Hello all,
Getting into graduate school wasn't a goal for me when I started college. As a result, now when I am about to gradutate, I have a cum 3.0 gpa with a major in Psychology. I was premed, and those classes brought down my overall gpa. I haven't calculated my psych gpa yet, but I have mostly A-'s, with a few B's and one C and that I retook and got an A in. I am a research assitant in one of my professors Neuropharmacology labs, and I have down a few semesters in different labs as well.
I have just come from a visit with my Psychology advisor who told me to "forget about clinical psychology" because I am not competitive now and this will always haunt me. I went to her because I was looking for some advice regarding doing a masters or some other "stepping stone" sort of way, so that I can ultimately get into a Clincial Psych doctoral program.
I was surprised, and am wondering whether there is any way I can redeem myself and get myself in a competetive way to apply to a doctoral program. I know I cant do it now, but I thought one way was to get a masters and then apply. Have I been misled? What things can I do so that I can ultimately apply to a doctoral program? Or should I , indeed, "forget about clinical psychology"?
Thanks

There are masters programs in general psychology that tend to serve as "stepping stone" type programs. Just make sure the program isn't a terminal program, meaning that it sets you up to be a mental health counselor or similar licensure.

Im taking up a MA in General Psychology to gain the required/recommended classes. I did not major in Psychology in undergrad but I did have a minor in psycology. Still, I need a couple core classes to make the grade and be in competitive standing.

I would recommend going that route if you can. I worked briefly in an admissions office at ***'s PsyD program and from what I were in yourgathered the cut off was 3.2. If they took anyone lower than that they would have to explain to the APA why they took someone lower than the stated threshhold. Dont quote me on that but that is what I remember. Being that most schools ask for at least a 3.2 anyway, if I were in your shoes I'd go with a masters in general psych and then apply. If you feel that your GREs, research and clinical experience are top notch then apply to both (MA and doctoral) and see what happens.