PsyD tips for next year

[JimPsyDNJ]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I

 

[JimPsyDNJ]

I have currently just gone through my first application process for the PsyD. I applied to ten schools and was denied interviews to all but two. I am very much interested in pursuing a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist and APA-accreditation is important to me as well. I am fully aware that these schools are extremely competetive. Maybe I got a bit cocky (for any reason, i'm not sure), but I was still surprised to not even receive interviews for programs. Afterall, I do have a masters degree in counseling. I'm hoping that some of you very knowledgeable folks can help me improve my resume for the next go around. Here are most of the stats that might be applicable to be aware of:

MA Counseling GPA: 3.1
BS Psych (15 courses) GPA: 3.0
GRE Quant: 620
GRE Verb: 410
Submitted journal article for publication (never published)
Worked with adult mentally ill as a program counselor for the past two years (while in grad school)
3 Strong LOR's (1 Grad Prof, 1 Undergrad Prof, and 1 site supervisor from work)

I am aware that my GPA and GRE verbal scores might be a bit low, but figured that graduate study and clinical work/LOR would be in my favor (especially with the PsyD emphasizing clinical practice). Also, I was apprehensive to take the GRE's over again because I have heard that schools do not always take the best scores (some take the lowest, some average them, some take the first, some take the most recent, etc...) I didn't want to hurt myself of a decent quant score. The schools that I applied to include:

University of Hartford
Argosy University (DC)
Argosy University (Chicago)
LaSalle University
Immaculata University
George Washington University
Radford University (Pioneer PsyD program)
Seton Hall University
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

I have some back up plans in mind. Maybe apply to an MS program at Seton Hall in experimental. This way I can get my research experience, and also get to know professors of the program.

I looked briefly looked at Capella and Walden (online, non-accredited programs), but have decided not to go that route.

Any help and/or suggestions that can help me become a stronger candidate for next year will be greatly appreciated. I will not lay down that easily. Please be brutally honest, but constructive. Thanks!

Jim

 

[deleted176373]

Jim,

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but your GPA and GRE are REALLY hurting your chances. You need to study for and raise your GRE score substantially at programs that require it. Either one on their own would not be damning, but the low GRE combined with a low GPA in a masters program and a less than record setting undergraduate GPA suggests that you are not the best candidate for a doctoral program. (I am not saying this personally, this is how an admissions board will interpret the data.)

My suggestion is to work on the GRE score, it's the only thing you can change!

Mark

 

[psychwanabe]

Jim:

I agree with what MarkP said (this thread is posted twice for some reason) that you need to get your GREs up. The GPA in UG isn't great, but can be overlooked with good GRE scores. The threshold to cross is a combined score of 1200. You are at 1030 with your current scores, so that is considerably lower than the normal standard.

There is nothing that can be done about your graduate GPA but from what i know of admission committees, they will look at that with concern and wonder whether you are capable of graduate level work. If you get your GREs up it will help calm their concerns about you.

I would also try and vary your clinical experience. Go somewhere else and do something different. Perhaps working at a suicide hotline, or doing ABA with children with autism.

Aside from those two things, I would get some research experience. That may not be your area of interest, but it looks good on your CV/application and will help sway them over to your side.

...just my $.02.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Agreed with the above.....you can squeeze by with a slightly lower GRE if you have a really strong app, publications, etc....but a low GRE and GPA, you are pretty much sunk. Try and get the GRE up to 1200 (most cut offs for consideration) and try and get addition experience or take some classes, maybe non-degree seeking to show you can do better in classes.

 

[Jon4PsyD]

Hey Jim!
First off, don't bother with the M.S.! You already have your Master's and I am sure it will be very expensive to go for another. Go out and work for now. Pick up a job with a PAYCHECK, it will feel good to get that every two weeks, and at the same time do some volunteer work, do things in the community, try to do some research and submit it for a conference. Then take the GRE again, even if you get it up 100-150 points you'll be in good shape.

Everyone seems to be talking about GRE but I think your Master's GPA hurt you, because a lot of times these schools want to see a very high Master's GPA if your undergraduate GPA was low/average. When both are nearly the same GPA and are average I think they worry about progress. But if you do those other things this stuff can be overlooked.

I am getting my Master's in Counseling right now because I did not get into Psy.D. programs the first time around either so keep your head up, it will happen for you. I wish you the best of luck next time around, I'm sure we will be in touch on this board since I will be applying again this upcoming winter (9-10 months will be here before you know it).

If you want to talk more feel free to private message me,
Jon

 

[psychwanabe]

Hey Jim!
First off, don't bother with the M.S.! You already have your Master's and I am sure it will be very expensive to go for another. Go out and work for now. Pick up a job with a PAYCHECK, it will feel good to get that every two weeks, and at the same time do some volunteer work, do things in the community, try to do some research and submit it for a conference. Then take the GRE again, even if you get it up 100-150 points you'll be in good shape.

Everyone seems to be talking about GRE but I think your Master's GPA hurt you, because a lot of times these schools want to see a very high Master's GPA if your undergraduate GPA was low/average. When both are nearly the same GPA and are average I think they worry about progress. But if you do those other things this stuff can be overlooked.

I am getting my Master's in Counseling right now because I did not get into Psy.D. programs the first time around either so keep your head up, it will happen for you. I wish you the best of luck next time around, I'm sure we will be in touch on this board since I will be applying again this upcoming winter (9-10 months will be here before you know it).

If you want to talk more feel free to private message me,
Jon

I agree completely, but the reason I'm focusing on the GRE is that it's something Jim can change. I am under the impression that he's done with his Master's so that GPA is what it is. If that's not the case, then working to bring it up is equally as important as raising the GRE above 1200.

 

[JimPsyDNJ]

Alright, So i'll schedule a new date to take the GRE. But does this mean that they'll take the highest of each score? Should i focus solely on my verbal score and work to increasing it by at least 170pts to get my overall to 1200? Thanks for all your help guys. I really appreciate it.

Jim

 

[psychwanabe]

It depends on the school. I think the majority of them will average it, so you need to work hard to rock the test next time. You should try to get both scores significantly higher.

 

[1fish2fish]

Hi, Jim.

I applied to Immaculata, Chestnut Hill and Widener. I have only been invited for the Immaculata interview so far. Have you heard anything fron CHC?

Although my GPA (3.7 undergrad, 3.9 grad classes) and GREs (combined 1200) are relatively high, I don't think I have enough practical experience. I intend to volunteer or find another professional position that will help me gain some Psy.D. related experience (and maybe get a great letter of recommendation out of it as well). I think the lack of experience will be the thing that holds me back should I not be accepted.

I can commisserate, I thought I would be accepted into at least 2 of the 3 programs with open arms!

I'll also be taking the Psych GRE so I can apply to Lasalle next year as well- that is, if I'm not accepted to any of those three programs this year (my fingers are still crossed).

 

[CheetahGirl]

Alright, So i'll schedule a new date to take the GRE. But does this mean that they'll take the highest of each score? Should i focus solely on my verbal score and work to increasing it by at least 170pts to get my overall to 1200? Thanks for all your help guys. I really appreciate it.

Jim

Yes... usually schools do take the best score...you can always call and find out. Also, spend the couple hundred bucks and take the Princeton Review online prep courses (I think there's a $99 one, and no, I don't work for Princetone Rev)...others may not agree with me, but it will help you focus AND if they focus you enough to raise your scores, then you are not wasting all the extra money on application fees, requests for transcripts, postage, etc. It's a trade off.

I'm a big pro-volunteer person...find something in your community and get an LOR from that supervisor after you've proven yourself worthy.

Get someone to look over your personal statement again and see if you can make it more compelling. And in your interviews next year, be prepared to address how you have taken the year to improve yourself (in a nutshell)...if it's a reapplication, they may ask.

Good luck...it'll happen!

 

[psychwanabe]

Yes... usually schools do take the best score...you can always call and find out. Also, spend the couple hundred bucks and take the Princeton Review online prep courses (I think there's a $99 one, and no, I don't work for Princetone Rev)...others may not agree with me, but it will help you focus AND if they focus you enough to raise your scores, then you are not wasting all the extra money on application fees, requests for transcripts, postage, etc. It's a trade off.

From what I have heard from those who had to reapply a second cycle and who also retook the GRE, most schools average the two. There are some who take the highest, but I agree with CheetahGirl that you should definitely call to find out.

 

[ProspectivePsyD]

Alright, So i'll schedule a new date to take the GRE. But does this mean that they'll take the highest of each score? Should i focus solely on my verbal score and work to increasing it by at least 170pts to get my overall to 1200? Thanks for all your help guys. I really appreciate it. Jim

I took the GRE 3 X in total and called all the PsyD schools I was applying to at the time (in New York) to find out what they would look at - they were all notably very nice about assessing more than one score and ALL (three in total) told me they would look at the best scores, be aware that what can often happen is one score can go up and another one down. The best way to up the verbal is buying either SPARK vocabulary charts or Kaplan flash cards and literally learn every single word very, very well; it is SO important to address your vocab - i bought a little pocket English Dictionary and took it everywhere and learnt the whole book.

ALso think about applying to PsyDs in Northern California (not sure about requirements for Southern CA), but you will be shocked to hear that many do not require the GREs, and value life experience and experience in the field especially (notably CSPP - San Francisco, Argosy - Alameda, Wright Institue - Berkeley, JFK University - Pleansantville). Hope this helps.

 

[ProspectivePsyD]

I took the GRE 3 X in total and called all the PsyD schools I was applying to at the time (in New York) to find out what they would look at - they were all notably very nice about assessing more than one score and ALL (three in total) told me they would look at the best scores, be aware that what can often happen is one score can go up and another one down. The best way to up the verbal is buying either SPARK vocabulary charts or Kaplan flash cards and literally learn every single word very, very well; it is SO important to address your vocab - i bought a little pocket English Dictionary and took it everywhere and learnt the whole book.

ALso think about applying to PsyDs in Northern California (not sure about requirements for Southern CA), but you will be shocked to hear that many do not require the GREs, and value life experience and experience in the field especially (notably CSPP - San Francisco, Argosy - Alameda, Wright Institue - Berkeley, JFK University - Pleansantville). Hope this helps.

However, forgot to mention that Argosy in the Bay Area does not have a great reputation.