Taking a year "off" to apply?

[futureapppsy2]

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Hi all,

I know this has been discussed before, but any advice on my specific situation would be much appreciated.

I've started to process of applying (to School Psych PhD/PsyD programs), but I'm beginning to wonder if it might be better to take a year "off" to apply. My PI has funding for me for a half-time RAship next year, and if I was able to pick up some additional hours elsewhere, I could make enough to cover my expenses and would have minimal benefits.

I currently have one peer-reviewed pub. If I stayed for another year, I would likely get several additional pubs (with the vague possibility of a first authorship in there). We're doing a lot of submitting this month or next, but obviously that is a bit on the late side to have much impact on this cycle.

I really want to go to grad school straight out of undergrad if possible and genuinely feel I'm prepared personally, academically, research-wise, and so on. However, the process is so expensive that I'm wary of going through it if I'll just likely have to repeat it next year at similar financial cost. I know how competitive this process is, and I do realize that I may have take a year off--not by choice--if I don't get in any programs this year. 😉 If I get in this year, and funding, etc., works out, I'll happily go. It's not a question to me of whether I want to go, but the "strategy" behind applying, so to speak.

"Losing" research matches due to the delay is also a concern, though most of the programs I'm applying to are non-mentor model.

Thoughts? How did you decide to take or not take a year "off"?

 

[summerssun]

Hi futureapppsy2,

I'm currently on my year "off"... I graduated this past may, and while before I had my heart set on going to grad school, I decided a year of clinical research would be in my best interest. I have to say that I am so far getting the impression that time spent in the field post-bac is really invaluable, and actually looks great to grad programs. My only issue is that it can be difficult, without the contacts of the university, to rejoin the admissions process... my college advisor is pretty much unreachable at this point, and there's no grad school or career counseling available (I miss the free printer and copier use my school had...). Overall though, I think you seem well set to apply either way, although depending on how research-oriented a program you are looking at (I see you're looking at Psyd programs?), the first author-ship could look very good. Perhaps set yourself up to apply this year and have the year "off" as a fallback? It's a competitive world out there...

 

[krisrox]

Futureapp... from what I know of your experience through this forum, I don't think you're the type of applicant who needs to take a year off! If the finances are the issue, then that's different, but otherwise I don't think you can do much more than you already have ad I'm not sure how much more impressed programs (especially school programs) will be with your app after the year off. That's all from a practical applicant POV, however. You may have other motives.

 

[lookitssara]

I don't know your GRE/GPA etc, but it sounds like you feel prepared for it, and you obviously have some great research experience. Many school programs aren't too awful competitive, and an extra year of research probably won't strengthen your application all that much. If you've compared your stats to those admitted to the programs you want to go to and you look competitive, I'd definitely apply.

Due to a change in career plans, I am forced to take a year off and although it will make me all the more enthusiastic when I begin next fall, I feel like I'm losing my momentum. Just my two cents!

 

[psyed4clinPhD]

What Kris said. From your posts it seems like you are a great applicant! I think everyone has these nagging doubts, so no worries🙂