This FAQ is intended to help applicants understand the expectations, responsibilities, time commitments, and application requirements associated with APAGS leadership positions before applying. It is designed to complement the official application materials and help candidates make an informed decision about whether they can fully engage in the role.
Before submitting an application, candidates are encouraged to consider whether they can:
Readiness Question | Applicant Reflection |
Can I commit to the full term of service? |
|
Can I attend meetings during East Coast business hours? |
|
Can I respond to emails and communications consistently? |
|
Can I complete projects and action items between meetings? |
|
Do my goals align with APAGS priorities and/or APA strategic goals? |
|
Am I prepared to represent APAGS and APA professionally? |
|
Why should I consider serving in an APAGS leadership position?
Serving in an APAGS leadership role provides an opportunity to advocate for psychology graduate students, contribute to APA and APAGS initiatives, develop leadership skills, collaborate with student leaders and APA staff, and help shape programs, resources, and policies that affect graduate education and training.
What types of positions are available?
APAGS leadership opportunities may include chair-elect, members-at-large, subcommittee chairs, subcommittee vice chairs, and subcommittee members. Each role has distinct responsibilities, time commitments, and expectations. Applicants should review the position descriptions carefully before applying.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements listed on the APAGS application website, including maintaining APAGS membership, being enrolled in a qualifying graduate program, and having at least one year remaining in their academic program at the time of applying. Chair-elect applicants must be enrolled in a doctoral psychology program; other positions are open to eligible master's and doctoral students.
Do I need previous APAGS leadership experience?
No. APAGS welcomes applicants from a wide range of training backgrounds, career interests, specialties, and levels of leadership experience. Commitment, initiative, collaboration skills, responsiveness, and alignment with APAGS priorities are often as important as prior APAGS service.
Does APAGS encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives?
Yes. APAGS welcomes applicants across training stages, degree levels, psychology specialties, backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Applicants are encouraged to describe how their experiences, perspectives, and goals would contribute to APAGS and its work on behalf of psychology graduate students.
How much time should I expect to commit?
The time commitment varies by role, committee priorities, and time of year. Applicants should expect regular virtual meetings (i.e., monthly), preparation for meetings, review of materials, project work, timely email communication, and completion of action items between meetings. Some months may require more time than others because of elections, convention activities, advocacy initiatives, deadlines, or special projects.
Is the commitment mostly to attend monthly meetings?
No. Meetings are only one part of the role. Much of the work occurs between meetings through email communication, project planning, reviewing materials, commenting on APA documents, serving as a liaison to other APA boards and committees on behalf of APAGS (this commitment varies based on group assignment), completing assigned tasks, collaborating with other leaders, and working with APA staff.
How often do committees meet?
Most APAGS committees and subcommittees meet virtually regularly, often monthly. Additional meetings, workgroups, or planning sessions may be scheduled when projects or deadlines require more focused attention.
When are meetings held?
Most meetings occur during normal east coast business hours, approximately 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, because APA headquarters and staff support are based in Washington, D.C. Applicants should carefully consider whether they can regularly participate during these hours.
Is meeting attendance important?
Yes. APAGS relies on active participation from its leaders. Consistent attendance, preparation, engagement, and follow-through are important to effective service and continuity of committee work.
How much email communication should I expect?
Communication volume varies throughout the year. Members should expect regular email correspondence and should be prepared to review messages, respond when needed, and follow through on assigned responsibilities in a timely manner.
Are there busier periods during the year?
Yes. Workload may increase around elections, appointments, convention planning, advocacy initiatives, program development, deadlines, or major committee projects. Candidates should be prepared for a role with fluctuating demands rather than a fixed monthly workload.
Can I serve if I have a busy graduate program?
Many APAGS leaders balance leadership service with coursework, research, clinical training, assistantships, internships, employment, and personal responsibilities. However, applicants should realistically assess their capacity to remain engaged throughout the full term before applying.
How can I learn more about a position before applying?
Applicants are encouraged to review the position descriptions, APAGS Strategic Priorities, APA Strategic Plan, and application requirements. When possible, applicants may also benefit from speaking with current or former APAGS leaders or attending APAGS events or informational sessions.
What are APAGS members-at-Large responsible for?
Members-at-large help advance APAGS priorities and APA strategic goals through projects, advocacy, programming, and serve as a member of the APAGS elections committee. Applicants are encouraged to propose creative ideas that align with APAGS priorities and APA strategic goals.
Do members-at-large receive a specific project after being elected?
Not necessarily. members-at-large may contribute to multiple initiatives during their term. Responsibilities may evolve based on organizational needs, committee priorities, and the interests and expertise of the elected members.
Do members-at-large participate in elections-related work?
Yes. Once elected, members-at-large serve on the following year's APAGS Elections Committee. This includes supporting election awareness, education, and appointment processes for APAGS and select APA positions.
What is expected of subcommittee chairs, vice chairs, and members?
Subcommittee leaders and members contribute knowledge, experience, and project support within a specific substantive area. Applicants should demonstrate relevant interest, expertise, or experience related to the subcommittee to which they are applying. For specific duties and past activities associated with each subcommittee, please see each subcommittee’s webpage:
What helps people succeed in APAGS leadership roles?
Successful leaders are proactive, organized, dependable, responsive, collaborative, respectful of diverse perspectives, and willing to take ownership of projects while following through on commitments.
Can I apply for more than one APAGS position?
Applicants may apply for only one APAGS position during a given application cycle. However, applicants may indicate whether they are interested in being considered for other positions. Subcommittee member applicants may indicate interest in other subcommittee roles in their candidate statement if permitted by the application instructions.
Can I serve in more than one APAGS leadership role at the same time?
No. Individuals may only serve in one APAGS leadership role at a time, including elected APAGS committee positions, appointed subcommittee chair roles, and appointed subcommittee member roles.
What should I include in my candidate statement?
Candidate statements should clearly explain the applicant's interest in the position, relevant experience or qualifications, goals or ideas for advancing APAGS priorities and/or APA strategic goals, and the ways their background and perspective would contribute to APAGS.
Are the candidate statement word limits the same for all positions?
No. Word limits vary by position. Applicants should carefully follow the instructions for the specific role they are applying for and ensure that all required materials are submitted in the correct format.
What materials are required for the application?
Applicants should follow the instructions on the application website. Required materials generally include basic application information, confirmation of APAGS membership, agreement to terms and conditions of service if elected or appointed, and a single PDF containing required materials such as an abbreviated CV and candidate statement.
Will I be interviewed?
Interview practices may vary by position and application cycle. Applicants should review communications from APAGS carefully for current information about the selection process. If interviews or additional conversations are used, they are intended to help clarify fit, expectations, and readiness for the role.
What should I do before submitting my application?
Applicants should verify their APAGS membership status, confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements, review all application instructions, prepare the required documents in the requested order, and label the application file according to the instructions on the application website.
What does it mean to represent APAGS professionally?
APAGS leaders represent both APAGS and APA. Members are expected to follow APAGS operating procedures, APA bylaws, association rules, and professional standards while interacting with students, APA staff, psychologists, and external stakeholders.
What communication standards are expected?
APAGS leaders are expected to communicate respectfully, respond in a timely manner, participate constructively in discussions, and seek clarification when responsibilities or expectations are unclear.
What happens if my availability changes during my term?
Graduate training and life circumstances can change unexpectedly. Members who experience significant changes in availability should communicate with leadership as early as possible so that appropriate planning, support, or role adjustments can be considered.
What is a common misconception about APAGS leadership service?
A common misconception is that the role is limited to attending meetings. In practice, meaningful leadership service requires active participation between meetings, including communication, planning, collaboration, and follow-through on projects and initiatives.
Are there rules for campaigning?
Yes. For elected positions, candidates must follow APAGS election rules. Candidates should not use APAGS email lists or APAGS official social media pages or groups to advertise their candidacy. Violations may result in disqualification from the election.
How do candidates communicate with members during the election cycle?
During the election cycle, APAGS provides candidates with fair opportunities to share election statements through official communications. This process is intended to ensure equitable access to electronic media during the election period.
Applicants who meet the eligibility requirements, commit to the role's responsibilities, and actively contribute to APAGS are encouraged to apply and share their ideas to strengthen APAGS and support psychology graduate students nationwide.