I need a slap in the face... or a cup of coffee: Applying to Master's Programs

[futureapppsy2]

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I know the field is competitive. I know it's more than your credentials or fit that keep you in or keep you out. But for some reason, I just can't fully warm up to applying to Specialist (School Psych equivalent of Masters' programs) next year yet... I would miss my research a lot, the funding is more iffy (though there are a few fully funded programs), and part of me just really wants to go into a PhD/PsyD--I can't help but feeling like I might be "trapped," so to speak at the EdS level (not that that's a bad thing, but I'm really intrigued by the broader scope of practice available with a doctorate), even though people in the field say that's generally not the case. Oh, well, I guess I need to stare at the admission statistics and my publicationless CV some more. 😉

(Sorry this post has no point--but has anyone just applied to straight PhD/PsyD programs straight out of undergrad? Taking a year off is more or less not an option for me, as I need to either have a job with health insurance or be enrolled in school)

 

[schoolpsych1]

What Specialist programs are fully funded??
I think when you just judge on what your read on forums, you might be too hard on yourself. People get into programs everyday with a lot of experience and not very much. I wrote a couple of students from large universities and they got into PhD programs (almost fully funded and fully funded) wihthout a lot of experience,and one wasn't even sure why, but she was happy.
A student at Penn State said she knew students that didn't even major in Psych, that's more common than you think, some didn't publish at all, (she hadn't) or worked in a lab. She did 1 project and worked over the summer at a camp for emotionally disturbed children.
If you can afford the application fees, I don't see any reason not to try, what's the worst that could happen, no interview, no offer.....than you re-group and try again. One student from UConn told me students come from a year of Masters training also, and some credits will transfer, but never all. I am going to apply to both and let them decide if they want me or not.😉
Students also told me prestige isn't as much an issue with PhD, especially in a School Psych program, if it is NASP approved and internships are good, you will be fine. It's not a deal-breaker by any means, but in School Psych, there aren't as many male students and that helps too.
I also am with you on working or being in school and I don't want to start paying on my loans yet!

 

[deleted176373]

(Sorry this post has no point--but has anyone just applied to straight PhD/PsyD programs straight out of undergrad? Taking a year off is more or less not an option for me, as I need to either have a job with health insurance or be enrolled in school)

Lots of people get into a Ph.D. or Psy.D. straight out of undergrad, it's doable, and it's actually the norm.

Mark

 

[PsyDr]

i went into a neuroscience phd program directly after undergrad.

hated it though.

 

[Ollie123]

Just as an FYI...there's no reason to think you can't have health insurance if you take time off. Pretty much all of us who took time off had similar feelings, I was as worried about that as an actual paycheck. My RA jobs had excellent health insurance (same as faculty insurance) for $20 a month. Anyone employed at least half-time got it. Its wayyyyyyy better than what you can expect from grad student insurance programs, I wish I could go back to it.

 

[lucyvanpelt]

I find it sad that so many thoughtful people characterize working after receiving a bachelor's degree as "taking time off." Though I have to admit that I don't envy those looking for a job - especially a first job - in this economy, there is still work out there that is difficult, fulfilling, and will help to build your resume.

I didn't major in psych and after undergrad I went to work as a secretary at a psych rehab program, which led me in the direction of more psych-related jobs and then applying to graduate school. Since graduating from college, I've been discovering new interests, learning clinical skills and judgment, refining my professional style and work ethic, and yes, even acquiring a few publications for my CV. And these jobs have paid my rent and provided health insurance - I haven't been languishing in my parents' basement just because I didn't go straight to graduate school.

I don't know your personal situation but I know that my own work experience has been really valuable for me, both as a human and as an applicant. Good luck!

 

[psychanxiety]

I find it sad that so many thoughtful people characterize working after receiving a bachelor's degree as "taking time off." Though I have to admit that I don't envy those looking for a job - especially a first job - in this economy, there is still work out there that is difficult, fulfilling, and will help to build your resume.

I didn't major in psych and after undergrad I went to work as a secretary at a psych rehab program, which led me in the direction of more psych-related jobs and then applying to graduate school. Since graduating from college, I've been discovering new interests, learning clinical skills and judgment, refining my professional style and work ethic, and yes, even acquiring a few publications for my CV. And these jobs have paid my rent and provided health insurance - I haven't been languishing in my parents' basement just because I didn't go straight to graduate school.

I don't know your personal situation but I know that my own work experience has been really valuable for me, both as a human and as an applicant. Good luck!

+1. Well said.

 

[cara susanna]

Yeah, a lot of people apply straight out of undergrad and get in. I did, for instance.

Oh, I just read who the OP actually is. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll no problems at least getting interviews--your research experience is phenomenal.

 

[starsinnight]

Anything is possible... i think. If you want to stay with your research, stay with it. If you want to do a PhD or PsyD, do it. If you don't, don't. Maybe that sounds so simple and easier said than done, but why do something you don't want to do when you know what you want already?

I am happy with my own choice to go into a Master's program for MHC, I wasn't ready at all after Undergrad for a PhD program, even though I wanted to. While others were and went straight into their PhD, I didn't even bother applying. Now I have tons of research and clinical experience from life after Undergrad and am glad i waited. But that's not going to be the same with everyone. If you do a Specialist degree and don't get around to doing the PhD that you really want you are probably going to regret it. In my opinion, you should definitely do what you want to avoid future regrets... regardless of how difficult or competetive it may be.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Oh, I just read who the OP actually is. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll no problems at least getting interviews--your research experience is phenomenal.

Thanks, but that not what the people at my program keep conveying--that I'm dead in the water without national poster presentations or publications. Of course, my PI says we're likely to get some stuff out in summer or early fall and I'm potentially getting first authorship from this summer. But reality is demoralizing... We just spent the last two-three months at my RAship working on this huge grant, but even if we get it (it's a strong application--in which I'm named and for which I did a ton of writing--but I'm sure the other 4 are too), I'm unlikely to see anything out of it in time to impact my application this time around. And so much of the lab work here is working on grad students' theses/dissertations--don't go a school with a clinical PhD program, I guess. I feel like I've worked so hard (which, really, I probably haven't) and have nothing to show for it, other than a local conference win.

 

[GradStudent87]

Thanks, but that not what the people at my program keep conveying--that I'm dead in the water without national poster presentations or publications. Of course, my PI says we're likely to get some stuff out in summer or early fall and I'm potentially getting first authorship from this summer. But reality is demoralizing... We just spent the last two-three months at my RAship working on this huge grant, but even if we get it (it's a strong application--in which I'm named and for which I did a ton of writing--but I'm sure the other 4 are too), I'm unlikely to see anything out of it in time to impact my application this time around. And so much of the lab work here is working on grad students' theses/dissertations--don't go a school with a clinical PhD program, I guess. I feel like I've worked so hard (which, really, I probably haven't) and have nothing to show for it, other than a local conference win.

You sound like you have definitely worked hard and I wouldn't sell yourself short, I'm not exactly sure where you are applying or what your other credentials are (you may have trouble getting into a well funded research focused PhD) but I'm sure you can get into some PhD's, maybe I'm basing it off me but I got a few interviews with way less research experience then you did, granted I applied to balanced programs, I know the more researched focused schools are the hardest to get into.

 

[futureapppsy2]

What Specialist programs are fully funded??

Off the top of my head, Trinity in TX and a few others I can't remember at the moment.

 

[cara susanna]

I still think you'll be fine, and I'm sorry to hear that you haven't been receiving encouragement from your advisors. If you have the money, I would apply to PhD programs anyway and just see what happens. Worst they can say is no.

A lot of people don't have publications. I only had one poster at a national conference--the other was regional, and in the Psi Chi session. No publications.

 

[futureapppsy2]

^
Thanks! At the very least I figure my research must be somewhat impressive if someone's just willing to hand me lead author/PIship ion a major project just like that!

 

[psybee]

+1. Well said.

totally-it's not all about getting into grad school, it's also about living life.

 

[terpskins10]

^
Thanks! At the very least I figure my research must be somewhat impressive if someone's just willing to hand me lead author/PIship ion a major project just like that!

Honestly, I think you'll be fine next year when you're applying. Yes, the process is very competitive, but so are your credentials. After all, they do let in some people. I would just say relax, and enjoy the next few months before we both start applying.

That, and I hope we're not applying to the same programs.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Cautiously happy to report that my PI has gotten me officially named as an author on a lit review we're hoping finishing this summer and which has fairly decent odds of being accepted, as my PI was specifically asked by the journal to do it. Granted, I'll only be fourth author, but I'll be behind the agruably the three biggest names in the field!

 

[terpskins10]

Cautiously happy to report that my PI has gotten me officially named as an author on a lit review we're hoping finishing this summer and which has fairly decent odds of being accepted, as my PI was specifically asked by the journal to do it. Granted, I'll only be fourth author, but I'll be behind the agruably the three biggest names in the field!

Congrats! May I ask what field you refer to? If you don't want to share on here, PM me if you don't mind. Thanks!

 

[cara susanna]

I'd like to hear, too, if you wouldn't mind 😀

Congrats, btw!

 

[futureapppsy2]

Heh. Thanks--hold your congrats until after we get accepted, though.😉

PM'ed you both.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Thinking about it, I think one of things that makes me warry but applying to EdS programs is that they tend not to have a whole lot of research, whereas applying out of undergrad I'll be very close to my research (hopefully a recent pub, presentations, theses, etc.), and that may not be the case applying after 3 years of an EdS program, though I'd be a stronger applicant in other ways (actual experience in the field, grad school coursework, etc.).

Just thinking outload here... (Yes, I know SDN is not a process group 😉 )

 

[deleted176373]

Thanks, but that not what the people at my program keep conveying--that I'm dead in the water without national poster presentations or publications. Of course, my PI says we're likely to get some stuff out in summer or early fall and I'm potentially getting first authorship from this summer. But reality is demoralizing... We just spent the last two-three months at my RAship working on this huge grant, but even if we get it (it's a strong application--in which I'm named and for which I did a ton of writing--but I'm sure the other 4 are too), I'm unlikely to see anything out of it in time to impact my application this time around. And so much of the lab work here is working on grad students' theses/dissertations--don't go a school with a clinical PhD program, I guess. I feel like I've worked so hard (which, really, I probably haven't) and have nothing to show for it, other than a local conference win.

I had no poster presentations or publications... I am in a decent program. They help, and you should try to get them done, but you can get in without them. It's just much easier with than without.

Mark

 

[schoolpsych1]

I agree, I didn't talk to a huge sampling of students, but students at Tufts, Penn State and UConn, for instance,all told me they didn't do half of what you did and got in. One young woman in a PhD class at Penn didn't know why they picked her she's glad they did. I thought she was being modest, but just doing an independent project at school, honors thesis and her volunteer work were her strongest research activity(although she went like myself to a small college)Masters programs seemed a lot more forgiving of course, but these were all PhD and at least 2 of them were "research heavy" so who knows sometimes what clicks with a professor and what doesn't.
I don't think it's good to gear yourself that way, but you will always meet students that had perfect scores, resume, that were rejected and some you thought were flawed, accepted. In some ways, admissions remains the same as it was in high school, just harder and more subjective.