Student Experiences

Not all learning happens in the classroom. Whether you are looking to expand on your next great idea with the Start Something LAS Academy or study abroad through the many different locations around the world, there are many different ways you can add to your college experience. At Iowa State, you are surrounded by fellow students who share your interests and values both in and out of the classroom. Here are just a few of the great ways to experience Iowa State!

PsyClone Connect Learning Community

The PsyClone Connect Learning Community is dedicated to providing an excellent learning opportunity and a successful transition to college life for first-year students with an interest in psychology. Our goal is to provide an environment where you can make connections with peers and with department faculty. You will have opportunities to:

• Learn strategies to foster your personal development and academic success
• Learn about careers and explore special topics
• Earn credit toward your degree through a weekly one-hour seminar
• Take several general courses with your learning community members
• Meet current students who provide support as your peer mentors
• Feel the benefits of a small college experience, with the excitement of a major university

During our seminar, you’ll learn about “Psychology in Action.” Your learning community will explore one or more specific themes, such as the Psychology of Happiness and Well-being and A Bright Future for Every Child—Overcoming the Disadvantages of Poverty. This includes movie discussions, field trips and service learning in the community, creating a direct impact on those around you.

Psi Chi

Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology, was founded in 1929 with the purpose of encouraging academic excellence and advancement of psychology (www.psichi.org). Students interested in participating in Psi Chi must complete an application and meet certain academic requirements:

• be enrolled as a major or minor in a psychology program or a program psychological in nature
• have completed at least 3 semesters or equivalent of full-time college coursework
• have completed at least 9 semester credit hours or equivalent of psychology courses
• have earned a cumulative GPA that is in the top 35% of their class (sophomore, junior, or senior) compared to their classmates across the entire university or the college that houses psychology (minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale)
• have a minimum 3.0 GPA average for psychology courses

Through the international Psi Chi organization, students have access to over $400,000 in annual grants, awards and scholarships. Psi Chi also actively helps members identify and obtain psychology-related careers, gain invaluable one-on-one mentor relationships with professionals in all areas of psychology, and prepare students for graduate school and research participation.

Iowa State’s Psi Chi chapter holds graduate school informational talks each semester to help students learn more about and apply to their programs of interest. We also offer volunteer opportunities throughout the year to get students involved in the Iowa State and the surrounding communities.

• Official Iowa State Student Organization Listing

Psych Club

Eager to meet other psychology students and faculty in the department? Then you’ll definitely want to check out Psych Club. As a psychology major or minor, you are automatically a member of the Psych Club, but you must “activate” your membership by attending a meeting. Psych Club helps you connect with other students and faculty, and you’ll also have a chance to dive deep into psychology and learn what career path best suits you.

Psych Club meeting topics vary and include both social events and more formal sessions with speakers in psych-related fields. Meeting dates and times are announced in the Psych Undergrad Weekly Bulletin and on the Psych Club bulletin board near the Advising Office (1460 Lagomarcino).

• Official Iowa State Student Organization Listing

Find your people

Outside of the department, the College of Liberal Arts and Science (LAS) offers lots of fun activities to help grow your circle of friends. Get involved in the Start Something LAS Academy, where you gain the skills, knowledge, and networks to explore your entrepreneurial ideas. Or develop your leadership ambitions through LAS Student Ambassadors or LAS Pulse. No matter your interests, LAS has resources to support you.

Iowa State is home to many other different clubs and organizations on a variety of subjects available to complement your studies at Iowa State. Visit the ISU Student Organizations website to find something that interests you!