Application Questions

[medapple]

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Hello,

I'm applying to a few clinical psych schools for neuropsychology. I just wanted to clear on this:

In my statement of interest, and when applying to the school, I am applying to a specific research professor in the clinical psych dept? If that's true, then if the professor is unable to take a student, I should not be applying to that school. Is this the correct procedure?

For letters of recommendation, is it alright to ask a non-psychology related prof to give me a reference? How do the clin psych programs look at this.

Secondly, I was going to apply to some experimental psychology/neurosciences PhD program in case I don't get into clinical psych. I was reading a recent post, and responders mentioned that it is not a good idea to apply to two PhD in the same school. Is this true for this situation too? I can see why it would be a problem to apply to 2 professors within a clinical psych program, but exp and clin psych are two very different programs.

Would somebody suggest any websites/resources that would list good neurosciences/ exp psych PhD programs? Do people usually apply to these programs more on the merit/name of the school since most schools have these programs (in comparison to clinical psych where only a handful of schools have such programs).

Thanks very much.

 

[Dr.JT]

The problem with applying to clinical and nonclinical programs is that it suggests that you are not sure about the career you want. For example, you state you are applying to clinical and experimental programs, which leads me to ask two questions. 1- Are you interested in doing clinical work, and if so why are you even considering non clinical programs 2-are you not interested in clinical work at all, and if not, why bother applying to clinical programs. These are two entirely different career paths.

 

[medapple]

Thanks, I suppose the graduate school would ask these questions. Can they even see that I am applying to other programs? I'd rather do a clinical program, but I want a backup plan that is not a transitional solution so that's why I'm going to apply to non-clinical PhDs. What are most people's backup plan if they don't get into clinical psych?

Also, if somebody wouldn't mind answering my first question about applying to a specific researcher.

Thanks for your help.

 

[ElektraComplex]

Schools will vary on this issue, but, yes, in general, when you're applying to any kind of clinical Ph.D program you want to identify which professor(s) you want to work with in your Statement of Purpose. If you know your preferred professor is not taking students you can either not apply or (if you want to be less scrupulous about it) you can pretend to match with another faculty member's research.

It's fine to have a non-psychology professor supply a letter of recommendation as long as you know that rec will be strong or glowing.

 

[zbombvt]

Backup plans for me at least:

Developmental psych (focus on psychopathology)
MPH (with a strong mental health focus)

 

[medapple]

There are 1-year MPH programs in mental health? Are MPH programs pay-out-of-your-own-pocket or is there funding?

 

[Sorg1123]

I'm also applying for clinical psych progs to prepare for a later specialization in clin. neuropsychology. How important is it for my mentor to be a clinical neuropsychologist? I ask this b/c I've looked at some schools that interest me and appear to have the resources necessary for gaining knowledge and exp. in this field, but there are no cnp's on staff. I frequently hear that in this field you are first a clinical psychologist, then specialize in neuropsychology. Thus, perhaps there are more options for my applications. Thanks.

 

[zbombvt]

There are 1-year MPH programs in mental health? Are MPH programs pay-out-of-your-own-pocket or is there funding?

There are not MPH programs in mental health. There are programs that do research in mental health though. Go to the website for schools for that information. I don't believe there is any funding for MPHs. The money in Public Health schools go to the PhD programs.