Undergraduate Superstar: Courtney Meyer, Lock Haven University

Interviewed by Kim Lowe, APSSC Undergraduate Advocate

APSSC: Where do you go to school and what is your area of study?

Courtney Meyer: I graduated from Lock Haven University of PA in December 2009 with my BS in Psychology.

APSSC: How did you become interested in psychology?

Courtney Meyer: I became interested in psychology from watching Law & Order Special Victims Unit (SVU) because I was fascinated by how psychologists could work with police, survivors, and perpetrators.

APSSC: What kind of project are you currently working on?

Courtney Meyer: I am currently working on submitting my most recent project, Rapist Development: An Investigation of Rapists Attitudes toward Women and Parental Style, for publication to an undergraduate journal.

APSSC: What is the next step in your academic career?

Courtney Meyer: Currently, I am waiting to hear back from graduate schools and I hope to be in a Forensics Psychology Masters program this fall, where I plan on continuing my research on rape.

APSSC: In your opinion, what is the most important thing about psychology?

Courtney Meyer: I think the most important thing about psychology is that it is eclectic. By that, I mean we are not constrained to one way of thinking like the other sciences. We have varied points of views from Psychoanalytical to Cognitive.

APSSC: How do you keep a balance between classes, research, jobs, and a social life?

Courtney Meyer: I am very organized and have time management down. I planned ahead by making sure I knew what tests and papers were coming up, and when I had participants coming in to do research, and more. When I felt the slightest bit overwhelmed, I re-evaluate my scheduled to see where cuts needed to be made. By planning ahead and not procrastinating, I was able to schedule fun things to do with my friends like movie nights. I would say the key to balancing everything is to not overwhelm yourself by taking on more than you can handle because then youll just be stressed out and miserable for the rest of the semester.

APSSC: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Courtney Meyer: I like to read books, not textbooks, actual books! I enjoy reading Nicholas Sparks, Patricia Cornwell, and anything on psychopaths or sex offenders.

APSSC: What is one thing about you others might not know?

Courtney Meyer: I am an aggressive driver which is funny because that is the opposite of my personality. I am a more reserved and soft spoken person. So, when I tell people that I am an aggressive driver, they usually do not believe me! But, yes, I do tend to yell at other drivers when they do not do what I want them to do.

APSSC: Do you have any advice for other students?

Courtney Meyer: I would advise students interested in graduate school to purchase Getting In: A Step by Step Plan for Gaining Admission to Graduate School in Psychology by APA. Honestly, it was my Bible for the past 2 years. It is helpful in organizing what you want in a graduate school program so that you can zero in on selecting the best programs for you. It was also a huge help in understanding the application process and how to survive it!