Anyone else feel subtle pressure when making your list?

[futureapppsy2]

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I'm applying to balanced School Psych programs, but I've always felt a bit pressure from my mentors to apply to research-heavy clinical/counseling programs (because they think I'm a very good researcher, because they think I would be well-suited for a research career, because they have training in those areas, because they think School Psych might limit my opportunities...). They ultimately support my goals (writing LORs and the whatnot), of course, especially after I explained why I chose the programs I did. The subtle pressure was definitely there before I finalized my list, however. I've looked in those programs but don't feel like they would be the best fit for my interests and goals and that I wouldn't be a particularly competitive candidate for those programs anyway, esp. with regards to GRE scores.

Any one else feel subtle (but very intelligent and well-meaning) pressure when selecting your list?

 

[FadedC]

I'm in a school psych phd program myself and when I first announced that I was going to consider applying to one, the disaproval I got from one of my more purely scientific minded professors was far from subtle. I did feel some more subtle disaproval from some others though (including my mentor).

 

[twilson]

Even though I have given my LORs to people, my mentor still mentions me applying to clinical programs, because I am applying to developmental and social programs.. He is clinical and tried to convince me I could stay in research and not do clinical work, but I have no interest in the curriculum and the clinical side of my research interests. Though, I am nervous because I only applied to 7 schools, wondering if I should throw some clinical on there just for good measure, lol

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Sadly this is just the first of many lists! You have them for internship (clinical/counseling folks), post-doc (most everyone), when you start looking for tenure-track positions (academics), etc.

 

[childpsych479]

My PI is a very well respected developmental researcher. She recommended that I apply to MSW programs as a backup and 20-25 clinical programs. I respect her opinion but I know what I want and what I can handle. Frankly there are 20-25 programs that I have found researchers are that I match.

Personally, I feel like this is part of their job as a mentor. They're trying to advise on the best path for us. However, take it with a grain of salt. Yes, they know the field, but, more importantly, in the end, its your choice because its your career.

 

[aagman01]

I was kind of in the same boat when I was applying to doctoral programs. I did quite a bit of research and was published in undergrad, had good GREs and GPA, etc etc. and certainly would have been competitive for clinical/counseling programs. I had two main professors I worked with in undergrad - a social psych and a child clinical psych. The clinical psych said he thought clinical psych afforded more opportunities, though he worked with school psychs and was not highly critical of my decision.

However, I went with school psych because of my interests in working with children and families. I felt that a school focus would help me best when working w/youth, both in terms of research and practice. I do feel I have made the right decision.

FYI - I have completed a variety of practicum inside and outside of schools, have gotten great training (both in my prac sites and didactly through the school and clinical psych programs), and will be highly competitive for APA/APPIC sites. You really are not limited by school psych much - the biggest limiting factors are other professionals in the field who do not feel school psych is a real field. However, such narrow minded individuals are not the types you would like want to work with, anyways. About half of doctoral school psych students go the APA route, and half stay in non-APA/APPIC internships. Many also go into research or clinical work in hospitals or other non-school settings (also about half, from what I have read, with the other half working in schools). FYI 2 - If you are interested in an academic career - there are huge shortages in school psych faculty. The field definately needs 'em!

Lastly - its not like school psych is a cake walk either. I do not know of any colleague who had less than an 1150 GRE or a 3.5 GPA in my program.

Good luck!

I'm applying to balanced School Psych programs, but I've always felt a bit pressure from my mentors to apply to research-heavy clinical/counseling programs (because they think I'm a very good researcher, because they think I would be well-suited for a research career, because they have training in those areas, because they think School Psych might limit my opportunities...). They ultimately support my goals (writing LORs and the whatnot), of course, especially after I explained why I chose the programs I did. The subtle pressure was definitely there before I finalized my list, however. I've looked in those programs but don't feel like they would be the best fit for my interests and goals and that I wouldn't be a particularly competitive candidate for those programs anyway, esp. with regards to GRE scores.

Any one else feel subtle (but very intelligent and well-meaning) pressure when selecting your list?

 

[PhDClinical]

I would say the pressure is more than subtle. My PI is an adolescent treatment Titan, and it is pretty clear that he looks down on any school not in the top echelon, as well as any person who wants to have a life outside of filling his/her CV with publications. I would never dare to utter "PsyD" or "practice" in his presence. Although I suppose that he would be supportive in the end (he is very warm and well-meaning).

 

[erg923]

haha..I doubt that. There are alot of hardcore academics out there, but I think psychologists are often the ones most appreciative of the contruct of "quality of life." Many times this notion is an abstact or unimportant construct for our research physician colleagues

 

[krisrox]

I have so many people telling me the OPPOSITE; 'You're going to change your mind and go into practice!"

 

[erg923]

I have so many people telling me the OPPOSITE; 'You're going to change your mind and go into practice!"

I was waiting for someone to bring this up. My advisor activley encourages us to steer away from academia, unless we really really really have a passion for it. She is always chipper and happy, but at the same time, she always lets us know that its a "club" that primarily wants to train more people to join their "club"......and thats all.

 

[PhDClinical]

haha...I doubt that. There are a lot of hardcore academics out there, but I think psychologists are often the ones most appreciative of the construct of "quality of life." Many times this notion is an abstract or unimportant construct for our research physician colleagues

This is a man who emails me at 3am, and, when I went over a list of people I am applying to with him, he kept saying things to the effect of, "oh she doesn't have as many publications because she spends time with her children." I am sure that in the abstract he values quality of life, but he doesn't act as though he values it for himself! I'm sure that he believes that every person should balance things as he/she sees appropriate, however.

 

[erg923]

"oh she doesn't have as many publications because she spends time with her children."

Yes, and we all know how damaging spending time with our children can be for them.....🙄

 

[futureapppsy2]

Yes, and we all know how damaging spending time with our children can be for them.....🙄

Of course! 🙄

Kris, it's funny you're getting that reaction. Maybe we should fake-swap lists for the benefit of our advisors!

 

[krisrox]

Of course! 🙄

Kris, it's funny you're getting that reaction. Maybe we should fake-swap lists for the benefit of our advisors!

For me it's not so much the schools as it is just the idea of going into academics. My schools are all balanced or research-heavy. Maybe add some more PhD programs to yours (you're appling to a lot of PsyD's, right?) Or at least stress that you ARE applying to several PhD programs so you will be doing mounds of research.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Nope, I'm applying pretty much only PhD programs, and the handful of PsyDs on my list are very balanced, of the Rutgers/Baylor variety. I DEFINITELY want to make research part of my career, just not ALL of it.