Need some clarification and motivation

[billymays]

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Hey guys.

So I am doing well at my community college (first semester almost done!) and I'm certain I'm on the right track to be a competitive applicant for both UCLA and Berkeley. This coming spring is going to be hectic but I'm confident. I'm also going to be looking into the Psi Beta psychology society, and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, as well as my school's own honors club (TAP for UCLA). I'll also be applying for a position as an English tutor.

What I'm trying to say is that I'm ready to commit. My problem, however, is that I keep getting discouraged. I will tell people that my major is psychology and nine times out of ten they just roll their eyes. Even reading on here sometimes, I can tell that you guys must have worked tremendously hard not only to get through the academic flying trapeze flips, but also to put up with the little things that make you second guess your entire strategy.

I mean, how do you guys not wince when you look at the statistical data for PhD programs and see the numbers of applicants vs. accepted? I know I shouldn't be too concerned as an undergraduate. I know, partly from reading on here, that it is the reality of the field. I know there's other options too for psych majors, but my conscience is telling me to work towards a PhD or PsyD.

Can someone spin this to help solidify my commitment? As a community college student, it's hard not to be intimidated. I feel like I'm at the bottom of the barrel, and my so-called "strategy" is effective to a certain degree, but maybe it really consists of nothing more than flinging mud at the wall and seeing what sticks. I really look up to you guys and dream of the day where I too can be a psychologist.

So, if you can, please help me out. Surely a few of you have felt the anxiety that comes along with commitment, and now that you're experts, maybe you can help me.

Thanks.

 

[psychRA]

I mean, how do you guys not wince when you look at the statistical data for PhD programs and see the numbers of applicants vs. accepted?

This is easier said than done, but: my advice would be to ignore those numbers 🙂 Work your butt off, do everything you can to make your application as strong as possible, and then try to let go of those worries. Yes, the numbers are terrifying, but you've got your whole college career in front of you (yes?) and you've got plenty of time to make yourself a desirable candidate for grad school. Be confident, and don't sell yourself short! Granted, it's good to have a realistic sense of your strengths and weaknesses, and to apply to a mix of schools so that you're not just applying to the most competitive programs. However, once you've done that, just focus on the parts of the process that you can control, and try not to stress about the parts that are out of your hands. It's a long road, but I've found it to be very rewarding.

 

[beingintherapy]

I'm in the same boat except that my wife has a heart condition and my son is autistic. It's more difficult than not. What I can say is that even long roads go somewhere, and it doesn't matter how fast one travels if you eventually reach your destination. I've had to keep my eyes on the steps that are directly in front of me with only a bit of a mind toward the horizon.

If you feel it's your potential, then fulfill it. "Writers must write, painters must paint..."

 

[AcronymAllergy]

One thing to keep in mind about the number of applicants vs. acceptances--psychology is, at many universities, the most popular undergraduate major. However, there are very few jobs or fields for which a psych degree directly prepares you (not that psych is alone in this, of course). What that means is each year, there will be a significant chunk of grad school applications from individuals who, up to that point, had likely never planned on or thought of applying to a doctoral program, and are doing so only because they either can't think of anything else to do, or that's just "the next step" they keep hearing about.

Not that these individuals aren't intelligent, motivated, etc. But they generally aren't going to be at all competitive until they've had the opportunity to gain some research experience and narrow down what it is exactly they'd like to do.

Getting into a reputable (and, if you can swing it, funded) doctoral program is very tough, yep. But it's certainly possible, and the above situation does skew the numbers, even if only by the slightest bit.

 

[BorntoRun]

My $0.02 -- it's too early to be worrying about commitment. It's rare to meet someone who committed to their eventual career path during their very first semester of college -- even among the most driven and successful Ph.D.s in the field. Take a variety of classes, get excellent grades, challenge yourself, and explore the things that excite you. If, after a few years and a variety of classes/extracurriculars, you find that you are still truly passionate about psychology, commitment will come naturally. Good luck!

 

[roubs]

Go for it 100%, don't picture yourself only at UCLA or Berkeley and have a viable backup career plan.

Some have the mistaken impression that hedging is somehow lowering your commitment to one area. No. Please walk and chew gum. Hedging is just a smart strategy which acknowledges both statistical reality and the reality that we aren't owed our #1 career pick.

 

[billymays]

This is easier said than done, but: my advice would be to ignore those numbers 🙂 Work your butt off, do everything you can to make your application as strong as possible, and then try to let go of those worries. Yes, the numbers are terrifying, but you've got your whole college career in front of you (yes?) and you've got plenty of time to make yourself a desirable candidate for grad school. Be confident, and don't sell yourself short! Granted, it's good to have a realistic sense of your strengths and weaknesses, and to apply to a mix of schools so that you're not just applying to the most competitive programs. However, once you've done that, just focus on the parts of the process that you can control, and try not to stress about the parts that are out of your hands. It's a long road, but I've found it to be very rewarding.

Yes, it does seem like one of the most personally rewarding career paths out there. So I should really just be enjoying the ride. You're right I've got my whole college career in front of me, and I shouldn't be too concerned about what I can't control. Instead I should focus on doing as well as I can in the moment. I'm trying to do this to the best of my abilities while at community college; I just can't help but worry about what the future has in store. I'll really try to just distract myself from the present.

 

[rugox]

Like how others have posted here, I think the biggest motivation you could get is the fact that you are still just beginning your undergraduate degree. When I was in my first year, I never even thought about what I wanted to do or go as far as to say "I'm committed". That's just a rarity and the fact that you already have some kind of expectations and goals throughout undergrad puts you ahead of the game. Adding to that, you have some knowledge about the outlook of an eventual Ph.D. in Psychology and what it means for your to pursue it. If I were you, I'd take the 4 years to shape up your candidacy as a Ph.D. applicant but at the same time, I would also venture into other fields and experiment with your interests. Take some science and humanities courses. Do volunteer in a variety of settings. All of this will not only widen your perspective, but if you are still committed to Psychology at the end of your 4 years, your experiences will justify your path that much more. And remember, there are many ways to arrive at the same goal. It is not always about a linear path.

 

[billymays]

I'm in the same boat except that my wife has a heart condition and my son is autistic. It's more difficult than not. What I can say is that even long roads go somewhere, and it doesn't matter how fast one travels if you eventually reach your destination. I've had to keep my eyes on the steps that are directly in front of me with only a bit of a mind toward the horizon.

If you feel it's your potential, then fulfill it. "Writers must write, painters must paint..."

Wow, you summed it up pretty well. I should definitely be more focused on the journey than the destination- which isn't written in stone.

By the way, I'm always happy to hear when someone is fulfilling their potential, especially through tough circumstances as you mentioned.

 

[billymays]

One thing to keep in mind about the number of applicants vs. acceptances--psychology is, at many universities, the most popular undergraduate major. However, there are very few jobs or fields for which a psych degree directly prepares you (not that psych is alone in this, of course). What that means is each year, there will be a significant chunk of grad school applications from individuals who, up to that point, had likely never planned on or thought of applying to a doctoral program, and are doing so only because they either can't think of anything else to do, or that's just "the next step" they keep hearing about.

Not that these individuals aren't intelligent, motivated, etc. But they generally aren't going to be at all competitive until they've had the opportunity to gain some research experience and narrow down what it is exactly they'd like to do.

Getting into a reputable (and, if you can swing it, funded) doctoral program is very tough, yep. But it's certainly possible, and the above situation does skew the numbers, even if only by the slightest bit.

Thanks, that shed some light on the scary grad school data I can't unsee. The numbers make a little more sense now, in that some people who apply aren't nearly as cut out for it as others. Right now, I need to focus on a gradual push towards getting myself to the end of the spectrum that is cut out for it.

 

[billymays]

My $0.02 -- it's too early to be worrying about commitment. It's rare to meet someone who committed to their eventual career path during their very first semester of college -- even among the most driven and successful Ph.D.s in the field. Take a variety of classes, get excellent grades, challenge yourself, and explore the things that excite you. If, after a few years and a variety of classes/extracurriculars, you find that you are still truly passionate about psychology, commitment will come naturally. Good luck!

This is what I need to do.

Variety first, and then the commitment will come naturally.

 

[billymays]

Go for it 100%, don't picture yourself only at UCLA or Berkeley and have a viable backup career plan.

Some have the mistaken impression that hedging is somehow lowering your commitment to one area. No. Please walk and chew gum. Hedging is just a smart strategy which acknowledges both statistical reality and the reality that we aren't owed our #1 career pick.

I am going 100% for my bachelors right now, and hopefully. And while UCLA and Berkeley are my absolute dream schools, I'm doing everything I can to back myself up.

I do, however, feel like hedging too much might slightly jeopradize my commitment by lowering my personal standards and expectations. I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket of course, but I certainly don't want to leave my dreams unfulfilled.

 

[billymays]

Like how others have posted here, I think the biggest motivation you could get is the fact that you are still just beginning your undergraduate degree. When I was in my first year, I never even thought about what I wanted to do or go as far as to say "I'm committed". That's just a rarity and the fact that you already have some kind of expectations and goals throughout undergrad puts you ahead of the game. Adding to that, you have some knowledge about the outlook of an eventual Ph.D. in Psychology and what it means for your to pursue it. If I were you, I'd take the 4 years to shape up your candidacy as a Ph.D. applicant but at the same time, I would also venture into other fields and experiment with your interests. Take some science and humanities courses. Do volunteer in a variety of settings. All of this will not only widen your perspective, but if you are still committed to Psychology at the end of your 4 years, your experiences will justify your path that much more. And remember, there are many ways to arrive at the same goal. It is not always about a linear path.

Wow, this is a very good and simple proposition. You summed it up nicely by noting my primary responsibility as a college student - finding variety, volunteering, widening my perspectives- as well as my position as an aspiring psychologist. These seem to be very much interrelated; position #2 very much dependent on position #1 , for instance.

I just don't want to get backed into a corner in the middle of my four year studies. I don't want to lose sight of my dreams of attending graduate school. I don't want to lose my commitment. But as was mentioned on here, the commitment will come naturally, so I'm going to just try to go with it.

 

[mewtoo]

Thanks, that shed some light on the scary grad school data I can't unsee. The numbers make a little more sense now, in that some people who apply aren't nearly as cut out for it as others. Right now, I need to focus on a gradual push towards getting myself to the end of the spectrum that is cut out for it.

Not trying to derail the thread (which I think is great), but how many or what percentage of the applicants do ya'll think are serious applicants vs. clueless or delusional people? I've always wondered, but never brought it up. I'm sure the OP would be interested in the answer too, considering there's not any eye bleach strong enough to unsee the data.

 

[JustNoticing]

Not trying to derail the thread (which I think is great), but how many or what percentage of the applicants do ya'll think are serious applicants vs. clueless or delusional people? I've always wondered, but never brought it up. I'm sure the OP would be interested in the answer too, considering there's not any eye bleach strong enough to unsee the data.

I wonder about this a lot myself. What percentage of applicants "want to help everyone", "cure mental illnesses", or apply with little to no research experience?

 

[billymays]

Hey guys, that really helped. Just thinking about it- I mean yes of course there's going to be people just applying out of the blue, without much preparation or experience.

I'll try not to be one of those people