Are there any schools that just look at your Psych classes?

[Mike32110]

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Hey guys, I am wondering if anyone knows of any programs that specifically just look at your Psychology courses? I did my first degree in Psych with a minor in biochem, with like a 3.6 gpa, and then did a degree in Nursing with a 3.2 gpa. However, calculating JUST my Psychology faculty courses, I have a 3.88/4.

With just looking at my cumulative gpa, I obviously would be hopeless, but if there are any schools that just look at Psych, I think I am really competetive. Anyone know of any schools? I'm Canadian, but want to move to the US. Thanks.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

There have been other posts asking very similar questions, so a search of the forums might turn up specific programs. However, the general consensus was to not choose potential programs based on this facet alone, based in large part on the fact that there's then no guarantee you'll have any sort of research match with a POI at the school. Beyond that, even if your cumulative were "only" 3.2, I certainly wouldn't classify that as hopeless. It'd be lower than the average incoming graduate student, but if your research experience and GRE scores are strong, you have strong letters of rec, and your match with the program(s) is solid, those factors can make up for a low GPA in many instances.

 

[thewesternsky]

AA is right on the mark re: grades.

Given your background, though, I'm interested in why you want to pursue a clinical psychology degree, and what other preparation you've done. Do you have research experience in psychology or mental health? If not, you may need to spend a year or so gaining this experience before applying.

If you're primarily interested in doing therapy, consider whether becoming a psychiatric nurse would meet your career goals. I'm a clinical psychology resident in Canada, and two of my rotations have psychiatric nurses regularly doing intakes and therapy with our patients. A clinical psychology Ph.D. program takes a minimum of 4 years plus internship (plus a year for registration in many provinces and states), and the ACTUAL average time to completion is much longer than 5 years. You've already been in school a long time... Are you sure you want to be making a barely-liveable stipend wage for the next 6-10 years and THEN starting an entry-level position when you could be practicing nursing? If I were you, I would strongly consider taking a job in mental health nursing and working my way up the career ladder that way.

 

[Mike32110]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I forgot to mention that I am much more interested in the PsyD programs, as therapy and diagnosing is what I am much more interested in. I know that I get to do some of that already, however, I still feel somewhat limited by my scope of practice. I'm already a Nurse Clinician, and you can't go any higher without a masters anyway. My plan would be to work as an RN in the summers, to supplement my income. I should also mention that I have worked crazy amounts of overtime in the last few years, and am very financially stable; I would for sure have to sacrafice the vacations but overall I have enough money invested that I wouldn't exactly be living off of Ramen noodles for the next few years. I own my own home, a business, and am looking at buying an investment property.

I did do two semesters of an independent thesis project, however, I decided to graduate early and avoid the extra semester (it would have ended up being an extra year, but part time) to get my Honors degree; instead I went into a fast-track program. I got an A+ on the project, but handed it over to my prof whom was close to retirement and not much of a publisher. I have a couple of poster presentations, but aside from that, I don't have much research.

I'm also 27 with no children. My goal would be to do tons of OT over the next few months while applying, hopefully get into a PsyD program in about 5-6 years, and then move down to the US in a lower cost of living state while renting out my home.