Boston Question

[wdd]

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So here I am, all psyched for my online orientation for Northwestern's School of Continuing Studies, ready to give up a chunk of my time and money to build up my credentials as an applicant next year. NWU's program is very straightforward, simple, and it comes from a great-named school that I'd be honored to attend as a PhD student in 2009.

Now here's the rub: My wife might be taking a job--her dream job--in Boston. Now, that's fine by me; we both need to have our dream jobs, and one of the attractive things about my dream job is its portability (unlike, say, fashion, in which you can only work in a handful of cities). But I will need to adjust Operation: Bulk Up The Application if we move (with the intention of staying long enough for me to finish school and my internship).

It looks like there are three schools--BU, Suffolk, and UMass Boston--right in town that will fit my needs of a balanced program, good location, and in some cases, a neuropsych track. Does anyone know if these schools have some sort of post-bac course program for either a certificate or for students-at-large? I can't seem to get a straight answer from their web sites, and I hate asking dumb questions to people who might eventually be receiving application material from me. Any help is appreciated. (And it doesn't have to be limited to those three schools, either--those are just the ones in the area where I would apply for the PhD next year.)

 

[lilies05]

harvard has a lot of continuing courses too... many held on nights.
http://www.extension.harvard.edu/

they are held right on harvard's campus in cambridge

 

[psychanon]

I can't directly answer your question, but I do know that Mass General offers tons of great research assistant jobs, which would do well to bulk up your resume. I believe McLean Hospital also offers RA jobs. Often times as a university employee you can take courses for free-- Mass General is affiliated with Harvard (and maybe McLean is too) so you could look into that possibility.

 

[wdd]

I can't directly answer your question, but I do know that Mass General offers tons of great research assistant jobs, which would do well to bulk up your resume. I believe McLean Hospital also offers RA jobs. Often times as a university employee you can take courses for free-- Mass General is affiliated with Harvard (and maybe McLean is too) so you could look into that possibility.

That's great--if it looks like we're going to move, I'll look into these for volunteer opportunities. No one's going to pay me at this point 🙂

Thanks!

 

[amy203]

Hi wdd - first of all, you should probably know that applying to schools in only one city isn't a great idea. It's sounds like you may have to stay in Boston but, if possible, you should really consider programs in other cities as well. I would say this about any city, but Boston is especially bad, since it's such a popular area. I don't know about Suffolk, but UMass at Boston is a very competitive school and BU is, arguably, the most competitive program in the country (based on the number of applicants they receive in comparison to the number of people they accept). No matter how good your application is, your odds of getting in to either program are very slim (which is why most clinical PhD applicants apply to at least 10 programs).

In terms of improving your app, I wouldn't say a postbac program is really your best route, unless you weren't a psychology major and need to take more classes. Even if this is the case, the most important thing is still to get clinical and, especially, research experience. Again, I don't know much about Suffolk, but UMass and BU are going to be looking for applicants with A LOT of research experience. I didn't apply to either school, but I know several people who interviewed at BU, and they all had several years of full time work as research assistants and one or two publications. If I were you, I would get a job as a research assistant rather than spending my time on a postbac.

 

[amy203]

No one's going to pay me at this point 🙂

You never know. Are you good with computers? Experience with data management programs (e.g. Access, SPSS) is one thing they look for in RAs.

 

[wdd]

Hi Amy,

Yes, unfortunately, I'll be geographically locked-in, based on where we live. My wife will be supporting us, so we have to live where that's feasible. It's either here (Chicago) or there (Boston) right now, so it does limit my school choices. Fortunately, I like several programs in both cities enough to feel okay about applying only to those. My feeling is, if I don't get in on the first try, keep trying, that's it.

The post-bac isn't necessarily to get another degree, but to fill in some gaps. I have no stats experience (English Major/Psych minor), and no connections. So, I seem to have gotten the advice from several sources, professors included, that this is a very viable way to go. That said, I understand the value of research and clinical experience, and that will be my other focus at the beginning of the new year, wherever I find myself.

 

[wdd]

You never know. Are you good with computers? Experience with data management programs (e.g. Access, SPSS) is one thing they look for in RAs.

No, but I'll look into it--thanks!

 

[amy203]

Another option would be a masters program. They're not cheap, but a post-bac isn't either, and a good one will give you research experience and courses all in one shot.

 

[wdd]

Another option would be a masters program. They're not cheap, but a post-bac isn't either, and a good one will give you research experience and courses all in one shot.

I looked into several MA and MS programs, and they are substantially more expensive and would take much more time than taking a handful of classes at a good university's extension/continuing studies/whatever they want to call it school. (I should explain, too, that I'll be taking a handful of classes, not a full-on post-bac, so I'll be paying by the credit.) From what I can find online, most of those Master's classes wouldn't transfer, either, and I couldn't work in the meantime, as classes are taught in the day. I can't go full-time at this point.

Have you guessed that I'm non-traditional yet 🙂 I do have a lot in my favor; I just need some more classes and the practical experience.

 

[KillerDiller]

I would say this about any city, but Boston is especially bad, since it's such a popular area. I don't know about Suffolk, but UMass at Boston is a very competitive school and BU is, arguably, the most competitive program in the country (based on the number of applicants they receive in comparison to the number of people they accept).

For what it's worth, Suffolk accepted approximately 6-7% of applicants this year (with a larger incoming cohort than other Boston schools). All graduate students there have a significant amount of research experience.

Wdd, it sounds as if you've thought through your route carefully and that you know what will work best for you. I think taking classes through Harvard would work well for you. I also don't think you should worry about checking with other programs to see if they offer post-bac classes. It's a legitimate query. You may also want to check out Clark University which has a clinical psych program. It's in Worcester, a bit of a commute from Boston, so maybe if you get in there you and your wife could live halfway in between, which should be very workable.

 

[amy203]

I should explain, too, that I'll be taking a handful of classes, not a full-on post-bac, so I'll be paying by the credit.

Ahh - that makes more sense. I thought you meant a full time post-bac program.

One other thought - a friend of mine, who really wanted to stay in a particular city with only one, very competitive PhD program, managed to secure a volunteer research position in the lab of the professor she applied to work with. She got in. It's kind of a long shot, but if you aren't interested in being paid anyway, why don't you try to get a volunteer research position at one of the schools you are interested in attending?

 

[Anon15]

I can't directly answer your question, but I do know that Mass General offers tons of great research assistant jobs, which would do well to bulk up your resume. I believe McLean Hospital also offers RA jobs. Often times as a university employee you can take courses for free-- Mass General is affiliated with Harvard (and maybe McLean is too) so you could look into that possibility.

Although MGH and McLean are both affliliated w/Harvard you cannot take courses for free. You have to work FOR Harvard in order to enjoy this perk.

Suffolk is not fully funded. URI (University of Rhode Island) is 1 1/2 hours for Boston and is APA accredited as another option.

Harvard extension is your best bet. Take a few classes there, kick but and have a Harvard Prof write you a letter of rec.

 

[wdd]

It's kind of a long shot, but if you aren't interested in being paid anyway, why don't you try to get a volunteer research position at one of the schools you are interested in attending?

Definitely a plan--I was hoping to do that at NWU, too.

Thanks again, folks. People I know who are based in Boston, I might be PMing you for tips on where to get the best chowdah.

(First and last "chowdah" joke. Promise.)

 

[GiantSteps]

"Boston...Don't worry. It's not a big college town." - This Is Spinal Tap

 

[bellecalle]

hey wdd, i live in boston and currently have a FT paid RA position, and I can tell you that there are SO many opportunities here. Boston is a much smaller city compared to all the other big cities out there, but there is such a big concentration of hospitals and research and labs here that I dont think you will have any trouble finding positions, especially volunteer positions.

My lab recently took in 2 volunteers, one of whom is a Jr in college and has absolutely NO background in psych. Like not even intro.

Anyway, please feel free to PM me for any boston-related questions. I'd be happy to help!

 

[psypsypsy]

If you're looking for research opportunities and/or full-time research jobs, Boston is pretty much the best place you can go. I know a ton of people who got research jobs there. A lot of hospitals had it as part of their psychiatry program as well. A lot start hiring in the spring to take on recent graduates, but there are often availabilities the rest of the year. Most of the hospitals are associated with either Harvard, Tufts, or BU.

Places to Look:
Massachusetts General Hospital
McLean Hospital
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Cambridge Health Alliance
Boston University
UMass-Boston
Children's Hospital Boston
Tufts New England Medical Center
Boston Medical Center
Beth Israel Deaconness Mecial Center

Why Boston has so many hospitals is a little beyond me....these are just the major research ones...