thoughts/comments/suggestions?

[blindchaos]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey all! So I'm getting ready for application season (second time around) and I'm working on finalizing the list of places I want to apply to and I figured I'd post the schools I'm definitely going to apply to and the schools I may apply to here to get some input on what yall think about the programs. All are clinical PhD or PsyD programs (the PhD programs in the definites list have at least some practitioner emphasis). Eventually, I would like to be a child psychologist working with children with more profound psychological issues either in private practice or managed care facilities (ie: group homes, psychiatric wards/facilities). I will already have a Masters in counseling psych before entering a doctoral program.

I'm just looking for some insight into the strengths/weaknesses/likes/dislikes of the programs, NOT the chances of getting in 😛 If you go to/have gone to any of these places, please share your thoughts! Even if you haven't gone to any of these places, I'd still love to hear what you have to say if you know something useful about the program. I still need to conduct a bit more research on some of the schools in the possibilities list, but please feel free to share your thoughts or if there is a school that perhaps I should consider and is not on either list (yet), let me know!!! Thanks!

Definites:
Denver
Xavier
Marquette
Washington State
Arkansas
Pepperdine
U. of Indianapolis

Possibilities:
Pacific University
Rutgers (The Big Reach )
Wright State
Widener
UMass Boston
Loyola College
Loyola University Chicago
Hartford
Wisconsin Milwaukee
George Fox
George Washington
Indiana State
Indiana U of Penn.

Am aiming to apply to 12-15 schools.

 

[JockNerd]

Hi!

How did you choose the programs in your lists?

 

[Psychbar]

I realize that none of your picks are in New York, so maybe New York is just out of the question for you. If it is not, though, you may want to look into Pace University and St. Johns because you want to work with kids. Pace (PsyD) has a child emphasis and St. Johns (PhD) has a child track.

 

[blindchaos]

Some are repeats from my old list (ie: Denver, Xavier), some are on there b/c they were suggested to me by classmates/profs (ie: wright state b/c of a strong cbt/integrative orientation, Rutgers, Indianapolis, IU of Penn). I've been looking through the Insiders Guide and looking around on some of the websites (though I still need to look into some on the Possibilities list). Also looking into POIs at the moment to see if there's a strong fit. Programs that I'm going to apply to must have at least some practice emphasis and have a track for students who wish to become practicing psychologists. Obviously a lot of the PhDs have a strong amount of research emphasis too and that's ok so long as there is a practitioner track. So yeah....basically a grab bag of reasons for each of the schools listed 😛 It's definitely still a work in progress though.

 

[paramour]

Just a thought . . . but why are you applying for clinical programs if your master's is in counseling? It may not seem relevant but I suspect that you may have a few of those programs question it. Be prepared to answer!

 

[blindchaos]

Fair question - oddly enough I've gotten a lot of clinical experience and opportunities through the MA counseling program 😛 I'm going with clinical b/c I want to work with a more profoundly afflicted population and I think the clinical route would be suit my needs in that department. I went with the counseling MA program b/c I liked the profs, the research they were doing, and knew that it was very clinically oriented for a counseling program 😛 I know I need to work out a strong response for potential interviewers, but I am determined to go the clinical route. 🙂

Psychbar-thanks for the suggestions! I will definitely look into both!

 

[psychwanabe]

Well I can only speak to two on your list. I was accepted to both Wright State and Xavier, and I turned down Wright. I was not impressed with their program - I just had a bad feeling there. My biggest beef was that EVERY grad student I talked to had a general disdain for the values of research. I know it's Psy.D., therefore not research focused, but anyone entering this profession should have respect for and education about the process. Based on my conversations (n=4) with current students, I did not get the impression that they are taught that. Even a conversation with a professor (who was interviewing me) left me with that impression. I asked "are there opportunities for grad students to conduct research/work on research?" He said "sure, I guess, if you want to do that." To give them their due, when I was accepted, I emailed the department with these concerns and the Dean responded with very solid assurances that my impressions were incorrect. Still, I told them no.

On the other hand, I accepted Xavier's offer. It felt like a good fit for me almost from the minute orientation day began. I am interested in gaining some experience working with the Deaf population (I have a certificate in Deaf studies and 3 yrs of ASL), and while they have no faculty who do so, they were willing to help me find a way to do that. In addition, there are several faculty who are non-tenured and still very heavy into research. They made it quite clear that they welcome and encourage grad students to participate. There was a clear respect for research, statistical knowledge, as well as a heavy focus on clinical work. They have several faculty who work with kids (this is my primary focus), and there are lots of opportunities for same in the Cincinnati area. If you want to PM me once the school year starts, I can tell you more.

Good luck with your decisions and applications!

 

[Psychie1]

I interviewed at Wisconsin Milwaukee for Clinical Psych-I really liked the program, the school and the location. The other students were really nice and seemed very happy with the program-they gave a lot of honest feedback and overall I think it seems like a very strong program. There also seemed to be a lot of great local options for community placements to get clinical experience. Ultimately for me it was not a great match with my POI and that is why I did not end up there. If you end up considering this school and have any specific questions I'd be more than happy to try to answer based on my interview experience!

Best of luck~

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I know it's Psy.D., therefore not research focused, but anyone entering this profession should have respect for and education about the process.

I just wanted to highlight this...because I think it is a *REALLY* important point. I believe that as clinicial, whether or not we do research, we need to understand and apply research in our work. I think it is necessary to WORK WITH research, in order to understand it better. I'd be concerned with any program that doesn't have at least some focus on it, whether it be required research or at least have active research opportunities for those who want to go that route.

-t

 

[amy203]

I interviewed at DePaul and was very impressed. It was too clinically oriented for me, but it might be perfect for you. Everyone there is very passionate about what they do, and there's a nice balance between clinical and research training. They have a child-clinical track and won the 2006 APA Division 53 (Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology) Outstanding Training Program award. You should definitely check it out!

I was invited to interview at Loyola (Chicago), but ended up cancelling after getting into a school that was higher on my list (not that Loyola isn't a great school! - I just got into a school with a better research match for me). Anyway, both schools have a strong focus on community mental health and underserved populations. I would emphasize your interest in/experience with these areas in your personal statement if you decide to apply.

 

[psychwanabe]

I just wanted to highlight this...because I think it is a *REALLY* important point. I believe that as clinicial, whether or not we do research, we need to understand and apply research in our work. I think it is necessary to WORK WITH research, in order to understand it better. I'd be concerned with any program that doesn't have at least some focus on it, whether it be required research or at least have active research opportunities for those who want to go that route.

-t

Me too! It really worried me that these students were so dismissive of it. One was a 4th year who had never published, been to a conference or participated in any research. When those of us interviewing asked her about it (this was at lunch and several of us were at the table) she said she didn't think it was a big deal to be involved in "that kind of stuff." 😱 Like it was an aberration or something.

Once again I just want to reiterate that the Dean said this attitude was not indicative of the school's focus. Having said that it was not just one person who gave me this impression.

 

[psychplease]

.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'll second Loyola. I liked the faculty, I talked with some current students (positive reviews), and they seemed to have a good split of research/clinical. They had some interest work into adolescent issues (as of 4ish years ago). I withdrew my app after I decided I didn't want to stay in the b'more area....but I'd definitely recommend the program to prospective PsyD candidates....plus, the b'more area is a great place to go to school.

-t

 

[psychwanabe]

....plus, the b'more area is a great place to go to school.

-t

Isn't housing really expensive there though? I have family in that area and the prices to purchase real estate are out of this world for what you get.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Isn't housing really expensive there though? I have family in that area and the prices to purchase real estate are out of this world for what you get.

It is ALL relative. I grew up in northern NJ where housing is stupid expensive, so B'more seemed pretty reasonable. That being said, real estate around b'more has REALLY gone up in the last 9-10 years (when I first moved there).

I'm out of the loop for 'good' places to buy, other than doing rehab projects in a place like canton, but that will run you $300-$350k just for something to work with, not counting improvements. I think many places in the city have been priced out, but there are always exceptions.

-t

 

[blindchaos]

Thanks for all the thoughts/comments/suggestions thus far everyone!

Now I have another question 🙂 Has anybody on here applied to Pepperdine using the early app. deadline? I noticed that the early app deadline for Fall 2008 entrance is November 15, 2007 and it says that this allows for interviews to be conducted in December/early January (rather than the hellish wait in the spring). The regular deadline is January 7, 2008. Anyway, has anybody applied via the early deadline or heard anything about what that process is like? (thinking of some undergrad places where there is an early admit deadline that tends to be more competitive. some are binding - if you get in you have to accept, but Pepperdine doesn't indicate that this is the case. Just offers earlier interviews should one be offered an interview)

 

[psychwanabe]

I forgot the other thing that made me decide to say no to Wright State. You don't get your Masters on your way - you are in the program for 4 years and get your Psy.D. after you defend (which they wisely insist you do prior to internship) and finish your internship. The problem is that if you have a year where matching was as bad as it was this year, you are stuck for a year needing to work and only having a Bachelor's degree. That was scary to me!