back ups

[yikes]

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hi,
since clinical programs are so competetive did any of you apply to mastser's programs along with phd programs? i'm starting to get worried that i won't get in anywhere...

 

[KillerDiller]

I think it's a good idea to line up some back-up Masters programs in case you don't get into a Ph.D program as long as you feel that a Masters degree will help make you more competitive. For some, it comes down to a choice between getting a Masters or working two additional years in the field either as an RA or in some sort of clinical setting. I think that which option is more beneficial depends on where the weak spots in your application lie.

 

[socialcog]

I think it's a good idea to line up some back-up Masters programs in case you don't get into a Ph.D program as long as you feel that a Masters degree will help make you more competitive. For some, it comes down to a choice between getting a Masters or working two additional years in the field either as an RA or in some sort of clinical setting. I think that which option is more beneficial depends on where the weak spots in your application lie.

So it has been shown that those with a Master's, with a license to practice, and has been practicing clinically for years -- are sometimes better positioned as applicants/prospects? will help committees overlook weak(er) undergraduate GPAs? If so, why? What is the rationale here?

 

[blindblonde]

I did it, and I'm at my master's backup now. I'm at Wake Forest's general psychology M.A. program. It wasn't the plan I had in mind; however, I'm at a really good program, well funded, and happy with my decision to come here. I've also heard that William & Mary is pretty good.

The reason I personally opted for a general M.A. program is that I heard some feedback that schools won't always take clinical/counseling experience on a master's level. I just wanted to get a better overall background and *hope* some of my credits transfer later on. If not, I can deal with it when it comes.

If you're interested in WFU, just let me know.

 

[yikes]

how do i find out which schools have funded master's programs?

 

[socialcog]

I have already done it. I have my Master's and I have been a practicing master's level clinician for the past 7 years. I went into it NOT as a strategy to reapply to PhD programs. I honestly thought being a clinician would be my 'end goal'. However, now I'm gearing up for PhD research programs.

My question is, Am I better off, better positioned, more appealing to the admission's committees because of this experience? --however accidental it may have been?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It depends on the program. Some like more experience, others want to be able to mold you into clinicians from their orientation, etc. I think it will benefit you at most places, but YMMV.

-t

 

[Ollie123]

I didn't because in the very un-scientific sampling of "people I know doing psychology things", those who spent 2 years working as techs had better success than those who went into master's programs. Not exactly the greatest reason, but it thankfully didn't become a problem anyways.

Granted, by working as a tech I don't mean a minimum-wage undergrad-type job, I mean something full-time for a major research university/hospital (UPMC, MGH, MD Anderson, and the like).

Take this with a grain of salt though, because as I said, my reasons were not exactly well thought out🙂

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

If you can get a RESEARCH MS....then that would almost definitely give you an advantage. A terminal MS (license-able) is probably less advantageous in a more research oriented PhD setting.

I agree with Ollie.....RA positions can be golden, since you are pretty much showing you can do much the same in someone's lab in a doctoral program.

-t

 

[KillerDiller]

So it has been shown that those with a Master's, with a license to practice, and has been practicing clinically for years -- are sometimes better positioned as applicants/prospects? will help committees overlook weak(er) undergraduate GPAs? If so, why? What is the rationale here?

I'm not sure about this. I got a Masters in experimental psychology, not clinical psychology. Getting a general or research Masters degree can make up for a lack of coursework as an undergraduate (in my case, I wasn't a psychology major, so I wanted to do a Masters first in order to get a more thorough background in the subject). It can also help make up for a lower undergrad GPA, like you mentioned, or for a lack of research experience (if you make sure to go into a program that requires an original research project for a thesis). Being an RA, on the other hand, can also give you research experience and may be preferable as long as you are doing the type of work that you want to do as a Ph.D student. Being an RA in a lab doing work that is irrelevant to what you want to do, on the other hand, is not as helpful.

how do i find out which schools have funded master's programs?

Wake Forest, William and Mary, Villanova, and Ball State are the only funded programs I personally know of. Ball State, by the way, had a funding package that was not as good as the other schools.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

When I was looking at programs I never considered a research MS, but in retrospect, it actually sounds like a really interesting route (if time wasn't such a factor in my decision). Once I started grad school, I remembered how much I enjoyed stuff like that.

-t

 

[Ollie123]

KD, Bucknell also has a research MS.

I just want to clarify I don't necessarily think a research MS is a BAD idea, I think either can improve an application.

If I HAD to offer advice I would say that if you have low(ish) grades or weren't a psych major, do the MS.

If you have good grades and were a psych major, but are just lacking posters/pubs, go for a tech job and launch yourself into it to make sure you can get some of those.

 

[socialcog]

thanks everyone. This is helpful. Not terribly reassuring, but helpful. I did have to do a research thesis in my master's program but the program wasn't considered a research master's program. oooohh it's going to be an interesting process!! I'll be sure to keep all of you posted!

 

[blindblonde]

I only heard about Wake though my undergrad advisor, so I'm not exactly sure where you can look up a list of masters programs with funding. I have to say though, I did get lucky.

Yes, I can see where getting an RA job is helpful experience for reapplying, but I don't think my master's experience here will be worthless either. My program has you do a first year project and then your master's thesis. I am also an RA on a grant project (although most of the other students are TAs). I think it also shows that you can handle graduate level work when applying, not just handling the research element. I know that my clinical experience will be limited since I'm working in the personality arena at the moment. For me though, it was a clear choice. I had an excellent undergrad GPA and decent experience, but things just didn't work out in the application/interview process. I'm glad I had this backup.

There just is a lot of variability with master's programs, so you have to research them carefully.