Can I get into this program??

[Anise]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi. Here's another new thread from me. 🙂 Yes, this was not the first, nor will it in all probability be the last, since I have several specific questions that can't really be combined into one thread (and weren't answered in previous threads, as far as I can see.)

What's the best way to go about getting into a PhD program if your undergrad work was NOT in psychology? My average GPA was around 3.6, and based on test versions I've taken of the GRE (planning to take it in the fall,) I expect verbal to be around 780 and quantitative/analytic perhaps 600. I'm very interested in the health psych program at UNT-Denton, and it doesn't seem to be as competitive as many others (average admissions rate hovers around 30-45%.) The problems are that I don't have a.) the prerequisite classes b.) the research experience or c.) the psych professors who will write letters of recommendation. I can take some prereq classes at MTSU this fall (I'm already admitted,) and I've spoken to admissions at UNT-- they say I can enter as an undifferentiated grad student and get the rest in.

So does this sound like a situation where I have a chance of getting into this program?

 

[alienarms]

A lot of clinical psychology programs state that they'll consider non-psychology majors with other credentials. My question to you would be: Are you willing to maybe take an extra year or two and take some of the prereqs that they ask for and maybe gain some research experience? It sounds like that might help your application quite a bit. If you had the prereqs and the recommendations, but were missing just one area, that might be different, but I think maybe since you don't have any of the requirements yet that your best bet might be to take some time and get the experience you need before applying. Something else to consider would be why you want to go into health psychology-what do you want to do with the Ph.D.? Research? Applied work? The school's requirements are there for a reason-you will probably not be happy in the program if you don't have some idea of what it will be like for you-i.e., if you don't have research experience or general knowledge of psychology. Also, the health psychology program is a combined clinical/health psychology program from what I could tell on the website, so they will most likely expect that you have all the reqs.

 

[Anise]

A lot of clinical psychology programs state that they'll consider non-psychology majors with other credentials. My question to you would be: Are you willing to maybe take an extra year or two and take some of the prereqs that they ask for and maybe gain some research experience? It sounds like that might help your application quite a bit. If you had the prereqs and the recommendations, but were missing just one area, that might be different, but I think maybe since you don't have any of the requirements yet that your best bet might be to take some time and get the experience you need before applying. Something else to consider would be why you want to go into health psychology-what do you want to do with the Ph.D.? Research? Applied work? The school's requirements are there for a reason-you will probably not be happy in the program if you don't have some idea of what it will be like for you-i.e., if you don't have research experience or general knowledge of psychology. Also, the health psychology program is a combined clinical/health psychology program from what I could tell on the website, so they will most likely expect that you have all the reqs.

Thanks for replying. 🙂

I'm willing to take the time beforehand, but that brings up another question: would it make the most sense to just go ahead and get a terminal master's first? As long as I would be spending the time anyway, would that maybe be a better investment of both time and money??

And, oh yeah! (Happily, I can edit posts in this forum...)
I've also spoken with the head of the MSW program at DU-Denver; they're the only one I know of that has a trauma specialization (wish I could give more precise details about that, such as what sort of work these MSW's actually end up doing.) They do have some overlap with psychoneuroimmunology, from what I could gather. That would then be prep for me to go on to a social work PhD. The real questions are if it's possible to cover the same ground in a social macro context, and what I'd actually be qualified to do at that point. The tempting thing is that I already KNOW I'd qualify for that program with maybe a couple of classes additional at MTSU. I should probably also add that it seems like it would be easier to relate to other people in a MSW-PhD social work program, since there seem to be a lot more adults who have already been in the work force and are returning to school. This may be a chicken-y reason; I'm not sure. 😉

Anyway, I don't want to stop at a master's in either case, since I really want to be able to do research.

 

[Psyclops]

Hi. Here's another new thread from me. 🙂 Yes, this was not the first, nor will it in all probability be the last, since I have several specific questions that can't really be combined into one thread (and weren't answered in previous threads, as far as I can see.)

What's the best way to go about getting into a PhD program if your undergrad work was NOT in psychology? My average GPA was around 3.6, and based on test versions I've taken of the GRE (planning to take it in the fall,) I expect verbal to be around 780 and quantitative/analytic perhaps 600. I'm very interested in the health psych program at UNT-Denton, and it doesn't seem to be as competitive as many others (average admissions rate hovers around 30-45%.) The problems are that I don't have a.) the prerequisite classes b.) the research experience or c.) the psych professors who will write letters of recommendation. I can take some prereq classes at MTSU this fall (I'm already admitted,) and I've spoken to admissions at UNT-- they say I can enter as an undifferentiated grad student and get the rest in.

So does this sound like a situation where I have a chance of getting into this program?

A couple of questions that might help with advice giving. What was your undergraduate work in? When did you or will you graduate? UNT-Denton = U of North Texas? Addmissions to this program are 1/3? Is it a clinical health psych program? And the big one, what made you interested enough to want to go get a PhD in psych if you studies something else originally?

 

[Psyclops]

There has been alot of talk about this before, but if you do spend time getting a master's make sure it is research based. With a thesis, if not it may be a waste of time.

 

[perfektspace]

If I remember correctly UNT uses some type of checklist for admissions to their clinical department. For example, to be eligible you must have 1 of the following (or something to that effect). Might help you out. I'm not sure if the health specialty operates under that same principle. I am also pretty sure their funding can be iffy. They have some good faculty.

I think Dr. Phil went to UNT. 😱

 

[Anise]

UNT does use a checklist; you're right. However, just looking at a checklist may or may NOT tell the whole story. I have a phone appointment with the head of the department in early June, and I'll find out more then.

Why psychology, and why now? It's a deeply philosophical question. 😉 Sure you want the whole story? Here's the condensed version.

It all began, I think, when the smoothly humming engine of my well-planned career was thrown hideously off-track by a terrible car accident and a resulting civil trial. I then did other things, including owning and operating my own business for many years. I finally went back to school to finish my BFA, and worked in graphic design for years too. Everything was going swimmingly there until I developed severe keratoconjunctivitis sicca about one year ago. Without going into great detail, let's just say that it turned everything violently upside down. I was one of the lucky ones who responds well to Restasis; most people don't. But the experience sent me on a profound inward journey. I developed an intense curiousity about the psychological roots of mysterious autoimmune diseases (ks being one of them.) I finished my LMT training, and realized that an astounding number of bodyworkers were getting counseling psych MFA's. We all seem to be groping towards an understanding of what the body-mind connection really is.

I realized in pretty short order, though, that I wanted a much more academic program than the ones that most LMT's seem to be attracted to. So that's where the UNT program comes in. 🙂