Masters in MHC

[mtne]

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Hello everyone,

I'm interested in pursuing a masters in MHC and I was wondering if anyone could help answer some of my questions.

Before I ask any questions, here are my stats:
Undergrad:
College: Virginia Tech
Major: Biology
Cumulative GPA: 2.89
Psychology/Sociology (3 credits each) GPA: 4.0
GRE: Haven't taken it.

I have no professional experience in counseling but I have been involved in and have coordinated multiple outreach events at my local church and have led 2 small groups (weekly meetings for 10 months).

Schools that I'm currently looking into:
Hunter
Rutgers
NYU
Columbia
Fordham

Here are my questions:

1. With my low stats, what are my chances for the schools listed above?

3. Would taking the GRE (granted that I get a high score) help my chances? Also, the programs do not require a GRE so I'm wondering how important it actually is.

2. I know that the 2 recommendation letters should be from a manager/professor but I feel that my pastor knows me best when it comes to my passion/potential for this profession. Would you advise against having a pastor write a letter of recommendation since it's not a "professional" recommendation?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[wigflip]

I have no professional experience in counseling but I have been involved in and have coordinated multiple outreach events at my local church...I know that the 2 recommendation letters should be from a manager/professor but I feel that my pastor knows me best when it comes to my passion/potential for this profession. Would you advise against having a pastor write a letter of recommendation since it's not a "professional" recommendation?

Why not take a year to receive some professional experience in counseling, even on a volunteer basis? You'll gain a letter of rec from someone who is better able to assess your counseling aptitude (as opposed to simply your character), and also gain a better sense of the field.

 

[drm246]

Hello everyone,

I'm interested in pursuing a masters in MHC and I was wondering if anyone could help answer some of my questions.

Before I ask any questions, here are my stats:
Undergrad:
College: Virginia Tech
Major: Biology
Cumulative GPA: 2.89
Psychology/Sociology (3 credits each) GPA: 4.0
GRE: Haven't taken it.

I have no professional experience in counseling but I have been involved in and have coordinated multiple outreach events at my local church and have led 2 small groups (weekly meetings for 10 months).

Schools that I'm currently looking into:
Hunter
Rutgers
NYU
Columbia
Fordham

Here are my questions:

1. With my low stats, what are my chances for the schools listed above?

3. Would taking the GRE (granted that I get a high score) help my chances? Also, the programs do not require a GRE so I'm wondering how important it actually is.

2. I know that the 2 recommendation letters should be from a manager/professor but I feel that my pastor knows me best when it comes to my passion/potential for this profession. Would you advise against having a pastor write a letter of recommendation since it's not a "professional" recommendation?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I'm fairly certain that you will need three LOR's from those schools and character recommendations are not going to help when going to graduate school. You also are showing a major in biology, which isn't a problem, but you need to show more in the field if you want to get in some of those schools listed. Start looking into some volunteer work and build up your resume and recommendations.

 

[Vasa Lisa]

You have gotten some great advice here. I would echo taking some time to either get a job or accrue some volunteer work in a mental health setting. You could also take some additional psychology courses - either at the undergrad or grad level. Some grad schools let you transfer 9 credits (about 3 classes) into the program. So if a local grad school would let you take classes as a special student, AND you did really well - you would have a potential LOR and also a better sense of what MHC graduate work entails.

Be sure your grad schools that you apply to are CACREP approved for the CMHC degree so save yourself heartache when it comes to licensing after you graduate and complete your residency hours.

Depending on the school - they may offer you a chance if you have the right combination of LOR, volunteer experience, and your personal statement.

Let us know how things develop,

Vasa Lisa

 

[mtne]

I will be looking into volunteer opportunities this winter as well as taking some additional classes in order to increase my chances of admission. Will probably apply for spring 2013 or fall 2013. Appreciate the advice everyone!

 

[Vasa Lisa]

Excellent plan! Let us know how it goes.

Vasa Lisa