Neuropsychology Central

[Neuron]

Any good undergraduate schools that I should apply to if I eventually want to become a neuropsychologist? I saw that Boston College has many neuro people on their staff of psychology professors.

What do you think?

Thanks

Also, is it possible to volunteer at psychiatric hospital in the summer even though I have had no training? Would this help me in any way?

[lash]

1) I'd look through the list of graduate schools on this website's links page, and see if any of those schools appeal to you. I think it doesn't matter as much where you did your undergrad, but I admit it does usually help your graduate school application if you have a letter of recommendation from a neuropsychologist. I'd still not rule out schools that don't necessarily have a strong neuropsychology focus, though--you might even change your mind about your major when you're at college, and then you'd possibly regret basing your entire life around neuropsychology. But anyway, another thing you can do is look through the course listings at colleges you're interested in (they can usually be found online, either through the school's main page or through the psychology / cognitive science department website), and see what neuropsychology or related courses exist.

2) You don't need experience of any kind to volunteer at a psychiatric hospital. You might need a high school degree (not sure about that, check with the hospital), but once you're in college it would be a good idea. It doesn't necessarily help for neuropsych in particular, but any clinical experience is good experience and is definitely better than nothing. I did it, and I think it helped. Plus it was kinda fun.
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Lee Ashendorf, Ph.D.
Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial VA
Co-Webmaster, Neuropsychology Central