Augsburg College: Psychology Department

The Excellent Undergraduate

Early in your college career, decide to do more than just take classes in your major and make psychology your own! Do more than is expected. Get involved in your major in ways that demonstrate: investigative skills; social, leadership and persuasive skills; good work and study habits; initiative; commitment to psychology; and ethical and social responsibility.

These sorts of activities demonstrate your professional commitment to psychology and make it much easier for faculty members to write detailed letters of recommendation for graduate school or prospective employers. When writing letters, faculty are frequently asked whether students have the following attributes, characteristics, and background:

Investigative Skills

Wrote a clear literature review
Wrote the results of a research study clearly and concisely
Acted as a research assistant on a faculty project
Completed an original research project outside of a research methods class
Presented a paper at a conference
Published an article in a professional journal
Shows ability and interest in research methods and statistics

Social, Leadership, and Persuasive Skills

Appears good at helping people who are upset or troubled
Is sought by students or faculty for advice
Makes and keeps friends easily
Is convincing in discussion or debate
Is a good group discussion leader
Generates creative ideas in class discussions
Recasts old problems in original ways
Has good social skills

Initiative

Does more than expected in assignments or in research projects
Seeks out faculty or students to discuss psychological issues outside of the classroom
Suggests class-related or research-related improvements
Seeks out and reads psychological literature beyond coursework requirements
Subscribes to a professional journal in the field

Work and Study Habits

Always completes class assignments or papers on time
Has good time management skills
Submits work that is technically correct (e.g., proofreading, spelling, grammar, computing)
Submits neatly prepared written reports
Tries to solve problems independently before seeking advice
Requires an appropriate amount of direction from faculty
Writes clearly
Sets high and realistic goals and standards for self and others

Commitment to Psychology

Attended a regional psychology convention as an undergraduate
Attended an undergraduate psychology conference
Gave a presentation at an undergraduate psychology conference
Participated in human service activities beyond those required by the departmental internship
Chose summer or other paid work that relates to psychology
Is a student member of APA, APS, or divisional/state professional organization
Is an active member of Psychology Club and/or Psi Chi

Ethics and Social Responsibility

Appears to have a well-defined sense of ethics
Is concerned about the welfare of others
Has no known history of unethical, illegal, or inappropriate behavior patterns

Personal Attributes

Accepts criticism well; uses criticism as a basis for improvement
Shows grace under pressure
Is adaptable when encountering novel or unexpected situations
Views assignments as challenges/opportunities rather than as obstacles or hurdles
Sees the big picture; avoids egocentrism
Has an appropriate sense of her/his own place in the larger scheme of things
Takes responsibility for her/his own actions

Psychology Students
Psychology Home	Students	Department Information	Faculty	Resources
The Excellent Undergraduate Early in your college career, decide to do more than just take classes in your major and make psychology your own! Do more than is expected. Get involved in your major in ways that demonstrate: investigative skills; social, leadership and persuasive skills; good work and study habits; initiative; commitment to psychology; and ethical and social responsibility. These sorts of activities demonstrate your professional commitment to psychology and make it much easier for faculty members to write detailed letters of recommendation for graduate school or prospective employers. When writing letters, faculty are frequently asked whether students have the following attributes, characteristics, and background: Investigative Skills Wrote a clear literature review Wrote the results of a research study clearly and concisely Acted as a research assistant on a faculty project Completed an original research project outside of a research methods class Presented a paper at a conference Published an article in a professional journal Shows ability and interest in research methods and statistics Social, Leadership, and Persuasive Skills Appears good at helping people who are upset or troubled Is sought by students or faculty for advice Makes and keeps friends easily Is convincing in discussion or debate Is a good group discussion leader Generates creative ideas in class discussions Recasts old problems in original ways Has good social skills Initiative Does more than expected in assignments or in research projects Seeks out faculty or students to discuss psychological issues outside of the classroom Suggests class-related or research-related improvements Seeks out and reads psychological literature beyond coursework requirements Subscribes to a professional journal in the field Work and Study Habits Always completes class assignments or papers on time Has good time management skills Submits work that is technically correct (e.g., proofreading, spelling, grammar, computing) Submits neatly prepared written reports Tries to solve problems independently before seeking advice Requires an appropriate amount of direction from faculty Writes clearly Sets high and realistic goals and standards for self and others Commitment to Psychology Attended a regional psychology convention as an undergraduate Attended an undergraduate psychology conference Gave a presentation at an undergraduate psychology conference Participated in human service activities beyond those required by the departmental internship Chose summer or other paid work that relates to psychology Is a student member of APA, APS, or divisional/state professional organization Is an active member of Psychology Club and/or Psi Chi Ethics and Social Responsibility Appears to have a well-defined sense of ethics Is concerned about the welfare of others Has no known history of unethical, illegal, or inappropriate behavior patterns Personal Attributes Accepts criticism well; uses criticism as a basis for improvement Shows grace under pressure Is adaptable when encountering novel or unexpected situations Views assignments as challenges/opportunities rather than as obstacles or hurdles Sees the big picture; avoids egocentrism Has an appropriate sense of her/his own place in the larger scheme of things Takes responsibility for her/his own actions