Battleplan for 2009/2010

Started by DannySplat
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DannySplat

DannySplat

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Hi everyone. So the reality of not getting into graduate school this year is here. What are your recommendations in terms of options? I am 23 years old so I know that I have a lot of time before I commit to a PhD in Clinical or Counseling psychology.

So far, I have three options; doing a master's in general psychology, a job as a research assistant, and a job in a clinical field, actually working with people. My educational credentials are pretty good but people have been telling me that I need more clinical experience. I have presented at three APA conferences, I have been a research assistant for 3 years, and I have an article currently in press but the only field experience I have is as a volunteer for suicide prevention.

My question is this, out of the three options above, which is my best one? Also, can one's personal statement be TOO specific? A professor of mine said that my statement was probably too directive and professors may have seen that as a sign of me being inflexible in terms of research interests.

Feel free to respond here or PM me. Thanks!
 
I wish I had an answer for you, especially since we seem to be in similar situations. These might be good questions to ask the DCT on the "Advice from Prof for Applicants to Ph.D. programs" thread-- I'm especially interested in any answers you get to the second question (about whether a PS can be too specific).
 
The PS can definitely be too specific, as part of the mentoring process is working with your mentor to flush out some of the nuances of the work. You want to show that you have thought about the work, but you are also open to the input of others as a mentor doesn't want to work with someone who isn't open to feedback. It can be a tricky thing to find the right balance, so it is helpful to have a number of people (professors/researchers in particular) review your PS and provide feedback.
 
T4C, here I was, listening to people who were telling me that you need to know EXACTLY what you want to do for PhD programs when I hadn't thought that that was counterproductive. Ah well...this is a learning experience and considering I'm only 23, I have lots of time to reapply. Do you think it is better to work as a research assistant or in a clinical/social work related field?

Keep the comments coming everyone.
 
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