How to get into a PsyD program with a 3.2

[ladysky61]

HI! I am new to this forum. This is my dilemma:

I have wanted to be a psychologist since aged 10. In fact it's been the driving force in my life for the past 5 years. Over the years I have discovered that my main interests are in Adolescent and Adult Clinical Psychology. I am especially interesting in the treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders. I want to do primarily treatment, especially in private practice and in clinics. I am most interesting in cognitive behavior approaches, but not exclusively.

I am currently a Junior at a very academic rigorous small liberal arts college. This are some of My qualifications:

Research: Planning to do research this summer on adolescent suicide. I was a research assistant last year. I am currently doing a research project as part of a special studies.

Clinical: Worked as a camp counselor for 3 summers. I did a practicum last semester working with adolescents with severel intellectual handicaps. I am hoping to work in a crisis center or shelter of some sort during the coming school year. I also worked in a preschool (I guess that doesn't really count).

Other: I am a psychology major who is taking as many psych courses as is allowed (along with a bunch of education courses). I am currently spending my junior year studying abroad in Denmark. I am excellent at writing personal statements and have built strong connections with several faculty at my school. (I think anyway).

BUT. I have only a 3.2 GPA that will probably go no higher than a 3.4. I also got a C in Statistics because I am horrible at math and get confused easily(I got a tutor). (I might take a class over the summer if it will help with my chances). I am also planning to study for the GREs intensely this summer (along with the research position). I hope to do ok on them but I did only average on the ACTs so I don't expect to ace them easily.

Given all this: What are my chances of admission at a PsyD program next year? Is there anything I can do to improve my odds? I really really want to be a psychologist as soon as possible but I am considering applying to Americorps, Teach for America, other entry level jobs or a masters program instead and apply 1-2 years after graduation.

If it helps, my top choices are Yeshiva (combined), Rutgers PsyD in Clinical, and Nova Southeastern PsyD in Clinical.

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[futureapppsy2]

First of all, it's awesome that you are studying abroad in Denmark (I have a lot of warm feelings towards Danes and Denmark)!

On topic:

-You have a good deal of research experience... What topic? Do you expect any presentations or articles out of it? Is any of it independent work (i.e., a thesis)?

-Was the camp counseling experience related to psych in anyway (i.e., a camp for youth with bx problems, etc.)? How recent was this?

-Is there an upward or downward trend to your grades? How are your grades in Psych?

-Two of the programs you mention, Yeshiva and Nova, are generally unfunded. Is this a significant concern for you?

Advice: Study for the GRE, try to find programs that have good matches for your interests (this is important even at PsyD programs, especially funded ones like Rutgers, etc), and try to get a good balance of research and clinical experience before you apply, including publications or presentations if possible. You actually seem like a stronger applicant than you think, though you should think carefully when choosing programs and apply to more than three (most people seem to apply to 9-15).

Good luck!

 

[ladysky61]

Thanks! Yes, I plan to apply to a bunch of programs (and Jobs) but only if I have a chance because I don't want to through away hundreds of $$! Like I'm sure no one wants to.

The camp was not for special needs kids (unfortunately). My current project is a class, which I guess would not be considered independent. I doubt any of my research experience will lead to a publication with my name on it (at least not soon enough for me to include it in an grad school application).

My grades are mainly B and B+ and have stayed that way. My psych GPA is about the same as my regular GPA., unfortunately. Honestly most schoolwork doesn't excite me. I much prefer the hands-on type work and work that is exclusively abnormal psychology.

 

[ladysky61]

Also. My research project currently is on how the systemic approach is used Denmark with children and families.. The previous experience was with Cognitive interventions. (I actually wanted to study CBT in Denmark, but its not used very much there, so it did not make sense).

Money is sort of a concern, but I am willing to take out loans, and my parents agreed to pay for the first year of grad school. Plus, I will have no debt from undergrad, so I think it will be manageable. The way I see it, my dream is to be a psychologist and having some debt is a small price to pay. 😀

Ok Now I am going to bed. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Cmvramirez]

I would also recommend that you consider applying for MA programs, as well as PsyD, since this will give you back up plans if you do not get acceptances to a doctoral program. I think you're a very strong contender, but you definitely need to work on GRE scores and do whatever you can to make yourself stand out. Best of luck!

 

[positivepsych]

The question is not how to get into a PsyD with a 3.2 GPA.
The real question is how to raise your GPA (including post-grad) in order to get in.

 

[LISage]

You may also want to get in touch with professors from your top choice schools. (Ones you share a common interest with.) Let them learn your name so when they get your application you aren't a stranger. If you plan to reside in close proximity to any of the schools, also let professors know that you are interested in assisting with an research projects etc. If you get on board with one of them, they will learn how passionate you are about your work, and they may overlook your GPA.

 

[Jon4PsyD]

You'll be fine! I used to think a poor undergraduate GPA (and mine was lower than yours) doomed you forever. It doesn't - just a myth. And a 3.2 GPA is not bad at all. Here's what you do: Keep up the great research experience you're doing, get some more clinical work under your belt in the next year (and by the way, I've been a camp counselor - there are plenty of kids with learning disabilities and behavioral difficulties at camp, it's absolutely clinically relevant at the least), do well on the GRE and apply to Psy.D.'s. See what happens - you never know. And apply to a few good M.A. programs as backups. If you end up at the M.A. level and your GPA is strong, you will definitely get in the next time around.

Plus, if you put as much passion into your personal statement as I saw in the first few sentences of your original post...I know I'd accept you if I were on an admissions committee.

Jon

 

[ladysky61]

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I definitely worked with a bunch of kids who had issues (granted we usually didn't know exactly what) at my camp (the last 3 summers, so really recent), so I guess I would frame it in away that would be clinical experience.

I was chair of my school's chapter of Active Minds last year (heavily involved before that). It's a mental health advocacy group and helps improve resources on campus and educates students on those resources as well as mental disorders in general. I am not sure how involved I can be next year, but do you think that would count for clinical to?

I have been reading the forums and I came across a most of MS in Counseling programs. Would those be good back-ups? Is it easy to transfer into a PsyD program after getting an MS? Could I practice for a few years first?

Anyone planning to go this route?

 

[Cmvramirez]

Thanks everyone for the reassurance. I definitely worked with a bunch of kids who had issues (granted we usually didn't know exactly what) at my camp (the last 3 summers, so really recent), so I guess I would frame it in away that would be clinical experience.

I was chair of my school's chapter of Active Minds last year (heavily involved before that). It's a mental health advocacy group and helps improve resources on campus and educates students on those resources as well as mental disorders in general. I am not sure how involved I can be next year, but do you think that would count for clinical to?

I have been reading the forums and I came across a most of MS in Counseling programs. Would those be good back-ups? Is it easy to transfer into a PsyD program after getting an MS? Could I practice for a few years first?

Anyone planning to go this route?

I know TONS of people who went that route before heading into their doctorate. I chose an MA in forensic psych & am going into my PsyD program after completing it in July. Many more choose a counseling master's & head on to their doctorate or just get licensed by the state & are very happy practicing with their MA's. It's just entirely up to you. 🙂

 

[EM132]

I went a small rigorous liberal arts school too and I had a 3.25 (3.38 in major). I also had always known I wanted to be a psychologist. I got a job after graduation working as a full time research assistant in clinical psych department at a university. Even though I had always known that this is what i wanted to do, being in that setting-- watching the admissions process from the inside, getting extensive research experience, learning what was important to me in a grad program-- has been so important/informative. Even if you don't LOVE research, it can be the perfect stepping stone to graduate school-- maybe even better than a MA since I've learned a lot and haven't put myself into debt. I applied to 11 PsyD programs, got interviews at 9, and have gotten offers from 8 of them (and one of them is Yeshiva). Not bad results! So, you can consider TFA and other entry level jobs but also look for some research assistant positions (esp. at universities) because then the programs will know that you know what you're getting into and that you can handle it.