About Us: As an extension of the AACN Relevance 2050’s Initiatives, the Student Pathways Subcommittee (SPS) aims to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students into neuropsychology. In line with our mission, we hope to provide the necessary resources and support to assist undergraduate students and postbaccalaureates from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds* in entering the field of neuropsychology. Accordingly, we are excited to announce that, in collaboration with New2Neuropsychology (N2N), we are providing our third year of Graduate School Application Scholarships for individuals applying to doctoral programs with a focus in neuropsychology.
*SPS and N2N conceptualize diversity broadly, including but not limited to individuals from varying races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ages/generations, social/economic classes, disabilities, religious or ethical value systems, and national origins.
What: To help offset the costs of graduate school applications, we are awarding up to forty $550 scholarships to undergraduate students and post-baccalaureates from underrepresented backgrounds who will be applying to clinical and counseling psychology doctoral programs, plan on pursuing neuropsychology as a specialty, and demonstrate financial need. Please note, individuals who have previously been awarded this scholarship are not eligible to receive this scholarship again. International students are eligible to apply. Please also note that you will be asked to submit a list of your prospective programs when submitting your application.
Please note that we will distribute funds via PayPal. Some exceptions can be made under special circumstances (e.g., international students in countries where PayPal isn’t supported, individuals without bank accounts).
How to apply:
- Please complete the following submission form. We will be accepting submissions starting on 09/01/24. The final submission due date will be 10/01/24 at 11:59 PM PT. Scholarship recipients will be notified by email by 10/28/24.
- At the end of the submission form, you will be prompted to upload an essay (500 word limit), in response to the following prompt:
- Please discuss how diversity has impacted your life and how you plan to use your degree in clinical psychology with neuropsychology focus to make a difference in today’s multicultural world. Please also briefly describe your financial need for this scholarship and how you will benefit from this scholarship.
- Click here to view an example of a previous awardee’s essay for reference.
SPS will be reviewing each statement submitted based on pre-established criteria outlined below:
| Indicators | Exceptional or Clearly Addressed (3) | Adequate or Addressed Somewhat Cleary (2) | Fair or Addressed but Unclear (1) | Poor or Not Addressed (0) | Raw Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
A: Knowledge and Awareness |
Uses sensitive language, demonstrates comfort when describing diversity-related issues |
Mostly uses sensitive language, demonstrates some comfort when describing diversity-related issues |
Some attempts at using sensitive language, awkwardness/discomfort when discussing diversity-related issues |
Does not use sensitive language, relies on cliches and platitudes, overly general statements, etc. |
|
|
Aspects of diversity (e.g., race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability status, immigration status, first-generation) |
Identifies and discusses many intersectional aspects of diversity |
Identifies and discusses some intersectional aspects of diversity |
Identifies and discusses only the most commonly regarded aspects of diversity (e.g., race, gender) with no considerations for intersectionality |
Identifies and discusses only one aspect of diversity |
|
|
Importance of inclusion |
Discusses inclusion as an active process; recognizes barriers that individuals and groups face |
Discussing inclusion somewhat passively; recognizes some barriers that individuals and groups face |
Distinguishes inclusion from diversity but does not elaborate much or recognize barriers that individuals and groups face |
Does not distinguish inclusion from diversity |
|
|
Consequences of inequality |
Discusses challenges created by inequality in terms of resources, access, and opportunities |
Discusses a few challenges created by inequality in terms of resources, access, or opportunity |
Mentions inequality as a source of challenges, but does not elaborate much |
Does not discuss inequality or associated challenges or does so poorly |
|
|
Consequences of underrepresentation |
Discusses (under)representation and the role it plays in inclusion and creating an atmosphere of belonging |
Discusses (under)representation and some general consequences |
Mentions (under)representation with little discussion of consequences |
Does not discuss under(representation) or does so poorly |
|
|
B: Experience and Activities |
Activities span areas of involvement (e.g., community service and academic service) and show consistent track record appropriate for career stage |
Activities span areas of involvement (e.g., community service and academic service) but are inconsistent, intermittent, or are disproportionately infrequent for career stage |
Activities are within one area and are inconsistent, intermittent, or are disproportionately infrequent for career stage |
Does not describe experience/activities related to diversity and inclusion |
|
|
With students/student programs |
Describes multiple instances of involvement with diversity/inclusion groups, programs, etc. Activities are described in depth |
Describes multiple instances of involvement with diversity/inclusion groups, programs, etc., but little detail provided |
Describes a single instance of involvement with diversity/inclusion groups, programs, etc. |
Does not describe any instances of involvement with diversity/inclusion groups, programs, etc. or does so poorly |
|
|
Mentorship, research activities, etc. |
Demonstrates attention to diversity/inclusion in research and mentoring activities |
Demonstrating some attention to diversity/inclusion in research and mentoring activities |
Vague mention(s) of diversity/inclusion in relation to mentorship, research activities, etc. |
Does not mention
diversity/ inclusion in
relation to mentorship,
research activities, etc. or does so poorly
|
|
|
C: Plans |
Plans are contextualized within the goals and challenges of the field of neuropsychology AND society more generally |
Plans are contextualized within the goals and challenges of the field of neuropsychology OR society more generally |
Plans described without reference to the goals and challenges of the field of neuropsychology or society more generally |
Does not describe plans for future activities related to diversity and inclusion |
|
|
Involvement with or creation of programs, initiatives, etc. that advance equity within the field of neuropsychology |
Describes specific activities/programs and plans to get involved; identifies specific ways to advance equity within the field of neuropsychology |
Describes plans to get involved; identifies specific ways to advance equity that may not specifically impact the field of neuropsychology |
Mentions interest in getting involved with activities/programs that advance equity in the field of neuropsychology but doesn’t describe anything specifically |
Does not describe planned involvement with any activities/programs that advance equity within the field of neuropsychology or does so poorly |
|
|
Involvement with or creation of programs, initiatives, etc. that advance equity in society more generally |
Describes detailed plans to advance diversity and inclusion goals beyond the field of neuropsychology through community outreach and related programs |
Describes general plans to advance diversity and inclusion goals beyond the field of neuropsychology through community outreach activities and related programs |
Mentions interest in advancing diversity and inclusion goals beyond the field of neuropsychology through community outreach and related programs |
Does not mention plans to advance diversity and inclusion goals beyond the field of neuropsychology or does so poorly |
|
Total Score: ________________
** Adapted from the University of Nebraska Diversity and Inclusion Statement Evaluation Criteria
Thank you, and we look forward to reviewing your applications!
This form closed at 11:59 PM PT on October 1, 2024.