This Doesn't Make Sense, Does It?

[JackD]

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I live near chicago, so i have been looking at Roosevelt University. I have been trying to look at all of my options, just in case i have as many problems with LOR as i think. I have been looking at masters programs and while i didn't expect to find any that didn't require LOR (not in clinical anyway), i may have.

Now i am guessing i am reading their website wrong but from what i can tell, to get into a masters of clinical program at Roosevelt University, you don't need LOR or an interview. Is that even possible? I have never seen that for a university that has APA accredited doctoral programs (yes i know the APA doesn't accredit masters programs). All it says you need is a GRE and a minimum GPA. I find this hard to believe but looking at the PsyD page, they do state that they require LOR, interview, GRE, minimum GPA, the whole works. Why would they require that for the masters, not specifically state it on their website but for the PsyD, spell it out completely. Is it possible that Roosevelt University doesn't require LOR for their masters program?

I emailed them asking the admission requirements and am expecting it to include 3 LOR, an interview, the whole nine yards. That might take awhile to hear back, so does anyone know anything about this program? Here is the website

http://www.roosevelt.edu/cas/sp/default.htm

 

[edieb]

I read it and it doesn't mention LOR, but that doesn't make sense. If they don't e-mail you back soon, call them.

 

[JackD]

I read it and it doesn't mention LOR, but that doesn't make sense. If they don't e-mail you back soon, call them.

Then again, maybe it does make sense. Look at the requirements for Adler School of Professional Psychology counseling psychology program. No mention of LOR.

http://www.adler.edu/academics/4212MinimumAdmissionRequirements.asp

I guess my current state could best be described as very confused.

 

[deleted176373]

Then again, maybe it does make sense. Look at the requirements for Adler School of Professional Psychology counseling psychology program. No mention of LOR.

http://www.adler.edu/academics/4212MinimumAdmissionRequirements.asp

I guess my current state could best be described as very confused.

LOL, and you better have a C or better in your psych classes.

But this is even more priceless:

"The Doctoral level Clinical Qualifying Exam (CQE) is a capstone experience that allows faculty to evaluate students' readiness for internship and ability to proceed in the program..." "In order to receive a "Fail" grade on the CQE, students must demonstrate significant problems in several areas of knowledge, skills, and/or values as measured by this exam."

"In order to fail", what the hell? Is that the goal? How about in order to pass?!? They are accredited though.... and as far as APPIC matches go, 65% is not bad for a professional school.

Mark

 

[CheetahGirl]

JackD,

During this entire process, in order to be effective, you must be proactive. My apologies for not knowing anything about Roosevelt Univ., but call them. Don't waste time waiting for someone to reply. The graduate admissions office will be able to promply answer your questions and have suggestions for you.

About LORs, can you not establish relationships with professionals that would be able to support you on this noteable endeavor? It had been a long time since I finished my undergraduate degree and I had not established any supportive ties with any professors that would be willing to assist with my master's applications. I ended up asking a family friend (who was a neurosurgeon and a former boss), my best-friend who was a PhD candidate in Biology (she wrote her letter from the perspective of a colleague & someone who had known me for over 10 years), and two current contacts from my then-present place of employment (PhD biomathematical statistican and MD surgeon). I applied to a master's program, interviewed, and got in. They said my letters of recommendations were strong and convincing of my character. Who would've thought (?!) since none of them were former professors that could attest to my school abilities.

Stick with it. Being non-traditional doesn't preclude you from obtaining your goals, you just have to be more cunning to make it work.

Good luck!

 

[JackD]

During this entire process, in order to be effective, you must be proactive. My apologies for not knowing anything about Roosevelt Univ., but call them. Don't waste time waiting for someone to reply. The graduate admissions office will be able to promply answer your questions and have suggestions for you.

I will if it takes awhile. There is no mad dash yet. I don't graduate until December. I don't really need that information at this second.

About LORs, can you not establish relationships with professionals that would be able to support you on this noteable endeavor?

I have asked myself a similar question. I may find some LOR but my problem stems from wise choice of attending three universities in three years. I have only spent one semester at my current one, so i am unknown to all but one professor, who i really only know through the one course i took with him and the fact he is my academic advisor. I'm trying to find a way but in the mean time it would probably do me some good to focus on the task at hand, also known as my current classes. There is a lot to do. It makes me wonder, if it is this much work to just get into grad school,what kind of problems i am going to face if and when i actually start? Scary thoughts indeed.

 

[KillerDiller]

It's not unusual for Masters level programs not to conduct official interviews. I think I ended up applying to about 8 Masters programs when I was in that phase of my education and none of them had interviews.

It is unusual, on the other hand, not to require LORs. Does Roosevelt even want a personal statement of any kind?

 

[pingouin]

I don't know about psych masters programs, but when I applied MSW, I applied at 2 schools, got into both, and only had to interview at one. I don't remember whether I had to have LORs.

 

[JackD]

. Does Roosevelt even want a personal statement of any kind?

I believe so, then again doesn't every college graduate or undergraduate require one? I'm actually not even sure if they require a GRE score for the masters programs, although that isn't necessarily indication of the quality of a program.

I did email them, so hopefully they will send me one back in a few days. I have found most schools will respond with in one business day. I will probably also be receiving an information packet for this program soon, since i think in the process of asking the question also requested one. I have one for their PsyD program but it has almost no information on anything other than the PsyD. I will keep you folks updated, i guess.

 

[Flutterbyu]

I applied to the PhD in Counseling at BC 3 years ago and they denied me but offered admission into the MA program- no interview or any kind of personal contact at all. They did have my LOR from the PD app but still I thought it was weird- they had no idea who I was and obviously felt it didn't really matter.

 

[Markro311]

I got into U of Chicago's MSW program, no interview needed. So I'd say the no interview aspect is not strange at all for any masters program. I do find the no LOR very odd, though. I'm definitely interested to see what their response is, I'd HAVE to think LOR are always necessary.

 

[JackD]

Well i received an answer today from Roosevelt and it may be surprising to some of you.

I have confirmed you do not need LOR, GRE, or an interview to get into either MA programs in clinical psychology. You do for the doctoral degree but not the masters.

Here is the email i received after asking "what are the admission requirements for the MA in clinical psychology?"

"Upon acceptance, students will be considered for admission to their desired graduate program. For clinical psychology M.A. programs, applicants must have completed 18 semester hours of undergraduate psychology credit and their undergraduate psychology grade point average must be at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 maximum scale). In addition, applicants must have completed undergraduate classes in: General Psychology, Introductory Statistics, Research Methods, Theory of Tests and Measurements, Abnormal Psychology, and Theories of Personality."

Here is a copy of the application to further confirm what is required.

Here is part one of the application

http://www.roosevelt.edu/pdfs/grapplic.pdf

Here is part two

http://www.roosevelt.edu/admission/documents/ClinicalMASupplementaryApplicationForm_final3_.pdf

And if you are still not convinced, here is a page detailing the admission requirements for all graduate degrees.

http://www.roosevelt.edu/admission/graduate/documents/default.htm#CPS

 

[JackD]

I received my information packet today. There is no mention of LOR or GREs as part of the requirements. Also, unlike the PsyD packet i received a few months ago, there are no LOR forms with it. The requirement are a personal statement, a GPA of at least a 3.0, and a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Looks like i have another school to apply to. It might be fun to hang around my old neighborhood again.

Also, does that "insider's guide" thing have info about master's programs?