Undergraduate students: Have you considered joining APAGS, the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students? If not, you might want to consider the top four ways that APAGS supports you. 

1. Undergraduate students who upgrade to APAGS status get a jump on their professional identity. As a member of the world’s largest association of graduate students in psychology, you will have clout to shape the future of the field, representation in political and educational arenas and access to cutting-edge science, practice and public interest news. This year, APAGS will be providing future and current graduate students with tools to understand student debt and evaluate program outcomes. 

2. APAGS understands that being a student is a costly endeavor, so we provide access to funding and savings. You will have the ability to apply for grants and awards (including the extremely popular APAGS/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship for new and rising graduate students) and get reduced or free registration at our annual convention and discounts on student liability insurance, car rentals, hotels, shipping and membership in various APA divisions. 

3. Upgrade your membership to APAGS and you’ll begin receiving gradPSYCH, the quarterly magazine for students. Published four times per year, this glossy magazine provides tremendous insight into the world of graduate school in psychology and offers crucial advice for all stages of your student career. 

4. Finally, APAGS offers members a plethora of professional development opportunities. Members serve on task forces, run for official positions, access the PsycCareers database and practitioner portals, converse on electronic mailing lists and participate in APA convention programs. Every semester, APAGS offers webinars, virtual happy hours and mentoring programs for students of diverse backgrounds and training perspectives. 

We need your unique voice on matters concerning the development and experience of students. Head over to the APAGS website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter feed to join in the conversation. Also, consider upgrading your membership from undergraduate student affiliate to APAGS member for $21 extra per year. You might just find the community you’re looking for.

About the author

Eddy Ameen is the assistant director of APAGS. Prior to joining the staff in 2011, he served as director of an outreach program for homeless youth. Originally from Rhode Island, he earned his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Miami.