How to eventually get into a clinical psychology program with a very weak gpa

[LWgiggles]

Hello,

I am a junior BA psychology major at west virginia university. I have previously had a very abysmal academic record but have a lot of interest in research in clinical psychology and also applied work. Originally I failed out of college after two semester in my freshman year. I then went to community college for a semester and got a 4.0. I finally transferred to west virginia university I am a first semester junior and have A 3.24 GPA with B's and A;s in my psych courses. I unfortunately got a C in statistics and failed one course since I have been here. So far, I have a 4.0 this semester and hope to continue until I graduate. I have work in a lab for two semester and will be presenting at a conference in the spring. I know my gpa does not reflect my ability, interest in research or work ethic. Are all chances lost for eventually getting admitted into a clinical psych program(PhD)? What is the best thing to do after graduating to improve my chances?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Ollie123]

This is one of those rare circumstances where I actually think a master's might be the best option. You'll need to prove you can handle graduate level coursework (and in particular - advanced statistics). If you can pull a solid GPA in a master's program (> 3.5) and get an A in more rigorous stats classes, it would likely help assuage fears about your undergrad transcript.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Ancedotal, but one of my professors in undergrad was admitted to his clinical psych PhD program with a 3.2-ish UGPA and no masters degree. He had 6 years of post-undergrad research experience, although it was very, very far from the work he was applying to do in grad school. He also had one first author publication, although, again, far from his area of interest. IIRC, he got in on his first try, being admitted from one program off the waitlist. He matched to good internship and post-doc sites and is now tenured, so it can be done. I'm not sure if his route was the most efficient, though.

 

[wigflip]

This is one of those rare circumstances where I actually think a master's might be the best option. You'll need to prove you can handle graduate level coursework (and in particular - advanced statistics). If you can pull a solid GPA in a master's program (> 3.5) and get an A in more rigorous stats classes, it would likely help assuage fears about your undergrad transcript.

+1
One of my mentors told me about Party Gal turned Serious Student who used her accomplishments in and MA program to launch her into a top 5 social psych program (not clinical, but still).

 

[neuronic]

Scoring very highly on the GRE can certainly make up for weaknesses in other areas, as it can show potential for success. However, you would have to reconcile that with the GPA in essays/interviews, etc.

 

[psychRA]

I had a 3.3 and I got into several PhD programs. I didn't do an MA, but I worked in research for a few years. I had about 12 posters (not all as first author) and 3 pubs (none as first author) when I applied, so that helped. I did well on the GRE, but not stellar. This was 6 years ago.

 

[Member6523]

I had a 3.3 GPA and no pubs. Had a great GRE though and decent letters of recs. The MA degree really helped. I had 8 interviews, 3 offers.

 

[bmedclinic]

LWgiggles,
I entered college having just turned 18 with a real maturity problem. I used my last two (of 5) years in undergrad to really turn it around and stand out. Low GPA from the abysmal first 1.5 years, good last 2 years GPA, good Psych GPA, above average GRE, and a low level pub and I was admitted into a MA program. IMO it was pretty easy to stand out there and that got me into a clinical psych phd program.

Might be time to start shifting how you think about school- less burning couches (WVU thing) and more forging a path for yourself- getting the experiences you want, even if they're not handed to you.

PS I graduated from a big 12 school and am a rabid football fan, hence the couch burning thing. I have a very high opinion of WVU too, fwiw.

Good luck!

 

[erg923]

LWgiggles,
I entered college having just turned 18 with a real maturity problem. I used my last two (of 5) years in undergrad to really turn it around and stand out. Low GPA from the abysmal first 1.5 years, good last 2 years GPA, good Psych GPA, above average GRE, and a low level pub and I was admitted into a MA program. IMO it was pretty easy to stand out there and that got me into a clinical psych phd program.

Might be time to start shifting how you think about school- less burning couches (WVU thing)
PS I graduated from a big 12 school and am a rabid football fan, hence the couch burning thing. I have a very high opinion of WVU too, fwiw.

Good luck!

The classines of couch burning spread to my state as well. Thanks WV!

 

[roubs]

The classines of couch burning spread to my state as well. Thanks WV!

I do not comprehend.

 

[erg923]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCSu642cEbQ

 

[roubs]

Thanks. I like that the first comment was "Just so people know. Not everyone in Kentucky is like this"

 

[Kamelgarn]

LWgiggles,
I entered college having just turned 18 with a real maturity problem. I used my last two (of 5) years in undergrad to really turn it around and stand out. Low GPA from the abysmal first 1.5 years, good last 2 years GPA, good Psych GPA, above average GRE, and a low level pub and I was admitted into a MA program. IMO it was pretty easy to stand out there and that got me into a clinical psych phd program.

Might be time to start shifting how you think about school- less burning couches (WVU thing) and more forging a path for yourself- getting the experiences you want, even if they're not handed to you.

PS I graduated from a big 12 school and am a rabid football fan, hence the couch burning thing. I have a very high opinion of WVU too, fwiw.

Good luck!

I completely agree. I graduated from college with a 2.9 GPA, worked for a few years, and then took non-degree classes at a psychology MA program before applying for matriculation (to the same MA program) and being admitted. By the time PhD applications rolled around, I felt confident enough about my master's work (and enough time had passed since undergrad) that it didn't seem to be an issue. None of my interviewers even brought up my college GPA. A master's is a great opportunity to demonstrate that you're serious about training in the field, and for me it also provided a chance to break old self-defeating habits like pathological procrastination, etc. I also found that my GRE performance (both general and psych) seemed to improve because I had taken a few master's level courses, so that was another huge benefit. Good luck!

 

[LWgiggles]

Thanks guys! I still have a year left to bring up my GPA some. Any masters programs recommendations?

I think I may try to get a research job/position after I graduate for a year or two and then apply to both masters and PhD programs. Long road ahead, but I believe that it should be worthwhile.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I think the RA job or master options are good ones. There are several threads about reputable masters programs. I'd recommend one where you will get good research experience -- dig around the forums a bit!