PhD Students Over 40?

[Dagny52]

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Are there any people on this forum who are applying to or have been accepted at University based Boulder model university-based Clin Psych programs who are over 40? [I'm asking specifically about Boulder model programs because the freestanding programs seem to have no problem with admitting older students] If so, I would be very interested in hearing about your experiences have been and any difficulties you may have encountered with ageist stereotypes, difficulties getting into programs, etc. In the interviewing and campus visits I have done so far, I have met very few students over 40 and so if there are any on this board who would like to share their experiences, I would love to hear from you. I am a 40+ individual who is trying to get into a Boulder model clin psych program and have been unofficially told by a few insiders that my age would be my biggest obstacle even though I have been repeatedly told that I have a strong application package in terms of GPA, GRE, LORs, research experience, and publications. Thanks in advance.
Dagny

 

[Psyclops]

I'd like to ask a question out of curiosity Dagny (as opposed to be insulting). Would you feel comfortable being mentored by someone who was 10 years your junior? If not younger?

 

[SaraL124]

In my program there are many young faculty -- some as young as 30/32. And some of the students are the same age and being mentored by those people seemingly with no problems.


It never hurts to try.

 

[Dagny52]

I'd like to ask a question out of curiosity Dagny (as opposed to be insulting). Would you feel comfortable being mentored by someone who was 10 years your junior? If not younger?

Yes, absolutely, I have no qualms whatsoever. In fact a person who is one of my top choices for a mentor is around 10 years younger than I am and we have a fantastic relationship already and I even have a great relationship with one of his former students, young enough to be my son, who I've gone to for advice several times and who has been very helpful. I highly respect this person, am very comfortable with him and vice versa. I have also worked for bosses who were younger than I am, so I got over that one a long time ago. For me, age has nothing to do with what can be learned from an individual. I constantly learn from people of all ages and I hope the younger faculty and students can feel equally comfortable with me. One of the things many of us learn as we get older is how to deal with people of a variety of different ages and to gain flexibility in that area. This sort of flexibility can at times be a challenge for students and faculty, regardless of their age -- for instance, a younger student having an older, successful person as a client.

I'm glad you brought this up, though because I think it represents a consideration faculty might commonly have about older students. A few have even asked me about that in interviews.

 

[Dagny52]

In my program there are many young faculty -- some as young as 30/32. And some of the students are the same age and being mentored by those people seemingly with no problems.
It never hurts to try.

Thanks for your input, Sara. I'm glad to hear it. Didn't you say on another thread that you go to Drexel? That is one of the few places I visited where I did meet a student who is over 40 and you're right, no one there seems to have any problem with anyone's age. I wish more programs were like that.