Is there really such a thing as a "safety school?"

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
C

childpsych479

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
116
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
Hi everyone,
I currently have a list of 18 clinical Phd programs that I'm really excited about. My interests are in developmental psychopathology particularly with respect to internalizing problems in children and adolescents. I've found strong to really strong matches with faculty at these programs. However, they tend to be at relatively competitive programs. I'm concerned about my chances even though I am applying to quite a few. I'd like to have a safety school but I don't really feel that that exists with respect to clinical PhD admissions since it is so subjective. I am also committed to pursuing this particular degree. Can anyone recommend programs that may be a potential safety school?

In case it is relavant, my GRE scores are 570 verbal and 770 quant (1340) and my overall gpa was a 3.57 and psych was a 3.7 from a respected psychology program at a public research-focused university. I have been working in a developmental psychology lab at my undergraduate university for about 1.5 now. I do not have pubs or posters.

Thanks for your help!
 
childpsych479 said:
Hi everyone,
I currently have a list of 18 clinical Phd programs that I'm really excited about. My interests are in developmental psychopathology particularly with respect to internalizing problems in children and adolescents. I've found strong to really strong matches with faculty at these programs. However, they tend to be at relatively competitive programs. I'm concerned about my chances even though I am applying to quite a few. I'd like to have a safety school but I don't really feel that that exists with respect to clinical PhD admissions since it is so subjective. I am also committed to pursuing this particular degree. Can anyone recommend programs that may be a potential safety school?

In case it is relavant, my GRE scores are 570 verbal and 770 quant (1340) and my overall gpa was a 3.57 and psych was a 3.7 from a respected psychology program at a public research-focused university. I have been working in a developmental psychology lab at my undergraduate university for about 1.5 now. I do not have pubs or posters.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...

I personally don't believe in safety schools for doctoral programs. You can have numbers that exceed those of your programs and still not get in because you don't have the right match. Many people say masters programs are a good back-up or safety, because they're a lot less competitive.
 
I looked into School Psychology programs as well but they have more of an assessment orientation and most of the professors don't do the type of work I'm interested in.

Did those of you who are in programs now apply to a "safety school?"
 
"Safety School" is somewhat of a misnomer, as qualities programs are all at least moderately competitive and there isn't really an "easier" way in. Fit is important, and programs can usually tell if an applicant is really serious about their program. The same can be said about internship sites, so it doesn't end if/when you get into a program. 😀
 
Safety school is definitely a misnomer, but there are schools with lower GRE cutoffs if that is what you are concerned about. Though, uh, that's probably not an issue with your score. 😀

There are also places with less people who apply, but that's because they tend to be in geographically undesirable places, not because they're not good programs. They still are competitive.
 
Last edited:
Argosy or Alliant...😀
 
No real safety schools. Schools in less geographically desirable locations (parts of the midwest, the south, etc.) get fewer applicants, but I'm convinced all that's happening there is that strong people are still applying due to a good research match, and all you're missing is the fluff that comprise the huge number of extra applicants to Florida/Cali/etc. schools who just want to go to grad school by a beach.
 
I can attest to the awesomeness of attending graduate school near a beach. The last place I lived was <0.5 miles from the beach, and while the first few years I rarely got to the beach, the last two I made it a priority. 😀
 
I applied to a mix of PhD and PsyD programs and there was one particular PsyD program which I considered to be my safety school. As it turned out they were the only PsyD program to not even grant me an interview.

So based on my experiences I'd have to agree that no school is ever completely safe. There can be so many other factors at work.
 
I applied and got interview offers at 2 "safety" schools. I turned down both interviews so I basically wasted time and money by even applying to these schools. Your stats are good. Make sure you have a good fit with the programs you apply to, and don't bother with "safety schools"
 
RileyG said:
I applied and got interview offers at 2 "safety" schools. I turned down both interviews so I basically wasted time and money by even applying to these schools. Your stats are good. Make sure you have a good fit with the programs you apply to, and don't bother with "safety schools"
Click to expand...

I would have to amend this. If you're only considering it a safety school because of stats, you should keep it on the list. Even if you have a 4.0 and a 1600 GRE you're never "too good" for a program that matches by interest and experience.

If you're calling it a safety based on location, you do have to decide- could I REALLY live here? But I suggest not being too picky. "Undesirable" locations could turn out to be cheap living!

If your safety isn't even a good research match for you, then that's a different story, but chances are you probably won't get into programs that aren;t good research matches for you anyway.
 
krisrox said:
I would have to amend this. If you're only considering it a safety school because of stats, you should keep it on the list. Even if you have a 4.0 and a 1600 GRE you're never "too good" for a program that matches by interest and experience.

If you're calling it a safety based on location, you do have to decide- could I REALLY live here? But I suggest not being too picky. "Undesirable" locations could turn out to be cheap living!

If your safety isn't even a good research match for you, then that's a different story, but chances are you probably won't get into programs that aren;t good research matches for you anyway.
Click to expand...

You make valid points. My understanding of the OP was that s/he has 18 programs that are good matches and s/he is excited about. I don't think there's any need to apply to more just to get in somewhere. 18 is plenty!
 
I applied to two lower-ranked schools as "safeties", however I didn't have as strong of a research match at these schools. I didn't even get interviews at my safeties, but got into a great program.

My advice is to give it a go, unless you can find a good research match at a less competitive school. Maybe check out some school psych programs or counseling. I know, I know, people on this forum says they're just as competitive. But maybe she will find a good match at a school that is less competitive than the particular clinical programs she's checked out thus far.

18 programs is a lot!
 
Wildcat06 said:
+1. You never know how it will shake out so just stick with the programs you're really stoked about.
Click to expand...

Yep, had some "safety" schools ignore me too at times... 1300 GRE and 4.0 GPA... Fit is EVERYTHING.

No such thing as a funded "safety" school.
 
Thanks everyone for your responses. It has made me feel a lot better! Well, as much as I can with the anxiety that this is all a crap-shoot. Thank you again!
 
psychanxiety said:
I applied to two lower-ranked schools as "safeties", however I didn't have as strong of a research match at these schools. I didn't even get interviews at my safeties, but got into a great program.
Click to expand...

See to me, then that's not much of a safety school. I'd only consider it somewhat of a safety (and more higher odds, than safety really) if it were both lower ranked AND I had a strong match (vs schools that are a higher ranked and a strong match, or any school with a moderate or iffy match), since you need a match to get in anywhere. If you don't have much of a match, it's just a waste of time to apply to that program at all, IMO, unless it is not a research-focused program.
 
As far as rankings, I've heard that these can be somewhat meaningless since every ranking system uses different criteria. What's a good source to look at for rankings?
 
childpsych479 said:
As far as rankings, I've heard that these can be somewhat meaningless since every ranking system uses different criteria. What's a good source to look at for rankings?
Click to expand...

There is no accurate ranking, since program ranking doesn't translate well for each individual mentor/professor. There are programs that are known for a well rounded faculty (U of FL, Boston U, etc), and other programs that are much more hit and miss.

There have been discussions on here before about the US World Report rankings, but any halfway decent scientist would see their methods are flawed and not really reflective of what is required for a solid program, so I'd suggest looking at journals and finding out who is publishing where. I'd also ask around in the field, as there are some great places under the radar.
 
cara susanna said:
Safety school is definitely a misnomer, but there are schools with lower GRE cutoffs if that is what you are concerned about. Though, uh, that's probably not an issue with your score. 😀

There are also places with less people who apply, but that's because they tend to be in geographically undesirable places, not because they're not good programs. They still are competitive.
Click to expand...


Cara-- Do you remember off the top of your head what those schools were?? My practice tests are still lower than what I want/need, and I'm taking the GRE on Sunday. All of the 16 schools on my list have prettttty high average GRE scores, and it's starting to freak me out. :scared:
 
Therapist4Chnge said:
There is no accurate ranking, since program ranking doesn't translate well for each individual mentor/professor. There are programs that are known for a well rounded faculty (U of FL, Boston U, etc), and other programs that are much more hit and miss.

There have been discussions on here before about the US World Report rankings, but any halfway decent scientist would see their methods are flawed and not really reflective of what is required for a solid program, so I'd suggest looking at journals and finding out who is publishing where. I'd also ask around in the field, as there are some great places under the radar.
Click to expand...

+1

I researched POI's and then determined which ones were 1) the most prolific researchers and 2) the most qualified researchers (by seeing them publish in well-known journals).

It seems to be working out for me pretty well thus far.
 
jenn: University of North Dakota has fairly low GRE cutoffs--33rd percentile or higher.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
  • Question Question
LLC as a contract psychologist
Replies
4
Views
1K
WisNeuro
WisNeuro
P
Therapy Chatbot Tells Recovering Addict to Have a Little Meth as a Treat
Replies
38
Views
3K
clausewitz2
clausewitz2
B
Accruing Post-doc hours as a licensed psychologist
Replies
6
Views
2K
bluewaters12
B
psych_luxgirl
Asking the Experts: What’s Really Needed to Become a Psychologist?
Replies
37
Views
3K
msc545
M
asukaran
Work as a part-time therapist outside 8-5
Replies
12
Views
1K
asukaran
asukaran
Top