Transferring Doctoral Programs

[psych51489]

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Hi Everyone!

I couldn't find much information on this topic, but I wanted to pick your brains about transferring doctoral programs. I was accepted and have been enrolled in a clinical PsyD program for over 2 years, however, realized the school is not for me, is a drain of money, and that I am missing research terribly. I am, thus, gearing up for transferring doctoral programs, and am applying to clinical PhD programs in the Fall. Despite being at a research-lacking PsyD program, I have maintained my role on several projects and thus have gotten around 12-15 presentations since undergrad, and 2 publications.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had experiences (the good, the bad, and the ugly) surrounding transferring programs. Specifically, I am curious about whether impressions (i.e., attending a doc program for 2 years then transferring) made have impeded someone in getting accepted, etc.

I am also taking the GRE and GRE Psych test in October (current program did not require it at the time of enrollment). I suspect I have a decent GRE score, but am hoping my clinical and research experience will offset my score if it is not that great.


Does anyone have any experiences or advice they can share? Thank you

 

[paramour]

General info regarding transfers:

Link1

Link2

Link3

Link4

Link5

Link6

Link7

Link8

Otherwise, I think there have been only a couple students (who I can recall) who transferred programs on the board. And I seem to think they were transitioning to different areas entirely (i.e., they weren't sticking within clinical for example but opted to pursue an experimental field instead).

 

[wigflip]

I talked with someone who switched uni-based clinical PhD programs, in part because s/he felt that his/her advisor at the original program was an obstructionist (in terms of publication). S/he got in somewhere else and seemed happy with the decision.

 

[psych51489]

I talked with someone who switched uni-based clinical PhD programs, in part because s/he felt that his/her advisor at the original program was an obstructionist (in terms of publication). S/he got in somewhere else and seemed happy with the decision.

Did you hear anything about her experience in terms of transferring coursework, etc.?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Did you hear anything about her experience in terms of transferring coursework, etc.?

I'd personally be surprised if anything more than basic, and extremely limited, coursework was transferred. In general, schools are going to require that you complete a set number of hours with their program. Thus, even if you come in with, say, two years' worth of credit, you're likely still going to have to complete the equivalent of perhaps three or four years of credits with the new program.

 

[psych51489]

That's really helpful, and what I expected. I'm just wondering what impressions might be since I am transferring from an accredited PsyD program to a PhD program. Obviously I have to describe it in a way that makes me look like a good candidate- but I wonder if I will be evaluated against other applicants which are overwhelmingly going to be individuals straight out of undergrad

 

[psych51489]

Thanks for the links!

 

[wigflip]

Did you hear anything about her experience in terms of transferring coursework, etc.?

Yeah, his/her courses from original doc program didn't count at the new program. But you could argue that s/he grew as a scholar in that first year, even if the credits didn't transfer. We're not in touch now, but the impression I got was that it (retaking classes) was worth it in the end.

 

[psych51489]

I definitely don't mind taking classes, particularly if I am in a good and funded program. I wonder if she got LOR's from only graduate facutty or some from her undergrad adviser(s) as well....

 

[wigflip]

I definitely don't mind taking classes, particularly if I am in a good and funded program. I wonder if she got LOR's from only graduate facutty or some from her undergrad adviser(s) as well....

I wish I remembered the details...sorry! It's tricky, isn't it? I've been thinking about changing for ages, but don't want to blow myself out of the water with my current advisor.

 

[psych51489]

Do they have to know? I've only told two folks in my program and plan to keep it that way until I am out the door with my MA degree. Otherwise it's too political, and if you don't get in, I think you would just seem like a jerk. I am going to aplpy to some dual JD/PhD degree programs, too, so I feel especially masochistic.