What is your school, program, and year?
University of Texas at El Paso, Legal Psychology PhD Program, 4th year

Why psychology and the law?
I want to make policy changes that make the justice system just and fair for everyone.

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
The statistics training at my university is top notch - as much as the classes suck, I feel like I know what I'm doing when it comes time to analyze data!

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
I would rescue small animals and run a hobby farm!

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
As much as you want the program to accept you, you also have to accept the program - make sure it's a good fit! You'll be spending a lot of time there.

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
Rowing

Books or movies?
Books

What is your go-to road trip snack?
M&Ms (sweet) and nacho cheese Combos (salty)

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Yes

Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza.
It tastes good :) 

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
Hot - you can warm up (most) food that you eat cold, but can't eat cold most of the food you usually eat warm

What is your favorite weird fact?
Grenadine is made from pomegranates

What is your school, program, and year?
University of Texas at El Paso, Legal Psychology PhD program, 4th year

Why psychology and the law?
I have always been interested in the legal system and biases which occur there, and simply found a love for psychology and law. It puts two of my favorite topics together!

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
I would want to own a bakery or bookstore so I could be around some of my favorite things.

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
Choose programs/mentors that feel right to you. Especially with mentors, they can make or break your experience in graduate school so making sure that they are a good fit for you is key.

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
Archery! I was really into archery in high school and think I could train myself well enough to qualify for a medal (even if it’s a low rank one). I’d also be happy with a participation trophy, haha

Books or movies?
Books!

If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice (1988), Corpse Bride

What is your go-to road trip snack?
Goldfish or Cheez Its

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Yes!

Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza.
I like the sweetness of the pineapple with the saltiness of the cheese

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
Dominican Republic

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
Hot foods, most of my favorites are hot

What is your favorite weird fact?
Flamingos aren't born pink! Baby flamingos are a dull gray color and turn pink from their diet (their diet contains carotenoid, which is the same pigment that makes carrots orange).
 

What is your school, program, and year?
Montclair State University, Clinical Psychology PhD Program, 4th year

Why psychology and the law?
I’m interested in psychology and the law because I feel passionately that the legal system should reflect a rehabilitative approach rather than a punitive one

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
My favorite thing about my graduate program is the immense amount of support offered by my peers and faculty!

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
Maybe I would have gone to beauty school because I think self-care is important and find doing hair/nails to be relaxing. Or – astrophysicist.

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
My advice is to show both your knowledge/interest in the field AND your personality in your personal statement and during interviews!

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
Maybe volleyball since that is the only organized sport I’ve participated in. If I’m fantasizing, I’d want to medal in something else, like figure skating or gymnastics

Books or movies?
Movies!

If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
The first Scream movie, Gone Girl, the original Twelve Angry Men

What is your go-to road trip snack?
For salty, I’d go cheez-itz, for sweet maybe M&Ms

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
If you want it to!
​
Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza.
Sometimes it’s a vibe! Depends on how I’m feeling but to each their own for sure

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
I went to Paris when I was super young and would love to go back so I could appreciate it more

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
This is tough – I would say hot foods because I can’t go without soups/stews

What is your favorite weird fact?
Snow formation is an exothermic reaction!

This is a recording of zoom-based webinar hosted by Secretary, Morgan Wagner and Communications Officer, Jayce Owens-Boone on January 28th from 4-5 PM (CST). 

What is your school, program, and year?
Florida School of Professional Psychology at National Louis University, Clinical Psychology PsyD Program, 4th year

Why psychology and the law?
Growing up, I discovered my ability to empathetically understand and connect to individuals in trouble with the law. I soon realized that the general public often has different views of people who have been in trouble with the law than I do! So, I found a career path in forensic clinical psychology where I can use my ability to help and connect with this underserved population as much as possible.

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
My favorite thing is connecting with my peers who share the same passions as I do.

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
I would be a digital nomad traveling the world.

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
Figure out who and what in your life brings you joy. Lean on those people and things throughout your graduate and professional career because they will be your lifeboat!

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
I would love to say volleyball or track and field, but I could never make that happen in one year. So, I am going to have to go with archery. I have done archery a couple of times, and I think I could train for a year and be decent.

Books or movies?
Out of those two, I would pick movies. BUT if TV shows was an option I would definitely pick TV shows (specifically reality TV)

If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
The Blind Side, In Time, & The Other Woman

What is your go-to road trip snack?
Lime-Flavored Plantain Chips

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
Without a doubt, don't knock it till you try it

Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza.
I grew up eating it, and a good Hawaiian pizza is my go-to pizza order! Add some red chili flakes and *chef's kiss*

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
While I am yet to be a world traveler, my so far favorite place to travel to is Salt Lake City, Utah! It has everything someone who enjoys nature could want (coming from a girl from Florida)

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
I personally would have to say hot foods! Hot foods just taste so much better and have so much more flavor!

What is your favorite weird fact?
Dolphins have signature whistles for each other in their pod, similar to names humans have for each other

What is your school, program, and year?
University of Birmingham, Psychology Ph.D., 3rd year

Why psychology and the law?
I wanted to be like Clarice Starling from Silence of the Lambs—I found her journey of piecing together fragments of physical and memory evidence to find Buffalo Bill fascinating. This sparked my interest in how the two fields intersect. Studying memory in a forensic setting has allowed me to combine my passions, as memory plays a crucial role in the criminal justice system and is a key stepping stone in gathering information about a crime or a perpetrator. Without memory, Clarice wouldn’t have recognised the Death’s-head moth in Jame Gumb’s house and realised he was Buffalo Bill!

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
The range of incredible opportunities - I've been lucky enough to work with renowned academics and travel nationally and internationally to present our work.

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
If I wasn't doing a Ph.D. I think I'd have trained to be a psychological wellbeing practitioner or a nurse.

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
Ask lots of questions and do plenty of networking. Reaching out to researchers, whether their work aligns with your research interests or you simply admire their work, is a great way to build connections and showcase your enthusiasm. Early networking can also serve as a stepping stone for potential future collaborations.

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
I'd do well at sprinting if there was a McDonalds at the finish line.

Books or movies?
Movies!

If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Silence of the Lambs, Misery, Devil Wears Prada (to lighten the mood)

What is your go-to road trip snack?
Salt and vinegar crisps

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
No, I'm sorry!

Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza. 
The textures are all wrong!

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
Northern Territory, Australia.

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
Cold foods - I'm a big snacker so hot foods would be less practical.

What is your favorite weird fact?
Wombat poop is cube shaped - I just googled weird facts to find one and I am suitably impressed. 

By: Sana Vora, Diversity Liaison & Madison Dobreff, Clinical Liaison

It’s an understatement to say that we as students are going through an immense amount of stress right now – finals, job searching, graduate program applications, holidays, the list goes on. Here are some tips and resources to keep handy during the stress of the end-of-the-semester-holiday-season chaos.
1. Check in with yourself: How are you feeling? Understanding where we are at is critical for figuring out what we need and where we need to go. Take some time to self-reflect, whether through meditation, journaling, or another strategy to help clear your head and refocus. Determine what you need - Support? A safe place to vent and discuss your feelings? Exercise? Fresh air? Distractions? All, some, or none of the above are valid responses to everything we go through as students. Check out the following links for more information: 

• Grad School Zen: How Mindfulness and Meditation Can Help with Your Master’s
• 100 Best Self Care Journal Prompts {With Free PDF Printable!}
• Goodread’s Best Books of 2024
• Ashland University’s Free Printable Coloring Pages
• Using Brain Dumping to Manage Your Mental Health
• 30 Moves to Make the Most of Your At-Home Workout
• 95 Ways to Spend More Time Outside
• Grad Resources

2. Stick to your routines: When things start to feel chaotic, sticking to your routine can give you an anchor. Especially in terms of classes and classwork, try to keep up with your normal schedule so you can meet all your deadlines!

• CU-Boulder: 5 Must-Try Tips to Reduce Stress Over Finals
• UNL: 5 Strategies to Help You Manage Finals Week Stress
• Check out your university’s resources: Counseling Center, Library, and Student Success centers can have loads of information and resources for you!

3. Enjoy your break: Take time to relax, refresh, and recharge so you are ready to hit the ground running next semester!

What is your school, program, and year?
University of Alabama, Clinical Psychology, 4th year

Why psychology and the law?
I've always been interested in serious mental illness and the inequalities faced by those in the legal system. Individuals with SMI, as well as individuals with criminal-legal histories, are often the least prioritized in research, treatment, and policy, which not only impacts their lives, but society at large. Psychology and law combines my interests of working with vulnerable populations and (hopefully) improving the criminal legal system.

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
I LOVE my advisor. Dr. Jenni Cox is an amazing mentor and I feel so lucky that I get to work with and learn from her. She is truly the best part about the University of Alabama. 

If you were not in graduate school, what would you do?
I would probably still be managing research projects for the VA, but I would hope I was either working in performance arts or event planning. 

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school?
For me, applying systematically helped with feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do. I gave myself deadlines for each item (including figuring out which schools to apply to) and used spreadsheets to track requirements and deadlines. Reach out to academic advisors/professionals/grad students you know in psychology to help with application materials. Tons of people in psychology helped with my statement of purpose (the hardest part) and preparing for interviews, and it made a huge difference. 

If you had one year to train, what Olympic sport do you think you could qualify and medal in?
Probably weight-lifting, though I'd prefer ice skating lol

Books or movies?
Books

If you could only watch 3 movies for the rest of your life, what would they be?
The Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Tangled

What is your go-to road trip snack?
Cheez-its

Does pineapple belong on pizza?
It's fine, I guess

Explain your hot take about pineapple on pizza. 
I don't hate it, but I won't actively choose to have it on pizza. I'm indifferent. 

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled?
Paris, France

Would you only eat hot food or cold food for the rest of your life? Why?
Probably cold foods because I love salad, potentially more than any other food (I know, weird)

What is your favorite weird fact?
Zac Efron made a tinder account, but no one matched with him because they thought it was fake

by Kimia Lavasani (2023-2024 Experimental Liaison)

Doctoral programs are highly demanding and are becoming more and more competitive every year. With the growth of psychology as a field, it can be challenging to feel unique and appreciate one’s efforts as much as one should. For some, this issue can present itself in the form of Imposter Syndrome.

Here are a few tips that may help in overcoming Imposter Syndrome:
​
1. Understand it: First and foremost, it is absolutely essential to understand what Imposter Syndrome is. The easy definition marks this syndrome as one where the individual does not see their full potential as others see it. They may feel like they are a “fraud” who is pretending to know what they are doing, and who may be eventually “discovered” as someone who is not as competent as others think they are. Notably, this can be extremely common among high-achieving individuals; especially if they are first-generation college students. Acknowledging and accepting that this may be what you are going through is the first step in the right direction!

2. Manage it: There are many ways you can make such feelings more manageable. One of the most important and widely used techniques involves boosting your self-esteem. One major component of Imposter Syndrome is the fact that the individual does not accept their potential and competence in a realistic manner. To overcome this, you can keep an accomplishments notebook. You can add pictures or write a motivating sentence or two for your future self as well. This way, when you begin to notice your self-doubt coming back, you can review your notebook to remind yourself of the person you truly are. You can also leave sticky notes on your mirrors or a quick note on your phone, summarizing yourself in a way that you are proud of and motivates you. It is important to note that these are not the only ways to remind yourself of your potential, there are many creative ways you can do this. No matter what method you choose, it is essential to have reminders to look back during challenging times. Self-affirmations in any form have been shown to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms of Imposter Syndrome.

3. Ask for Help: Lastly, it is important to realize that Imposter Syndrome can be extremely debilitating if left untreated. You may be thinking that it is not a serious enough condition or that it is normal to be so full of doubt in graduate school. But the truth is that if you are consistently putting yourself down and undermining your competence, then your quality of life can be significantly impacted. There are many professional development opportunities (e.g., workshops, conferences) that can offer more detailed coping strategies. Also, it never hurts to discuss any concerns with a mentor or licensed clinician in a safe space.

Best of luck!