How do I stack up for this fall?

[cognosco]

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Hi! I'm planning on applying to about 20 clinical programs this fall -- a combination of PhD/PsyD programs (mostly PhD). I'm currently enrolled in an M.S. Experimental program, and I'm trying to understand what I need to do to maximize my chances of a successful application year. Here's the objective stuff:
Undergrad GPA: 3.65 (UGA)
GREs: mid 1200s

Graduate GPA: 4.0

Research experience: multiple experiences working with 5 different professors; the majority of research is clinically related

Clinical experience: none (but I'll be volunteering as much as possible this summer)

Subjective: 8 years in the Marine Corps
Better than average writing skills
Solid understanding of experimental psychology in general (e.g. stats)
Spend more time than anyone I know talking about and reading about clinical psych issues and research

In addition, I plan on applying to as many schools with a neuropsych concentration as possible (I plan to practice clinical neuropsych). However,
I have no formal research experience in this area other than class projects in graduate school and one semester where I assited a neuropsych professor with teaching an undergrad class)

I'm aware that research match is critical, so I will be sure to apply with professors whom I enjoy their research.

So there you have it. What are my chances? From what I've seen, I might as well flip a coin...lol

Thanks for any input anyone can provide. There are simply SO many well-qualified applicants; it can seem a bit overwhelming at times🙂

 

[cara susanna]

Yeah, there's really no way to tell--but you seem like you would at least get interviews, so I say go for it. 😀

 

[leavingprov]

Hi! I'm planning on applying to about 20 clinical programs this fall -- a combination of PhD/PsyD programs (mostly PhD). I'm currently enrolled in an M.S. Experimental program, and I'm trying to understand what I need to do to maximize my chances of a successful application year. Here's the objective stuff:
Undergrad GPA: 3.65 (UGA)
GREs: mid 1200s

Graduate GPA: 4.0

Research experience: multiple experiences working with 5 different professors; the majority of research is clinically related

Clinical experience: none (but I'll be volunteering as much as possible this summer)

Subjective: 8 years in the Marine Corps
Better than average writing skills
Solid understanding of experimental psychology in general (e.g. stats)
Spend more time than anyone I know talking about and reading about clinical psych issues and research

In addition, I plan on applying to as many schools with a neuropsych concentration as possible (I plan to practice clinical neuropsych). However,
I have no formal research experience in this area other than class projects in graduate school and one semester where I assited a neuropsych professor with teaching an undergrad class)

I'm aware that research match is critical, so I will be sure to apply with professors whom I enjoy their research.

So there you have it. What are my chances? From what I've seen, I might as well flip a coin...lol

Thanks for any input anyone can provide. There are simply SO many well-qualified applicants; it can seem a bit overwhelming at times🙂

I agree that the process feels at times like a crapshoot (or a coin toss, but with worse odds 🙄). However, 20 schools seems a bit on the excessive end. You sound like a strong, motivated candidate with a clear idea of what you want to be doing down the road. Make sure you express that focus and your reasoning behind it in your personal statement. Tie it to your personal and professional experiences.

The reason I say 20 is a bit heavy is because, right now, it sounds like you're using a 'blanket' approach to your applications (you said "as many schools with neuropsych programs as possible"). While this approach is ok, I would definitely step back and think about what you are looking for in a neuropsych program. If you can be even more specific (e.g. type of research, populations), and create your applications around this focus and specificity, I think you'll be ahead of the game. Accordingly, you can use this focus to narrow down the number of applications (maybe 12-15?), save yourself money, and devote more time to customizing each personal statement, contacting POIs, etc. This way each application will be stronger overall. Sort of a quality vs. quantity approach, I guess. Good luck with everything!

 

[alleycatpsych]

Excellent advice, leavingprov. I completely agree. When I re-apply, that is going to be my strategy.