Neuropsychology Central

[N2Psych4Now]

Hello, I'm looking for some suggestions. I am a senior in college who is majoring in psychology and minoring in biology. I *hope* to start graduate school next fall. I'm extremely interested in Neuropsychology, specifically experimental, not clinical. My delimia is that I am unsure exactly which path I want to take. I feel that my undergraduate education has not sufficiently prepared me to make a solid decision as to what I want to do. Frankly, I do not understand how I am supposed to have such a broad undergraduate education, and just pick one thing to carry on through graduate school. I want to apply to a master's program, but I think it would sound horrible if I said that I honestly have no idea about what I'm interested in. I have considered an experimental psychology track, but I'm not exactly sure what that means. Though I find many aspects of psychology interesting, I cannot imagine doing research and experiments in any one particular area. The only thing I am sure of is that I'm interested in any aspect of psychology that deals with very biological aspects, like cognitive, physiological, neuropsychology, etc. Any help would be appreciated very much. Thank you

[lash]

Well, the bad news is, you're going to have to do research in one particular area. The good news is, since you're applying for masters programs, you can pick something that sounds like it might be up your alley, and then if you want to change to something slightly different later on, you do it when you apply for PhD programs. When you say experimental, are you looking to work with humans or animals or cells (or computers)? I'd think that's the most basic level of decision. Then check out some grad programs that have experimental labs and find out what sort of work people are doing, and see if there's anything that captures your interest. That's really the best way to choose an area to study, since you're right, an undergraduate education doesn't really tell you enough to make a decision.

Also, if it helps any, my current research is not related to the specific area I studied in grad school, so you're not dooming yourself for life if you aren't happy with your choice.
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