Hola.
I'm a bit of an odd case, and I'm looking for a little advice. I'll try to keep this short and sweet:
I'm first generation. I've had my BA in Communication from USC for 10+ years (just turned 33.) Recently discovered that my GPA is low (3.08) because of some personal difficulties back then. I'm about to finish up a post-baccalaureate certificate for counseling and psychology through UC Berkeley Extension with a 4.0 GPA, and I'll probably take a few extra courses just because. Looking to apply next year, for a Fall 2016 cohort.
Will have 2+ years volunteering for a crisis/suicide line as a counselor/trainer, and 3+ years as an Associate Director of Client Experience at a well-respected non-profit in a tangentially-related healthcare sector. Will have excellent letters of recommendation from a PsyD, an MFT, and an LCSW. Plan to take GRE's soon and will not settle for scores under 85%.
I have zero research experience.
Would ideally like to specialize in abnormal psych (psychotic and personality disorders) with a balanced mix of private practice, consulting in a hospital/institutional setting, and possibly forensic psychology and/or psych. test administration.
I would love a fully-funded program but realize that I'm not a viable candidate for most PhD programs due to my lack of research experience. Honestly: I'm somewhat resistant to finding a research opportunity because my primary interests aren't in-line with research being conducted in the area, plus I need to work full-time (until I get to grad school). That said, I'm certainly not opposed to research if it's an absolute necessity. (Qualitative studies or small-n designs regarding the efficacy of psychotherapeutic techniques would be interesting.) I also understand that I may not be competitive for any kind of funded PsyD programs. I'd be willing to take on debt because I'm 100% certain that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life (although of course I'd rather not.)
Advice? Feedback? Suggestions for programs? Anything you might offer will be greatly appreciated.
And thanks so much, everybody on these boards. This is such an incredible resource.
I'm a bit of an odd case, and I'm looking for a little advice. I'll try to keep this short and sweet:
I'm first generation. I've had my BA in Communication from USC for 10+ years (just turned 33.) Recently discovered that my GPA is low (3.08) because of some personal difficulties back then. I'm about to finish up a post-baccalaureate certificate for counseling and psychology through UC Berkeley Extension with a 4.0 GPA, and I'll probably take a few extra courses just because. Looking to apply next year, for a Fall 2016 cohort.
Will have 2+ years volunteering for a crisis/suicide line as a counselor/trainer, and 3+ years as an Associate Director of Client Experience at a well-respected non-profit in a tangentially-related healthcare sector. Will have excellent letters of recommendation from a PsyD, an MFT, and an LCSW. Plan to take GRE's soon and will not settle for scores under 85%.
I have zero research experience.
Would ideally like to specialize in abnormal psych (psychotic and personality disorders) with a balanced mix of private practice, consulting in a hospital/institutional setting, and possibly forensic psychology and/or psych. test administration.
I would love a fully-funded program but realize that I'm not a viable candidate for most PhD programs due to my lack of research experience. Honestly: I'm somewhat resistant to finding a research opportunity because my primary interests aren't in-line with research being conducted in the area, plus I need to work full-time (until I get to grad school). That said, I'm certainly not opposed to research if it's an absolute necessity. (Qualitative studies or small-n designs regarding the efficacy of psychotherapeutic techniques would be interesting.) I also understand that I may not be competitive for any kind of funded PsyD programs. I'd be willing to take on debt because I'm 100% certain that this is what I want to do with the rest of my life (although of course I'd rather not.)
Advice? Feedback? Suggestions for programs? Anything you might offer will be greatly appreciated.
And thanks so much, everybody on these boards. This is such an incredible resource.
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