Chicago School of Professional Psychology LA

[yypsych]

Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum but I feel you guys are very helpful.. So I was wondering if you guys can help me with my graduate process.

I graduated from a UC in 2010.
My stas are...
general GPA: 3.49
Psych GPA: 3.75
GRE Scores: Verbal 420, Math 650, Analy 3.5 (2nd time)
Verbal 330, Math 500, Analy 3.5 (1st time)
Experience: 2 quarters in different research experience I have a good CV list, though it could use more. I don't have any publish work. And my rec of letters are okay. I'm looking into PsyD Clinical Psych programs.

I was interviewed at Chicago School of Professional Psychology and it went well. What I'm worried about is that I've been reading about the forum about other PsyD programs that are better. And I don't know if I should take another year to apply to them. I also wanted to add that I'm applying to the Chicago School of Professional Psych in Los Angeles. It costs about 1k per credit unit and the branch is fairly new, opened in 2008. So you can see my concern. And I'm not wealthy at all. So what should I do? I'm worried with the cost of CSPP and the accreditation as compared to other schools. I didn't apply to anything but CSPP. Should I wait another year and apply to better schools, university based PsyD programs? Do I even have a chance to get in to another? I know I should have done better research about the schools. But it's hard when you're thrown into it without any guidance. So can you guys please help me? Thank you so much! I'm really stressed.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Hi guys,
I'm new to the forum but I feel you guys are very helpful.. So I was wondering if you guys can help me with my graduate process.

I graduated from a UC in 2010.
My stas are...
general GPA: 3.49
Psych GPA: 3.75
GRE Scores: Verbal 420, Math 650, Analy 3.5 (2nd time)
Verbal 330, Math 500, Analy 3.5 (1st time)
Experience: 2 quarters in different research experience I have a good CV list, though it could use more. I don't have any publish work. And my rec of letters are okay. I'm looking into PsyD Clinical Psych programs.

I was interviewed at Chicago School of Professional Psychology and it went well. What I'm worried about is that I've been reading about the forum about other PsyD programs that are better. And I don't know if I should take another year to apply to them. I also wanted to add that I'm applying to the Chicago School of Professional Psych in Los Angeles. It costs about 1k per credit unit and the branch is fairly new, opened in 2008. So you can see my concern. And I'm not wealthy at all. So what should I do? I'm worried with the cost of CSPP and the accreditation as compared to other schools. I didn't apply to anything but CSPP. Should I wait another year and apply to better schools, university based PsyD programs? Do I even have a chance to get in to another? I know I should have done better research about the schools. But it's hard when you're thrown into it without any guidance. So can you guys please help me? Thank you so much! I'm really stressed.

To be honest, while your GPA isn't horrible (it's a bit below average for clinical psych applicants), your GRE scores and limited research experience are likely going to make securing a spot in a funded program quite difficult for you. However, given how expensive CSPP sounds to be, I'd say it's definitely worth taking an extra year or two to gain additional research experience, perhaps give the GRE another run-through, and then apply to a wider range and number (12-15) of programs. If you were able to get into CSPP with your current numbers, then odds are you won't have problems getting in again with an improved application.

As an added bonus, should you be able to find a research assistant position for the next year or two, that might allow you to stash away some extra money. Thus, even if you ultimately end up at CSPP, you'll be saved at least a little bit in terms of loan amounts you'll need to take out.

 

[roubs]

Get this book and wait a year. It wouldn't be ideal to go to a really expensive program knowing you didn't apply anywhere else.

 

[aequitasveritas]

I would avoid the satellite branches of the Chi School. The trainees and clinicians I have run into from the LA/Orange county campus have very poor clinical training.

For further note on this forum it may be useful to refer to the Chicago School as Chi School as the California School of Professional Psychology (within Alliant) is also CSPP but was founded first, and is more notably known as CSPP.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Setting aside the free standing school debate for a moment....the larger issue is the lack of APA-acred. I believe they are a new program, so they will need to graduate a class before being elligible for APA-acred. status. Attending a non-APA acred. program with the hope it gets APA-acred. before you graduate is not advisable, as many things can go wrong to delay/deny the application.

 

[berlin81]

I agree with the above posters, especially regarding the APA accreditation. As far as the multiple campuses that the Chicago School has, the main campus in Chicago has an APA accredited PsyD program in clinical psych. They might have another campus with an APA accredited program, I am not sure.

In relation, the whole Chicago School system appears to be going through a bunch of changes (opening new campuses, changing curriculum). Perhaps they are trying to get all or most of their programs APA accredited, but as T4C mentioned, its too much of a risk to go through a program that actively seeking APA accreditation. You never know what will happen and you can't assume anything.

If you like the mission and approach of the Chicago School, I would recommended looking into their PsyD program in Chicago and avoid the other campuses. The tuition will still be horrible, but at the very least you would be in an APA accredited program. If staying on the west coast or if relocation is not an option, then I would look into other schools.

 

[yypsych]

The admissioner and the Clinical Psych Professor I interviewed with assured me that they are in the process of applying for the APA accrediation and since it takes 5 years, I'll would be in my 3rd year there when they get approved.

What I'm worry about is the process of applying to other programs and getting rejected seeing how I don't know if my stats are good enough for another school. I'm afraid I'll waste another year, and that if this is as good as my chance will be to getting into a graduate program.

Also are you guys saying that if I reapply again to Chicago School, they would accept me again? Wouldn't they question why I didn't accept their offer in the first place?

If it's possible can you guys recommend some good funded more affordable PsyD programs that I can look into. I really do appreciate all the help I can get. I don't want to regret anything especially since its my future. The thing that got me interested in Chicago School of Professional Psych was a cultural aspect of their psyd program. Is there another graduate program that incoporate psychology and cultural aspect of minorities? I like to travel international working with others and psychology.

 

[cara susanna]

There are a lot of programs that offer that.

 

[berlin81]

The admissioner and the Clinical Psych Professor I interviewed with assured me that they are in the process of applying for the APA accrediation and since it takes 5 years, I'll would be in my 3rd year there when they get approved.

What I'm worry about is the process of applying to other programs and getting rejected seeing how I don't know if my stats are good enough for another school. I'm afraid I'll waste another year, and that if this is as good as my chance will be to getting into a graduate program.

Also are you guys saying that if I reapply again to Chicago School, they would accept me again? Wouldn't they question why I didn't accept their offer in the first place?

If it's possible can you guys recommend some good funded more affordable PsyD programs that I can look into. I really do appreciate all the help I can get. I don't want to regret anything especially since its my future. The thing that got me interested in Chicago School of Professional Psych was a cultural aspect of their psyd program. Is there another graduate program that incoporate psychology and cultural aspect of minorities? I like to travel international working with others and psychology.

Although their admissions office and a faculty member assured you that they would accreditation, its still a huge risk. Plus, its no secret that the APA can surprise people by not granting accreditation or yanking it away. The way I look at is if City University of New York can loose their accreditation (for what seems to be for good reason), anyone is vulnerable.

I personally don't think that a lot of schools would give you a hard time about waiting a year or re-applying. From what I have heard, some programs might be understanding if you are facing a significant economic hardship at the time you are accepted, which would effect your ability to obtain student loans. But if you make it known that you want to "shop around" for another year, that might make them question their interest in you.

Pretty much all doctorate programs will offer coursework that focuses on cultural and socioeconomic aspects of treatment. If you're interested in working/studying with a specific ethnic group, I would assume that some programs might have certain strengths due to their geographic location. Again, its something you will need to research.

 

[Sendtrees]

You say you were "thrown" into this process without any guidance. I don't see how someone else could have thrown you into a process as arduous and personal as a doctoral program. I think you need to really examine why you are doing this. Why is a doctoral degree, versus a much shorter and less expensive masters-level clinical degree, so necessary? At least do some more reading in the additional year you absolutely should take to apply again. It would probably be more cost-effective for you to pay for an outrageously overpriced GRE training program and have a shot at a funded, accredited program, than to sink thousands into Chicago LA. Do not worry that if you take another shot and come out no better, they won't readmit you. I'm sure they'll be just as happy to take your money a year from now.

 

[erg923]

If it's possible can you guys recommend some good funded more affordable PsyD programs that I can look into.

The thing that got me interested in Chicago School of Professional Psych was a cultural aspect of their psyd program. Is there another graduate program that incoporate psychology and cultural aspect of minorities?

I have to kind of piggy back here and ask: If you are REALLY interested in that area, why dont you know this already? Why haven't you done the research before applying...and on your own? To me this demostrates either a frightening level of procrastination (considering you want to complete a doctorate) OR impulsive decision making and/or lack of real focus. I have to agree that the only person that threw you into the application process was YOU.

 

[yypsych]

I'm not saying anyone threw me into anything and am clear of the fact that it is up to ME. I know that I am approaching this with really rush decision that is why I'm on this forum asking for information from other people who have experience. I don't think an attack on me personally is really helpful even though I am aware of my faults.

This is one way I'm researching and I have been researching. I'm just simply asking for advice and appreciate those who are not judging and are answering my questions with their expertise and opinions.

I heard back from the Chicago School in LA and they send their acceptance. They say their first cohort group will be applying for internship soon so they'll know the stats on that. Of course I'm still unsure about accepting until I hear more about the financial aid they will give me. You guys are right in that I don't want to spend thousands of dollars only to graduate from a 'shaddy' (for a lack of a better word) school that won't help me secure a job in the future because it won't be recognized.

 

[KillerDiller]

Yypsych, I don't think you have mentioned your career goals yet. I know there are a lot of variables you are considering right now, but are you sure you need a doctorate to have the career you want? If you only want to do therapy, you could save time, money, and a headache by going to a well-respected masters program instead.

 

[roubs]

I'm not saying anyone threw me into anything and am clear of the fact that it is up to ME. I know that I am approaching this with really rush decision that is why I'm on this forum asking for information from other people who have experience. I don't think an attack on me personally is really helpful even though I am aware of my faults.

This is one way I'm researching and I have been researching. I'm just simply asking for advice and appreciate those who are not judging and are answering my questions with their expertise and opinions.

I heard back from the Chicago School in LA and they send their acceptance. They say their first cohort group will be applying for internship soon so they'll know the stats on that. Of course I'm still unsure about accepting until I hear more about the financial aid they will give me. You guys are right in that I don't want to spend thousands of dollars only to graduate from a 'shaddy' (for a lack of a better word) school that won't help me secure a job in the future because it won't be recognized.

I don't think it's personal, these are the tough questions you should be thinking about. The fact that you applied to only one school and felt rushed or less than organized about it suggests you might have more thinking to do. Also I think any for-profit Psy.D. program is happy to take the money of any college graduate with halfway decent credentials.

 

[CounselingWithX]

😱 You are crazy to pay $1,000 per credit hour! Don't do it!