Transferring?

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Yes, but you have to apply to the other institution you want to attend though, you cant just "transfer." However, I'm not sure why you would want to do this unless you found the program ABSOLUTELY unbearable, your adviser leaves unexpectly, or for emergency personal/family reasons. Funded Ph.D programs are putting alot of money and resources into their students, if you do not matriculate in that program, they have essentially wasted time and money supporting you. Faculty would likely not respond well to this and it would be difficult to get letters of rec to apply to another program unless it was an extreme extenuating circumstance like I mentioned above.
 
for responses here...I was asking because I have not been accepted into any programs near my family. It seems the concern is that I have been away from psychology for so long as a non-traditional student and that I have been an attorney for so long - they seem to be worried that I am just not serious. The only programs that I have hopes at are far, far away. One of my parents has developed a long term illness and I am an only child. I don't know how that could impact but I thought I'd ask the question. Being 2000 miles away for 4-5 years, is hard to swallow right now.
 
That's the problem with Clinical/Counseling Psychology Doctoral programs. It's a whole new world and odds are that you're not going to end up in your desired geographic location.

I am very close with my family too and also an only child. If it means that much to you I would stay close to home and be with them. Take some Psychology courses at a local university, get more of a Psych background, work in something Psychology/Community related. Then apply again for something more local.

If you're already thinking now of going far away and then transferring closer I would think it will be even harder. They will want to know why you're transferring, etc etc. So, stay close to home if it is your eventual plan anyway.

Jon
 
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