Maria is an international student from Spain. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Psychology at Fordham University. She is currently completing her pre-doctoral internship (forensic track) at Patton State Hospital and will complete her post-doctoral fellowship there during the upcoming training year. Maria joined the Psychology-Law Research Lab at Fordham University in the fall of 2017. Prior to her doctoral studies, she earned a master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology at East Tennessee State University. Her major research interests include forensic assessment, cross-cultural assessment, instrument validation, immigration psycholegal evaluations, feigning, and sexual offending. Maria is an active member of the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee. She also served as the international student representative at Fordham Graduate Student Council for 4 years (2018-2022).
In this interview, Maria discussed unique challenges faced by international students in the preparation of pre-doctoral internship in clinical psychology. Rules and regulations related to international students (e.g., work permit, health insurance) were highlighted during the discussion. The timing of applying for post-doc position as well as seeking employment were also covered.
Below is an outline with timestamp for your convenience:
 
(00:20) Introduction
(07:16) What did you do to be competitive before applying to a clinical psychology program in the U.S.?

• Be familiar with the application system (what is required)
• Don’t be shy to reach out to professors from different programs
• Edit your personal statement and other written materials – ask others for feedback

(12:20) Do you worry about your English not being good enough?

• It is common to feel insecurity about your English as an international student
• You can get better through trial and error

(17:59) What are the things international students need to be mindful of when applying for internship sites?

• Think about what type of forensic site you want (e.g., Jail/prison vs. state hospital)
  • Consider sites that are not purely forensic but have a forensic rotation
  • International students are not eligible to apply for ANY federal-related sites
    • Some sites may mistakenly list that they don’t take international students, it’s a good strategy to reach out and make sure
    • Use the APPIC filter
  • Medical insurance coverage is important
• Seek feedback on your essays and other application materials

(26:50) What do international students need after matching with an internship site?

• Apply for CPT so that you are allowed to work off-campus legally and get paid
  • The acceptance letter needs to include specific information (e.g., duration of employment, stipend, etc.) – tell your internship director so that they can write that letter for you
  • CPT is renewed by semester, meaning you have to apply for it each semester while you are on your internship
  • IMPORTANT: You cannot work the entire year (365 days) or you lose your OPT after graduation. Make sure you will finish the internship site earlier on any official documents (work with your training director so that you can finish the internship by several days earlier).
  • Talk to your international student service at your school about the gap between the end of your spring semester and the end of the internship (typically sometime in the summer) for CPT – your CPT should cover your whole internship period (your program may need to educate them on the 1-year internship requirement)
• Medical insurance
  • Be mindful of any potential lapse in coverage if you use the insurance offered by the internship site
  • Make sure the insurance offered by the internship site has the required coverage for international students – you may consider keeping your medical insurance through your school instead

(38:20) On OPT after internship

• Earliest date you can apply is 90 days before your program end date (i.e., completion of all your requirements, not necessarily the commencement date or the date your degree is conferred) and 60 days after graduation
  • Apply as early as possible
• Graduation date (degree conferral) is different than the commencement ceremony where you walk
• Check with your school when your graduation day is before the end of internship training

(44:00) It is possible to change the clinical psychology program to STEM eligible

• Work with your DCT and office of international student service

(45:58) Plans on applying for jobs after internship year

• Know when your OPT expires
• Look for jobs ASAP (typically while you’re still at internship or postdoc)
  • You need sponsorship to work after your OPT expires

(50:30) On international traveling between the end of your internship and the beginning of your OPT employment

• You can do it but be aware of the risk
• If your OPT is approved while you’re away, someone needs to mail the documents (EAD card) to you for you to get a new visa/reenter the U.S.  

(54:40) Outro 

In 2021, Dr. Walsh graduated with her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of North Texas (UNT). Recently, she shared guidance and advice for graduate students in various stages of their programs, but most importantly, she reinforced hope for anyone who may be struggling. Throughout her internship and post-doctoral training, Dr. Walsh worked at Western State Hospital. Now, she works at the Office of Forensic Mental Health Services in Washington, and is on their inpatient unit – still stationed at Western State Hospital. Additionally, she does evaluations at Eastern State Hospital in Spokane, as well as some evaluations at the jail on the western side of the state. Essentially, Dr. Walsh is living out her dream being able to engage in “a little bit of everything.” Specifically, her position allows her to do violence risk assessment for patients found NGRI, competency evaluations, and mental state at the time of the offense evaluations throughout Washington. Through her job, she is able to do all different types of criminal forensic evaluations that would come to a state forensic evaluator, which is not something everybody gets to do. Dr. Walsh noted that, “[her job] is really rewarding, because it allows [her] to use different parts of [her] brain, it challenges [her] case conceptualization, and forces [her] to stay on top of the literature in a lot of different areas.” On top of her clinical work, Dr. Walsh is also involved in training programs – she supervises practicum students, interns, and post-doctoral students. Additionally, she teaches assessment didactic for the internship committee. Despite being so heavily involved in clinical assessments, teaching, and training – Dr. Walsh made it a point to address that she never works more than 40 hours per week. 

• “Importantly, with all of this, I still have time to have a life. Which, for me, after grad school is like ‘oh wait!’ I’ve gotten to get back in touch with things in my personality and in my personal life and in my relationships that I really value and love.” 

So, for anyone who may be struggling – fear not, Dr. Walsh has been where we are, not that long ago. “In grad school, all the time people tell you about work-life balance, and it feels more like people just speaking, not actually wanting you to do that.” But now, being in the workforce, Dr. Walsh is truly able to value a work-life balance. Recently married, a new mom, she is able to go on trips, go hiking, and have hobbies again. No matter how you may be struggling through the difficulty of grad school, always remember that your education is valuable. It is our educations that will open the doors so that one day, too, we can have the same possibilities to have hobbies, and take trips. 

• “When I was in grad school if you would have told me I would have hobbies again, I would say ‘What is that?!’ But there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it pays, very well!” 
• “A weight came off my shoulders, my life got better. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.” 

For anyone still in need of words of wisdom, Dr. Walsh reflected that the “number one thing [she] would go back and tell [herself] at this age, is that there are times in grad school when you feel like you have to do things that maybe don’t line up with what you want to do long term. But it all matters – believe it or not. Even the things like, child autism differentials, for example, that feel like they have nothing to do with a future career in forensics, it all comes into play and deepens your understanding to make you a better psychologist.” So, keep in mind, that no matter how difficult this may be – there is a lot to be gained from not purely forensic experiences that will help to inform your future forensic practice. 

• “For the people that are in the trenches right now and feel like they are going through thoughts of ‘what’s the point in me doing this,’ what does this have to do with my future career,’ [Dr. Walsh] is here to remind you that there is relevance in every field you explore, and everything that you do.” 
• “In the end, [Dr. Walsh] is really grateful for all of the things [she] did in grad school. Even the things that did not feel forensically focused, because, looking back, those experiences made [her] a better forensic psychologist.” 

Now, for everyone still stressing over making sure they do everything possible to secure a rewarding internship, fret not, for Dr. Walsh also provided sound advice. As someone who is involved in the internship process for Western State Hospital, she shared that while research is important, it is not the most important thing. She reminded us that, fundamentally, internship is a clinical experience. So, while it is important to have research, and presentations, what gets weighted more heavily is our clinical experiences. Of significant importance, is making sure that your clinical experiences align with the population you are looking at on internship. Of course, this is taking ‘population,’ in a more general sense. Ensuring you have experience with personality disorders, thought disorders, substance use treatment, or work in some forensic context. Really, internship sites are going to look to see if you know about their population and the unique challenges that come with working with those kinds of populations. While this may sound like a lot, the true expectation is just in being teachable, and having an idea of what this may look like. Which is why, having really solid clinical training experiences is, in Dr. Walsh’s opinion, the most important thing. 

• “At the end of the day, it’s about making sure that when you get to internship you won’t be so overwhelmed that you feel like you can’t handle it. Forensics is a hard population to work with. You will see and read some extremely hard things to see and read, and basically, it’s like, ‘Do you have the stomach for it?’ Honestly, [Dr. Walsh] didn’t know that [she] had the stomach for it until internship when [she] saw it. So, there’s no expectation for you to be perfect or the epitome of forensic practice by the time you get to internship.” 
• “To be a forensic psychologist, you have to first be a really strong clinician. Your diagnostic skills have to be really sharp.” 

And lastly, for any students preparing to look at internship sites soon, Dr. Walsh, has offered her wisdom on this, too. 

• “For students looking at internship sites, a piece of advice that [she] always gives prospective interns, is look at the staff, and look at how they interact with each other. You know, not everyone is going to be best friends everywhere, but do they look like they generally enjoy each other, or are pleasant with each other? Do they look overworked or exhausted? Look and see what it looks like the quality of life is for the staff members there, because that is a good indicator, for you, that this could be somewhere you might want to stay for a while. Also, look and see if there are job opportunities there going down the pipeline. Another good indicator is to look at what percentage of their staff were trainees there.” 

​

So, there you have it. While grad school may be overwhelming, exhausting, and sometimes brutal, remember that everything you are doing will be helpful down the line. Graduating and having a Ph.D. will generally make you a very competitive job applicant, so when you reach the light at the end of the tunnel, you will be in pretty high demand. Dr. Walsh’s last piece of advice is that a forensic post-doc will also hope to open a lot of doors, as far as career opportunities are concerned. She recommends a forensic post-doc to everyone so that they can take the time to really benefit from an extra year of training. But remember, that these years are just a small part of a much bigger future. Take time for yourself, and know there is meaning in every step of your training. 

• “[Dr. Walsh] feels really grateful, really to [her] internship program, because they first really emphasized a work-life balance. Just for anyone who did not know this, you actually do make money out of grad school, which is quite nice, too. Having a Ph.D. really enables you to have the ultimate job flexibility.” 

 

Self-care can mean different things for everyone; however, for the purposes of this blog, we are talking about the concept of taking care of oneself to cope with the many stressors of being a student and wearing many different hats at once! The idea of self-care can be very enticing, but it can come with feelings of guilt and shame in academic and clinical contexts. Finding a work-life balance is heavily emphasized nowadays, but putting yourself and your wellbeing first can be difficult. Accepting yourself as a top priority is not always easy, but this blog is intended to help you start to think about many things you can do for yourself! When you start thinking about self-care, I would encourage everyone to think and treat themselves as they would a loved one. Give yourself the grace, kindness, and compassion that you deserve! Be mindful of how you’re feeling in the moment and give yourself time to reflect on what you need. Don’t feel guilty about taking breaks and be sure to set goals for your desired self-care time. Staying true to yourself and your values can help ground you in this chaotic world. Always remember that you are NOT alone in this journey and that you deserve to take care of yourself! Here is a list of self-care activities you might find helpful:

• Taking a nap.
• Talking a walk.
• Exercise.
• Spending time with friends/family/loved ones.
• Spending time with a pet. 
• Taking a vacation.
• Self-reflection time.
• Journaling.
• Self-affirmations.
• Meditating.
• Listening to music.
• Watching movies.
• Volunteering.
• Praying.
• Crying.
• Reading non-academic literature.
• Eating feel-good meals.
• Making art.
• Watching a play.
• Go to a concert.
• Making a vision board.
• Learning a new hobby.
• Therapy.
• Spending time in the sun. 
• Listening to a podcast.
• Practice gratitude.
• Gift-giving.
• Decluttering.
• Playing games.

 
These are just some of the many ways we can all practice self-care! Don’t forget that you’ve worked hard to get to whatever place you are currently in and deserve some kindness. Please take care of yourself and spread some self-love 😊Happy self-caring forever! 

by Laura Stevens (2022-2023 Experimental Liaison) 

COVID-19 was a terrible and turbulent time for everyone and was an especially difficult time to be studying as the world turned to online teaching mediums. However, one positive to the shift online is that it is easier now than ever to be a member of your international community. This resource will cover the benefits of getting involved in your international community and easy ways to immerse yourself. 

Being a Member of International Networks
As one of the first UK-based students to be a part of the APLS student committee, I am really excited to be part of an international community of researchers and practitioners working  in Psychology and Law. In addition to my role within the student committee, I am also a research assistant within the Rights for Time Network – an international organisation that brings together academics and practitioners to explore how time affects war, displacement, and violence in order to progress conversations about humanitarian protection. I am also a member of the UK-South Korea Eyewitness network that fosters collaborations to improve the documentation of eyewitness memory evidence globally. All the aforementioned networks are either free to join or for an extremely subsidised fee as a student, so there is no better time to immerse yourself in international research. 

Benefits of International Networking

• You meet incredible researchers who are revolutionising in their area, as well as amazing practitioners and community actors who are making an impact on the ground. You get to learn from these people and consider what future research questions are integral to developing, understanding, and designing research projects around these ideas. This could lead to future funding opportunities!
• You can learn about interesting and diverse cultures and take part in cross-cultural research that is driven by partnerships within that country. 
• You can develop your skills as a researcher by co-designing research methodologies and carrying out research in different contexts. You may encounter unforeseen challenges and learn how to overcome them. For examples of when international research may be difficult and potential methods to overcome such barriers, please see a Webinar from Global Challenges students at the University of Birmingham, UK, here.
• Obviously, you get to potentially travel to some really cool places!

Ways that you can get Involved!

• Attend conferences, either in person or online. Post-COVID, many conferences are offering hybrid methods which can help financially if you cannot afford to travel or want to attend multiple conferences a year. 
• Check out travel grant schemes, both from the conference themselves but also from your institution or organisation. There might be money there to assist you in travelling to a conference. This could help you travel and help develops your grant writing skills!
• When at the conference – make the most of it. Attend networking lunches, poster sessions and ask questions. You never know when someone you meet could become a future collaborator or mentor.
• Attend online webinars hosted by different organisations or networks. These are typically free and recorded to enhance participation from all time zones. Follow up with speakers via email about anything you found interesting. 
• Sign up to the mailing lists of networks you are interested in.
• Follow researchers and practitioners in your field from all over the world on Twitter and LinkedIn to keep up to date with research advances; like and retweet their work to show your interest!
• Find other people working on similar areas to you and email them. See if you can run a research study in both labs and possibly do a cross-country comparison or consider grant funding together!

 
Being a member of your international community does not need to be as difficult or as expensive as you think. Happy Networking!

by Cassidy White (2022-2023 Campus Representative Coordinator) 

As the cycle of graduate school applications are now submitted, it’s time for the best part – interviews! In this post you will find some tips and resources for a successful graduate school interview. 


Do your research

• Make sure you have a good understanding of the school and how each program works
• Read up on recent publications the mentor you’re applying to has published 
• Prepare a list of who you could be potentially interviewing with. This includes both professors and graduate students

Have questions prepared

• Faculty:
  • How would you describe your mentoring style?
  • How does one earn authorship in this lab?
  • What are the current projects in the lab and where do you expect the lab to go?
  • What do you think makes a student successful in this program? 
• Students:
  • How does funding work? Is there guaranteed summer funding?
  • Can you tell me what it’s like to live in_______?
  • Do you feel like you can live comfortably in ______?
  • What areas are the best for grad students to live?
  • What is it like to work with this mentor?
  • What kinds of support/resources are there for underrepresented groups? What is the DEI climate like? 
  • How cooperative vs competitive are the students in this program? Prepare for common questions 
    • Tell me about yourself?
      • Be sure to highlight what is unique about yourself and why do you stand out compared to others interviewing for the same spot?
• Why did you choose this school/ particular advisor?
  • Be specific! This is where your initial research will come in. 
• What is your specific area of research and why?
• What are your career goals? 
• What are your hobbies and interests?
  • Remember, most places have read your CV and now they are interested in really getting to know who you are as a person!
• Describe a project you would like to complete while you are here.

Be confident!

• Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, the days can be very long. Don’t forget to take care of yourself and breathe

Be yourself!

Don’t forget that you worked hard and were chosen to interview at this school. You got this! 

Always follow up with a thank you note/email

Resources:
 
Dr. Mitch Prinstein has an EXCELLENT handbook with all things related to clinical psychology. Section three: I just got an interview for a clinical psychology doctoral program – What do I do?! 
 
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mitch.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4922/2017/02/MitchGradSchoolAdvice.pdf
 
Practice mindfulness during breaks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-6f5wQXSu8

by Jordan Donson (2022-2023 Secretary)

If you ever find yourself looking for a new podcast that is not only entertaining but also educational, then you have come to the right place! Listed below are the top 12 podcasts to fit all your psychology, law, and grad school needs. 
 

1. Speaking of Psychology: Produced by the American Psychological Association, this podcast helps listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives by highlighting some of the latest, most important and relevant psychological research being conducted today. 
2. The Forensic Psychologist Podcast: This podcast discusses the niche practice area of forensic psychology and delves into the realms of psychology, law, and human behavior. Hosted by Dr. Nicole Vienna, Forensic Psychologist and Clinical Director at Vienna Psychological Group, Inc. 
3. Clinically Thinking: A podcast by clinical psychologists, for clinical psychologists. Deep-dive conversations with clinicians and academics at the forefront of their fields. A great resource for all clinicians at every stage. 
4. Due Process – The Interviews: This podcast is the side-feed of the podcast ‘Due Process,’ a show dedicated to examining Canada’s Criminal Justice System. This side-feed features full-length interviews with guests who have appeared on Due Process. The interviews on this feed focus on topics and issues related to law, forensic psychology, and Canada’s Criminal Justice System. 
5. Grad School is Hard, But...: A podcast from Dr. Katy Peplin of Thrive PhD, this is helpful for anyone trying to be a human and a scholar. This podcast helps you dive deeper into how your brain and body work best. Each episode features practical experiments to try to help you find your way through the hard work of grad school. 
6. The Forensic Psychology Podcast: In this podcast Sally Tilt and Dr. Kerensa Hocken from HM Prison and Probation Service Psychology team interview colleagues who do vitally important work in prisons across the U.K. 
7. Clinically Psyched: A realistic guide to applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs in North America. 
8. The Law Garage: In this podcast you can learn from leading professionals in the criminal bar. From the beginning of a police investigation to the trial or jury trial, gain insight into the working minds of experienced defense practitioners. 
9. This is Grad School: A podcast for grad students, by grad students. Two applied social psychology PhD students have casual conversations about issues relevant to graduate students in psychology and beyond. This podcast aims to provide a place for grad students to decompress, process, and discuss the real experiences graduate students have, both positive and negative. 
10. Forensic Minds: Currently studying psychology? Early career forensic psychologist? Interested in the work of forensic psychologists? This is the podcast for you! Forensic Minds – Australia, hosted by the Australian Psychological Society – College of Forensic Psychologists. 
11. The Litigation Psychology Podcast: This podcast, presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) is for in-house and outside defense counsel about the intersection of science and litigation. It explores topics of interest to the defense bar, with a particular emphasis on subjects that don’t get enough attention. Hosted by PhD-level social scientists, clinical scientists, and psychology experts with a wealth of knowledge about science, research, human behavior, and decision making, which they apply in the context of civil litigation. 
12. Psychology Unplugged: This podcast features weekly discussions and perspectives on all aspects of psychology, neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, and mental health topics. Psychoeducation, information, misinformation, controversy, and passion about an incredibly relevant and misunderstood field. 

​What is your school, program, and year? 
UNT Clinical Psychology PhD, forensic track, 3rd year
 
Why psychology and the law? 
Psycholegal scholars have such a powerful opportunity to engage in justice-minded work—this is exactly what I strive for! 
 
What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
Our clinical training is wonderful, my lab members are such inspirational researchers, and I have absolutely made lifelong best friends in this program. 
 
If you were not in graduate school what would you do? 
I would probably be in law school or maybe a chef.
 
What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? 
You can make the best of any program if the environment is right. Pick a program that you feel believes in you, uplifts you, and shows up for you. 
 
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?
Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, and probably Love Island. 
 
Is cereal soup?
No. 
 
Explain your hot take about cereal. 
Soup is a dish that includes multiple components. Cereal is referred to as cereal regardless of whether it has milk in it or not. 
 
Is water wet?
Yes. 
 
Explain your hot take about water. 
It has to be wet in order to make other things wet. Something dry cannot make another thing wet. 
 
What is a quote you like and who said it?
“We shouldn’t teach great books; we should teach a love of reading. Knowing the contents of a few works of literature is a trivial achievement. Being inclined to go on reading is a great achievement.” -Skinner  
 
If you could invite five people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would it be any why? 
I would gather 5 people from across my family’s lineage going many centuries back to really know where we came from.  
 
What’s the best Wi-Fi name you’ve seen? 
We’ve Been Trying To Reach You About Your Car’s Extended Warranty 
 
What is your favorite city and why? 
Akureyri, Iceland is beautiful, and the coffee is so good! 

​What is your school, program, and year? 
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Clinical Psychology, 3rd year
 
Why psychology and the law? 
I first realized this field existed when I took an anthro/psych/soc class in high school; when I found out about the intersectionality of these disciplines with the legal system, I was hooked. I originally wanted to be a forensic anthropologist but I realized 1) physical sciences are NOT for me and 2) psychology is just way cooler than anthropology. Now, I love it for being a field that can make individualized and system-wide differences simultaneously.
 
What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
The research. I have a great mentor/advisor (Dr. Georgia Winters) who is extremely supportive and accommodating. I love being part of a lab that allows me to engage in research on the topics I am interested in, and am always motivated knowing that the work we are doing will make a positive impact.
 
If you were not in graduate school what would you do? 
I'd be an event planner - or a lawyer.
 
What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? 
I think a lot of people who apply for graduate school are very successful academically and might not be used to "failure." Be prepared that you may not get in everywhere you apply, and that's okay. It only takes one yes. Also, start getting your materials ready in advance so you aren't as overwhelmed when apps are due!
 
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?
Friends, New Girl, and The Office (minus Scott's Tots - too cringe). All of these are great distractions that aren't too serious - and they get funnier every time I re-watch. 
 
Is cereal soup?
No 
 
Explain your hot take about cereal. 
No. While milk is a wonderful component to a soup base, a pure milk base does not qualify as a soup. Also, a cold soup needs to be smooth and thick. Not runny and chunky.
 
Is water wet?
Yes
 
Explain your hot take about water. 
Water is what MAKES you wet; therefore, it must itself be wet.
 
What is a quote you like and who said it?
"You can't just give up! Is that what a dinosaur would do?" - Joey Tribbiani
 
If you could invite five people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would it be any why? 
Sigmund Freud and Aaron Beck. I'd love to see how that dynamic would play out. Also, throw in Elvis for some live entertainment and Betty White for some comic relief.
 
What’s the best Wi-Fi name you’ve seen? 
pretty fly for a WiFi
 
What is your favorite city and why? 
It seems that I really love Burlington(s) - there is one in Ontario, Canada (my hometown, which I miss), and another is in my favorite state (Vermont). Both are great for very different reasons!

What is your school, program, and year? 
Montclair State University, Second-Year in Clinical Psychology Ph.D.
 
Why psychology and the law? 
I'm interested in psychology and the law for several reasons. Above all, I feel strongly that the solution to reducing recidivism is a rehabilitative model, rather than a punitive one. It feels like an honor to help shed light on effective solutions that help individuals re-enter society pro-socially, in hopes of disrupting their cycle of justice-involvement.
 
What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
There are so many things to love! I feel endlessly supported by the staff and my cohort and find the courses to be structured in a way that really facilitates critical thinking.
 
If you were not in graduate school what would you do? 
This is a tough one, because for as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a clinical psychologist. However, if I had to deviate from the field entirely I could see myself as a veterinarian because I love animals!
 
What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? 
Have a good understanding of the existing literature, and gaps in literature, around your research interests - being able to demonstrate that you know the topic well will help translate your passion for the subject matter in your personal statement and during interviews!
 
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?
1) Scream (the original movie) - it is a classic! 2) Nathan for You (TV Show) - one of the only shows I've seen that makes me laugh out loud 3) The Walking Dead (TV Show) - It certainly took a dive after season 7ish but I enjoy the horror/thriller/drama genre
 
Is cereal soup?
No
 
Explain your hot take about cereal. 
In my mind, soup has to have vegetables and probably a water or broth base. Therefore, no.
 
Is water wet?
No
 
Explain your hot take about water. 
I don't think so because for something to be wet it needs the ability to be dry also, right? Water can't dry because then there will be no water, so I don't think it is wet. Would be open to changing my mind on this one if I heard a compelling argument.
 
What is a quote you like and who said it?
"Just because someone carries it well, doesn't mean it isn't heavy." - Christin Lewis
 
If you could invite five people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would it be any why? 
1) Aaron Beck - I mean, this one's obvious 2) Bill Hader.- let's add some comedy to the table, plus he just seems like an interesting guy 3) Ruth Bader Ginsberg - champion for women 4) Michael Solomonov - known for making incredible, simple food and I love his restaurants 5) Kali Uchis - favorite music artist and also she's iconic
 
What is your favorite city and why? 
Philadelphia for sure - I completed my undergraduate degree there (Drexel University) and fell in love with it. It gives clear city vibes but is small enough to also feel like a community. I still visit often and hope I circle back there later in life!

​What is your school, program, and year? 
UNT, Clinical Psychology Ph.D., Second year
 
Why psychology and the law? 
I have always been interested in the 'why' behind the behaviors of people. Coupled with a general interest in crime, and some amazing seminar experiences on forensic psychology as an undergrad and I discovered a love for this field. The more I learn about this field, and discover ways to enact activism, the more passionate I become.
 
What is your favorite thing about your current graduate program?
My graduate program led to meeting my best friends.
 
If you were not in graduate school what would you do? 
If I was not in grad school, I would like to be a baker!
 
What advice do you have for those applying to graduate school? 
I would just say make sure you apply to programs that fit well with your interests, and then really look at the schools to see which one fits your vibes best because you really have to live there for the next 4-5 years... and that is a long time.
 
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?
I am currently rewatching (for the millionth time) New Girl, Grey's Anatomy, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. These are three of my all-time favorite shows and I would rewatch them continuously.
 
Is cereal soup?
Yes
 
Explain your hot take about cereal. 
It has a bowl, it is eaten with a spoon, the base is a liquid, and there are an assortment of solid food ingredients that can be added in. Enough said.
 
Is water wet?
Yes
 
Explain your hot take about water. 
Hello? It is water, it is wet.
 
What is a quote you like and who said it?
"In my moments of doubt, I've told myself firmly: If not me, who? If not now, when?" - Emma Watson (I love her).
 
If you could invite five people (dead or alive) to a dinner party, who would it be any why? 
Emma Watson (I love her), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (duh), Inez Beverly Prosser (yes), Robert Hare (educational opportunity), and the Miami Choir Boys (legends). I feel like I really have to take this opportunity to meet the most iconic people in my life.
 
What’s the best Wi-Fi name you’ve seen? 
Depressionisnotafaze
 
What is your favorite city and why? 
Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas is probably the most beautiful place I have ever been, with some of the nicest people I have ever met, and the most delicious food. I would visit there again any day!