Psy.D programs/my chances of getting in GWU/GRE advice

[ScarletKnight62]

Hi everyone.

I just found this board and I love it! I'm currently a rising senior and I'm trying to figure out how to prepare for the GREs and get into a good graduate program.

I want to pursue my Psy.D, and my first choice is GWU right now. I'm really interested in psychodynamic therapy, and was wondering if anyone had any other good suggestions of reputable programs that were heavily based in that.

Also, I don't know much about the GRE's (just started studying), but was wondering what a good score would be for getting into GWU's Psy.D program specifically? I have a 3.86 GPA, I'm researching with a professor, I volunteer regularly with a counseling hotline affiliated with Rutgers (where I am now for undergrad), and I also worked as an office manager of a counseling company. I'm also in a couple of honors societies, including Psi Chi. I'm just wondering what my chances are of being accepted even with a good GRE score. I know that they don't require a Psych subject test GRE, but do most other schools? Should I take it anyway?

So, to sum up:

1) What are some good Psy.D psychodynamically based programs?
2) What is a good GRE score, especially for getting into GWU with my other credentials?
3) Do I have a shot at getting in?
4) Do I need to take the Psych Subject test GRE?
5) Any other advice!

Thanks so much!

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[ClinicalTrainee]

I'm not qualified to answer #1, so I'll just jump to the other questions. Not all schools require the Psych GRE, though many do. You'll need to check individual program information for that; it should be listed on the program website.

Also, every APA-accredited PhD or PsyD program is required to post CR-20 data. Sometimes it's called that, sometimes called 'student characteristics' or 'applicant characteristics.' It will tell you the average GRE scores, GPAs, intership match rates, number of applicants and percentage admitted, funding, etc. These numbers are the best answer to 'what is a good GRE score/GPA.' That said, the numbers for scores are means, so assume a range around the score, and look at a few years in a row because one year may be an anomoly.

Also, why are you set on GWU?

 

[ScarletKnight62]

I'm set on GWU because I love that the program is only 4 years (most that I've looked at were more like 6), I love DC, and I love that the program is so psychodynamically oriented. I'm open to other options, though, it's just my favorite so far.

Thanks for the other advice!

 

[erg923]

Your chances are good. I dont know what else to say. Its nothing too extraordinary in comparison to most clinical applicants, but its def solid stats and background. You do need to do well on thew GREs, but dont think you have to worry about striving for 1300 or 1400 as some applicants have to in order to make up for some weakness in their background/stats.

 

[nononora]

I'm set on GWU because I love that the program is only 4 years (most that I've looked at were more like 6), I love DC, and I love that the program is so psychodynamically oriented. I'm open to other options, though, it's just my favorite so far.

Thanks for the other advice!

It's also $1,065 per credit hour!

 

[ScarletKnight62]

It's also $1,065 per credit hour!

Good point. Aren't they all about that expensive though? Most I have seen are.

 

[psychmama]

Scarlet Knight -- RU from Rutgers?

 

[ScarletKnight62]

Scarlet Knight -- RU from Rutgers?

Yep, I am. I wouldn't mind doing the Psy.D here but I've heard they never accept Rutgers undergrads 🙁.

 

[erg923]

Good point. Aren't they all about that expensive though? Most I have seen are.

What is the "they" in that sentence? Psy.D programs? Are you at Rutgers? I know Rutgers is no that expensive if you TA. Baylor has good support, plus tuition remisssion. Why not a well balanced Ph.D. program?

 

[ScarletKnight62]

What is the "they" in that sentence? Psy.D programs? Are you at Rutgers? I know Rutgers is no that expensive if you TA. Baylor has good support, plus tuition remisssion. Why not a well balanced Ph.D. program?

Sorry I should've been more clear, "they" being Rutgers for the Psy.D program. The Rutgers Psy.D program never accepts Rutgers undergrads, at least that's what I've been told by several professors. I'm not interested in a Ph.D because I'm not at all interested in research. I wish I was though so I wouldn't forever be in debt 🙁.

 

[erg923]

There are plenty of well balanced Ph.d programs whose goals are to train clinicians. Heck, the vast vast majority of Ph.D.s go into practice, not research. People should stop viewing the issue as "one program prepares you for research and one program prepares you for practice." Keep in mind, its a clinical psychology program, not an experimental psychology program. With the exception of some of the hardcore "clinical science" model programs, you will get ample clinical training in Ph.D. programs.

Further, many people will argue that if you are going to a Psy.D. program simply because you want nothing to do with research, then you should think carefully about pursuing doctoral level training at all. At the doctoral level, you are a scientist, (whether you have Ph.d or Psy.D) and that requires competency in statistics, methodology, design, and consumation of empirical research. It is really the base of doctoral level psychology, regardless of your area (clinical, cognitive, physio, etc).

 

[sugarhi385]

I interviewed and declined to go to GW after being accepted into their program because of the outrageous cost and the lack of significant funding they provide to their students. All of the current students I spoke with basically said that it was inevitable that they were going to be in a great deal of debt after earning their degree, but that it was worth it to them. I personally don't agree with that; unless you're incredibly wealthy or fine with being $100,000 or more in debt by the time you graduate, why go to GW when you can attend a partial to fully funded program instead? Have you tried looking at any other PsyD (or PhD) programs with a psychodynamic orientation?

 

[ScarletKnight62]

I interviewed and declined to go to GW after being accepted into their program because of the outrageous cost and the lack of significant funding they provide to their students. All of the current students I spoke with basically said that it was inevitable that they were going to be in a great deal of debt after earning their degree, but that it was worth it to them. I personally don't agree with that; unless you're incredibly wealthy or fine with being $100,000 or more in debt by the time you graduate, why go to GW when you can attend a partial to fully funded program instead? Have you tried looking at any other PsyD (or PhD) programs with a psychodynamic orientation?

Which ones are funded that are psychodynamically based? Besides Rutgers, because I am an undergrad there and they don't take their own. I haven't had much luck finding Ph.D programs that are psychodynamic but maybe I just haven't been looking hard enough. I'd really appreciate suggestions!

 

[erg923]

I would argue that the theoretical orientation of a programs faculty is pretty irrelavant. Your development as a therapist is largely in the hands of outside agencies and superviors who are NOT affilliated with the school. Except for your time at the university counseling center/clinic, you have control over what kinds of practicums you chose to pursue. Faculty do not force an orientation down your throat during your first years of classwork. In fact, very little teaching of therapy is done in the classroom. That all comes in the practicum experiences. The job of the faculty is to teach you the underlying science of clinical psychology. However, generally speaking, you will not find a traditional university psychology department that is 100% psychodynamic. Nor should that be your goal. At least not at this stage in your training. The only true "psychodynamically based" programs are analytic institutes and post doc training intitutes. The goal of a grad program in clinical psych is to train you to be a well-rounded psychologist. This includes exposure to dynamic theories, but also encompasses aquiring competencies in other orientatons and other aspects of clincial work. The best departments are a ones with a mixture of perspectives. And thats exactly how most departments are.

If you want indepth exposure to dynamic clinical work, seek those practicums out during grad school. Not everyplace will have dynamic oriented sites available, but alot do. And they are not all in cali and the northeast either. I would venture to say that almost all programs have at least dynamic oriented site and/or supervisors available for interested students. But again, keep in mind that faculty at any good clinical psychology program will want to train you to be an appopriatley rounded psychologist. Therefore, you will not get (nor should you seek) only one type of practicum experience (ie., psychdynamic). You will want to try out CBT on other interventions/orientations. In fact, you will have to if you want to be ethically practicing psychologist. As you grow as a clincian and psychologist, then you will get more leeway in forming opinions about what you feel is the best treatment for an individual client.

 

[psychmama]

Yep, I am. I wouldn't mind doing the Psy.D here but I've heard they never accept Rutgers undergrads 🙁.

I've heard this too, but I'm not sure how true it is. I'd give it a shot and apply at any rate. You never know...

 

[leavingprov]

I've heard this too, but I'm not sure how true it is. I'd give it a shot and apply at any rate. You never know...

This may be about 3 months too late but I just wanted to say that there are definitely a few incoming students in the Rutgers school and clinical Psy.D. programs who were also there as undergrads. Not sure what admissions policies were like in the past but just wanted to disconfirm the rumor and encourage you to apply!

 

[LKpsychology]

I realize this thread is a bit old, but I am trying to apply to PsyD programs right now. I was just admitted to the Chicago School of Professional Psych. but i really really love the program at GWU. My cumulative GPA is a 3.54, in major (psych) is a 3.87 from an ivy league school. I scored a 1340 on the GREs. The only problem is I feel as though my chances are lower coming straight out of undergrad as my clinical experience is minimal. I was wondering if anyone knew what my chance would be for getting into GW.

PLEASE HELP!!!