Non-Degree or Masters

[dearprudence101]

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Hello to you all. I have been battling a dilemma for several months now, and this serves as a venting post as well as a stretch for advice. My original intent was medical school, but I have always been interested in Neuropsy., so I've decided to pursue that. I only applied to masters programs this past year with great success; however, only one is offering a GA.

Stats:
Bachelors Biology (minor in psychology)
3.3 UGPA (3.7 in psych.)
GRE Score of 152 V / 146 Q.
Nearly two years of fish behavior Research Experience (Two Poster Presentations) Currently in writing

My problem stems from personal conflict. I'm in a serious relationship and she has accepted a program at FSU, while the one I'm thinking about going to is 10 hours away. I have some people telling me to apply as a Non-Degree seeking student at FSU, retake the GRE, and apply to Clinical Psychology PhD programs this year. It's definitely the most risky step and it scares me a bit. If I don't get in, then I don't have a masters program that I'm currently in. Would it be possible for me to gain valuable research experience while I'm there? Does anyone know of people that have done this? Also, I'm 25 and have already been out of school for two years, so time isn't completely on my side... I don't want to waste time. I'm just exploring my options...I know it should ultimately come down to what I want to do, but I'm willing to sacrifice a little if it still means accomplishing my goals.

Thanks

 

[450618]

Yes, you can get valuable research experience in a master's program that will help out with your chances of matriculating into a PhD. I did an experimental MS, ended up presenting research at 6 national conferences, and got a paper published in a top psych journal with my PI (second author). You are unlikely to matriculate into a clinical psych program with your research stats, even with stellar GRE scores. I would go for the master's and reapply next year, rather than retake the GRE and reapply without doing a master's. The master's will help you out much more, as long as you have a good match with the faculty advisor you'll be working with, and present at a ton of conferences/publish.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

As the above post mentions, the master's could help in a variety of ways, including "making up" for a slightly below-average (relative to clinical psych applicants) GPA and lack of directly-relevant research experience (assuming you attend an experimental-type program that requires an empirical thesis, and/or offers ample opportunities for research).

However, depending on how much time you have before you need to make your decision, you could look into RA positions in/around Tallahassee that would get you valuable experience while you wait to apply to doctoral programs.

It's certainly a tough call to make. For me personally, I'd opt for the master's spot if I wasn't able to find an RA position, as registering as a non-degree-seeking student at FSU probably isn't going to do much to boost your credentials (unless doing so makes you eligible for one of the aforementioned RA positions). You also, unfortunately, have to face the reality that with how competitive clinical psych programs are, you could very well end up at a program across the country for 4-5 years, then will need to be prepared to move yet again for internship, and perhaps again for postdoc (particularly if you're planning on going neuropsych). It's definitely a conversation worth having with your significant other now before you formally start along that path.