • Are you sure you love love LOVE this type of research? • Usually requires you to teach (TA/GSI) • Are you comfortable with public speaking? • Usually fully funded (do not pay for your PhD) • However, doesn’t pay well and often not allowed to work elsewhere • Are you ok with making little money for now? • Masters Programs • Average 2 years (can take between 1-3 years) • Usually have to pay • Tuition, teaching, workload varies

25. Apply Now or Later? (or at all?) yes yes yes yes yes Lots of Research Experience? Idea of what to study? Life Experience? High GRE? High GPA? no no no no no Apply Now! consider a full-time research job or Master’s program o develop or solidify your interests This may be your last good chance to do something interesting that you always wanted to try out consider retaking the test and re-applying

26. Gaining Research Experience • Undergraduate Research Experience • Research Assistant • Any research experience is good research experience • Builds skills and discipline. Is it really what you want to do? • Do an undergraduate thesis if possible • Summer research internships (before your sophomore or jr year) • Ask professors for any opportunities they may know of • Don’t be afraid to go to another part of the country! • Research Post-Undergrad • Lab manager positions • Paid vs. Volunteer • Ask around!!!

27. The GRE Computer-based, adaptive, LEARNABLE Study 1-3 months Get books: Kaplan (practice) Princeton Review (tricks) Take LOTS of practice exams GRE Importance varies Some schools/departments have cut offs, others don’t. Check websites, ask people (don’t let it deter you) My department doesn’t weigh GREs heavily Not doing poorly is more important than doing really well Psychology GRE is less important (UM doesn’t require it!)

28. Research Tips • Know what research you want to do BEFORE applying to grad school • Admissions look for clear research plans • Do NOT want to try to decide in grad school -- NOT the time to decide on research • What drives you? What interests you about psychology? **What would you learn more about on your own even if NO ONE made you read it? – Study that!  • Build bridges and maintain the bridges • Your professors have connections, research opportunities, experience. Talk to them!

29. Letters of Recommendation • How Many? • Three. At least 2 academic letters. Preferably least 1 research related. • How to ask • Ask profs/grad students who know you well (plan ahead) • * STRONG * letter of rec. for grad school • Give them an out (“I understand if you’re too busy..”) • When to ask • Early! (+1 month); Right after course/research assistantship • Send reminders as deadlines approach • What to give • Any and all materials • CVs, personal statements, writing samples, info about programs • Tell them how they can help you!! • Learning disability? Great class research project? • Envelopes, stamps, addresses, forms, timelines • Keep them organized, make it easy Say thank you!!!

30. Application Checklist Statement of Purpose Transcripts (all) Letters of Recommendation GRE score reports University application form Departmental application form (occasionally) Curriculum Vitae, or c.v. (usually optional) Writing sample (usually optional)

31. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

32. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Study for and take the GRE Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

33. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Study for and take the GRE Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Organize applications with a spreadsheet

34. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Study for and take the GRE Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Organize applications with a spreadsheet

35. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Study for and take the GRE Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ask for letters of recommendation Organize applications with a spreadsheet

36. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ask for letters of recommendation Organize applications with a spreadsheet

37. Timeline Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet

38. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisers Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet

39. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet

40. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet

41. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet

42. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet Verify applications are complete

43. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Begin to hear good news Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet Verify applications are complete

44. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Begin to hear good news Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Begin to travel Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet Verify applications are complete

45. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors End of good news; begin to hear bad news Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Begin to hear good news Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Begin to travel Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet Verify applications are complete

46. Timeline Send GRE reports, transcripts, etc Research grad schools and advisors End of good news; begin to hear bad news Start statement of purpose Submit applications! Remind LOR writers Study for and take the GRE Contact potential advisors Begin to hear good news Summer Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Finish SOP, C.V. Ask for letters of recommendation Begin to travel All final decisions by Apr 15 Finalize your list Organize applications with a spreadsheet Verify applications are complete

47. Researching Programs • Make LONG list of schools (~40) • Look at rankings of programs; journal articles; ask profs • Research each school on your list (websites) • What to look for • Faculty research interests on dept. website • Recent faculty pubs • Lab websites • Ph.D. requirements, feel of program • Email/contact possible schools for more info!! • Potential professors • Current graduate students

48. Email to faculty Dear Dr. _____, Hello, my name is_____. I am a senior at _____(or graduated from ___on MONTH/YEAR) and I am planning to apply to the University of ________ Program in _____________Psychology for possible entry in fall 2008. Thus my reason for emailing you. I have read about the areas of research you work on. I am broadly interested in issues relating to the academic achievement of students of color. More specifically, I am interested in ways in which students of color define and understand their racial identities and how this relates to how they come to challenge stereotypes and perceptions of them in relation to academics, in predominantly white campuses. I believe my research interests intersect quite well with your current work. I was wondering whether you would be taking on students for fall 2018. This way, I will know whether to mention you as one of the possible faculty that I am interested in working with if I were to be accepted to the program. If you could answer this question for me, it would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to let me know of any other suggestions you might have. Thank you for your time. Enclosed you will find my curriculm vita. Sincerely,

49. Where to apply? • Find programs with the best FIT • Faculty with similar research interests • Positive contact with professors • Meet criteria (GRE scores, statistics background) • * Two or more potential advisors HUGE plus* • Should have a few safety schools, a few reach schools, a few in between (~7+)

50. Writing Statements • Research & Personal Statements (AKA “statement of purpose”) • Most important part of application! • Varies by school – FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS • Revise/have advisor/GSI read it • Tailor statements to each school • Emphasize research experience & interests • Talk explicitly about who you want to work with (name faculty) • Be as detailed as possible about what you want to research (PROPOSE AN ACTUAL PROJECT!)