Advice

[Psych420]

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I've been out of school close to 2 years and graduated with a bach in psych. I recently applied to a argosy school master program of clinical psych and after that onward to the psy d. MY ultimate goal is to have my own practice and work in a hospital setting. I've been working in the psych field as a therapist with adults and kids and i absolutley love it.

My only down fall is my gpa. I graduted with a 2.6 due to a poor first 2 years non major related which anchored my gpa when i finally found something i enjoyed. My fear is that i won't be accepted in argosy and I haven't taken any generalized tests due to poor test taking skills with these types of tests. I know i'm fully capable of obtaining a higer gpa because i was able to with semester GPAs of 3.5 and 3.8's.

My only question is what do i have to do if i don't get accepted into argosy? Do I have to grind out the MAT or GRE to show schools I'm qualified to do graduate work? I really hope i get accepted so i can move on with my eduation, do something i'd love, and actually be able to support myself comfortably and a family down the road. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks guys/gals.

 

[erg923]

To be blunt...with a GPA like that, Argosy might be the only shot unless you retake some classes to boost it. Actually, Its would be possible to squeeze into a master program in clinical at a legitimate university with that...but you would really need to offset it with the GRE. Argosy rep is notoriously poor (training wise) and you would be strapped with tons of debt afterwards. The average salary for a doctoral level psychologists is 70k or so......when you paying over a 1000k a month in loans...its gonna put a cramp on buying a house and "being set" financially...at least for a while. That being said, you can get god training at a program like Argosy's, but the quality is "hit or miss" and you will have to really fight for an APA internship. The match at their campuses is usually way below the national average. That alone should tell you something right there.

Pretty much everyone going this route had to take the GREs. We all did. Its a pain in the rear, but thats just the nature of the beast. I would advise taking your GREs and trying to get a better masters program and then apply to Psy.D after the masters. However, even then, the undergrad GPA will hurt you But, if you get a 4.0 in a traditional university-based masters program, it will help offset it. Much more than a 4.0 from Argosy's masters would. If you choose to go the Argosy route, just be aware of the insane tuition and lack of financial support, as well as their less than stellar rep, as this will impact the pre-doc internships you can get and even practicums you're able get while there. There is an Argosy near my program, and have yet to see one of their students at any prac sites where I have been. The VA's and the major academic med centers here will NOT take any of their students. I'm not saying it warranted, but this is the way it is nonetheless.

Lastly, If your only interest is in therapy, a doctorate would be overkill anyway. MSWs and MFTs can do therapy as well. In many states they can practice independently assuming you get licensed.

 

[Psych420]

Thanks for the quick response. I do love therapy and I'd say my main interest is depression/stress and marriage/family. I've talked to those with the MSW and are aware they are capable of doing independent practice and working in a hospital setting. Can they lead a comfortable life style? I'm only asking because while I'm young and don't have many major responsilbilities (i.e. children) yet, I'd like to pursue the best I can right now. Its been my dream to have my own practice so i figured why sell myself short when i can go the distance now. Thanks, in advance.

 

[Psych420]

I guess I'm trying to find the easy way out with Argosy. I knew it was too good to be true but I must say i was estatic to hear i was more than qualified to get accepted into the program due to my experience but I have a feeling that was just sweet talk to get my 50 dollars, lame.

Maybe I'll take a look at a MSW if i'll be able to live comfortably and raise a family. I know independently it's up to your clientele how well you do but how about in a hospital setting or else where?

Wish I could go back and redo my first 2 years, but hey I guess things happen for a reason and I hope I can finally get back into school and get things rolling in my life.


Also, about the interships....most places won't accept you based on the fact that you went to Argosy? I wonder why they wouldn't mention that when I talked to them on the phone 🙂

 

[erg923]

I really do not have a good idea about what MSWs make, or can make. If you are in a successful group private practice....I'm sure it would be bad. Argosy will KILL you with loans and the extra 30k you would might make per year with the Psy.D, compared to the MSW, will be offset by paying off 150k in student loans over the course of 10-25 years. I just would not recommend that.

You do have a few other options for the doctorate though, you can retake undergrad classes, or try to get into a better masters program.

 

[Psych420]

Yea, the way I looked at it was get into Argosy, graduate in 5 years or less, then get a job while working withsome one in private practice. Then pay off loans over time. I'm just curious what happens to those in that program when they get to that step. Are most of them just screwed heh?

 

[erg923]

Also, about the interships....most places won't accept you based on the fact that you went to Argosy? I wonder why they wouldn't mention that when I talked to them on the phone 🙂

There is a bias agianist professional schools at some internship spots. Mostly the more academic ones, it is lessing though. This is true of all "professional schools of psychology"...not just Argosy, although Argosy is considered almost at the bottom of the barrrel. No doubt the name itself will limit you somewhat.

However, more so, its about the training you get while in grad school. Your pracs at Argosy, since they might not be respected in the community, may consist of many pracs being with PP psychologists. This might not give you the best training, and certainly wont provide the appropriate breadth and depth of clincial experience as compared to more traditional established programs. I'm sure you can get great prac while at Argosy, but its just a gamble. Some of their campuses are better than others. Additionally, the faculty are less scholarly there, and there is little opportunity for research in a program like that. This is a limiting factor as well. Overall, it just hard to get things from Argosy that make you "stand out" as an applicant.

 

[Psych420]

Thanks for your advice. I do pray about the situation everyday and if I somehow get accepted then I'll take it as a sign from god. If not, I'll pursue elsewhere. I'll have to disipline myself to study for either the MAT or GRE. That's my only chance at getting into grad school then.

 

[deleted176373]

Yea, the way I looked at it was get into Argosy, graduate in 5 years or less, then get a job while working withsome one in private practice. Then pay off loans over time. I'm just curious what happens to those in that program when they get to that step. Are most of them just screwed heh?

Not all Argosy's share the bad reputation equally. However I do know of one Argosy graduate who was able to get a military internship, this allowed her to get excellent training during her internship and also paid off her student loans through the loan repayment program. So you don't have to be in debt to the bank... you can be in debt to the US Govt instead. Although it's a deal personally I could live with, many find it an untenable option.

There exists creative opportunities to make a silk purse from a sow's ear, but you have to really put forth the effort. Honestly, it doesn't sound like you are ready to put forth that level of effort. "I guess I'm trying to find the easy way out with Argosy."

Read through this board and then do some honest self-reflection. You give up quite a bit pursuing this field and the pay-off is modest at best. You should give serious consideration to an MSW or other shorter term alternatives that will allow you to attain your professional goals without saddling you with $120k in debt.

As for raising a family... If you want to be in this field and comfortable... Find yourself a nice engineer to settle down with, lol, I did. My wife makes more than I do by a fair amount and I suspect that will always be the case. By the time I start making 6 figures, she should be finishing her J.D. and making far more than I do.

The bottom line is that you don't have to be "screwed" with debt, but you better have a plan before you sign up for all that debt and the intensity to know that you can execute that plan... or else you'll be another person who started and was victim of the high attrition rates at Argosy.

Mark

 

[Psych420]

Hey mark, I am willing to work hard if i were to get accepted into a psy d program but my weak gpa is holding me back. I have to push myself to study for the GRE or MAT because I hate how it's not field related. The reason I'm pushing to become a clinical psychologist, is because of the salary compare to a MSW or counselor. I want to be able to live comfortably and not come out of school making little after putting in all that time and effort. I feel once i can get accepted somewhere, I'll have no problem achieving the psy. d.

 

[cmuhooligan]

Hey mark, I am willing to work hard if i were to get accepted into a psy d program but my weak gpa is holding me back. I have to push myself to study for the GRE or MAT because I hate how it's not field related. The reason I'm pushing to become a clinical psychologist, is because of the salary compare to a MSW or counselor. I want to be able to live comfortably and not come out of school making little after putting in all that time and effort. I feel once i can get accepted somewhere, I'll have no problem achieving the psy. d.

I think part of the problem is that it is difficult for others to comment on what you think is "living comfortable". My idea of comfortable may be very different from yours. Similarly, each person on this board may have their own idiosyncratic idea of what a "comfortable" life looks like. Perhaps, if you were more objective in your description, others would be able to provide you with more detailed advice.

 

[Psych420]

Yes your right, living comfortably is very vague. I'd say if i came out make 65,000 - 70,000 I'd be happy. I could see myself doing things I want to do and purchasing what I want without having to be strapped. Thanks for the response.

 

[erg923]

...depends on where you live dude. In my neck of the woods (SF Bay area), you would need to 2 incomes at that level to buy a decent house....

 

[Psych420]

lol ya well luckily for me i don't live in san fran. It wouldn't hurt to have 3 figures coming out of school but i guess it would all depend on your clientele and how well you do in private practice. All i'm saying is i wouldn't be upset making 70k coming out.

 

[psychmama]

When you say "coming out", do you mean right away or within a few years? Many early career psychologists actually make less than 70k (although the earnings tend to increase within a few years).

Just another thought to consider...