Personal Statement-Clinical Experience

[Marissa4usa]

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I am in the process of writing up the final drafts of my PS. since I am applying to mostly research focused and balanced programs I have basically emphasized my research experience and interest. In fact, I haven't included anything about clinical interests, one reason being that i just started my first internship 3 weeks ago and the other reason being that I am really more into research.
Now I was told by someone (who completed her PHD 14 years ago and does not owrk in the field anymore) that it is absolutely essential to include my clinical experience as well how arrived at my outlook on therapy (in some sort of brad sense) since I am applying to clinical programs

How did you guys handle it? I wouldn't mind adding a couple of sentences on my clinical experience but I have to admit that I amkind of confused now.

 

[psychanon]

I am in the process of writing up the final drafts of my PS. since I am applying to mostly research focused and balanced programs I have basically emphasized my research experience and interest. In fact, I haven't included anything about clinical interests, one reason being that i just started my first internship 3 weeks ago and the other reason being that I am really more into research.
Now I was told by someone (who completed her PHD 14 years ago and does not owrk in the field anymore) that it is absolutely essential to include my clinical experience as well how arrived at my outlook on therapy (in some sort of brad sense) since I am applying to clinical programs

How did you guys handle it? I wouldn't mind adding a couple of sentences on my clinical experience but I have to admit that I amkind of confused now.

I think that person is wrong, at least as it pertains to research-oriented schools. There are some research-oriented programs that would like you to express interest in clinical work, but others will take that as an indication that you are pretending to like research so you can come to their school and then deviously abandon research and open a private practice. One of the annoying things about this process is that it's not always clear which schools are looking for what.

You might briefly touch upon it, especially if you can draw parallels between your research and clinical experiences-- "Working with inpatients with severe mental illness made me realize the importance of familial relationships in psychopathology," "After seeing firsthand the devastation that addictions bring, it made me wonder what factors contribute to their development." blah blah blah integration of science and practice, you get the point. You could also just talk about clinical work more generally: "This experience reaffirmed my interest in the field." Doing stuff like that would be fine wherever you apply. But I would avoid talking about your outlook on therapy, whatever that means.

 

[JockNerd]

I included almost nothing about my clinical exerience (I had some but not lots) in my applications to research-focused schools. Didn't hurt at all.

It's been communicated to me by people who are on selection committees that everyone and their mom has clinical experience. Especially at research-focused programs, a clear research plan and real applied research experience are what set applicants apart. Way too many applications basically say "I love research but I've never actually done any of it."

 

[KillerDiller]

I think that at some programs claiming to already have a theoretical orientation would actually hurt your chances. Lots of schools like to see you approach the clinical component of training with an open mind. It's obnoxious to attempt to train someone who thinks they know it all already.

 

[ClinicalGal]

psychanon: that was a really well thought out reply, thanks! Esp. b/c i was wondering the same thing as the original poster 🙂

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I agree with psychanon. Good post.

 

[Ollie123]

I'll fourth what psychanon said.
If they want to know about it, they can ask at interviews. You shouldn't be afraid to mention it if it ties into your research trajectory, but if its independent of that I doubt it will help much, if at all.

I was specifically told when I was applying that I should avoid discussing anything clinical unless asked about it directly. That's perhaps too far in the other direction, but I think its closer to reality than it being essential to include clinical experience. Indeed, I was actually thrown for a loop when one of my interviewers asked about this at Vermont since it was the one and only time clinical work came up throughout the entire application process.

 

[cara susanna]

What if it's a middle of the road program in terms of clinical and research?