by Cecilia Allan (2020-2022 Communications Officer)

For many of us, the most dreaded part of applying to graduate school is taking the GRE. Here are some tips, tricks, and resources – recommended by other students who successfully completed the GRE and began graduate programs in psychology and law – to help make the process a little less stressful.

Tips & Tricks

1. Practice, practice, practice.
   “Use the practice tests offered by ETS!”
   “Take as many practice tests as you can. Familiarity with the test style is helpful when you are taking the test.”
   
   
2. Time yourself.
   “Practice writing the essays on a timer…maybe even give yourself less time than you will have when taking the GRE. This helped me to be less worried about the countdown clock when it came time to take the test.”
   
   
3. Use flashcards.
   “Flashcards genuinely work! They are helpful for vocab, and for learning math formulas.”
   
   
4. Tutors/instructors.
   “Getting a tutor/instructor was really crucial for me. This isn’t feasible for everyone, so getting in a group and seeing about hiring a tutor and splitting the cost could be helpful.” 
   “If you can’t afford a tutor, try asking a friend. You may know someone who excels in one area (for me this was math) who would be happy to give you some assistance free of charge (or at a much lower rate).”
   
   
5. Ask around.
   “Do you have a friend or family member who has taken the GRE? Ask them about their experience and what they think might be helpful for you. Plus, they might still have workbooks and other resources you could borrow or buy used. This process can get pricey, so saving money anyway you can is always recommended.”
   
   
6. Think ahead.
   “Take the test earlier than you think you need to. For example, if grad school applications are due in December, don't wait until October or November if you can help it. There is always a chance that you won't get the score you want, and you might want to take it again before you apply.” 
   “Know what scores you would want/need for certain programs, and know which schools you plan to send your scores to. If you know right away, you will be able to send to 5 schools for free when you finish the test.”
   
   
7. Know the test environment.
   “Go to your testing location a day or two before the exam so you don't get lost the day of.”
   “Make sure you know how the structure of the exam will be set up at your location. They sometimes include an extra subtest on the real administration (this is for research purposes), and you don't want to be surprised to have to complete an extra subtest when you think you're finished.
   
   
8. Know yourself.
   “Know yourself as a test-taker. Are you great at standardized testing? Awesome! You probably don't need to stress out too much (but definitely still do some studying!). Have you always struggled with standardized testing? You might want to invest in an in-person tutor or do some extra prep. Everyone is different, and these tests only measure a specific form of knowledge and skill.” 
   
   

Resources

ETS

• Free online practice tests (timed and untimed versions)
• Provide practice prompts for analytical writing section
  
  

Manhattan Prep 

• The 5lb book of GRE practice problems (this one is especially helpful for the quantitative section!)
• Free app with practice questions, quizzes, and flashcards. (this can help you study during commutes on public transport without carrying your materials/flashcards)
• Online and in-person classes (some are free of charge)

​Magoosh 

• Free 7-day trial offered
• Flexible, online courses 
• Free app with flashcards and practice questions
  
  

Kaplan

• Free daily question (will get an e-mail each day when you sign up)
• Free mini-practice exam
• 7-day free trial offered (take the practice test during this window!)
  
  

Other free practice tests:

• Manhattan review
• McGraw-Hill

by Kamar Tazi (2021-2022 Chair-Elect)

Minqi (Will) Pan, M.A., M.S. is a rising fourth-year clinical psychology Ph.D. student at the University of North Texas. His research focuses on response styles, psychometric properties and empirical correlates of forensic assessments, and statistical modeling.
 
Can you share a bit about your background and what made you want to pursue a degree in clinical forensic psychology? 

For my background, I was born and raised in Shanghai, China. I went to college there and studied economics and real estate which was a really unique degree combining economics and all aspects of the real estate industry. After graduating with my bachelors, I worked for a company that sends Chinese students to America for education. I became really interested in the American educational system in general through this job. Around this time, Yale published one undergraduate music appreciation course with free materials. I decided to make Chinese subtitles for the videos so that Chinese people could learn, and I worked with a nonprofit group to do this and get the materials out there for everyone. From there, it occurred to me that I could send myself to the U.S. and pursue education there. I was always really interested in human interactions and was between psychology, sociology, and social work for my degree. I ended up picking psychology because it was the most theory driven and systematic field out of those. 
 
I moved to Texas in 2012 and started a master’s program in clinical/counseling psychology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. My program prepared me very well for clinical work because of our rigorous training in the theories underlying clinical psychology, counseling, and the practical training I got primarily in psychotherapy. I then got licensed at the master’s level and worked for four and a half years in the only maximum-security hospital in Texas. There, I saw patients who could not be cared for elsewhere and was involved in very high-profile forensic cases. In my role I saw some of the most extreme forms of psychopathology and worked with many treatment-refractory individuals. I developed a strong interest in forensic psychology because I saw how important this line of work was. For example, watching how the outcomes of competency evaluations influence patients’ lives made me see how significant psychology is to the legal system. My passion for the field, strong interest in research and statistical measurement, and desire for more advanced work pushed me to doctoral training. My immigration status was also a major factor in my decision because, at the master’s level, being retained on a work visa is difficult and there are a lot of barriers to finding work as a psychologist without more advanced training. At the doctoral level, things get easier.             
 
What has your experience been like as an international student navigating graduate school in the U.S.?

Navigating my master’s degree was more difficult because everything was new, and the language barrier was still there despite having had years of English training. Psychology is a writing and reading heavy discipline with a lot of specialized terms that don’t necessarily translate easily or directly to Chinese, so this is still somewhat of a challenge for me. I really had to think in a different language when I started my program. Of course, as I got more exposure things became easier. Another challenge I faced was the self-driven nature of graduate school. I think this is hard for all students, international and domestic, but especially for international students because when you add other challenges like a language barrier it can be hard to stay motivated. There is also a huge culture shock; the terms my cohort members used, their idioms, the way they spoke was all new for me and I found myself asking them to explain often. At the time I felt unsure about asking but they were always happy to clarify so that feeling went away. So, in a lot of ways communication was the first and maybe most difficult barrier I faced but as I continued learning I felt more confident both professionally and academically despite how much of an adjustment I had to make in a very short amount of time. Now, there is definitely still a culture shock to being at the PhD level which is very different from the master’s level. Fortunately, I found that my university (University of North Texas) was more culturally diverse, so I was less self-aware of the fact that I was an international student.
 
Another huge thing is the restrictions. For example, international students can’t work more than a certain number of hours without authorization, so getting a side job during graduate school was never an option. This would be especially hard for anyone in an unfunded program. On top of this, I can’t take out federal financial aid (which is where most financial aid comes from). There are even some practicum sites, like VAs, that are not an option for externship or internship because of their federal funding. I learned quickly that things have to be carefully planned since there are so many more considerations international students have to make.  
 
How does your background and identities influence your research and clinical work? 

My research interests really developed along the way to understanding my professional identity, but the discrepancy between the acknowledgement and focus on scientific accomplishments in psychology between China and the U.S. motivated me to learn the best I can while I’m here. I also noticed that people conceptualize problems in research differently depending on their background. For example, what theories are used to understand a phenomenon/behavior, how these may be studied, and what problems are prioritized for research differ between China and the U.S. Having a different cultural upbringing gave me a new perspective to bring to the table here. On the other hand, having exposure to people’s perspectives here helped me reevaluate the things I learned in the past. This has been an important stage in my development as a scientist.   
 
For clinical work, I have found that working with other international students is a really rewarding experience because I really understand and resonate with their experiences and struggles. In a broader sense, if I work with someone with concerns related to immigration or cultural identity I feel that I can quickly understand and empathize with them. This has helped me considerably in my clinical work. At the beginning of my training, I was unsure of my language abilities as a clinician, particularly when doing psychotherapy, and this added to my insecurity, but this is less of a concern for me now. I found that people do understand what I’m saying and if they don’t they’ll just ask. I had similar concerns about whether I would have limited culture-specific knowledge that was important to my clients or relevant to their clinical presentations. When you have quality training, focus, and immersion in the clinical issues at hand, all these concerns and insecurities will be sorted out. Actually, all therapy and clinical work requires cultural knowledge so in many cases my background is an asset, and all students, international and domestic, have the same task essentially; we all work to approach culture with humility and openness and do our best to limit the influence of biases and preconceived notions. There’s a learning curve for everyone. 
 
What resources do you think would be helpful if made available by universities? 

The most important resource for international students is information. There are so many rules and restrictions we have to abide by and sometimes our departments don’t know all of these. Communication between programs and other essential offices (like the office for international students) becomes essential, and I found that students often have to be the messenger between them. Understanding the opportunities available also becomes important. There are some scholarships and grants that may be especially for us, and others that we may not be eligible for and all that information is really important. I also think having resources for students who may be struggling with language skills would help a lot, particularly in the social sciences and other fields with technical language.
 
What do you wish you knew before starting graduate school, and what advice would you give to other international students?  
​

1. Figure out if the field is really your passion! It is very difficult if your expectations are different from your program’s because you work hard to get in and navigate all these complex systems. You don’t want to spend many years doing something you don’t really like.
2. Think critically about the type of psychology program you want. Each branch of psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, behavioral science, etc.) has its own focus and will result in different employment opportunities when you graduate. This is especially important if you plan to stay in the U.S. after you graduate.
3. Find balance in your social groups. I know a lot of international students and I see the comfort in us having one another, but I also find that my relationships with domestic students are fun and helpful for integrating in local communities.
4. If you have specific financial considerations, spend time figuring out and understanding both the resources available to you and those not available to you. You can quickly get into unknown territory and find that there are limited emergency resources if you need them so the more prepared you are the better.
5. Research how to secure living essentials. Basic needs like opening a bank account, getting a car, and finding housing are things international students tend to sort out on their own and they can all be complicated processes. 
6. Ask your program about recent international student graduates. Connecting with a student who has had to navigate your own program and university can make things much easier for you and will help you avoid time consuming and/or costly mistakes.
7. Lastly, ask for clarification about terms, cultural phenomenon, or anything else you’re unsure of when you need it. At the end of the day everyone around you is in training and you should get what you need from your program regardless of the nature of your questions. 

By Rebekah R. Adair (2021-2022 Campus Representative Coordinator) 

Being in graduate school, or just a student in general, can be time consuming – feeling like you never have enough time in a day to complete needed tasks, let alone leisure activities. One thing that I’ve found meets the leisure, yet continuing pursuit of knowledge, is listening to podcasts while doing “mindless” tasks (i.e., getting ready to head to campus, driving to campus, leaving campus, repeat). Below is a list of academic bases podcasts that might be a quick listen when you want to “get away” but still feel productive. Enjoy! 
 
Writing Podcasts:

• Academic Writing Amplified - Hosted by Dr. Cathy Mazak 
  • Podcast for academic women who are striving to write and publish more
• Deep Questions with Cal Newport - Hosted by Dr. Cal Newport 
  • Discusses struggles with writing and working in a world with constant distractions

 
Statistics:

• Quantitude - Hosted by Greg Hancock and Patrick Curran
  • Episodes break down quantitative methods and data analysis
• Statistics for the Social Sciences - Hosted by Dr. Brad R. Fulton 
  • Intro to stats for social scientists
• Learning Bayesian Statistics - Hosted by Alexandre Andorra 
  • Guests discuss how they used Bayesian statistics in different fields and how you can apply this to your own work

 
Miscellaneous Discussions:

• The Professor Is In - Hosted by Dr. Karen Kelsky and Kel Weinhold
  • Various topics surrounding how academia works 
• Surviving Academia 
  • Navigating troubles within academia
• Voices of Academia - Hosted by Emily King
  • Guest speakers talk about their mental health while emersed within academia 
• Speaking of Psychology - Hosted by APA
  • Highlights important, recent, and relevant psychological research going on today 
• Psychology Unplugged - Hosted by Dr. Corey J. Nigro 
  • Weekly discussions on topics ranging from mental health to neuropsychology
• The Academic Minute 
  • Episodes range from Astrology to Zoology 
• APA Journals Dialogue – Hosted by APA
  • Topics on recently published research in psychology 
• Progress Notes – Hosted by APA Practice Organization
  • Discusses issues related to practicing psychologists

by Lili Ramos (2021-2022 Secretary)

With AP-LS 2022 a couple months behind us now, we decided to reach out to our student members to hear some of their reflections on the conference and things they are looking forward to for AP-LS 2023. Check out their responses below!​

Ashley Hernandez, Clinical Psychology PsyD program at William James College
 
What was one highlight, takeaway, or favorite event from AP-LS 2022?

• For me, it was great to see so many topics that were related to race and cultural competency in our field. I attended many presentations that discuss the racial disparity and the increased amount of minorities being involved in the legal system. My favorite event was the 12 pm talk on Saturday from Professor Kristin Henning. 

 
What are you looking forward to for AP-LS 2023? 

• I look forward to more discussions and presentations that are related to diversity, inclusion, race, and cultural competency.  

 
What is one piece of advice you have for students attending AP-LS in the future?

• Attend as many different topics as possible and be open. There is so much rich information at the conference. ​

Isabelle Clough, Legal Psychology PhD program at the University of Texas at El Paso

What was one highlight, takeaway, or favorite event from AP-LS 2022?

• I really enjoyed the Early Career Professionals Committee event on alt-academic careers. I was able to learn about viable career paths with a degree focused on legal psychology outside of academia that I wasn’t aware of before and network with people currently in those positions.

 
What are you looking forward to for AP-LS 2023? 

• I am hoping that I will have some preliminary results from my dissertation to share at AP-LS 2023. That will likely be my first opportunity to discuss these findings, which I’m really looking forward to!
  
  

What is one piece of advice you have for students attending AP-LS in the future?

• Introduce yourself! It can feel really intimidating to walk up to senior scholars doing the work you admire, but everyone at AP-LS is always so kind and excited to talk about their research. I have only ever regretted not introducing myself.

Brandon Garcia, Forensic Psychology M.A. program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
 
What was one highlight, takeaway, or favorite event from AP-LS 2022?

• The student social, obviously :) I also enjoyed the chance to reconnect with professors I met at past AP-LS and meet new friends in the field.

 
What are you looking forward to for AP-LS 2023? 

• I am very excited for it to be so close. I am looking forward to saving money on flights and just taking the train from NY to Philly.

What is one piece of advice you have for students attending AP-LS in the future?

• My advice for students attending is to not be afraid to connect with people! Try and make connections with people in the field! Psych and Law is a relatively small field so making connections can be huge! Plus it is nice to make connections with other students so you can help support each other succeed.

Mariah Laster, School and Clinical Psychology PsyD program at Kean University 

What was one highlight, takeaway, or favorite event from AP-LS 2022?

• My favorite event was the poster presentation sessions. I enjoyed sharing my research as well as connecting with other students and learning about theirs. 
  
  

What are you looking forward to for AP-LS 2023? 

• I am looking to presenting a new research study. 
  ​

What is one piece of advice you have for students attending AP-LS in the future?

• My advice would be to network as much as you can. Speaking to professionals in the field and students truly enhances your conference experience and the knowledge you’ll learn. 

By Sarah Fishel (2020-2022 Law Liaison) 

​Most of the student members of APLS are grounded in the field of psychology with interests, experience, or formal training in the field of law. However, there are relatively few members who are grounded in the field of law and have the same interest in gaining more knowledge about the field of psychology. Being a law student can be an overwhelming and time consuming endeavor, and the thought of adding one more reading or putting one more piece of information into your brain can feel daunting. That said, there are many reasons why law students (and legal professionals) could benefit from the field of psychology - here are just a few: 

1. Psychology is cited in cases. More and more cases are bringing in psychological information, testimony, and briefs to help judges inform their decisions. This is seen most plainly in the Miller/Montgomery line of cases. Having a basic knowledge of psychological principles can help you to understand your cases, judicial decision-making, and where the field of law may be headed in the future.
   
   
2. You can gain an upper hand in evidentiary knowledge. Often, the fields of law and psychology intersect where psychologists are called in as experts to evaluate or consult on a case. Knowing these processes better, what makes a good or bad report, and why psychologists may make certain recommendations based on the clients mental state, background, testing, etc. can help you effectively argue on behalf of whoever you represent. 
   
   
3. When you get it wrong, there are big consequences. A lack of knowledge about psychology or its practices can have large consequences for your clients and the field of law in general. Anything from ineffectively assisting your client to establishing bad case law can come from having these blind spots. One of the most famous examples of this is in the area of Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) laws, where an inaccurate statistic regarding recidivism rates was cited to a judge, who then used that statistic in their decision. The clinicians providing the statistic later recanted the data, but the damage was already done. 
   
   
4. It can help you better interact with clients. Psychology, at its heart, is about people. Even psychologists who are engaged primarily in research or assessments have some background with clinical work and effectively building rapport. Understanding even just a little about how to better your rapport with your clients, build motivation to work with you, or comfort them through the legal process, can help you in your work too. 
   
   

Psychology is not a monolith and can help you in ways you don’t even realize. Forensic psychology may be a relatively small field, but the researchers, clinicians, and academics involved do so much in so many areas. Whether you are looking for more information about empaneling a jury, eyewitness testimony, the mental state of your client, recidivism, the impact of policies, or some other area of interest to you - I can almost guarantee that someone is looking into that from a psychological perspective. Adding this knowledge to your own can strengthen your effectiveness in any of these areas.

Throughout my own training, I’ve met many law students and legal professionals who do recognize the benefit of psychological know-how and what it can add to their own practice and research. So the next question becomes - why join APLS? 

1. Updated information. APLS is a great source of updated information on psychological research and practice. The newsletters, journal, and media posts are a great source of consolidated, evidence-based information about all areas of forensic psychology.
   
   
2. Networking. Law students are well aware of the power of networking. Adding psychologists to your list of professional contacts can help you in the future! Whether it’s asking a peer for an informal consultation on a case, or needing more formal assistance, starting early and building your networks across many fields can help set the stage for success in the future. 
   
   
3. Our Conference. We have a conference every year that is absolutely fantastic. It’s a great way to get a lot of information and networking done in a beautiful city somewhere in the United States! We’ve had psychologists, lawyers, judges, and many others talk at the conference! Law students can even submit proposals and present! For more information on our conferences - see here: https://www.apls-students.org/conferences.html 
   
   
4. Reasonable fees. Officially joining APLS as a student comes with an incredibly reasonable $15 fee. Law students are often used to the fees associated with their textbooks (astronomical) or applying for the bar exam (that one hurt) - in comparison, the fee for joining APLS and accessing all of these benefits, especially as a student - is incredibly do-able! For more information on joining APLS - see here: https://www.apls-students.org/membership.html 
   ​
5. CV building. And finally, we all know that a lot has to get done in a very short time in order to graduate from law school. While psychology students can spend anywhere from 2-7 years in school, law students are in and out in 2-3! Getting involved with APLS can mean a lot for your CV, and can include attending or presenting at a conference, involvement with the Student Committee, or becoming a Campus Representative. Especially for those interested in mental health law, it’s a great way to indicate to employers and others how serious you are about your field! For more information on involvement with the APLS Student Committee - see here:  https://www.apls-students.org/get-involved.html 
   
   

I hope to see APLS continue to grow and welcome more and more law students into our ranks. As a recent graduate myself, I can absolutely say that my experiences with both law and psychology have been integral to my professional development. 

What is your school, program & year? The University of Alabama, Clinical Psychology (with a concentration in Psychology and Law), fourth year.

Why psychology and the law? It is both fascinating and hugely impactful. 

If you could only watch 3 movies or tv shows over and over for the rest of your life, what would they be and why? The Office (because I'm a basic millennial), Snapped (because the narrator's voice is practically my lullaby), and either Westworld or Raised by Wolves (because I'm very into robot dystopia lately).

Is cereal soup? I don't think so. If anything, the cereal would be a garnish, and milk alone does not a soup make.

What is a quote you like and who said it? I love the poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann. "You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here."

What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program? The people - I love my cohort and our faculty. Also, Alabama (my home state) has an enormous need for forensic mental health services, so we are able to make real, meaningful impacts here. 

If you were not in graduate school what would you do? A receptionist or administrative assistant. 

What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? Network as much as possible, accept that you may not get into your dream program (and that's okay!), and make sure you are ready to dedicate a large chunk of your life to grad school.
​
What’s the best Wi-Fi name you’ve seen? PRETTY FLY FOR A WIFI