Graduate Profile
Yanna Lapis
Name |
Yanna Lapis |
Age |
22 |
Hometown |
San Jose, Calif. |
Major |
Psychology |
Minor |
Cognitive Science |
Degree |
Bachelor of Arts |
Clubs/Affiliations at UC Merced
Hillel, UCM Psychology Society
What were your expectations of college life before UC Merced?
I didn’t really have an idea of what to expect. I assumed there would be classes filled with students, and I would be swamped with tons of work.
How did your experience here correspond to that expectation?
Classes were smaller than I imagined. I wasn’t necessarily overloaded with a ton of work, but it was at a level different than I was used to. I got the hang of it pretty fast.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I have been accepted into a five-year Ph.D. program for clinical psychology at Pacific Graduate School of Psychology. However, I’m hoping to hear from other schools and programs that I applied to.
How did your experience at UC Merced prepare you for your future endeavors?
I learned how to achieve the goals I set for myself. I was able to work in a lab here and at another university, which provided valuable experience that helped me gain admission into my Ph. D. program. Outside of the classroom, I learned how to connect and network with others.
What is your best UC Merced memory?
The one that stands out most in my mind: Walking up the hill and across the bridge and sitting under a large tent with the hundreds of other students on our first day. I remember listening to the speeches and thinking, “Well, here we go!”
What is the one thing you think all freshmen should know to make the most of their academic career here?
Get to know the professors well. It helps in the long run. Take advantage of labs and other hands-on opportunities. You will see how much that helps you in the future. Don’t think that you can just slide through classes by missing half of them; that catches up to you!
April 17, 2009
