Potential Naive Question

[CubanPrincess]

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Ok, so this is a potentially naive question. I feel extremely unprepared to begin applying to graduate school, mostly because my undergrad school has done absolutely nothing to prepare us for this. But ok, I am a senior this year, and want to apply to graduate school. I want to research, so would clinical psychology be the best option? To get that general knowledge, and then to focus on the section that I want to?

Thank you for your help,

Brandy

 

[TruePsych]

Ok, so this is a potentially naive question. I feel extremely unprepared to begin applying to graduate school, mostly because my undergrad school has done absolutely nothing to prepare us for this. But ok, I am a senior this year, and want to apply to graduate school. I want to research, so would clinical psychology be the best option? To get that general knowledge, and then to focus on the section that I want to?

Thank you for your help,

Brandy

It depends. If you just want to do research and are not interested in therapy, then no, clinical psychology is not the best option. But then again if you are interested in applied research, then having a clinical degree may be the right choice. What are your research interests? What are your eventual career goals?

 

[Psychology 76]

Ok, so this is a potentially naive question. I feel extremely unprepared to begin applying to graduate school, mostly because my undergrad school has done absolutely nothing to prepare us for this. But ok, I am a senior this year, and want to apply to graduate school. I want to research, so would clinical psychology be the best option? To get that general knowledge, and then to focus on the section that I want to?

Thank you for your help,

Brandy

Why do you want to go to graduate school? Just to do research? Have you had any previous research experience? Do you know what kind of specific research in psychology you want to do?

Applying to graduate school is a tedious and complicated process. You really have to know what you want to get out of it first or applying is pretty much pointless. A lot of people take time off to figure out what they want to do. That may be a better option for you rather than rushing to go to grad school without direction.

 

[TruePsych]

Why do you want to go to graduate school? Just to do research? Have you had any previous research experience? Do you know what kind of specific research in psychology you want to do?

Applying to graduate school is a tedious and complicated process. You really have to know what you want to get out of it first or applying is pretty much pointless. A lot of people take time off to figure out what they want to do. That may be a better option for you rather than rushing to go to grad school without direction.

I think that's what she is trying to get here. Ease up.

 

[somedude14]

I think that's what she is trying to get here. Ease up.

Internet tough guy, watch out!


Anyway, I think the OP needed someone to give him/her blunt advice like psychology 76 did. Having this much uncertainty a couple months before someone would apply to grad school is asking for trouble. That's how people end up with tons of debt with a degree they end up not wanting/needing.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

There is a thread at the top of the forum that I made for prospective doctoral applicants. In that thread there are a number of threads that you may find helpful. The "Advice From A Prof" thread is excellent, and it will give you a much better idea of what is expected from a prospective applicant.

It sounds like the pursuit of graduate training in psychology is a relatively new interest, so you will have to do a lot of catching up. Trying to apply to programs this Fall (for a Summer '12 start) is not a realistic plan if you don't already have research experience, a defined area of research, and professors lined up to write strong letters of recommendation for you. Most doctoral applicants for clinical/counseling psychology programs have worked towards their application by completing 1-2+ years of research in a lab and/or under a professor, which is why I commented that you'll be playing catchup.

 

[thewesternsky]

I want to research, so would clinical psychology be the best option?

If your goal is solely research, a non-applied program (e.g., developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, behavioural or cognitive neuroscience, personality) might be more useful. However, you would need at least a general idea of what area you're interested in, and having undergrad research experience (working in a lab, conducting an Honors Thesis) is pretty much essential.

 

[CubanPrincess]

I think that's what she is trying to get here. Ease up.

Thank you. I am pretty certain I want to research conduct disorder. I orgininally wanted forensic, but I decided that is not what I am really interested in. I do realize now that participating in research is a big step to get into graduate school, but I am doing the best I can. I go to a school with a very small psych department, only two of which are conducting research that I know of and both have all positions filled. I have a strong rapport with my psych teachers, and am confident that I could get strong recommendation letters. I am just asking for opinions as to whether what I want would be viable by getting the clinical degree.

 

[2012PhD]

Thank you. I am pretty certain I want to research conduct disorder. I orgininally wanted forensic, but I decided that is not what I am really interested in. I do realize now that participating in research is a big step to get into graduate school, but I am doing the best I can. I go to a school with a very small psych department, only two of which are conducting research that I know of and both have all positions filled. I have a strong rapport with my psych teachers, and am confident that I could get strong recommendation letters. I am just asking for opinions as to whether what I want would be viable by getting the clinical degree.

Cuban princess, You need to listen to what people are informing you on this thread. No clinical psychology PhD program is going to accept you without any research experience (most have 1-2 years). Having good rapport with your psychology instructors will not help you if you never conducted any research at all. What will you say when people ask you about your current research experiences and how they have informed your interests in the field?

 

[ehh2109]

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[ehh2109]

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[futurepsydoc]

Many clinical psych hopefuls find themselves in a similar situation, without many research opportunities available at their school. In order to be competitive, people in that situation need to volunteer at a lab somewhere else (maybe a nearby university or medical school, or a hospital that has psych research labs) to get that experience while they are still in school, or attempt to get an RA position for a couple of years after graduating (or preferably, do both of those things). The problem is, without having secured any research experience, most paid RA gigs (which themselves are extremely competitive) will not even consider your CV. You will need to think outside the box to get the experience you need. Maybe one option would be to do a thesis your senior year and do independent, original research, which would at least go a long ways towards making you a good volunteer candidate elsewhere and will give you an opportunity to see if you enjoy the research process.

I agree with ehh2109's position. As others have also mentioned, you will need to get more research experience to gain acceptance into Clinical PhD programs. If this type of experience is not available to currently available in your program, looking for paid and/or volunteer RA positions a good start. To note, RA jobs usually require you to make a 1-2 year commitment. Further, while I agree with ehh2109 that it will be hard to get such a job without some research experience under your belt, it is not impossible. Sometimes it is easier to train someone with very little experience because they have not developed any bad habits and are more motivated to do well. Don't be dissuaded from applying to these positions because of inexperience. We all start somewhere.

Having said that, I personally believe that all students pursuing graduate study should gain research experience to see how you they feel about conducting science in the field and all that it entails. It is not a picnic and a lot of people learn that its not for them. A 5-7 year commitment is a big undertaking if your not interested in what you are doing.

Along those same lines, I would also look to see if you can volunteer and/or work part-time in a clinical setting that provides services to the population you are interested in studying and/or working with as a clinician. While this is probably less important than the research piece, with respect to applying, it demonstrates interest and will also give you exposure to clinical work. You might find that you enjoy it or that its not for you. In line with what I said above, if you are not interested in what you are doing, 5-7 years is a long time.

If you pursue exposure to clinical work, I would suggest that you look into group homes, psychiatric hospitals, or non-profit programs in the locale area. I would also check with your psychology department to see if they offer these opportunities. My undergraduate university did and it was a wonderful experience for me, as it helped shape my research and clinical interests.

My last piece of advice would be to purchase or borrow the "Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology." If you have not already at it, it is a good read for someone interested in graduate study. Looking over this and the threads of SDN will be quite informative.

I wish you the best of luck in your pursuits 🙂

 

[TruePsych]

I agree with ehh2109's position. As others have also mentioned, you will need to get more research experience to gain acceptance into Clinical PhD programs. If this type of experience is not available to currently available in your program, looking for paid and/or volunteer RA positions a good start. To note, RA jobs usually require you to make a 1-2 year commitment. Further, while I agree with ehh2109 that it will be hard to get such a job without some research experience under your belt, it is not impossible. Sometimes it is easier to train someone with very little experience because they have not developed any bad habits and are more motivated to do well. Don't be dissuaded from applying to these positions because of inexperience. We all start somewhere.

Having said that, I personally believe that all students pursuing graduate study should gain research experience to see how you they feel about conducting science in the field and all that it entails. It is not a picnic and a lot of people learn that its not for them. A 5-7 year commitment is a big undertaking if your not interested in what you are doing.

Along those same lines, I would also look to see if you can volunteer and/or work part-time in a clinical setting that provides services to the population you are interested in studying and/or working with as a clinician. While this is probably less important than the research piece, with respect to applying, it demonstrates interest and will also give you exposure to clinical work. You might find that you enjoy it or that its not for you. In line with what I said above, if you are not interested in what you are doing, 5-7 years is a long time.

If you pursue exposure to clinical work, I would suggest that you look into group homes, psychiatric hospitals, or non-profit programs in the locale area. I would also check with your psychology department to see if they offer these opportunities. My undergraduate university did and it was a wonderful experience for me, as it helped shape my research and clinical interests.

My last piece of advice would be to purchase or borrow the "Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology." If you have not already at it, it is a good read for someone interested in graduate study. Looking over this and the threads of SDN will be quite informative.

I wish you the best of luck in your pursuits 🙂

Now that is the correct way to give advice as opposed to shooting someone down for asking. Thank you.

 

[SpiritBender]

Another idea for you which i might get bashed for haha is the masters route. I went to an undergrad that did not prepare me for the clinical or research route of psychology. In addition I had a poor gpa (3.0) thank my lucky stars that I got into a masters program. The MA allowed me to defer my application then get a psychiatric technician job to boost my clinical, i met a whole new range of professors which has allowed me to gain my research experience plus my 3 new LORs, i have a nice little GA job, in addition my graduate gpa is a 4.0 (not bragging). It will not reset the clock but it will delay it abit for you to catch up 🙂

 

[cara susanna]

Also, even if you do get into a program without research experience, you'll be at a major disadvantage. You're pretty much just thrown into your thesis right away, so without basic research knowledge that could really be difficult and painful.