Frequently Asked Questions: APAGS Call for Proposals for the APA Convention

At least one presenter must be an APAGS member. You should also bring some credibility to the program. For example, helping your friends write their CVs may not be as impressive as having worked as a recruiter or having conducted graduate-level research on CV and resume preparation. If you have done extensive research on a professional development issue, you will bring excellent expertise to a program on that topic.

No. Psychologists often chair APAGS programs. However, APAGS highly encourages its members to chair and organize programs, as APAGS is the only group that allows student program chairs.

An abstract should concisely explain the purpose and content of the poster or program. It should be 150–300 words. Abstracts for empirical studies, literature reviews, and meta-analyses should include the following sections: Objectives, Method, Results, Conclusions, and Implications. Abstracts for case studies, theoretical, and methodological studies should include the following sections: Purpose, Description, Assessment, and Conclusions.

Use citations in your abstract where appropriate and include a reference list, in alphabetical order, that includes all in-text citations.

Each division selects programs that match the specialty interests of the division, based upon their own selection criteria and needs. APAGS operates similarly, but is less likely to select programs that appeal to only small subsets of students or specialty areas/topics.

You may not submit the same program or poster to another division and to APAGS.

It depends on the audience you want to attract and the message or training you will provide. APAGS is broad-based and student-focused; therefore, program topics that pertain only to students of cognitive psychology, school psychology, or any of the other subdisciplines of psychology are probably better suited to division programming. However, topics that pertain to psychology students across the range of psychology or meet the needs of a large segment of students are more appropriate for APAGS. Also, submitting a program to a division typically requires sponsorship from a full APA member.

APAGS aims to provide programming topics that appeal to a wide range of graduate students. A submission that focuses on an area of interest to one or two groups of students is less likely to be selected than a submission that applies to almost all graduate students. What valuable lessons have you learned throughout your graduate school experience that other students might benefit from hearing? Research strategies, CV preparation, and dealing with financial issues often have universal appeal. Notice any gaps in your training program? Consider leading a discussion on how to fill those gaps.

Pick a topic that is applicable to as many students as possible.
A presentation on burnout in clinical psychology students is less likely to be accepted than one studying burnout in all psychology graduate students.

Include qualified presenters.
It is more likely that a panel on publishing research will be accepted if it includes journal editors and graduate students who have already published than if it includes only first-year graduate students without publication experience.

Make your abstract concise and informative.
Standard abstract length (150–300 words) should allow for adequate communication of your proposal. Make sure to include Objectives, Method, Results, Conclusion, and an Implication section for empirical studies, literature reviews and meta-analyses. Purpose, Description, Assessment, and Conclusion sections should be included for case studies, theoretical, and methodological studies. A proposal with a clear, explanatory abstract is more likely to be accepted than a poorly written one.

Collaborate with others.
APAGS is a national organization. Include unique perspectives, such as students from other schools or psychologists from other organizations. A program with speakers from different schools or institutions is more likely to be accepted than a program with speakers from the same school or institution.

All programs are 50 minutes. Most 50-minute sessions do best with no more than four presenters. This allows presenters enough time to present their material and usually allows time for questions. The division of that 50-minute allotment is at the discretion of the chair and the panel presenting.

Yes, but only if developed into a symposium, workshop, or conversation hour. However, research results that pertain only to a narrow subject area are less likely to attract attention from APAGS’ diverse audience and therefore may fit better in division programming. Research topics that focus on issues important to students across the spectrum of psychology are encouraged and welcomed in APAGS programming.

Yes, you can submit a proposal for APAGS that has been presented at another conference, as long as it was not presented at a previous APA conference. In some cases, follow-up proposals have been accepted if they add a substantial amount of new and relevant information.

Yes, if there is compelling new information or additional presenters that extend or add another perspective on the topic.

The Emerging Leaders Network is a space located in the Solutions Center (formerly the Exhibit Hall) created for students and ECPs. You can visit this area to pick up various resources for students and find out about specific APAGS programming.

The APA Convention Office will inform the program proposal chair of acceptance and rejection decisions, usually by early spring.

Proposals should be submitted in complete form, with all presenters committed to attending the convention and presenting as indicated on the proposal. Because programs are accepted based on variables, including who will be presenting, changes in program presenters are only accepted in unusual circumstances. Any change must be provided in writing and approved through the APAGS office. There is no guarantee that the change will appear in the convention program and other convention publications.

Yes, a faculty member can suggest ways to improve your proposal. Faculty guidance does not guarantee or preclude acceptance.

You may contact the APAGS office if you would like to know if your program idea is one that would most likely draw an audience and be accepted. Staff guidance does not guarantee or preclude acceptance.

Please contact the APAGS Central Office via email with any questions.