Help! Seeking advice: clinical Ph.D programs

[McClinas]

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Here are my credentials:

1300 GRE (600 V, 700 Q)
3.71 GPA (3.85 Psychology major)
3 semesters research experience
6 months working as a mental health counselor in an inpatient hospital

What are my chances (roughly) of getting into these clinical PhD programs?

Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Duquesne University
Loyola University
University of Illinois
Marquette University
Miami University
University of Michigan
Northern Ill. Univ
Penn State
Rutgers (PsyD)
Columbia University
University of Toledo
Ohio University
Kent State

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[cara susanna]

It's really hard to determine something like this based on stats alone. In the end, it all comes down to fit. I would say though that your GRE and GPA should make the cutoffs for most schools.

Also, though it sounds like you have a lot of research experience, at schools like U Michigan a lot of the applicants will have been working full-time as RAs. So just be aware of that.

 

[deleted176373]

Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine <- Probably Not
Duquesne University
Loyola University
University of Illinois
Marquette University
Miami University
University of Michigan <- Probably Not
Northern Ill. Univ
Penn State <- Probably Not
Rutgers (PsyD) <- Maybe
Columbia University <- Probably Not
University of Toledo
Ohio University
Kent State


Just because I said probably not means little... These programs are so competitive that you're probably not gonna get into most of them. That's why we all seem to apply to 10-15 schools. The average selection rates are extremely low. In the case where I put probably not, it's because the average GRE/GPA is somewhat higher than what I would be comfortable with without being a perfect fit otherwise. I have seen people who are perfect fits gain admission with lower stats and people with higher stats get passed on by because they didn't fit well. My own story is one of fit.

I was turned down by schools that my credentials should have easily gained me admission to (thankfully) and offered interviews as schools that I didn't think I had a shot in hell at. For instance, I was turned away by Oklahoma State University... but offered an interview at University of Kansas. Turned down at Texas Tech, but offered an interview at University of Houston and admission at Texas A&M. So the process doesn't always make sense when you first look at it... the scientist in us says, "Here are the numbers, what to I need to make it in?" I had a 4.0 GPA, 2 semesters of research, honors thesis, 1 presentation, a 1300(v+q)/5.5aw General GRE and 680 subject GRE. I was turned down by Our Lady of the Lake University... because I wasn't a good fit.

The numbers, they are just the tip of the iceberg.

Mark

 

[cardamom]

I don't think that's nearly enough info for anyone to tell you much. What sort of research experience are you talking about? Entering data in a lab for 3 semesters is very different than designing and executing your own research project/thesis for some of it, and all the better if you have presentations or publications or something heading in that direction. Also, three aspects of your app that will make or break it are your research fit (as Cara mentioned), your letters of recommendation (having excellent ones is key, and bonus points if they are by well-known people and/or people who are connected to your POIs), and your personal statement which should be compelling and well-written. Lots of times people post here with stats like that's the main factor, but it's really more of what might keep you out of a program, if they are too low, not what will get you into one.

If you don't have much substantial research experience, and you do want a shot at those top schools on your list (or really, a good shot at any), I'd recommend taking time off to work as an RA to get more though.

 

[pavlove]

.

 

[McClinas]

When you say "probably not," does that mean it's probably not worth even applying? Do I have a reasonable shot at getting into at least one or two of these schools? What can I do to improve my application? I am no longer attending a university, so what would be the best way of pursuing research experience? Thank you

 

[deleted176373]

When you say "probably not," does that mean it's probably not worth even applying? Do I have a reasonable shot at getting into at least one or two of these schools? What can I do to improve my application? I am no longer attending a university, so what would be the best way of pursuing research experience? Thank you

No, it means that it is a long shot.

There is an old fighter pilot saying, "I'd rather be lucky than good." You might find the perfect match for your needs (and they might see in you the perfect match for their program.) You should apply anywhere you sense that the "fit" might be good. Just don't get discouraged when you don't get into some of the tougher programs that have average 1400+ GRE scores, with 3.91+ GPA's from people who worked at NIH as research assistants.

I was basically told that at ASU, for the clinical program, not to waste my time... I simply wasn't a hardcore researcher. I was a bad fit. I applied to the counseling program which was a better fit and got an interview. Still, I was not a good fit for that program, but got an interview. Fit is key.

My first year I applied to 15 very decent schools. I was offered 2 interviews, I got in NO WHERE. I was despondent. The next year nearly 50% of my applications resulted in an interview offer... not because the schools were any less picky (ok, a few were) but because I was a more appropriate fit. I got into two programs that I never thought I would get into, I interviewed at some really top notch programs that I thought I didn't have a chance at... so by all means, go for it, just make sure you are a good fit for the program. Make summer visits the year before you apply and hopefully you went to APA and networked with people you want to work with... that's how to get good interviews.

Mark

 

[McClinas]

Mark: what did you do during your year off that made you a better applicant?

 

[knowing]

I know he revised his SOP.

Good Luck and Best Wishes..we have alot of the same concerns with the upcoming months and the application process.

 

[hopefulpsych]

;

 

[ClinicalTrainee]

When you say "probably not," does that mean it's probably not worth even applying? Do I have a reasonable shot at getting into at least one or two of these schools? What can I do to improve my application? I am no longer attending a university, so what would be the best way of pursuing research experience? Thank you

IMO, 'fit' has as much to do with the individual professor as the program in general and your career goals. Your research experience doesn't have to match what you want to study exactly (goodness knows mine barely did) but you have to be able to make the connection. So do these schools have people you are interested in working with?

I applied to 10 schools, got one interview (late, after normal interviewing season, in late March) and got in to that school. It was incredibly lucky (and took an advisor who was able to see something in my application), because based on how I applied (geography), I am not surprised I didn't get any other interviews. Yes, you have to fit with the program too, but for schools with a mentorship model, it's all about that one professor.

As for getting research experience, are you in a location where there are universities? You may be able to volunteer your time to a research lab even if you are no longer a student, that's what I did.

 

[KillerDiller]

I've been holding off on doing this because I think it annoys some people and I know no one here has a crystal ball...but as my own anxiety about this application round starts to kick in, I'm interested in everyone's opinions.

I graduated from a Canadian university with a GPA of 3.84, psych GPA of 3.91. GRE will most likely be around 1300 (unless something goes terribly wrong..or amazing). Subject GRE score is 710.

I completed two honors theses in different psych labs and worked on another research project at an elementary school in my undergrad. I will have a year and a half of research experience as a full-time research assistant. I completed a clincial "internship' at my undergrad at a school for children with developmental disabilities and I have volunteered this past year as a mentor at a psychiatric resident for children.

I know I can get three solid letters of refs although none will be from "famous" people.

I have one poster presentation and 2 publications (3rd author on all three).

While my career goals are not set in stone, I am equally interested in research and clinical practice at this point. I am interested in the field of pediatric psychology.

And here we go. What do you think my chances are for:

Univ of Miami
Florida
Ohio State
Santa Barbara
Loyola
Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Vermont
Illinois Tech
Kansas
Ottawa
Suffolk

At first glance, it seems like your application would be very competitive at these programs assuming there are professors there doing the research you'd be interested in. Make it clear in your personal statements why you are applying to each school and why you fit. That has to be the single best predictor for getting into PhD programs--even the balanced ones.

 

[deleted176373]

Mark: what did you do during your year off that made you a better applicant?

Revised my SOP, visited schools I was interested in, and went to conferences to network.

Mark