- Joined
- Apr 23, 2012
- Messages
- 83
- Reaction score
- 15
Hi,
I'm new to the forum and I couldn't find the answer to my question anywhere. I'm currently working at a prestigious university as a clinical research assistant. I work primarily with subjects with cognitive disorders and I've been doing so for ~2 years now. I'm seriously considering applying to clinical psych Ph.D. programs, but I'm not sure I have enough research experience. In my job, I coordinate a few studies and do a great amount of psychological testing, as well as patient recruitment. I've gotten a lot of experience with my target population. The only problem is I work mostly with pharmaceutical studies, so while I am involved in the collection of data, I'm not really analyzing it or designing a study. Plus, I'm not working with a professor, but a psychiatrist.
I switched majors rather late in the game, from a basic science to psychology at the end of my sophomore year of college. So really, I didn't begin my psychology coursework until my junior year. I did a senior thesis, but other than that, I don't have any other research experience. I've got a great psych GPA, I'm expecting great LORs, and while I have yet to take them, I think I'll do pretty well on the GREs (I hope!). I know there's a lot more to the competitive admissions process than what I've mentioned here and that I seem less accomplished than some of you applying.
My question is: Am I getting research experience in my current position? Will this count to a clinical psych Ph.D. program? And, if not, what can I do about this? Quitting my job is not an option as I love what I do, I need the money, and I value the relationship I have with my superior and they would like me there for at least another year if not more. I really want to apply as soon as possible. Any constructive advice would be much appreciated!
I'm new to the forum and I couldn't find the answer to my question anywhere. I'm currently working at a prestigious university as a clinical research assistant. I work primarily with subjects with cognitive disorders and I've been doing so for ~2 years now. I'm seriously considering applying to clinical psych Ph.D. programs, but I'm not sure I have enough research experience. In my job, I coordinate a few studies and do a great amount of psychological testing, as well as patient recruitment. I've gotten a lot of experience with my target population. The only problem is I work mostly with pharmaceutical studies, so while I am involved in the collection of data, I'm not really analyzing it or designing a study. Plus, I'm not working with a professor, but a psychiatrist.
I switched majors rather late in the game, from a basic science to psychology at the end of my sophomore year of college. So really, I didn't begin my psychology coursework until my junior year. I did a senior thesis, but other than that, I don't have any other research experience. I've got a great psych GPA, I'm expecting great LORs, and while I have yet to take them, I think I'll do pretty well on the GREs (I hope!). I know there's a lot more to the competitive admissions process than what I've mentioned here and that I seem less accomplished than some of you applying.
My question is: Am I getting research experience in my current position? Will this count to a clinical psych Ph.D. program? And, if not, what can I do about this? Quitting my job is not an option as I love what I do, I need the money, and I value the relationship I have with my superior and they would like me there for at least another year if not more. I really want to apply as soon as possible. Any constructive advice would be much appreciated!