mmonte4 said:
Hello, Im having a problem here. I applied to six clinical programs and I havent heard back from any yet. In the case I dont get in I have 2 options:
1. work as an RA under several clinical psychologists at a biomedical research center or,
2. get a MA in general psyc at a local university
Fortunately Im not hard pressed for money, so either option is viable. Im just so afraid that my MA wont transfer when switch to a PHD program. I would like to go straight to PHD candidacy. Both options will provide me with great additional reseach experience.
Which would you choose and why?
Assuming that you want to pursue a PhD at a research-oriented program, I would recommend the RA job. First, it will give you invaluable research experience that you may not get as a master's student. It will be your full-time job to engage in research, most likely with interesting clinical populations. Plus, if a PI can hire you, then you know that they have money to do their research. With the current state of affairs at NIH, there's no guarantee that your mentor at the master's program will have a big grant for you to work on.
Second, you're right about courses transferring. Immediately advancing to doctoral candidacy at a research-oriented program upon matriculation will never happen. First, they want you to take their basic curriculum - certain courses will transfer (most likely your APA "minor requirements") and others will not. Moreover, in order to formally be considered a doctoral candidate, you must pass comprehensive exams - that's why it's called, "advancing" to candidacy. A program would never administer comps to a first-year graduate student.
Finally, the RA gig is a job - so you're earning some (not a lot) of money. As a student, you'll have to pay tuition and figure out your cost of living expenses. I know you said that money is not really an issue right now, but it's a good plan to prepare yourself financially before you start grad school. Once you're in a PhD program, it will be a LONG time before you make a decent amount of money. And even though tuition and stipend are paid, these only go so far depending upon what area of the country you live in. You may not have to take out loans, but it's not like you'll be rolling in dough, either...
Anyway, I hope that was helpful. And remember that it's just one person's perspective...
p.s.
Edited to Add: It's still early - interviews can take place anytime between yesterday and March (and technically the process runs until April) - so all hope is not lost yet! Either way, good luck!
