Getting Involved - A Transfer Student’s Perspective

By: Jennifer Kelley

In the Spring of 2006, I transferred from Oakland Community College.  I attended Oakland University’s transfer orientation, met with a CAS advisor, and then planned my courses according to O.U.’s catalog.  I was flying through my classes, performing degree evaluations after every semester, and was thrilled to be all set for graduation in May 2009.  

This past winter, I made the decision to pursue a PhD in Psychology.   I started to plan where I would apply for graduate school and came across a workshop that PSI CHI sponsors, “How to Get Into Grad School”.  As I strolled into the workshop, I was very confident I had all I needed to get into a good graduate school: an excellent GPA, upcoming bachelor’s degree, and plans to take the GRE in the summer.  After all, I did what the CAS advisor told me to do. I followed the degree requirements, didn’t I?

Three hours later, I was in tears!  I had no clue about the “hidden curriculum” that was presented in the workshop. What is this “hidden curriculum” and if you need it to get into a good graduate school, why is it hidden?!  Why didn’t my CAS advisor tell me this?  Why doesn’t the course catalog have a section about “hidden curriculum?”

I am ready to graduate with a degree in psychology, but I am nowhere near where I need to be to get into a decent graduate school.  What I did wrong was to ignore the announcements in my psychology classes about PSI CHI workshops such as “Starting Off Right” and “Careers in Psychology”, thinking that I didn’t need those workshops, because I already had a plan. Now I am paying the price, literally!  I am paying extra tuition for additional semesters to get the “hidden curriculum” that was available to me on day one, if I would have opened my eyes.

There are posters plastered all over Pryale Hall and professors more than willing to discuss research opportunities, assistant teaching positions, letters of recommendation, internships, and 400-level courses, that make up the “hidden curriculum”. For students who do not plan to attend graduate school, the workshops offer information and options that will help you decide on your career path.  You may even discover new opportunities that you didn’t even know existed.

If I could give you one piece of advice for your college career it would be, GET INVOLVED!  Go to the workshops, talk to your professors, see the psychology chief advisor, hang around Pryale Hall, talk to students, and join or volunteer for PSI CHI.