Advice with "Major" change

[zoezaga21]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi Everyone,
First let me thank you for taking the time to read this, and perhaps post a response for me.

Here is my situation...
I'm essentially looking at Doctorate programs now. I transfered into a psychology major this year; prior to which I was a Music major. It's been a long few years for me. I've loved music for a long time, and I did well with the degree; but as graduation inched closer I realized it was all BS. Getting a degree in anything performance arts is perhaps the most useless degree in the world. As much as I loved it at first I came to hate the idea of it and decided to make the change. The only other classes I have taken that I have loved were psychology classes. I've always had an interest in it and read about it. I've even considered a degree in Music Therapy; but at this point I need to just get this done with ASAP. I can't really afford to move out of state again.
I have a 3.1 GPA. I know it isn't great; but I am totally confident I can kill the rest of these courses. My primary job right now, aside from my education, is being a private music teacher/with the occasional jazz gig. I LOVE TEACHING!! Everyone I meet tells me I need to be a teacher for everyone's sake. unfortunatly I'm not entirely sure I want to spend the rest of my life teaching guitar and having to hustle for new students, to potenttially make 30 grand a year.
What kinds of things should I be doing NOW to help me get into a program? What will make me more appealing? Aside from that could 3 years studying music in school potentially hurt me ? Or could it be a funny quirk that works to my advantage. I should be done with My bachelors in 4 semesters. If I attended school in the summer I could be done by next summer.

Also, how useful is a degree? I've heard contrasting advice in terms of job outlook. I'd like to teach at the University level or work in a private practice. I've always been a go getter and had an insane work ethic. So naturally I take words like "difficult, grim, or poor" with a grain of salt. I'd love to take my studies with music therapy further; but it still seems to aesthetic to climb the academic ranks.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

A long time ago I was a nationally-ranked kid musician. I know all about the scheduling and self-direction that music takes. But let me tell you, it's nothing compared to a Psychology PhD program. There are some days where I would give anything for an 8-hour music practice.

That said, there are tons and tons of music people in Psych, I don't know how that ends up being that way or why, but it seems to work.

You'll need a much higher GPA. Research experience (start yesterday). And I'd definitely start saving money to move out of state. Most people have to relocate for grad school. Even the strongest applicants have to look outside their area usually, especially for research fit.

That's another thing, there's a fair amount of research involved in a Psychology PhD. Ask yourself if you're comfortable with that.

I can't remember what else I was going to say, haha

 

[zoezaga21]

Thank you Raynee,

I know my GPA will need to go up. When I was at Berklee my GPA took a hit. There were a couple classes where I was writing for Big Bands that just weren't jiving with my obsessive practice at the time...that and ONE class I took in High School at a college.

I know reasonably I can get it to a 3.7. So I guess I'll look into some research ASAP.

You don't play anymore??!! That is one thing I could never give up.

Worst case to make some quick cash I could jump on a crusie ship and play for 6 months, to get a head start on moving. Although, I love my state Maine! Do you need to go to the most ellite schools to get the jobs? I know it helps; but I also know from friends that that can be BS. The goal for me is to be able to manage debt over a notable school on a degree.

 

[RayneeDeigh]

No... I haven't played in about four years. It's sad. I did bring my instruments with me when I moved away for grad school but after one semester I realized I barely had time to eat and sleep so I sent them back home with my parents over the holidays. One day maybe I'll do it again, if I can remember how. Haha.

It's not a matter of going to elite schools, it's a matter of going where you can get in and have a good research fit with the school and the prof in particular. The reality is basically that if you get a Psychology PhD and you do your internship (if you're doing clinical or something that has an internship, that is) then you'll find a job. That said, there are programs (usually more selective ones) that are fully-funded, and there are others who accept more than half of their applicants but will leave you with huge debt. I think the hurdles are getting in, getting through, getting an internship. After that (as people tell me) everything gets less hurdle-ish.

 

[JockNerd]

RD had a good response, I can add a bit....

Like RD said, raise that GPA. Especially in psych courses.

What kinds of things should I be doing NOW to help me get into a program? What will make me more appealing?

Like RD said, get research experience. Volunteer in a lab and do a thesis or independent research. PhD programs in psych are research degrees just like any other PhD, and you'll need to be able to demonstrate the ability to do some to get in. If you haven't already got them, you need at least the basic psych courses under your belt (research methods, personality, abnormal).

Aside from that could 3 years studying music in school potentially hurt me ? Or could it be a funny quirk that works to my advantage.

In itself, I doubt it'll make much difference. I don't think it will make up for significant things being absent and it won't cast a dark cloud over good things on your app.

I should be done with My bachelors in 4 semesters. If I attended school in the summer I could be done by next summer.

Thiiiiis you might want to think about. I'd go the longer route, so that you can have more time to get experience in research and volunteering in some clinical context. I had over 2 years of RA experience and 2 years of volunteer clinical stuff when I applied, and that's pretty normal.

Also, how useful is a degree? I've heard contrasting advice in terms of job outlook. I'd like to teach at the University level or work in a private practice. I've always been a go getter and had an insane work ethic. So naturally I take words like "difficult, grim, or poor" with a grain of salt.

Well, good that you can work hard, cuz you'll do a lot of that in grad school. As for how competitive, it really depends. If you want to hang a single as a couples therapist, you're in trouble. If you have a specialized practice you can do great.

Also, "teaching at the University level" requires that you either (a) learn to conduct research and have a unique enough program to be competitive for tenure-track positions when you graduate, or (b) will be satisfied teaching one or two courses as an adjunct for not much money and doing something else (consultation, therapy, whatever) as primary income.

 

[Ollie123]

and have a unique enough program to be competitive for tenure-track positions when you graduate

Don't want to pull this thread too far off track, but this point I think warrants further discussion (if for no other reason than my curiosity).

How does characterize a "unique" enough research program? I know plenty of researchers who seem to have a hand in several major areas so in that sense are still a "generalist".

As for the OP - you've gotten great advice above and I really don't have anything else to add. Pull that GPA up. A music background shouldn't hurt you, but nor will it be a valid excuse for lacking other credentials. Might take you "longer" to build up those credentials than someone who knew going in, but once you do it should no longer pose a problem.

 

[zoezaga21]

Thanks everyone you've been a great help. I know it is a little earlier; but you've given me things to think about. I still haven't ruled out a Masters in Music Therapy. I think I'd fair well with that given the background of my 2 undergrads routes.

 

[psych08]

Hi Everyone,
First let me thank you for taking the time to read this, and perhaps post a response for me.

Here is my situation...
I'm essentially looking at Doctorate programs now. I transfered into a psychology major this year; prior to which I was a Music major. It's been a long few years for me. I've loved music for a long time, and I did well with the degree; but as graduation inched closer I realized it was all BS. Getting a degree in anything performance arts is perhaps the most useless degree in the world. As much as I loved it at first I came to hate the idea of it and decided to make the change. The only other classes I have taken that I have loved were psychology classes. I've always had an interest in it and read about it. I've even considered a degree in Music Therapy; but at this point I need to just get this done with ASAP. I can't really afford to move out of state again.
I have a 3.1 GPA. I know it isn't great; but I am totally confident I can kill the rest of these courses. My primary job right now, aside from my education, is being a private music teacher/with the occasional jazz gig. I LOVE TEACHING!! Everyone I meet tells me I need to be a teacher for everyone's sake. unfortunatly I'm not entirely sure I want to spend the rest of my life teaching guitar and having to hustle for new students, to potenttially make 30 grand a year.
What kinds of things should I be doing NOW to help me get into a program? What will make me more appealing? Aside from that could 3 years studying music in school potentially hurt me ? Or could it be a funny quirk that works to my advantage. I should be done with My bachelors in 4 semesters. If I attended school in the summer I could be done by next summer.

Also, how useful is a degree? I've heard contrasting advice in terms of job outlook. I'd like to teach at the University level or work in a private practice. I've always been a go getter and had an insane work ethic. So naturally I take words like "difficult, grim, or poor" with a grain of salt. I'd love to take my studies with music therapy further; but it still seems to aesthetic to climb the academic ranks.

I would also like to add that you should probably start thinking about taking the Psychology Subject GRE. If you were a late psychology major than taking that subject test and doing well on it would be a good step. Some schools say they want the scores if you are not a psychology major from the subject GRE and other schools recommend it -- but its worth a shot to take it.