Hi everyone!
First post here and was wondering if anyone can help me out! I recently have decided to return to school after graduating 2 years ago. I originally was thinking I would go straight to get my PhD in clinical psych, but I am realizing that my lack of research experience is a serious downfall. I graduated from a university in Maine (still living here) with a BA in psychology and holistic health minor. I had a cumulative GPA of 3.58, and a 3.6 in psychology. I will be taking the GRE's soon and aiming for 160-ish in both quant. and verbal (have taken a few practice tests). I have spent the last 2.5 years working at a nonprofit with young adults with developmental disabilities (mostly autism) as well as a 1 year internship my last year of undergrad working with the same population. But I have zero research experience (with the exception of a research methods course) because I was late in figuring out that I wanted to go to a PhD program for clinical.
Another worry of mine is my letters of recommendation. I have one that is extremely strong. My other two professors that I was close with and would have given great recommendations have since retired. I wasn't very involved with many others so anyone who would write one, wouldn't be a strong letter.
Eventually I'd like to be at a PhD program in clinical psych with a neuro emphasis and focus on autism and other developmental disorders. Would getting a master's degree first help me here? I am very interested in the MA in psychology at SDSU as well as the MS in psychology (clinical concentration) at SFSU. Are these a little out of my reach? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
First post here and was wondering if anyone can help me out! I recently have decided to return to school after graduating 2 years ago. I originally was thinking I would go straight to get my PhD in clinical psych, but I am realizing that my lack of research experience is a serious downfall. I graduated from a university in Maine (still living here) with a BA in psychology and holistic health minor. I had a cumulative GPA of 3.58, and a 3.6 in psychology. I will be taking the GRE's soon and aiming for 160-ish in both quant. and verbal (have taken a few practice tests). I have spent the last 2.5 years working at a nonprofit with young adults with developmental disabilities (mostly autism) as well as a 1 year internship my last year of undergrad working with the same population. But I have zero research experience (with the exception of a research methods course) because I was late in figuring out that I wanted to go to a PhD program for clinical.
Another worry of mine is my letters of recommendation. I have one that is extremely strong. My other two professors that I was close with and would have given great recommendations have since retired. I wasn't very involved with many others so anyone who would write one, wouldn't be a strong letter.
Eventually I'd like to be at a PhD program in clinical psych with a neuro emphasis and focus on autism and other developmental disorders. Would getting a master's degree first help me here? I am very interested in the MA in psychology at SDSU as well as the MS in psychology (clinical concentration) at SFSU. Are these a little out of my reach? Does anyone have any other suggestions?
