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deleted1063329
Hi all - this is more of a dipping in of the toe than a true WAMC, since I'm fairly sure I have some work to do before I'll be competitive for a PhD program. My case seems unusual so I'd love some perspective and advice on getting there. I'm 40, I have a few degrees and have had a few careers. The next (and maybe last?) one I'd like to have is as a practicing psychologist, and doing more research along the way would be a bonus. I can afford the opportunity cost of not working while I get a PhD, but paying tuition is out of the question. If getting into a program proves impossible, I may consider an MS but that would be hard to justify financially and I would regret missing out on the research component and depth of training of a PhD.
My stats, such as they are:
GPA: All > 3.9. I have an old psychology BS (2001), a masters in Natural Resource Management (2006), and a BS/MS in Environmental Engineering (2014)
GRE: old (2013), but: verbal =169(99%), quant = 159(75%), AW = 5(93%).
Research Experience: none in the social sciences. My engineering masters thesis was related to chemistry and air quality. But, I spent 2 years in the lab, the research design was my own, and it resulted in a pretty good thesis. I think at least some of those skills are transferable.
Publications: no first author work. Contributing author on a couple of non-psychology-related papers. I unfortunately didn't publish my MS work (not because they weren't publishable findings, but because I and my PI both got side-tracked).
Conferences: two first-author platform presentations at national conferences (again, not psychology-related)
Work Experience: Environmental consulting engineer for the past four years. Prior to that I worked for environmental non-profits doing research, education, outreach, and program coordination. Three years in a biology lab as a technician. A couple other things but you get the gist - not much especially relevant to clinical psychology.
Personal Statement: If I can get past an initial screening I hope this will convince the committee that I'm a serious student and that this step makes sense for me. I want to focus my research on ecopsychology and/or conservation psychology - it's something I've been circling around for years and I'm diving into the literature in a serious way right now.
LORs: Probably good ones from my MS advisor and one from a PhD that I have worked very closely with in my current job, but not sure about the 3rd. Again, no psychologists on this list.
My questions are:
1.) If I give myself a "refresher" on the psych coursework and somehow (?) demonstrate that, will it make up for the fact that my BS is 20 years old?
2.) how much credit do you think I will get for solid independent research experience in another field, and any advice on how to supplement that as a non-current-student?
3.) Is my lack of clinical experience a big problem?
4.) should I re-take the GRE since it's so old? I would hope my quant score would go up if I did, having been working as an engineer since I last took it!
I am not looking to get into just any PhD program since I'm pretty set on my field of focus, so there is a lot riding on each application attempt I make. (If I were younger, I would certainly apply broader, but at this stage in my life I'm a lot better at knowing what I want to do and who I want to work with than I used to be).
Thanks so much if you've even skimmed this far. Any and all advice is appreciated.
My stats, such as they are:
GPA: All > 3.9. I have an old psychology BS (2001), a masters in Natural Resource Management (2006), and a BS/MS in Environmental Engineering (2014)
GRE: old (2013), but: verbal =169(99%), quant = 159(75%), AW = 5(93%).
Research Experience: none in the social sciences. My engineering masters thesis was related to chemistry and air quality. But, I spent 2 years in the lab, the research design was my own, and it resulted in a pretty good thesis. I think at least some of those skills are transferable.
Publications: no first author work. Contributing author on a couple of non-psychology-related papers. I unfortunately didn't publish my MS work (not because they weren't publishable findings, but because I and my PI both got side-tracked).
Conferences: two first-author platform presentations at national conferences (again, not psychology-related)
Work Experience: Environmental consulting engineer for the past four years. Prior to that I worked for environmental non-profits doing research, education, outreach, and program coordination. Three years in a biology lab as a technician. A couple other things but you get the gist - not much especially relevant to clinical psychology.
Personal Statement: If I can get past an initial screening I hope this will convince the committee that I'm a serious student and that this step makes sense for me. I want to focus my research on ecopsychology and/or conservation psychology - it's something I've been circling around for years and I'm diving into the literature in a serious way right now.
LORs: Probably good ones from my MS advisor and one from a PhD that I have worked very closely with in my current job, but not sure about the 3rd. Again, no psychologists on this list.
My questions are:
1.) If I give myself a "refresher" on the psych coursework and somehow (?) demonstrate that, will it make up for the fact that my BS is 20 years old?
2.) how much credit do you think I will get for solid independent research experience in another field, and any advice on how to supplement that as a non-current-student?
3.) Is my lack of clinical experience a big problem?
4.) should I re-take the GRE since it's so old? I would hope my quant score would go up if I did, having been working as an engineer since I last took it!
I am not looking to get into just any PhD program since I'm pretty set on my field of focus, so there is a lot riding on each application attempt I make. (If I were younger, I would certainly apply broader, but at this stage in my life I'm a lot better at knowing what I want to do and who I want to work with than I used to be).
Thanks so much if you've even skimmed this far. Any and all advice is appreciated.
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