PhD/PsyD Acceptance to Palo Alto PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium without GRE Psychology Test?

[JasperPsych]

Has anyone been admitted to Palo Alto's Psy.D. program without submitting the GRE Psychology Subject Test? I have a very solid application otherwise, but I wanted to know if there is still hope of getting in without having taken the psych GRE. I was scheduled to take it but had to miss it due to a serious illness and the only other available testing day option is well past the date that most graduate schools send out offers of admission.

This is my dream program and I am desperately hoping that getting sick did not significantly reduce my chances of getting in 🙁

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[iPsychlops]

I'm curious, as I applied to the same program, but was rejected (though I think it was unrelated to my application... Don't be late!), why you settled on the Psy.D. versus the Ph.D.? Based on my experience in the PAU Ph.D. Program, and having spoken to friends in the Psy.D. Program, both us and the Psy.D. students are receiving quality education and experience. I didn't take the Psych subject GRE, but I can check with my Psy.D. friends in the morning.


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[JasperPsych]

I'm curious, as I applied to the same program, but was rejected (though I think it was unrelated to my application... Don't be late!), why you settled on the Psy.D. versus the Ph.D.? Based on my experience in the PAU Ph.D. Program, and having spoken to friends in the Psy.D. Program, both us and the Psy.D. students are receiving quality education and experience. I didn't take the Psych subject GRE, but I can check with my Psy.D. friends in the morning.


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I chose the Psy.D. route for a few reasons. It seems like most PsyD programs are shorter than PhD programs, so that was a factor. Additionally, I am not looking for any additional research experience, I simply wish to practice clinical psych. I have no doubt that both types of programs are quality in terms of education and experience, they just have two different types of education/experience, and I know that PsyD is the type that I am looking for.

 

[iPsychlops]

I chose the Psy.D. route for a few reasons. It seems like most PsyD programs are shorter than PhD programs, so that was a factor. Additionally, I am not looking for any additional research experience, I simply wish to practice clinical psych. I have no doubt that both types of programs are quality in terms of education and experience, they just have two different types of education/experience, and I know that PsyD is the type that I am looking for.

Thanks for satisfying my curiosity! I spoke to one of my friends in the Psy.D. program, and they informed me that they did not take the subject test. Hope that helps!


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[drsoonplease]

Has anyone been admitted to Palo Alto's Psy.D. program without submitting the GRE Psychology Subject Test? I have a very solid application otherwise, but I wanted to know if there is still hope of getting in without having taken the psych GRE. I was scheduled to take it but had to miss it due to a serious illness and the only other available testing day option is well past the date that most graduate schools send out offers of admission.

This is my dream program and I am desperately hoping that getting sick did not significantly reduce my chances of getting in 🙁

I am currently a 4th year at PGSP-Stanford and I did not take the Psych GRE. It's been awhile, so it's possible their requirements have changed, but it was not a requirement when I applied. It's a fantastic program, best of luck!!

 

[JasperPsych]

Thank you to everyone who replied, this was all very helpful. It just worries me since I heard that the requirements are changing and they are even pushing to make it a requirement in upcoming years. Does anyone know whether submitting an application before the deadline is more beneficial, or does it not matter?

 

[zenmarshmallow]

Not taking the Psych GRE is a risk if you don't have an extensive psych background. If you majored in Psych in undergrad and did well, it's probably fine not to take the Psych GRE. If you are a nontraditional applicant, I would definitely take the Psych GRE.

And yes, I would say that submitting an application before the deadline is essential. Submitting an application late is a pretty clear indicator that it's not super important to you.

 

[diversitydoc]

Thank you to everyone who replied, this was all very helpful. It just worries me since I heard that the requirements are changing and they are even pushing to make it a requirement in upcoming years. Does anyone know whether submitting an application before the deadline is more beneficial, or does it not matter?

Hey JasperPsych- happy to see someone interested in the program. I recently graduated from the Consortium and didn't take the Psych GRE. The same DCT from my admission year is still reviewing applications, so I think you're okay. Please do submit your app before the deadline, for the same reasoning cited by zenmarshmallow. If you have other questions, feel free to pm me 🙂

 

[JasperPsych]

Hey JasperPsych- happy to see someone interested in the program. I recently graduated from the Consortium and didn't take the Psych GRE. The same DCT from my admission year is still reviewing applications, so I think you're okay. Please do submit your app before the deadline, for the same reasoning cited by zenmarshmallow. If you have other questions, feel free to pm me 🙂

By before the deadline do you mean like weeks before? Because depending on when my letters of recommendation will be completed, I will probably be submitting it like the day before the deadline. Does it not matter as long as it is before that date?

 

[diversitydoc]

By before the deadline do you mean like weeks before? Because depending on when my letters of recommendation will be completed, I will probably be submitting it like the day before the deadline. Does it not matter as long as it is before that date?

In my experience, it doesn't matter. They weigh the applications equally. During my admission year, the interview offers were staggered. So some of your peers could get offers before you, which doesn't necessarily mean you won't get one.

 

[FredBerfil]

They have like, what, a 60% acceptance rate? They don't seem particularly selective.

 

[cautious_optimism]

They have like, what, a 60% acceptance rate? They don't seem particularly selective.

Wow, how does the program cost?

 

[WisNeuro]

Wow, how does the program cost?

They estimate 53k a year. Which is bat**** insane given what your salary will likely be.

https://www.paloaltou.edu/graduate-programs/choosing-graduate-program

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Wow, how does the program cost?

According to https://www.paloaltou.edu/graduate-...um/student-admissions-outcomes-and-other-data, it's approximately $47k/year for tuition, $6k/year for university fees, and an estimated $1k/year for other expenses (e.g., books). That's pretty darn expensive in my mind, but they at least have good outcome statistics with little attrition.

 

[cautious_optimism]

They estimate 53k a year. Which is bat**** insane given what your salary will likely be.

https://www.paloaltou.edu/graduate-programs/choosing-graduate-program

Holy cow! Even if you're just there for four years, you've already accumulated over $200k in debt, and that's without paying for living expenses for those four years or for moving, travel and other expenses for internship, post-doc, etc.

How does anyone do this?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Holy cow! Even if you're just there for four years, you've already accumulated over $200k in debt, and that's without paying for living expenses for those four years or for moving, travel and other expenses for internship, post-doc, etc.

How does anyone do this?

Income-based repayment options in most cases, I would imagine. And likely a hope for loan forgiveness eventually.

 

[WisNeuro]

Income-based repayment options in most cases, I would imagine. And likely a hope for loan forgiveness eventually.

Considering that we are in for what is likely to be a volatile economic period, I really wouldn't want to be relying on any loan forgiveness from federal sources.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Considering that we are in for what is likely to be a volatile economic period, I really wouldn't want to be relying on any loan forgiveness from federal sources.

Indeed. Although apparently the incoming pres supported IBR forgiveness after 15 years instead of 20 or 25. So it's still somewhat on the radar.

 

[WisNeuro]

Indeed. Although apparently the incoming pres supported IBR forgiveness after 15 years instead of 20 or 25. So it's still somewhat on the radar.

I saw that. But, analysis of the tax cuts he is proposing are pretty scary. If the deficit balloons even close to what they predict, cuts will be made, and I can see this fat hog as looking particularly enticing to a party that controls all three branches of govt.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I saw that. But, analysis of the tax cuts he is proposing are pretty scary. If the deficit balloons even close to what they predict, cuts will be made, and I can see this fat hog as looking particularly enticing to a party that controls all three branches of govt.

Agreed. Although I'm no financial guru, so I have no idea of the true financial ramifications of forgiveness. I'd imagine that after 15 years, a decent proportion of the original principle would at least have been repaid. So at that point, it's essentially an interest-free loan.

This wouldn't apply for large loans (e.g., $150k+) and/or those with rather small monthly payments (e.g., <$800 avg).

 

[zenmarshmallow]

Wow, how does the program cost?

The 60% acceptance rate / not selective thing....

That may be true for the PAU PhD program, but definitely not true of the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium

 

[WisNeuro]

https://www.paloaltou.edu/sites/default/files/AdmissionsData2012-2016_2.pdf

Still, not very selective.

 

[MustangPhD]

I am currently a 4th year at PGSP-Stanford and I did not take the Psych GRE. It's been awhile, so it's possible their requirements have changed, but it was not a requirement when I applied. It's a fantastic program, best of luck!!

Hey JasperPsych- happy to see someone interested in the program. I recently graduated from the Consortium and didn't take the Psych GRE. The same DCT from my admission year is still reviewing applications, so I think you're okay. Please do submit your app before the deadline, for the same reasoning cited by zenmarshmallow. If you have other questions, feel free to pm me 🙂

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I've been trying to contact someone who has actually attended the school. They mention on their website that there are few fellowships offered per year and assistantships if you apply. Do they actually help substantially or are you still paying a crazy amount per year? I would love to go here but there's no way I can justify the cost of the program if there isn't substantial help from the school.

 

[psych.meout]

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I've been trying to contact someone who has actually attended the school. They mention on their website that there are few fellowships offered per year and assistantships if you apply. Do they actually help substantially or are you still paying a crazy amount per year? I would love to go here but there's no way I can justify the cost of the program if there isn't substantial help from the school.

There are about 30 students per cohort. There's no way they are providing substantial assistance to more than a handful, if that. It would cost way, way too much.

 

[MustangPhD]

There are about 30 students per cohort. There's no way they are providing substantial assistance to more than a handful, if that. It would cost way, way too much.

Yeah I agree. I'm asking if there is a handful and if it's a substantial amount to that small handful. I would say I would be a pretty competitive candidate and hopefully I would be in that handful, but if there's not even a substantial amount to the small few, it would be pointless to go. But I want to know if there's a chance at lowering the tuition substantially (cost of living wouldn't be a burden to me).

 

[psych.meout]

Yeah I agree. I'm asking if there is a handful and if it's a substantial amount to that small handful. I would say I would be a pretty competitive candidate and hopefully I would be in that handful, but if there's not even a substantial amount to the small few, it would be pointless to go. But I want to know if there's a chance at lowering the tuition substantially (cost of living wouldn't be a burden to me).

That they don't disclose the number of "fellowships" and "assistantships" available or for how much they are worth should be your sign that it's not going to be good. All programs with good funding are very explicit on their websites about who gets what and how much they receive.

This program is relying on you and other prospective students not knowing this and not thinking about the probabilities involved. Everyone thinks they are "pretty competitive," especially when there is significant ambiguity about with whom they are competing. Thus, even if you are aware of the aforementioned data about the amounts and availability of funding, they rely on you ignoring your small chance of receiving it, just like casinos.

 

[erg923]

Yeah I agree. I'm asking if there is a handful and if it's a substantial amount to that small handful. I would say I would be a pretty competitive candidate and hopefully I would be in that handful, but if there's not even a substantial amount to the small few, it would be pointless to go. But I want to know if there's a chance at lowering the tuition substantially (cost of living wouldn't be a burden to me).

Do they at least lay out criteria for qualifying for these?

If not, then its should come across to you as rather skeezy marketing ploy. Its essentially saying: "enter now for your chance to win a prize."

 

[MustangPhD]

Do they at least lay out criteria for qualifying for these?

If not, then its should come across to you as rather skeezy marketing ploy. Its essentially saying: "enter now for your chance to win a prize."

Alright, that's what I was figuring. Just was holding out hope. Thank you guys!

 

[psych.meout]

Alright, that's what I was figuring. Just was holding out hope. Thank you guys!

Remember this when you are evaluating other programs. Anything less than 100% transparency should at the very least be met with skepticism.