Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (APPIC)

[NBAjunkie]

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I'm in a PsyD program that has 3 years of coursework. Applications are due fairly soon. I see 5-7 sites that I'm applying to that say they want 4 years minimum of grad training, whereas I will only have three. Does it truly not matter that I meet and surpass ALL their other requirements? Has anyone applied to these anyway, or is it just a waste of time when you can't meet that quantifiable minimum?

Thanks.

 

[aventurine]

I'm in a PsyD program that has 3 years of coursework. Applications are due fairly soon. I see 5-7 sites that I'm applying to that say they want 4 years minimum of grad training, whereas I will only have three. Does it truly not matter that I meet and surpass ALL their other requirements? Has anyone applied to these anyway, or is it just a waste of time when you can't meet that quantifiable minimum?

I would check with the specific programs.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'm not sure how you could be competitive against students who are applying after 4-5 years. You can apply I guess, but given the competitiveness of the Match, I don't think it is the most prudent decision.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I'm not sure how you could be competitive against students who are applying after 4-5 years. You can apply I guess, but given the competitiveness of the Match, I don't think it is the most prudent decision.

I agree with this and the above post. The best way to get an answer would be to check with the TDs at each of the programs in question. However, if they require a minimum of four years of experience, then odds are they're going to be receiving applications from people with at least 4-5 years of training, meaning that you could be at a significant disadvantage, especially if much of your three years has entailed coursework.

 

[haner2]

With anything that is so specific to a site, it never hurts to ask if having 3 years would disqualify you from having your file reviewed. Some sites will set up certain requirements and dont budge, whereas others are more flexible depending on your individual circumstances. From places I've seen, the reason they ask for a certain number of years is to ensure you have taken core classes, which you could show via transcripts. Unfortunately though, some sites also do that to weed out professional programs that don't have a stronger academic focus. All of this to say though that it's a good idea to ask.