Neuro possibilities or is there no way?

[bookwormpsych]

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Hi all - I've asked a million questions here over time, but I feel I'm at a crossroads and this is extremely important to me and I am seeking cold-hard truths, feedback, ideas, whatever.

Basically - my question is... is neuropsychology a path that is possible for me?

Background -- BA in psych, MA in "clinical/counseling psych." GRE - weak as a whole, V - average 50th percentile, Q - far below average, 20th percentile? I didn't know what a GRE was when I took it.... it is possible for me to retake if necessary. Still pending some programs decisions on GREs this year. I have passed the EPPP, am licensed in TX, yada yada.

I applied to programs this past year, got one interview, no acceptances. I know why, too, my apps sucked LOL. Weak research background (about 6 months as an RA once in undergrad...)

Research NOW, though... I have a manuscript in review, have done a (virtual) poster presentation (won 2nd place for this presentation), am now in an ACTUAL lab with a professor that came on after I graduated (since about February). My university is super small, has like 0 resources in the way of labs, research output, grants, etc.

I'm currently a "psychometrician (?)." I do testing for 2 psychologists here in town, one does ADHD, Autism, general stuffs with kiddos. The other does that + juvenile court stuff +neuropsych evals. This matters because, once upon a time I have just been piddling around thinking this or that interests me, but never really knowing why I wanted to get a PhD (hence, part of why my apps were weak, they likely lacked clear explanation of why I wanted a darn PhD). However, as mentioned, the one supervisor does a lot of neuro evals, most of which I do due to my license (he'd rather me, with training, do them versus interns with little training). It's like a bell went off in my head the last couple of months when thinking about my future, career directions, applying for schools again.... etc. I am happiest when I am testing/working with folks suspected of cognitive deficits. I am SO happy (although some times the situations are super sad) to be there, to work with these folks, and to provide any sort of help whatsoever. All I do, though, is the testing and scoring (no report writing, no diagnoses, just little-guy stuff). I want to do more, I want to provide actual services to these folks.

I have been trying to get ahold of neurology/TBI clinics in town to see if they are open to allowing researchers to work with their patients, to no avail. I'm trying to show my interest in neuropsych research as well. I know it's mostly about "fit," but how will it look applying to programs when my current research output has nothing to do with what I actually want to research?

I don't know if I've provided enough information here, I didn't want to keep rambling. So please ask for clarification if it is needed. I just want opinions on whether someone with such little research background, that is unrelated to neuro, can/should even pursue applying to work with neuropsychologists.

 

[psych.meout]

This goes in the WAMC thread.

 

[bookwormpsych]

This goes in the WAMC thread.

Ah, dang, sorry! I wasn't meaning to ask in a way of it being a "what are my chances" thing. More or less feeling lost and looking for advice about whether this is typical or possible, something like that - I can paste this there and delete this post.

Thank you

 

[futureapppsy2]

Ah, dang, sorry! I wasn't meaning to ask in a way of it being a "what are my chances" thing. More or less feeling lost and looking for advice about whether this is typical or possible, something like that - I can paste this there and delete this post.

Thank you

Eh, this is distinct enough from a basic WAMC question that this thread can continue!

 

[boba_psych]

So just so I'm understanding your post clearly, you want to understand your competitiveness for getting into a clinical psychology PhD program, is that right?

For your application, you would definitely want to retake the GRE and aim for somewhere near 160V/160Q. It's also really important to revamp your materials (esp. Statement of purpose) so it clearly and concisely outlines why, based on past experiences and fit, you would be a good candidate for the program.

It's good that you have a manuscript under review and have presented before, be sure to continue presenting and if you can, could be helpful to help out with an additional manuscript. What general topic is your research in? Even if unrelated to neuropsych, there are often ways to spin your research experience to support your interests. Psychometrist work for ADHD and autism is a plus, be sure to include measures you are adept at administering in your CV.

What's also important is that you will most likely be applying to a clinical psychology doctoral program, not a clinical neuropsychology specific program so use whatever you have to get into the program, it doesn't have to be neuropsych specific yet (just specific enough to make the argument to be taken on by faculty doing neuropsych related research - the psychometrist work could be an asset, also emphasize the research skills you obtained in the unrelated research and how they transfer over)

 

[bookwormpsych]

So just so I'm understanding your post clearly, you want to understand your competitiveness for getting into a clinical psychology PhD program, is that right?

For your application, you would definitely want to retake the GRE and aim for somewhere near 160V/160Q. It's also really important to revamp your materials (esp. Statement of purpose) so it clearly and concisely outlines why, based on past experiences and fit, you would be a good candidate for the program.

It's good that you have a manuscript under review and have presented before, be sure to continue presenting and if you can, could be helpful to help out with an additional manuscript. What general topic is your research in? Even if unrelated to neuropsych, there are often ways to spin your research experience to support your interests. Psychometrist work for ADHD and autism is a plus, be sure to include measures you are adept at administering in your CV.

What's also important is that you will most likely be applying to a clinical psychology doctoral program, not a clinical neuropsychology specific program so use whatever you have to get into the program, it doesn't have to be neuropsych specific yet (just specific enough to make the argument to be taken on by faculty doing neuropsych related research - the psychometrist work could be an asset, also emphasize the research skills you obtained in the unrelated research and how they transfer over)

Hi, thank you for your feedback!
And yes, you’re mainly correct about what I’m asking. I just asked separately from the WAMC thread as I’m asking specifically about possibilities to neuro paths. I know generally, a clinical program with neuro faculty is what I’d look for and not a “track.” But, I’ve been told by some that neuro is specifically hard to accomplish (amongst sub fields, I suppose).

I think better GRE scores are possible for me as my poor scores resulted in having no idea what a GRE was, scheduling and taking it in a span of 2-3 days, and no studying. I think if I applied myself it’s entirely possible I can do much better than I did.

currently, my under review paper is over social perceptions of tattooed workers and social status effect on the perceptions. My presentation was over minority representation in the dissemination of research at conferences (also, we are writing the manuscript now - hope to be done and submitting to journals by August). So neither of those things truly have anything to do with my “real” interest, but, as you said I’ve picked up skills that will most definitely help (writing is a big one, I’ve learned so much from these experiences).
My main concern has been that, based on what people in the field have told me, neuro is one of those things you’ve had to “prepare your whole (academic) life for,” meaning research has to have been all neuro, you have to have XYZ experiences or whatever. I’m just nervous as I’ve finally found something I love and am worried it wouldn’t be doable due to my “stats.”

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Your focus should be to first, get into any reasonable PhD/PsyD program that won't take advantage of you. Neuro specialization can come later. You don't have the option to be picky about this from the start.

Second, get that GRE up. Whatever it takes. Or apply to places without the GRE requirements (if there are any these days?)