People not getting this whole process... even those in our field

[StatsNerd]

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So I've gotten pretty used to most people in my life not understanding this whole process (my parents, siblings, non-psych friends) but recently I've noticed that even a lot of people within the psych field don't really get it either... particularly in terms of clinical psych PhD programs and wanting to focus more on research rather than just "become a therapist."

For example, I have a friend who is an MFT and she had never even heard of PhD programs that provide funding to students. She was thinking about getting her PhD and didn't understand why I thought it was a bad idea for her to go to a professional school (that's where she got her master's...). One day she came to me and said, "Did you know there are some programs that actually PAY FOR YOU to get your PhD???" I had been telling her this for months... Still, I don't think she understands that it's a whole different ballgame than applying to schools like Alliant/Argosy and you need things like research experience to get in... (research experience? what's that? 🙄)

Then I know several Ed.Ds through my work (they do both psychotherapy & assessment), and even one clinical psych PhD (who went a highly ranked non-professional school, albeit 30 years ago) who can't seem to understand why I don't just "apply to X University." X University simply because it's the closest school with a psych PhD program. I tried explaining that I'm applying to places where there are professors who do research in my interest area, and there don't happen to be any at X University. Still, they found it odd that I was planning to apply to schools all across the country. They were hoping I'd just apply and get into X University and could continue working with them as I got my PhD there! Forget that X University is probably one of the most competitive schools out there so chances are I wouldn't just "get in" OR the fact that I definitely wouldn't have the time to continue working ( especially ~30 hrs a week) when in such a rigorous program.

Just had to rant. I keep saying I wish there was an quick & easy-to-understand "FAQs about psych PhD programs" brochure that I could hand anyone who looks at me like I'm crazy when I try to explain myself.

 

[EmotRegulation]

The misunderstandings don't go away, and they are *very* frustrating. Now is the time of year when people ask me, "Are you enjoying your summer off?" and I have to explain that now is the time when I actually get writing done...this is probably the most important time of the year for me, and the most intellectually busy. It bugged me all through grad school, and it bugs me now.

I also experiment with what I tell people when they ask me my job. Saying "I'm a professor of psychology" results in "What do you teach?" and saying "I'm a psychologist" results in the inevitable variant on "Oh, are you analyzing me right now? I should watch what I say around you!" Lately I've started saying, "I'm an academic clinical psychologist, which means I teach and train people how to be therapists, but most of my job is research."

Over time, I've just come to accept that part of my job as a psychologist is to educate people about psychology, whether that is how graduate programs work or what people actually do in the field. As you have pointed out, it's also necessary within the field sometimes. People remember what worked for them and forget that standards shift over time. Applying to clinical psych PhD programs is really different than applying for a lot of other grad programs, and people simply don't have the requisite information. I just started doing a "here's the real deal about applying to graduate programs in the helping professions" talk for the undergrads at my institution, and it's amazing what they don't know, even with access to grad students and faculty. I actually took an entire class period to discuss grad school with my course because I was pretty sure they weren't getting the information elsewhere, and I will continue to do that whenever I teach undergrads.

 

[cara susanna]

As someone applying to internship this year, I'm seeing a lot of people not really understand that it's different from most types of internships. They often think that I'll be applying locally and arranging it on my own. I've started to mitigate this by explaining that it's more like a medical residency than an internship. They also seem to have trouble understanding that there is a chance of not even getting an internship.

 

[Terapueta24]

Good call on explaining it like a medical residency Cara Susana! It's the only way I found for people to understand what "internship" is because so many people do "internships" that they create. My mom kept offering to hire me for internship!

 

[Rivi]

When I applied for internship, I felt a lot of pressure from people who said something to the effect of: "Don't worry, you are a good student, you will get an internship," like landing an internship is a given and only bad students don't get one. Older professors and many of my family simply don't understand HOW FREAKING COMPETITIVE AND INSANE the internship process is right now, specifically for APA - accredited sites.

For those of you applying to internship, I would recommend telling as few people as possible for this reason. On match day, the thought of telling everyone you didn't land one is dreadful.

 

[PsychPhDone]

Well...we understand. 😉 Big internet hugs for you.

And yes, like Cara Susanna, I've just started calling internship "residency". Hard to explain to people that we only have one internship in our city (and it's probably not going to be on my list). I try to change the topic quickly.

 

[StatsNerd]

Well...we understand. 😉 Big internet hugs for you.

Thanks. 🙂 This is why I love SDN. I've been lurking around here for years and I really don't know where I'd be today without it. I feel so much better (but still insanly nervous, of course 😉 )going into the application season knowing all that I've learned from SDN over the years.

And about the internship thing... yeah, I figure this is something I'll have to deal with throughout this ENTIRE process. The "but you're a good student" thing is frustrating. Yeah, I'm a good student... along with mostly everyone else applying for these things. 🙁

 

[PHD12]

Thanks. 🙂 This is why I love SDN. I've been lurking around here for years and I really don't know where I'd be today without it. I feel so much better (but still insanly nervous, of course 😉 )going into the application season knowing all that I've learned from SDN over the years.

And about the internship thing... yeah, I figure this is something I'll have to deal with throughout this ENTIRE process. The "but you're a good student" thing is frustrating. Yeah, I'm a good student... along with mostly everyone else applying for these things. 🙁

The good thing is that once you get to the postdoc application process, most people get the competitiveness so you don't have to explain much. People tended to think it was as tough as landing a postdoc in the humanities and social sciences. I also get to introduce myself as Dr. X, Postdoctoral Fellow instead of intern. In many ways it gets better after internship.

 

[KillerDiller]

Welcome, StatsNerd. That's completely frustrating, and I feel your pain even after being several years removed from the application process. It continues to amaze me that people rush into this field without an understanding of their training options and the components involved.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The good thing is that once you get to the postdoc application process, most people get the competitiveness so you don't have to explain much. People tended to think it was as tough as landing a postdoc in the humanities and social sciences. I also get to introduce myself as Dr. X, Postdoctoral Fellow instead of intern. In many ways it gets better after internship.

I definitely agree, at least in regard to having a bit more control over day-to-day things; the pay was almost livable too. 😱

Welcome, StatsNerd. That's completely frustrating, and I feel your pain even after being several years removed from the application process. It continues to amaze me that people rush into this field without an understanding of their training options and the components involved.

It is scary how often this happens.

 

[cbt4lyfe]

So I've gotten pretty used to most people in my life not understanding this whole process (my parents, siblings, non-psych friends) but recently I've noticed that even a lot of people within the psych field don't really get it either... particularly in terms of clinical psych PhD programs and wanting to focus more on research rather than just "become a therapist."

For example, I have a friend who is an MFT and she had never even heard of PhD programs that provide funding to students. She was thinking about getting her PhD and didn't understand why I thought it was a bad idea for her to go to a professional school (that's where she got her master's...). One day she came to me and said, "Did you know there are some programs that actually PAY FOR YOU to get your PhD???" I had been telling her this for months... Still, I don't think she understands that it's a whole different ballgame than applying to schools like Alliant/Argosy and you need things like research experience to get in... (research experience? what's that? 🙄)

Then I know several Ed.Ds through my work (they do both psychotherapy & assessment), and even one clinical psych PhD (who went a highly ranked non-professional school, albeit 30 years ago) who can't seem to understand why I don't just "apply to X University." X University simply because it's the closest school with a psych PhD program. I tried explaining that I'm applying to places where there are professors who do research in my interest area, and there don't happen to be any at X University. Still, they found it odd that I was planning to apply to schools all across the country. They were hoping I'd just apply and get into X University and could continue working with them as I got my PhD there! Forget that X University is probably one of the most competitive schools out there so chances are I wouldn't just "get in" OR the fact that I definitely wouldn't have the time to continue working ( especially ~30 hrs a week) when in such a rigorous program.

Just had to rant. I keep saying I wish there was an quick & easy-to-understand "FAQs about psych PhD programs" brochure that I could hand anyone who looks at me like I'm crazy when I try to explain myself.

Spectacular use of emojis! I mean it.