Hospital lab vs. University and Clinical vs. Other

[Galia]

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This forum has been tremendously helpful, especially for somebody like me who comes from the ‘back door’ with limited exposure to other students/advisors.

Will really appreciate any thoughts on a couple of questions.

1) Somebody mentioned before - RA’ing in the hospital lab might be considered not ‘as good’ (for admission) as in the university lab. Can anybody explain why?

2) Would be very curious to hear from people heavily leaning towards research about the reasons you are applying to CLINICAL psychology versus any other specialization (exclusively research oriented)? I do understand that unlike many other specializations (say, cognitive) clinical track allows combining practice and research…. but than many research-inclined folks seem not to plan practicing anyway… so are there any other reasons for choosing clinical?

For me 1 and 2 are very much connected, that’s why posting them in the same thread.

Thanks to all!

 

[clinpsychgirl]

This forum has been tremendously helpful, especially for somebody like me who comes from the ‘back door’ with limited exposure to other students/advisors.

Will really appreciate any thoughts on a couple of questions.

1) Somebody mentioned before - RA’ing in the hospital lab might be considered not ‘as good’ (for admission) as in the university lab. Can anybody explain why?

2) Would be very curious to hear from people heavily leaning towards research about the reasons you are applying to CLINICAL psychology versus any other specialization (exclusively research oriented)? I do understand that unlike many other specializations (say, cognitive) clinical track allows combining practice and research…. but than many research-inclined folks seem not to plan practicing anyway… so are there any other reasons for choosing clinical?

For me 1 and 2 are very much connected, that’s why posting them in the same thread.

Thanks to all!

Hi,

To answer your first question:

One benefit of working in a university-based lab is that you have direct connections to potential faculty mentors when you apply to graduate school where you might not have that commodity in a hospital-based lab.

Personally, though, I work in a university-affiliated hospital lab. I specifically chose this from several job offers post-graduation (2 university-affiliated hospitals, 2 university-based labs) because it made the most sense in terms of meeting my career goals. In my area of research, working in a multidisciplinarian setting is of particular importance. Moreover, I wanted to broaden my research experiences beyond university-based clinics. I had already had a fair amount of exposure in university-based clinic settings.

This is what worked best for me. I can't say that it would also work best for you. What I tell you is that I made the final decision with the help of a trusted mentor. If you can, I would suggest you do the same!

Also, please note that the competition for RA jobs are very competitive. I know there were 250 applicants for my current position. If you have any professors whose research interest match your own, I would explore the possibility of getting job with them.

To answer your second question:

Part of the reason why I am choosing to study clinical psychology as apposed to straight "research psychology" is because part of my research interest pertains to treatment outcome of "X" disorder. Therefore, for me, it is essential that I have the clinical training in evidence-based treatments in order to faciliate my research goals in this area. Depending on your research interests, a PhD in clinical psychology may or may facilitate your goals.

Please take this info for what it is: my biased opinion! Nevertheless, hope it helps somewhat. Best of luck to you!

 

[MI2005]

Hi,

To answer your first question:

One benefit of working in a university-based lab is that you have direct connections to potential faculty mentors when you apply to graduate school where you might not have that commodity in a hospital-based lab.

Personally, though, I work in a university-affiliated hospital lab. I specifically chose this from several job offers post-graduation (2 university-affiliated hospitals, 2 university-based labs) because it made the most sense in terms of meeting my career goals. In my area of research, working in a multidisciplinarian setting is of particular importance. Moreover, I wanted to broaden my research experiences beyond university-based clinics. I had already had a fair amount of exposure in university-based clinic settings.

This is what worked best for me. I can't say that it would also work best for you. What I tell you is that I made the final decision with the help of a trusted mentor. If you can, I would suggest you do the same!

Also, please note that the competition for RA jobs are very competitive. I know there were 250 applicants for my current position. If you have any professors whose research interest match your own, I would explore the possibility of getting job with them.

To answer your second question:

Part of the reason why I am choosing to study clinical psychology as apposed to straight "research psychology" is because part of my research interest pertains to treatment outcome of "X" disorder. Therefore, for me, it is essential that I have the clinical training in evidence-based treatments in order to faciliate my research goals in this area. Depending on your research interests, a PhD in clinical psychology may or may facilitate your goals.

Please take this info for what it is: my biased opinion! Nevertheless, hope it helps somewhat. Best of luck to you!

As far as looking for RA positions, I agree with clinpsychgirl that finding them can be very competitive. What I found helpful,though, was to write directly to researchers asking them if they needed help, instead of applying for posted positions. I spent half of my senior year applying to positions listed by HR on the internet, and as soon as I wrote to researchers directly telling them about my interest in their work and explaining ways I thought I could contribute, I quickly found three full-time positions. Just a suggestion! Good luck to you!

 

[Galia]

Thanks, everybody!

So 'borderline atheoretical' would be found mostly in medication-trial type of research? I have no background to evaluate that point, research I am volunteering for sounds pretty theoretical to me 🙂 .

Specifically, longitudinal study of functioning of patients with disorder X , no medical trials, NIMH funded should be OK, right?

Unfortunatelly, I have no mentor to ask... just trying to develop those relationships now.

Also, hope everything said applys to volunteer RA in the same way. I can neither compete (no right education) nor afford ($) to work as RA. Hoping to get all necessary experience through volunteering.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

Thanks, everybody!

So 'borderline atheoretical' would be found mostly in medication-trial type of research? I have no background to evaluate that point, research I am volunteering for sounds pretty theoretical to me 🙂 .

Specifically, longitudinal study of functioning of patients with disorder X , no medical trials, NIMH funded should be OK, right?

Unfortunatelly, I have no mentor to ask... just trying to develop those relationships now.

Also, hope everything said applys to volunteer RA in the same way. I can neither compete (no right education) nor afford ($) to work as RA. Hoping to get all necessary experience through volunteering.

Based on your description of the study, it sounds like a good deal, assuming you are interested in studying "disorder X" in the long run.

It is certainly feasible to make the right connections and gain the right experiences through volunteering. Plus, once you get your foot in the door, there's always the chance of gaining a full-time position later, if need be.

RA salary may not be as bad as you think. I'd say it hovers around 32,000. While I've heard of salaries as low as 21,000, I also know that you can make between 35,000-40,000 (atleast in a major North East city).

Good luck!

 

[SaraL124]

My salary in a major research center in NYC (where cost of living is extremely high) was 27,500. After one year, I got a raise to $28,100. Most labs in my institution paid $35,000 or more to those with M.S. or M.A. degrees or to those working as study coordinators, not RAs.

 

[vesper9]

i'm an RA in a university hospital setting, in a major city on the west coast and I get $35,000 with just my BA

 

[LM02]

i'm an RA in a university hospital setting, in a major city on the west coast and I get $35,000 with just my BA

What's depressing about this is that your RA pay is only very slightly below the salary for 1st year postdocs that is set by NIH (which many instiutions use to set their postdoc rates). Oy.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

Sadly, I know post docs who make nearly half of what I do.

Sara, I think the pay scale got a bit better since last year 🙂 . We may or may not have worked at the same facility, but I can tell you that I'm also working in a major research center in NYC with only my BA, and as an RA, not a coordinator. I make something in the higher range that I described.

 

[SaraL124]

Are you at PI?

 

[Galia]

The main problem of RA (for me at least) is it being a no-guarantee stage, unlike PhD program (or postdoc). I do not mind pay cut/no pay at all for studying, if I ever get accepted. At the end, for a PhD student (or a postdoc) the pay is expected to increase.

But working as RA does not guarantee one is accepted to the program... So for me it is too much to loose (both economically and otherwise) for something that might never materialize. If this (being RA) was the only way, I might have reconsidered. But if volunteering works as well, it might be a safer option for me.

It is all somewhat different when it is a second career...

BTW I am in NYC as well. 🙂

 

[SaraL124]

definitely check out positions at www.nyspi.org.

 

[Galia]

Not sure the post was for me, but I checked... some things look quite interesting but I am completely 'off' for many reasons.

It is somewhat sad that even in that field administrative positions (that do not require more education) pay significantly better...

definitely check out positions at www.nyspi.org.