Hey everyone! I'm seeking some guidance regarding my aspirations for a Psychology PhD in the USA or Canada. I'm currently a first year sophomore enrolled at a small American-accredited liberal arts university based in the Middle East, where research opportunities, especially in Psychology, are very limited.

I'm minoring in legal studies and, unfortunately, our chance to conduct our own research only arises in the spring semester of our senior year, as a senior study course. This setup has me a bit concerned about the competitiveness of my application for PhD programs, considering the minimal exposure and experience I'll have in research compared to applicants from larger universities.

Has anyone here navigated a similar situation or knows of someone who has successfully transitioned from a smaller international institution to a reputable Psychology PhD program in North America? Any advice or insights on how to strengthen my application given these limitations would be incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance for your help and support!