Changing schools, how common is it?

[RayneeDeigh]

---

Members don't see this ad.

One of my fellow first-years and I were talking about this earlier, and I'm just curious... does anybody know how common it is for clinical students to transfer schools? I was under the impression that this only happens in situations where something very major has happened (like death of an advisor, sexual harassment, etc) but the person I was talking to was under the impression that students who just don't like their programs sometimes do this. Is that true? Wouldn't it reflect badly come internship time?

 

[JockNerd]

My understanding was that while it isn't common, it certainly does happen. Especially after students complete a masters somewhere, they might consider other options if their interests are changing or they aren't getting what they wanted out of the first program.

 

[amy203]

Hmmm - I guess I don't know if this applies for psychology. However, for chemistry programs, dropping out of a PhD program (that isn't designed to offer a terminal master degree) with a masters and then trying for a different PhD program is a huge no-no. You are essentially blacked-balled from other PhD programs (don't ask how I know this - it's a long story!).

And, if you think about it, this makes sense, especially for funded programs. You have taken their money for two years and the school wont benefit from having you graduate. In fact, they'll have to list you in their attrition reports! Plus, you're using the money/space that could go to someone who would like to graduate from the program.

I think it's far more professional to decide as soon as possible if you are unhappy in a program, before wasting any more of their time and money. As for transferring, I did meet someone during interviews who had transferred after 1 year, I think primarily because she didn't get along with her advisor. She had been able to transfer to very good school, so it is possible. I think you'd have to be very cautious and politically aware to pull it off though.

 

[LM02]

Similar to reasons Amy mentioned, my understanding is that this is fairly complex and would require quite a bit of diplomacy on your part.

However, I do know of people doing this when their advisor has left the department. Typically, it's easiest to just follow the advisor to the new school (often the advisor can negotiate for this in their job award). Or, in the case that an advisor doesn't earn tenure, I have known of at least one person who applied to new programs during her first year of grad school and was accepted into another program for her second year. But this was only with the strong support of the DCT at the initial school.

 

[Ollie123]

I also know someone who managed this (from a good program to another good program) just because research interests weren't quite lining up the way she hoped. I wouldn't expect it to work out well when doing this, but its certainly possible. It probably helped that her advisor is great, and while he wasn't happy about losing her, he was supportive.

I think its a lot more common to transfer advisors while staying in the same program (though that can be even more political at times). I think that depends entirely on the people involved and the culture of the program how that will go.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It seems to happen mostly in the first year, and those people get most/all of their classes transferred (if it is APA--> APA program), but the research piece is trickier. This is where having a very niche area of research could be a really problem. I know someone who was able to tweak her research and have it fit, others have had to go into their secondary interests to make it work. As for people later in the game, I've seen most grad students stick around and get mentored by someone else. As for people who want to leave a program late in the game (not because of faculty leaving), it seems like a much dicier situation.

My one friend (in another field) just got left out to dry.....though her program was just as stuck because of the circumstances. She had a primary and secondary supervisor (since her research involved 2 niche areas, both requiring expertise), but her secondary supervisor backed out of the position, and the school couldn't find someone who was knowledgeable enough to take his place, so they couldn't let her move forward in her research. Talk about an 11th hour letdown, she was suppose to start in 2 weeks.

-t

 

[salt612]

Just wondering if anyone knows how frequent/feasible it is for people to transfer from one clinical PhD program to another, not because of program dissatisfaction, but just for unanticipated personal/relationship reasons...I would appreciate any info or personal experiences...

 

[psypsypsy]

Just wondering if anyone knows how frequent/feasible it is for people to transfer from one clinical PhD program to another, not because of program dissatisfaction, but just for unanticipated personal/relationship reasons...I would appreciate any info or personal experiences...

I know someone in a different area of psychology (not clinical) who transferred for those reasons to place to closer to home. Her mentor was extremely supportive of the move, and wrote a recommendation letter for the new school. She transferred right after finishing her masters, so I think that helped in the transfer process. It might be harder in clinical, but I would guess it's still possible.

I think you'd have more trouble transferring if you didn't have the support of your DCT and mentor. I could see it working if research interests didn't fit, and your mentor was supportive of finding a better fit. But I would think the other school would be more wary of your reasons and social skills if you couldn't get the support of them.

 

[amy203]

I know someone who transferred after second year due to illness in her family. She had support from the program and her advisor. I'm not sure all of her classes are going to transfer, so she may lose a year, but it's not going to be the end of the world.

I think the main thing that would upset schools is if it appears that a student is just using them (and their funding) as a stepping stone into another program. This obviously wouldn't be the case if you left for personal reasons that couldn't be anticipated.

 

[treckingon]

Hi,

I'm in a clinical Psych Phd program and am in my second year. I don't like my advisor and I don't really like most of the people in my lab (I don't hate them, but I don't really feel comfortable with them). I feel like the training in the program isn't great -- it's very researchy and I'm starting to realize I like the clinical work more. I don't know if I should just stick with it and get it over with while trying to do as much reading as I can about clinical treatment and get my phd, or if I should try transferring. It was hard enough getting in to school the first time around, and I don't know if it would be harder a second time around. I also don't know if it'll be like starting from scratch, since you never know how many credits will count from one school to another...on the other hand, I HATE it here...

Any advice?

 

[psycmw]

Hi,

I'm in a clinical Psych Phd program and am in my second year. I don't like my advisor and I don't really like most of the people in my lab (I don't hate them, but I don't really feel comfortable with them). I feel like the training in the program isn't great -- it's very researchy and I'm starting to realize I like the clinical work more. I don't know if I should just stick with it and get it over with while trying to do as much reading as I can about clinical treatment and get my phd, or if I should try transferring. It was hard enough getting in to school the first time around, and I don't know if it would be harder a second time around. I also don't know if it'll be like starting from scratch, since you never know how many credits will count from one school to another...on the other hand, I HATE it here...

Any advice?

I'm in the same situation, well I'm actually just applied to other programs. In order to do it, I applied to the chair for a leave of absence for the semester so that if I don't get in any where I still have the ability to go back. The applications I felt were easier the 2nd time around because you're on the other side you know what faculty are looking for now. The only thing that bugged me was taking the GREs again because since I applied the first time the average scores went up. If you want to talk more PM me and I'll give you more details.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

MOD NOTE: I merged your thread with an existing one on the subject. -t4c

 

[SpiceyT]

While I don't think it's "common" for people to switch programs, it can be done. It may be easier switching within or to a professional school though. I know several people who switched from PsyD programs to MA programs, sometimes within the same school, sometimes at another school. I know one person who switched from one PsyD program to another, at another school in another state. She did have to give solid reasons for why she was leaving her original program, and she did lose some credits. Typically the schools will give you no more than 20-30 credits transferring in, and you have to make them match up. The class usually has to match 75 - 80%, which can be hard to do. Have your syllabi, papers, and as much documentation as you can gather, it all helps. Your mental and emotional health is a big part of surviving grad school, and if you are at a place where you are miserable, if you don't think you'll survive it mentally, then moving is a good option. Good luck.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Hi,

I'm in a clinical Psych Phd program and am in my second year. I don't like my advisor and I don't really like most of the people in my lab (I don't hate them, but I don't really feel comfortable with them). I feel like the training in the program isn't great -- it's very researchy and I'm starting to realize I like the clinical work more. I don't know if I should just stick with it and get it over with while trying to do as much reading as I can about clinical treatment and get my phd, or if I should try transferring. It was hard enough getting in to school the first time around, and I don't know if it would be harder a second time around. I also don't know if it'll be like starting from scratch, since you never know how many credits will count from one school to another...on the other hand, I HATE it here...

Any advice?

In all honesty, and as the poster above me mentioned, you might have the best luck attempting to transfer to a Psy.D. program, given your preference for the clinical side of things. Don't get me wrong, MANY individuals who attend Ph.D. programs have a strong interest in clinical work and/or intend to focus on primarily being a clinician rather than a researcher upon graduation. However, that generally isn't what a Ph.D. program wants to hear when considering admission.

Just curious: did you know about the heavy research focus of the program/your team before accepting their admissions offer, or was a "pleasant surprise" once you arrived?

Edit: I should also mention that in many programs, clinical experience doesn't start to significantly pick up until years two and three (not the case here, but we're generally an exception to the rule). Do you know for a fact that you won't see increased clinical responsibilities in the coming months?

 

[treckingon]

I don't think I'd consider a psyD program, mostly because I can't afford it. I think my clinical case loads will increase with time, but the training is pretty bad. It seems like non of the faculty really care that much that we do a good job with the patients...they just want their own research to go well...it's frustrating.

 

[SunnyCydney]

I'm in a PsyD program and my interests have changed to being a professor. I've applied to 11 programs and have only received one interview so far. i don't know if that is the reason. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.