PRIDE is a full-time 7-week (Maymester through the end of Summer Session I) mentored summer research experience to psychology majors from underrepresented groups in science.

Underrepresented groups in science are:

• Blacks or African Americans
• Hispanics or Latinos of any race
• American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians

Students will spend spend 20-25 hours per week in their matched research lab gaining hands-on research experience in psychology. In addition, students join a weekly professional development series designed to help them prepare for graduate school application. At the end of the program, participants showcase their original research project at a symposium.

Outside of gaining first-hand research experience, housing with fellow PRIDE participants and social outings with mentors provide a supportive community. Room and board for the duration of will be provided as needed.

PRIDE participants are matched with a faculty and graduate-student mentor in: Clinical Psychology, Cognition Brain and Behavior Psychology, Social Psychology, School Psychology, or Neuroscience. To view a list of faculty members in the department of Psychology, as well as their research interests, please visit https://thecollege.syr.edu/psychology/psychology-people/

Summer research programs have been shown to facilitate undergraduate students’ pursuit of scientific careers and to increase the actual pipeline of students pursuing graduate opportunities in science (Hunter, et al 2007; Lopatto, 2007; Pender, et al., 2010). With the goal of broadening the participation in the sciences, especially for students from underrepresented groups, the Department of Psychology created the PRIDE program.

The first PRIDE cohort participated in the summer of 2008. In total, 25 undergraduate students have participated so far. Of the 16 who have graduated from SU, 12 participants went to graduate school (such as PhD programs in clinical psychology and neuroscience and Master’s program in social work).

Those interested in participating in PRIDE must meet the following requirements:

• Psychology major (including Psychology/Neuroscience ILM majors)
• Member of one of three underrepresented groups in science as defined by The National Science Foundation:
  • Blacks or African Americans
  • Hispanics or Latinos of any race
  • American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians
• Have an interest in pursuing a science-related career and attending graduate school
• Sophomore or junior current class standing preferred
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred

This summer, the PRIDE 2023 program will be hosted from the start of the Maymester to the end of Summer Session 1 (May 15, 2023, through June 30, 2023). Applications for the 2023 PRIDE cohort will open on March 10, 2023, and close at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 2023. Please click on the below link to complete and submit your application.

PRIDE 2023 Application

Students invited to interview will be contacted by April 10, 2023. All notifications of application decisions will be sent on April 21, 2023. If you have any questions, please email psychology@syr.edu

• Q: Do I need a letter of recommendation to apply for PRIDE?
  A: No. However, you must include a psychology professor as a reference on your application.
• Q: What if I do not know a psychology professor?
  A: That's okay! You can indicate any professor or professional who is willing to be a reference on your behalf.
• Q: I'm not really interested in pursuing a career in psychology. Can I still apply for PRIDE?
  A: Yes. Previous participants in PRIDE have been accepted to graduate schools in diverse disciplines such as: neuroscience, social work, medical school, physician assistant programs, etc.
• Q: I'm interested in applying for PRIDE but I'm graduating in May. Can I still participate?
  A: No. The PRIDE program is for current students only.
• Q: Can I make a presentation or publish a paper?
  A: Yes. All participants give an oral presentation about their independent research as part of our program. After PRIDE, many students will go on to present a poster at a national conference or our annual Poster Session. Past participants have published a research paper with their faculty mentor.
• Q: I'm not a member of an underrepresented group in science. Can I still participate?
  A: At this time the PRIDE program is only available to those who are considered underrepresented in science: Blacks or African American, Hispanics or Latinos of any race, American Indians/Alaska Natives/Native Hawaiians.
• Q: I do not have housing for the summer. What do I do?
  A: Room and board for the PRIDE program are provided as needed. You can let us know your housing needs in the online PRIDE application. Note that your housing needs will not affect the decision regarding your being selected for the PRIDE program