Top Psychology Colleges

Psychology is not a common course offered at most high schools today, but increasing numbers are beginning to offer AP Psychology classes and other relevant courses that students can take even before deciding on a prospective college. Beyond science and math courses, taking history, philosophy, writing, religion and language can also be beneficial. By getting started early, you can put yourself on the road to success because most colleges with strong psychology offerings are extremely competitive.

What do you need to make it in a Psychology program?

The first thing to do once accepted is to sit down with your academic advisor and develop a four-year plan covering all of the general coursework, psychology and elective courses that you will need to graduate. While you may find you want to take on different courses or expand outside the initial plan, developing a plan is still instrumental to help you become a psychologist.

As you learn more about psychology, you may find that your interests shift towards a particular specialty (such as developmental, cognitive or biological psychology). If you find that a particular area appeals to you, consider adjusting your course plan to include more classes in this subject area. Remember to focus on your studies and do well on exams as GPA is important to getting into graduate school.

Your Psychology Major College Checklist:

• Maintain a high GPA. Psychology graduate schools can be very competitive and having good grades, especially in your core psychology classes, is essential.
• Seek out research opportunities with on-campus organizations or professors.
• Sign up to be a teaching or research assistant. You can gain valuable experience and build your transcript by working with highly-qualified professors and doctors.
• Start researching graduate programs as early as your freshman year if you wish to pursue further education. By understanding the requirements of the graduate school you wish to attend, you can make the most of your time at school.
• Develop good relationships with your instructors. Earning great recommendation letters is key to moving on to the next level of education.

The Top Psychology Colleges & Universities

Psychology is a competitive field and finding the right college and program is often key to landing a good job. Schools that are held in particularly high regard by professionals, employers and students include the following institutions:

• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Clark University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Connecticut College
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Grinnell College
• Northwestern University
• Pomona College
• Rice University
• Skidmore College
• St. Olaf College
• Scripps College
• Southwestern University
• Tufts University
• Vassar College
• University of Rochester
• University of Wisconsin - Madison
• Wellesley College
• Williams College
• Yale University

For a complete list of College Transitions Top Psychology Colleges and Universities, click here.

*College lists are compiled on the basis of counselor interviews, guide books, exhaustive internet searches (of college and departmental websites), and data provided by The College Board and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).