Any advice on what type of program to apply for?

[soupy]

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I plan on applying for PhD/PsyD programs in the coming months for Fall 2010 admission. However, I am feeling a little unsure on what type of programs to apply for, and if I even have a shot at getting into any of them.

Basically, here's my background: I went to NYU for undergrad. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA, and a 3.9 GPA in my psychology major. I also completed an honors thesis. However, it was in a social psychology area. While at NYU, I also was a TA for Intro to Psych, worked as a tutor on campus, and worked as a teacher's assistant in a public NYC elementary school. I graduated in May 2008. Since this past November, I have been working as a paid research assistant at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. I have mainly been doing eyetracking with schizophrenic and bipolar patients and scoring the eyetracking data. I have recently begun basically co-coordinating another study here, and I will soon be trained on administering some neuropsych tests for that study. On the GREs I got a 580 on verbal and a 750 on quantitative. I don't remember the exact number I got on the psychology GREs, but I know it was in the 97th percentile.

The question now is what I want to do with my life. I do find research interesting, but it's not really where my heart lies. I love working with children, and I either see myself becoming a practicing child psychologist or a school psychologist. I enjoy teaching, as well.

I guess I just don't know what type of program I should apply for. Clinical PhD, Clinical PsyD, School Psych PhD, School Psych PsyD? Unfortunately, I have to take money into the equation. I already have a good amount of debt from NYU. I know that PsyDs are not always funded, and the possibility of taking on that debt in addition scares me.

Anyone have any advice? Is it even realistic that I would get into any program? Is there anything I can do to boost my chances?

 

[cara susanna]

I'd look at balanced PhD programs, probably. They're not too difficult to find, IMO.

 

[Wildcat06]

I agree w/ Cara Susanna. I would also look into School Psych PhD programs. They are less competitive (not that that seems to be an issue given your credentials) and in many states, including my own, you can get licensed w/ a School Psych PhD.

 

[soupy]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Do you think a school psych phd program would have more or less emphasis on research than a balanced clinical phd program? Or would they be about the same?

 

[Wildcat06]

Sorry, I don't know too much about the School Psych route. I am actually a very research oriented person but I worked for several years for a private practice forensic psychologist who got his PhD in Educational Psych and was able to get licensed (he now works with adult immigration and sex offense cases so COMPLETELY different populations).

 

[dd123]

Think hard about what you want to do. Clinical is a hard road unless you're driven to do it.

Consider taking time off before committing to a program, especially because judging from your post, you have absolutely no preference of which direction to go in. Better to invest a year or two in exploring (reading, talking to people, volunteering, check out a conference or two) than to invest many more than two going down an avenue that you're not sure about, or worse, a poor fit.

 

[deleted176373]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Do you think a school psych phd program would have more or less emphasis on research than a balanced clinical phd program? Or would they be about the same?

I just realized that you are out here.... You should look into applying to USUHS as a civilian student. There is a 27k Stipend and it's a good program. You have the stats to be competitive, and it's a balanced program if you apply as a dual track student.

Mark

 

[futureapppsy2]

From what I can tell (I'm applying to School Psych PhDs this cycle), most School Psych programs tend to be fairly balanced, though there are a few that are more research heavy (off the top of my head, I can think of Georgia and Nebraska). Your elementary aid experience will really help if you do apply to school programs, I think. One thing is that you'll probably need to be able to make a case for why School psych instead of just child clinical, so keep that in mind. Other than that, your stats seems strong!

 

[numbereight]

do you want to focus on *clinical* psychology? the field of clinical psychology is so broad that it is possible to branch out in many directions only tangentially related to clinical psych - while being a clinical psych student. if clinical isn't really your thing, then you could do what i did and really dig to find your personal interests along with a career that would support them, while paying the bills.

if your interests aren't especially clinical in nature, than think about the school psych, developmental psych, educational psych. if research is just "OK", and you dont want to be a professor, then consider alternates to the PhD route. Use the degree as a tool to get where you need to go - and go the most direct route possible (just as a general guideline- not as a strict rule).

reading and writing helps me understand my interests and direct my career. I google search potential interests/careers then jot down my impressions, research ideas, and paths to get there. this practice helps me hone in on what i want to study.

you have a great shot at getting into a great program. it sounds like your first order of buisness may be to envision your ideal graduate school experience (academic/training experiences) and ideal career. then research the programs and apply to the ones that will best be able to make that happen. if your map is a little foggy, IMO thats fine - it's like that with many/most people. if your map is way foggy, take a year off and really research these interests/careers. I should note that many/most/nearly all of the top phd programs want to see clearly defined research interests and some history in that field. the "balanced" programs that prev posters mentioned are generally a little less demanding of clear research interests and career goals at the time of admission.

best,
#8

p.s. there's a few SP phd progs that aren't research based. i think ASU is scholar-practitioner model (or mabye U of AZ) in any event both AZ PhD programs didn't seem to be too research oriented if i remember correctly.