Don't know what to do for plan B

[mewtoo]

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I've been reading past threads and have seen most of the suggestions, but I was hoping you guys could help me figure out what would work best for me. I'm seriously concerned that I will not get into any clinical phD programs and I really would like to at least have the general plan B mapped out now. My career goals are to do research at a university or in a medical setting and my research interests lie in emotional dyregulation, BPD, and eating disorders (and the comorbidity between the two disorders mentioned).

My stats: BS in psych with a biology minor (cellular and molecular concentration)

GPA- 3.4 at my institution, 3.53 with transfers, 3.67 last two years so far, 3.9 psych

GRE- 1040. This is my biggest concern and I plan to take the new one at the end of summer/beginning of school.

Research experience- 1 poster, 3rd author out of 3. I will have worked 2 years total in one lab at graduation in May. I will have worked in 2 different labs by end of this summer. I have a completed manuscript that I did everything for (research design, stats, writing, research, etc.) and am 1st author alongside my professor. We plan on submitting multiple posters with the data. I am currently writing a manuscript (that's actually clinically related) with my main mentor that we will be submitting for publication in November so it will show up on my CV. I also will have 3 strong LORs from professors I've done research with.

Extra: Psi Chi historian

Do you guys think getting a masters in experimental psych or trying to find an RA job would help the most (of course while trying to improve my GRE scores)? Or a third option of staying and turning my bio minor into a second major?

I'm leaning toward the experimental psych masters, however I don't know if my GPA is quite low enough (although it is indeed low for clinical psych) that I need to "prove" that I can handle graduate work and I would incur more debt. It feels safer to me to go this route because at the end of two years I would at least have something to fallback on. But, as I mentioned, its two years so I would have to wait even longer to get into a phD program.

As far as being a RA, I've been told that I have at least the average amount of research experience as the typical applicant (and perhaps more), so I don't know if this is the best route for me. I also don't know if this would be financially feasible as the only money I would have is my paycheck from a paid-RA job or some other job as my family would not be able to help very much. Either route I'd have to move off, but at masters programs I can get loans to help. I also don't know where in the world to even start looking for RA jobs or if any are available in places that don't have a ridiculously high cost of living. I live in Texas (and only 30 minutes away from Louisiana) if anyone knows of any RA jobs and wants to PM me.

I could also stay and turn my biology minor into a double major. When I'm done with my minor I'll be 6 classes away (24 hours) so I could finish it in the 5 semesters I'd have. But would this help at all, especially since I could definitely see my GPA falling by doing this? I'd have a lot of relevant coursework such as genetics, evolution, cellular biology, immunology, etc.


The only other option (or Plan Z as I would call it) would be to go to my uni's joke of a general psych masters... I'm almost afraid, however, that it would be a red flag almost to phD programs as its only a year and has no thesis. You have to stay a second year to do the optional thesis and as I go here I know that I would not be happy research wise. Seriously, my stats prof who was the graduate director at the time called the program a "pretend program."

Any thought? And thanks in advance for reading this long (and hopefully not whiny) post. Hopefully it wasn't tl;dr.

 

[roubs]

If you are aiming for an elite program with heavy research emphasis then 3.4 is definitely low enough that an experimental masters would be helpful. That plus a GRE over 1200 should help make you competitive.

 

[mewtoo]

I'm looking at mid-tier schools and I was under the impression for mid-tier that it's on the low end, but not an impossible GPA. Of course, like what you said, it would make me competitive and definitely open doors that I am not at all opposed to opening...

 

[paramour]

Look at it this way: When you're applying in a really competitive area, do you really want to start with the assumption that "it's on the low end of what they accept" when even mid-tier programs can be picky with the hundreds of applicants who apply--many with HIGHER stats than what's on the low end? If you can get a kick-ass GRE score (and I don't mean barely squeaking by), then *maybe*... Otherwise, I'd also probably recommend an experimental psych program to show that you can handle the grad level work, obtain some add'l research experience, complete a thesis, etc.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I was accepted into what would likely be considered a mid- to upper-mid-tier program with a ~3.4 (4.0 psych), so like paramour said, it's possible...but at the same time, also like paramour said, I did relatively well on the GRE (1300+), apparently wrote a fairly decent personal statement, and lucked out in that my advisor actually liked me.

Then again, I also had less research productivity than you (i.e., two years with no pubs/presentations), and although this was a few years back, I still likely needed all the help I could get in the way of GRE and meshing with my mentor.

It doesn't hurt to apply, but definitely fit in a few experimental masters programs as well, just in case.

 

[mewtoo]

Is Texas and the surrounding states considered an competitive area? Many of the schools I've looked at max out at around 200 applicants. Not saying that those 200 applicants couldn't be the most competitive of the competitive, though.

I'm just really, really, REALLY (x 1000) hope I can do better my second try on the GRE. At least to the average 1200 because it would increase my chances more.

I'm glad you said it worth a try because I was seriously about to ask that. I partly made this thread to see if you guys would confirm my thoughts about the masters program, although I would apply as a back up even if I had amazing stats. Do you guys know how competitive it is to get into an experimental masters? What would you suggest is a good number to apply to?

 

[deleted462159]

A few thoughts: 1) Don't go to the "pretend program." 2) Why did you minor in biology? If you are interested in a potential career in biology, then perhaps finish your double major. But realize that it may very well jeopardize your GPA further. 3) I would go the RA route if I can secure a good paid position. You'd be making money instead of spending it on a program. And depending on the lab, you may have greater opportunities for publications. 4) Attending a masters program may help your application, but it is no guarantee that you will be accepted to PhD programs. I'm not trying to discourage you from going for your masters. But if you are looking for a plan b, perhaps consider one you can use to get a job you may enjoy. I don't know your age or circumstances, but life happens and motivations change. In 2 years you may not even want a PhD.

 

[mewtoo]

A few thoughts: 1) Don't go to the "pretend program." 2) Why did you minor in biology? If you are interested in a potential career in biology, then perhaps finish your double major. But realize that it may very well jeopardize your GPA further. 3) I would go the RA route if I can secure a good paid position. You'd be making money instead of spending it on a program. And depending on the lab, you may have greater opportunities for publications. 4) Attending a masters program may help your application, but it is no guarantee that you will be accepted to PhD programs. I'm not trying to discourage you from going for your masters. But if you are looking for a plan b, perhaps consider one you can use to get a job you may enjoy. I don't know your age or circumstances, but life happens and motivations change. In 2 years you may not even want a PhD.

2) I was originally a biology major (then a bio/psych double, and then just psych) partly because I love biology and partly because I was pre-med. I dropped the pre-med and eventually demoted the bio major into a minor. I love biology, but I'm not sure I would enjoy grad school for it especially since I love psychology even more. To me I wanted to do clinical psych because (if you seek out the right opportunities) it can be a marriage of those two subjects. I've been throwing around the idea of neuroscience and biopsych programs, but I'm afraid the lack of clinical experience would put me at a disadvantage in studying the populations I want to study. Oh, I know it can jeopardize my GPA. 😛 My bio GPA is like a 2.8...

3) I'd be lucky to find one!

4) I know it won't secure me a spot in a doctoral program, but with an experimental masters I imagine if I got "stuck" with just it, i.e. I never got to continue my education, I would be happy with the types of jobs it would afford me. I'm not yet 21, so I'm not in a big time crunch or anything, but I worry a lot because I have some potentially disabling health problems and I don't want to be tied down before I can get the degrees I want. I remember all the way back in middle school wanting to be a psychiatrist, so I don't think my dreams will deviate too much. 🙂

 

[roubs]

2) I was originally a biology major (then a bio/psych double, and then just psych) partly because I love biology and partly because I was pre-med. I dropped the pre-med and eventually demoted the bio major into a minor. I love biology, but I'm not sure I would enjoy grad school for it especially since I love psychology even more. To me I wanted to do clinical psych because (if you seek out the right opportunities) it can be a marriage of those two subjects. I've been throwing around the idea of neuroscience and biopsych programs, but I'm afraid the lack of clinical experience would put me at a disadvantage in studying the populations I want to study. Oh, I know it can jeopardize my GPA. 😛 My bio GPA is like a 2.8...

3) I'd be lucky to find one!

4) I know it won't secure me a spot in a doctoral program, but with an experimental masters I imagine if I got "stuck" with just it, i.e. I never got to continue my education, I would be happy with the types of jobs it would afford me. I'm not yet 21, so I'm not in a big time crunch or anything, but I worry a lot because I have some potentially disabling health problems and I don't want to be tied down before I can get the degrees I want. I remember all the way back in middle school wanting to be a psychiatrist, so I don't think my dreams will deviate too much. 🙂

I had a plan B as far as a career other than psych if I didn't get into a Ph.D. program after 2 rounds. I personally recommend that so you don't feel totally out to sea if it doesn't work out. (not to derail but I didn't/don't think Argosy is an acceptable plan B.)

 

[mewtoo]

I had a plan B as far as a career other than psych if I didn't get into a Ph.D. program after 2 rounds. I personally recommend that so you don't feel totally out to sea if it doesn't work out. (not to derail but I didn't/don't think Argosy is an acceptable plan B.)

I don't think Argosy or any of those sorts of schools are acceptable either. Hmm... I never really thought about careers out of psych that would work for me. I'll have to think about this. My first thought is something in biology, but I supose it might be best to think about something that wouldn't involve a doctoral program.

 

[roubs]

I don't think Argosy or any of those sorts of schools are acceptable either. Hmm... I never really thought about careers out of psych that would work for me. I'll have to think about this. My first thought is something in biology, but I supose it might be best to think about something that wouldn't involve a doctoral program.

It's funny, many applicants can envision no other career but psych while many burnt out grad students look longingly at the paths not taken. I don't think there is only one career that will leave a person satisfied, especially if you consider: 'what about this particular career appeals to me?'

 

[mewtoo]

It's funny, many applicants can envision no other career but psych while many burnt out grad students look longingly at the paths not taken. I don't think there is only one career that will leave a person satisfied, especially if you consider: 'what about this particular career appeals to me?'

The grass is always greener on the other side, no?

I think my main problem with envisioning careers is pretty much all the one's I've ever considered involved academia or medicine. The only thing that I could see myself enjoying out of that is creative writing and I think we all know how well that pays. 😛

 

[roubs]

The grass is always greener on the other side, no?

I think my main problem with envisioning careers is pretty much all the one's I've ever considered involved academia or medicine. The only thing that I could see myself enjoying out of that is creative writing and I think we all know how well that pays. 😛

Well there are a lot of different jobs in academia/medicine so I'm not sure you'll have to leave them to find a backup job title.