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- Sep 12, 2007
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Here's some background:
I graduated from a large research university last year with a BS in Psychology (doubled with Painting) with a great gpa, okay gre's, great rec's, and solid research and clinical experiences.
I've just finished my first year at the New School for Social Research master's program. (I considered not disclosing, but anyone who has read my stuff on these boards can knows that's where I go). I was really pumped about getting accepted here last year. It seemed like a really great fit, even if their funding was pretty much non-existent. I really liked the intellectual atmosphere they had, and the liberal areas of research were a great fit for me.
So my first year has ended and I am underwhelmed. There is ZERO community/structure/direction in the program. There is a laundry list of problems that me and several other students have identified with the program, and have actively tried to get addressed throughout this first year, with some small successes (I won't go into detail as I don't want to post a rant about my program). Bottom line, I don't think the loans I have to take out justify an education I feel is lukewarm at best. I have partial funding at this point, but even if I had more I don't know if that would make me feel better about staying here.
I am really open as to what I could do in the future. I know I want to do clinical work, and I feel very strongly about this, and have excelled in my clinical placements and courses. I have strong research interests in an area that is not heavily researched (LGBTQ sexual scripting), but to be honest I see myself more as a clinician in the future rather than an educator/researcher, so I think I would be comfortable in a more clinically focused atmosphere. I do fear though, that if I go somewhere without the heavy research component I will be missing out on the intellectual inquiry and satisfaction that I derive from research.
So, I am investigating other options, but I don't really know how to approach this. I don't know if I should 1. finish my masters, while applying to other programs or 2. not finish, as in not take classes next term, while applying to other programs.
I have been told various things from applying to other PhD programs, other PsyD programs, or MSW programs.
With the lack of community and advising in at my current program, I feel pretty lost here, hence my plea for advice from you guys! Any insight, advice, etc. would be greatly,greatly appreciated.
I graduated from a large research university last year with a BS in Psychology (doubled with Painting) with a great gpa, okay gre's, great rec's, and solid research and clinical experiences.
I've just finished my first year at the New School for Social Research master's program. (I considered not disclosing, but anyone who has read my stuff on these boards can knows that's where I go). I was really pumped about getting accepted here last year. It seemed like a really great fit, even if their funding was pretty much non-existent. I really liked the intellectual atmosphere they had, and the liberal areas of research were a great fit for me.
So my first year has ended and I am underwhelmed. There is ZERO community/structure/direction in the program. There is a laundry list of problems that me and several other students have identified with the program, and have actively tried to get addressed throughout this first year, with some small successes (I won't go into detail as I don't want to post a rant about my program). Bottom line, I don't think the loans I have to take out justify an education I feel is lukewarm at best. I have partial funding at this point, but even if I had more I don't know if that would make me feel better about staying here.
I am really open as to what I could do in the future. I know I want to do clinical work, and I feel very strongly about this, and have excelled in my clinical placements and courses. I have strong research interests in an area that is not heavily researched (LGBTQ sexual scripting), but to be honest I see myself more as a clinician in the future rather than an educator/researcher, so I think I would be comfortable in a more clinically focused atmosphere. I do fear though, that if I go somewhere without the heavy research component I will be missing out on the intellectual inquiry and satisfaction that I derive from research.
So, I am investigating other options, but I don't really know how to approach this. I don't know if I should 1. finish my masters, while applying to other programs or 2. not finish, as in not take classes next term, while applying to other programs.
I have been told various things from applying to other PhD programs, other PsyD programs, or MSW programs.
With the lack of community and advising in at my current program, I feel pretty lost here, hence my plea for advice from you guys! Any insight, advice, etc. would be greatly,greatly appreciated.
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