5 answers
Genesis
Student
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College Applications/Schools List Deciding Career?
Hello I am a rising senior; I am wondering if anybody could give me advice on college applications. I live in Florida and I feel like staying in state would be a reasonable choice especially since it is expensive to go out of state. I want to major in Psychology and become a licensed psychologist. I am almost done completing my associate degree in high school. It would allow less money to pay for college. But I heard by my family that I should at least reach for some big schools out of state but I am unsure whether too. I have a couple listed but wondering if I should not apply for them. I will be applying for all universities in Florida and right now I have UT Austin, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee, Texas A&M, UT Dallas (I choose to put 3 schools in Texas since I really liked the atmosphere and the city there when I visited family). If anybody was in my position during college application season or decided to stay in state in Florida instead. What advice/guidance would you give? Also it would be really helpful if anybody majored in psychology and had any experiences of choosing a school in Florida that helped flourish their career.
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5 answers
Emily Proano
Medical assistant
44
Answers
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Updated
Emily’s Answer
If I were in your position, I would absolutely take advantage of earning your associate degree in high school and the lower cost of attending a Florida public university. Since becoming a licensed psychologist requires graduate school, saving money during your bachelor’s degree can make a huge difference later. For psychology, the specific school name is usually much less important than maintaining a strong GPA, getting involved in research, finding internships, and building relationships with professors who can write strong letters of recommendation. That said, there’s nothing wrong with applying to a few out-of-state schools if you genuinely like them or think you could receive scholarships. I just wouldn’t feel pressured to attend one simply because it’s farther from home or has a bigger name. Florida has several excellent universities with strong psychology programs, and many students go on from those schools to competitive graduate programs. My advice would be to apply broadly, compare your financial aid offers, and choose the school where you’ll have the best balance of affordability, research opportunities, and overall fit. Your future success as a psychologist will depend much more on what you do during college than on whether you stayed in state or went out of state.
Hassan Al
Product Management Professional
442
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Hassan’s Answer
I'd research how much a particular undergrad school will affect your end career goals. Will it affect where you can get a PhD, job, or salary? You should assume that out of state will cost an extra $30,000 a year and so you'll want to decide if that's worth it. Another variable is the what specific programs & research schools offer. This may matter when you apply to a PhD program.
https://www.socialpsychology.org/gunder.htm and https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings have school rankings that may inform your choice.
https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide offers specific insights on becoming a psychologist.
https://www.socialpsychology.org/gunder.htm and https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/psychology-rankings have school rankings that may inform your choice.
https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide offers specific insights on becoming a psychologist.
ANTHONY SYLVESTER
School counselor
30
Answers
Onitsha, Anambra, Nigeria
Updated
ANTHONY’s Answer
Pursuing a career in psychology is a long term commitment, so your primary goal should be choosing a university where you can thrive academically, graduate with manageable debt, and gain meaningful research and clinical experiences.
Since you're already earning an associate degree in high school, you're in a strong position. Staying in Florida is a very practical choice because you'll likely benefit from lower tuition, transfer credits, and reduced living expenses. Those financial advantages can make it much easier to afford graduate school later, which is essential because becoming a licensed psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and supervised clinical training.
That said, there's nothing wrong with applying to a few out-of-state universities if they genuinely interest you. Treat them as "reach" or "exploration" schools, especially if they offer generous scholarships, strong psychology departments, undergraduate research opportunities, or honors programs. Don't choose an out-of-state school solely because it's prestigious ,choose it because it offers clear academic, financial, or career advantages.
When comparing schools, focus on:
Cost after scholarships and financial aid ,not just the sticker price.
Opportunities for undergraduate research, since this is highly valued for graduate school admissions.
Access to internships, volunteer experiences, and faculty mentorship.
Graduation rates, student support services, and career outcomes.
Remember, for psychology, what you accomplish during college often matters more than the name of the institution. A student who earns excellent grades, participates in research, builds strong relationships with professors, and gains relevant experience at a Florida university can be just as competitive for top graduate programs as someone from a more prestigious out-of-state school.
My recommendation is to apply broadly: include several Florida universities as your likely and affordable options, a few out-of-state schools that truly excite you, and then compare admission offers and financial aid before making a final decision. This gives you the widest range of opportunities without committing to unnecessary debt.
You're already thinking strategically by considering both cost and career goals. Continue focusing on finding the best fit rather than simply the biggest name, and you'll be well positioned for success in psychology.
Since you're already earning an associate degree in high school, you're in a strong position. Staying in Florida is a very practical choice because you'll likely benefit from lower tuition, transfer credits, and reduced living expenses. Those financial advantages can make it much easier to afford graduate school later, which is essential because becoming a licensed psychologist typically requires a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) and supervised clinical training.
That said, there's nothing wrong with applying to a few out-of-state universities if they genuinely interest you. Treat them as "reach" or "exploration" schools, especially if they offer generous scholarships, strong psychology departments, undergraduate research opportunities, or honors programs. Don't choose an out-of-state school solely because it's prestigious ,choose it because it offers clear academic, financial, or career advantages.
When comparing schools, focus on:
Cost after scholarships and financial aid ,not just the sticker price.
Opportunities for undergraduate research, since this is highly valued for graduate school admissions.
Access to internships, volunteer experiences, and faculty mentorship.
Graduation rates, student support services, and career outcomes.
Remember, for psychology, what you accomplish during college often matters more than the name of the institution. A student who earns excellent grades, participates in research, builds strong relationships with professors, and gains relevant experience at a Florida university can be just as competitive for top graduate programs as someone from a more prestigious out-of-state school.
My recommendation is to apply broadly: include several Florida universities as your likely and affordable options, a few out-of-state schools that truly excite you, and then compare admission offers and financial aid before making a final decision. This gives you the widest range of opportunities without committing to unnecessary debt.
You're already thinking strategically by considering both cost and career goals. Continue focusing on finding the best fit rather than simply the biggest name, and you'll be well positioned for success in psychology.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1416
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Genesis,
I actually think you're in a very strong position. Earning your associate degree while still in high school can save you a significant amount of time and money, which is a huge advantage, especially if your goal is to become a licensed psychologist.
If you're planning to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, remember that graduate school is where you'll receive your specialized training. Because of that, it often makes financial sense to keep undergraduate costs as low as possible. Graduating with less debt can give you much more flexibility later when you're applying to graduate programs.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply to a few out-of-state schools. If there are universities you genuinely like, such as those in Texas, there's no harm in applying. You may receive scholarships or financial aid that make them more affordable than you expect. Just be sure to compare the total cost, not just the tuition.
When choosing a psychology program, I'd look beyond the school's name. Ask questions like: Are there opportunities for undergraduate research? Can students work in psychology labs? Are there professors whose research interests match yours? Is it easy to find volunteer or internship opportunities in hospitals, schools, or mental health settings? Those experiences will strengthen your graduate school applications.
Florida also has several good universities with strong psychology programs, so staying in state is a very reasonable choice. If you can receive a quality education, gain research experience, and graduate with less debt, that's a smart investment in your future.
You're already planning ahead by thinking about graduate school now, and that's a real advantage. Apply to a mix of schools that excite you, compare your options carefully, and choose the one that gives you the best combination of academic opportunities, affordability, and personal fit.
Best wishes!
I actually think you're in a very strong position. Earning your associate degree while still in high school can save you a significant amount of time and money, which is a huge advantage, especially if your goal is to become a licensed psychologist.
If you're planning to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, remember that graduate school is where you'll receive your specialized training. Because of that, it often makes financial sense to keep undergraduate costs as low as possible. Graduating with less debt can give you much more flexibility later when you're applying to graduate programs.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't apply to a few out-of-state schools. If there are universities you genuinely like, such as those in Texas, there's no harm in applying. You may receive scholarships or financial aid that make them more affordable than you expect. Just be sure to compare the total cost, not just the tuition.
When choosing a psychology program, I'd look beyond the school's name. Ask questions like: Are there opportunities for undergraduate research? Can students work in psychology labs? Are there professors whose research interests match yours? Is it easy to find volunteer or internship opportunities in hospitals, schools, or mental health settings? Those experiences will strengthen your graduate school applications.
Florida also has several good universities with strong psychology programs, so staying in state is a very reasonable choice. If you can receive a quality education, gain research experience, and graduate with less debt, that's a smart investment in your future.
You're already planning ahead by thinking about graduate school now, and that's a real advantage. Apply to a mix of schools that excite you, compare your options carefully, and choose the one that gives you the best combination of academic opportunities, affordability, and personal fit.
Best wishes!
Wendy Glavin
Marketing, AI, Writing, Networking, Agencies, Entrepreneurship, Public Relations, AI, Jobs, Careers
16
Answers
East Hampton, New York
Updated
Wendy’s Answer
I have three grown sons and understand the college admissions process. It's tough to answer your question without knowing your GPA, seeing your Common App, and knowing your school activities, like whether you play sports, music, or do art, among others. Without the entire picture, it doesn't hurt to apply to as many schools as you choose. We found it helpful to visit these schools. Ask yourself, what makes you stand out from other applicants?
Also consider what the schools are known for. Do they have classes you can take in your major that are of interest to you? Two books I'd suggest reading are "Best 391 Colleges," where students rate everything from campus food, student body, teachers, etc., and "The Insider's Guide to the Colleges," by Yale; both will help you get answers.
Best of luck!
Also consider what the schools are known for. Do they have classes you can take in your major that are of interest to you? Two books I'd suggest reading are "Best 391 Colleges," where students rate everything from campus food, student body, teachers, etc., and "The Insider's Guide to the Colleges," by Yale; both will help you get answers.
Best of luck!