Plan B (for those of us who may not get into grad school this time)

[bigmood]

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I'm currently in the interview stage of the whole admissions process, but I haven't gotten the response I thought I would, so I'm trying to formulate my back-up plan for the next year until I can apply again. I just wanted to get some suggestions especially from those of you who had to sit out a year, but managed to still get into good programs. Is it okay to reapply to the same programs? Are there paying research assistant positions? Will the damage to my ego be irreparable (ha, just kidding). Thanks!

 

[psychanon]

Is it okay to reapply to the same programs?

Yes, definitely, if they're still a good match.

Are there paying research assistant positions?

Oh yes. And if you're just on the edge of getting into clinical programs, you're probably very competitive for these types of jobs. On the east coast, look at Penn (many jobs are in the psychiatric department), New York Psychiatric Institute, Mass General, and McLean Hospital. I don't know as much about other geographical areas. In general, big universities and research hospitals tend to have positions available, so scour websites in your preferred geographical area.

Will the damage to my ego be irreparable (ha, just kidding). Thanks!

It's a humbling experience, but you'll get over it. Remember how much of a factor chance plays. I'm sure tons of big shot psychologists didn't get in on their first go either. 🙂

 

[bigmood]

Yes, definitely, if they're still a good match.



Oh yes. And if you're just on the edge of getting into clinical programs, you're probably very competitive for these types of jobs. On the east coast, look at Penn (many jobs are in the psychiatric department), New York Psychiatric Institute, Mass General, and McLean Hospital. I don't know as much about other geographical areas. In general, big universities and research hospitals tend to have positions available, so scour websites in your preferred geographical area.



It's a humbling experience, but you'll get over it. Remember how much of a factor chance plays. I'm sure tons of big shot psychologists didn't get in on their first go either. 🙂

thanks! unfortunately, I live in Mississippi and would have to make a big move to work in a lab, but I feel like it might be worth it (and an adventure).

 

[clinpsychgirl]

thanks! unfortunately, I live in Mississippi and would have to make a big move to work in a lab, but I feel like it might be worth it (and an adventure).

If you can, totally do it! Also worth considering, check out UMiss- I know some good people who came out of that doctoral program. They may have some paying RA options too! The nice thing about working at a university, as apposed to working at a psychiatry dept or hospital, is that it may give you an insiders edge into getting into that particular graduate school.

That being said, I work at a hospital-based research center and I think the experience is serving me well. Either are great options!

Best of luck to you, whatever you end up doing.

 

[allstressedout]

I'm currently in the interview stage of the whole admissions process, but I haven't gotten the response I thought I would, so I'm trying to formulate my back-up plan for the next year until I can apply again. I just wanted to get some suggestions especially from those of you who had to sit out a year, but managed to still get into good programs. Is it okay to reapply to the same programs? Are there paying research assistant positions? Will the damage to my ego be irreparable (ha, just kidding). Thanks!

i'm going through the same thing... i would like to do a research assistant position but i don't quite know how to go about it yet... also, i applied for teach for america and just got an interview invite... do you know if clinical psych schools would look on that kindly or would they just think that's not a good use of time since it's not research? (i would want to do phd)

 

[clinpsychgirl]

i'm going through the same thing... i would like to do a research assistant position but i don't quite know how to go about it yet... also, i applied for teach for america and just got an interview invite... do you know if clinical psych schools would look on that kindly or would they just think that's not a good use of time since it's not research? (i would want to do phd)

I have a friend who did teach for America and placed into a top clinical psych program.

 

[50960]

Alliant has an online/distance, APA approved program.

 

[bettysblue08]

It seems like my plans for starting clinical psych in September have fallen through as well. What a tough time. Does anyone know of any good places in the west coast that I can apply to for RA positions? For all you whose luck have not been so great this yr, dont give up!

 

[LM02]

It seems like my plans for starting clinical psych in September have fallen through as well. What a tough time. Does anyone know of any good places in the west coast that I can apply to for RA positions? For all you whose luck have not been so great this yr, dont give up!

I know of a number of people who have cycled through as RAs in the Psychiatry Depts. at Stanford and UCSF - if you do a little bit of searching on their websites, you might be able to find some leads. Also, check out Ian Gotlib's lab at Stanford -he has a bunch of RAs, and they do very well in terms of getting grad school offers.

 

[dakwegmo]

Anyone have suggestions for possible RA positions in the SouthEastern, US?

 

[JatPenn]

Check Peter Lang's lab at U of Florida.

 

[PsychMode]

Make sure you spread your applications around. For a some of these jobs, particularly the ones at universities, the professor may have worked with a student who didn't get into a Ph.D. program. If they have a good working relationship, then that professor may want to hire the student who has already worked in the lab instead of hiring a new person.

 

[bigmood]

Check Peter Lang's lab at U of Florida.

speaking of UF, I just got back from an interview and that campus/program if phenomenal. I don't think southern schools get the credit they deserve sometimes, so if anyone is interesting in biopsych or healthpsych, they should check out their program.

 

[vesper9]

It seems like my plans for starting clinical psych in September have fallen through as well. What a tough time. Does anyone know of any good places in the west coast that I can apply to for RA positions? For all you whose luck have not been so great this yr, dont give up!

here are my suggestions for the Bay Area:

UCSF (also covers some jobs at SF General Hospital and the SF VA) http://ucsfhr.ucsf.edu/careers/

NCIRE (Research jobs for the SF VA Hospital through this non-profit) http://www.ncire.org/researchpositions.htm

Craigslist (the best website for any job hunt) http://www.craigslist.org/

good luck

 

[JatPenn]

speaking of UF, I just got back from an interview and that campus/program if phenomenal. I don't think southern schools get the credit they deserve sometimes, so if anyone is interesting in biopsych or healthpsych, they should check out their program.

indeed, UF is a great program as is Miami's.