RECOMMENDER HELP

[CBDorCDB]

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Okay guys, y'all are seriously awesome at helping me figure out my life.

So I'm trying to figure out my recommenders, and I wanted some advice.
I know that one of the biggest things that is important to my graduate school application are recommenders who know me well, so the first one is my humanities professor. I've taken him 3 times, and know him VERY well. He has written me recommendations in the past and is very very good at it!

The next 2 are sort of iffy.
I am getting to know the Dean of the Honors College at my University, and he's kind of a big deal at least with seniority and name recognition. He knows me sort of well, and we will get to know each other much better since I am going to be taking his class abroad in London this summer. I think this is a good person to ask, but I would love feedback.

Lastly is the PI of my lab. We don't know each other well at all, but I have been going to lab meetings religiously now and will be writing on our final report for our grant, so hopefully that stuff helps. HES MY ONLY PSYCHOLOGY. and honestly, I'm not close to any other professors within the field (fml).
Should I try meeting more psychology professors next semester, or go with the PI who is strict af. I've been in his lab for a year now, and will have summer and fall semester to gain up ammunition to ask him.

Thank you guys so much!

 

[dissonance_]

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[CBDorCDB]

I'll be applying to clinical programs this year after having another career for years (late 20's here). tbh (isn't that what the kids say these days?) the tone of your post sounds a bit youngish. But you ARE young (assuming you are still in college as a traditional student). I'm not trying to discourage you from applying this cycle, but it might be wise to take a gap year (or 2). There's still so much for you to learn about interacting with bosses/professionals in a work environment (that will be similar to doctoral programs). In my opinion, the answers you're seeking only come from experience (e.g., gaining confidence/learning how to build rapport, etc.) Have you thought about trying to get a paid RA position in another lab? Also, I should note that I'm currently working in a lab at a R1 school, and there are several RA's who have graduated but are taking gap years.

I have considered a gap year, and to be honest I really don't want to have to do that. I am very aware of that reality though. I definetly am young lol, and I know that, just incredibly motivated and not in love with research too much. I plan on doing counseling pysch, an MA, or maybe a few PhD's for that reason, so I was sort of hoping doing that kind of stuff instead of a super researchy phD could help with all of that

 

[Grenth]

I have considered a gap year, and to be honest I really don't want to have to do that. I am very aware of that reality though. I definetly am young lol, and I know that, just incredibly motivated and not in love with research too much. I plan on doing counseling pysch, an MA, or maybe a few PhD's for that reason, so I was sort of hoping doing that kind of stuff instead of a super researchy phD could help with all of that

I would really ask myself if a PhD was the right choice if I was not into research. All PhDs are "super researchy" compared to other mental health degree types. Of course there are PhD programs that are more and less research oriented and the Insider's Guide to Graduate Schools in Psychology has a helpful scale of program balance that could help you find less research oriented programs. However, in all PhD programs you will have to produce and study research.

Have you considered why you want a PhD? A terminal master's level clinical degree that leads to a LMHC. LCSW, or LMFT could be a good fit. I earned an MFT degree and the zero research production and little research scholarship involved in that degree is what drove me to get my PhD (I love research), so if you don't like research you might be a good fit for a MA MFT or similar.

 

[Justanothergrad]

Adding to what Grenth said about motivation, consider the long term continuing education requirements of the different types of clinical degrees. If a clinical psychology masters (for instance) is governed by the psychology board of a given state, there may be some difficult and frustrating barriers you are setting yourself up for (e.g., in NC a licensed psych associate must get supervision from a psychologist, which limits who you can work under.. which produces real difficulties with billing and income earnings in the long term).