Trouble narrowing down list of schools. Any advice/help is appreciated!

[missentity]

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Hi Everyone!

This is my first time posting. From what I've seen, people on this forum are very helpful with giving advice regarding specific schools, so I'm giving this a try. I know this post is rather long so I will be forever grateful to anyone who can spend some time in considering my situation (and I'll to pay it forward with advice to future applicants, after December 1st of course)! Thanks sooooo much in advance!

I'm trying to finalize my list of schools and I'm struggling a little. In terms of research, I am interested in health promotion and health behavior change. I am particularly drawn to research in obesity, eating and weight issues, body image, and sexual health. The programs I am looking into have indicated faculty members doing research in these areas.

I was wondering if any of you had any feedback about what you've heard about the programs I've listed below and if you had any advice for me about how to finalize your list. What I'm worried about is that if I just go by my first two lists of schools (A, B), I'm applying to too many VERY competitive/popular programs and I won't get in anywhere. Hence how list C came about.

In terms of my stats, I'm a strong candidate I think:
-GPA: 3.9 at a well-known public university w/ strong psych program
-GRE V: 650 (91%); GRE Q: 740 (74%); GRE A: 5 (92%); GRE Psych: 760 (94%)
-2.5 years doing research in undergrad + Honors thesis on body image
- After graduation - 1.5 years as a residential counselor at a major psych hospital, 1.5 years of Health Psych research (cancer related) with my name on a manuscript and a poster to present at an upcoming conference (this is my current job)
- 1 year working at WW's - I'm sharing this on my C.V./Personal Statement to show that my interest in obesity didn't come out of no where!

A) These are schools that I'm probably going to apply to:

-- Yale
-- Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine
-- Virginia Commonwealth University - Counseling Health Psych
-- Washington University in St. Louis
-- York University - Although one thing I'm concerned about is the phasing out of Canadian Programs from APA accredation. Although it looks like many states will still accept CPA-accredated programs for licensing as the program requirements are almost completely the same. Has anyone anything about this?
-- Duke University
-- University of Connecticut
-- Drexel University
-- UC San Diego / San Diego State Consortium
-- Emory
-- Vanderbuilt

B) These schools are still "maybes" but more likely to move to the above list:

-- University of Rhode Island - This programs looks pretty good to me and there are a couple of faculty members who fit my interests. However, one of my colleagues told me that he encountered URI clinical psych students at a conference who said that they did not enjoy their experience URI (has a "bad vibe" apparently). I have faith that he wasn't trying to screw with me (although he's also applying to clin psych programs). Has anyone here ever had first-hand experience with URI?
-- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
-- University of Nebraska, Lincoln
-- University of Kansas
-- Loyola University of Chicago
-- University of Michigan - There's a brand new faculty member here who's already becoming a leader in food addiction research
-- University of Minnesota

C) Here are the schools I am unsure about. The research at these schools sound interesting to me but I haven't heard much about the quality of these programs overall and there's hesitation on location (i.e. Would I like living in Las Vegas? Kansas City?):

-- University of Missouri, Kansas City
-- Eastern Michigan University
-- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
-- University of Memphis
-- University of Cincinnati
-- St. Louis University
-- University of Maryland, Baltimore
-- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (counseling psychology)
-- Colorado State (counseling psychology)


Thank you so much again!

 

[Psych2011]

Hi Everyone!

This is my first time posting. From what I've seen, people on this forum are very helpful with giving advice regarding specific schools, so I'm giving this a try. I know this post is rather long so I will be forever grateful to anyone who can spend some time in considering my situation (and I'll to pay it forward with advice to future applicants, after December 1st of course)! Thanks sooooo much in advance!

I'm trying to finalize my list of schools and I'm struggling a little. In terms of research, I am interested in health promotion and health behavior change. I am particularly drawn to research in obesity, eating and weight issues, body image, and sexual health. The programs I am looking into have indicated faculty members doing research in these areas.

I was wondering if any of you had any feedback about what you've heard about the programs I've listed below and if you had any advice for me about how to finalize your list. What I'm worried about is that if I just go by my first two lists of schools (A, B), I'm applying to too many VERY competitive/popular programs and I won't get in anywhere. Hence how list C came about.

In terms of my stats, I'm a strong candidate I think:
-GPA: 3.9 at a well-known public university w/ strong psych program
-GRE V: 650 (91%); GRE Q: 740 (74%); GRE A: 5 (92%); GRE Psych: 760 (94%)
-2.5 years doing research in undergrad + Honors thesis on body image
- After graduation - 1.5 years as a residential counselor at a major psych hospital, 1.5 years of Health Psych research (cancer related) with my name on a manuscript and a poster to present at an upcoming conference (this is my current job)
- 1 year working at WW's - I'm sharing this on my C.V./Personal Statement to show that my interest in obesity didn't come out of no where!

A) These are schools that I'm probably going to apply to:

-- Yale
-- Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine
-- Virginia Commonwealth University - Counseling Health Psych
-- Washington University in St. Louis
-- York University - Although one thing I'm concerned about is the phasing out of Canadian Programs from APA accredation. Although it looks like many states will still accept CPA-accredated programs for licensing as the program requirements are almost completely the same. Has anyone anything about this?
-- Duke University
-- University of Connecticut
-- Drexel University
-- UC San Diego / San Diego State Consortium
-- Emory
-- Vanderbuilt

B) These schools are still "maybes" but more likely to move to the above list:

-- University of Rhode Island - This programs looks pretty good to me and there are a couple of faculty members who fit my interests. However, one of my colleagues told me that he encountered URI clinical psych students at a conference who said that they did not enjoy their experience URI (has a "bad vibe" apparently). I have faith that he wasn't trying to screw with me (although he's also applying to clin psych programs). Has anyone here ever had first-hand experience with URI?
-- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
-- University of Nebraska, Lincoln
-- University of Kansas
-- Loyola University of Chicago
-- University of Michigan - There's a brand new faculty member here who's already becoming a leader in food addiction research
-- University of Minnesota

C) Here are the schools I am unsure about. The research at these schools sound interesting to me but I haven't heard much about the quality of these programs overall and there's hesitation on location (i.e. Would I like living in Las Vegas? Kansas City?):

-- University of Missouri, Kansas City
-- Eastern Michigan University
-- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
-- University of Memphis
-- University of Cincinnati
-- St. Louis University
-- University of Maryland, Baltimore
-- University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (counseling psychology)
-- Colorado State (counseling psychology)


Thank you so much again!

Honestly, if you do not feel as strongly about the schools on list C, I do think that applying to the schools from list A and B only will be sufficient for you to land interviews (and acceptances, depending on how well you interview 🙂). Your application is really strong. I applied to 17 schools that were all competitive (and very research focused) comparable to the schools you have on list A & B and I had similar stats that you have and I ended up with plenty of interview offers last interview season. Also, and I know others will tell you otherwise, if you feel strongly that you will not like living somewhere, take that into consideration too! After all, you're gonna live there for 5+ years, and it's not like you've only picked schools in your A and B lists that are all in NYC/California.

Good Luck!

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Did you verify that the profs you'd like to work with are taking new students? That can be a fast way to cut down a list.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[becomethelight]

List A has all strong programs, although I think I would take York U off just because of how much of a hassle it would be to obtain work visa, housing, and move to Canada (but that might just be me).

If you are interested in health psych, I would without question move University of Rhode Island to list A. University of Las Vegas and University of Maryland Baltimore are great programs too and I think you might want to explore them more.

 

[missentity]

Wow, thank you all for your replies! This forum is great! 😀

Did you verify that the profs you'd like to work with are taking new students? That can be a fast way to cut down a list.

Best,
Dr. E

Thanks Dr. E. -- I'm working on emails now. Maybe some of the replies will decide for me!

List A has all strong programs, although I think I would take York U off just because of how much of a hassle it would be to obtain work visa, housing, and move to Canada (but that might just be me).

If you are interested in health psych, I would without question move University of Rhode Island to list A. University of Las Vegas and University of Maryland Baltimore are great programs too and I think you might want to explore them more.

becomethelight - Thanks! Yea the extra work with moving to Canada may be a hassle. It also looks like the professors who I may be interested in working with are less active in research/publishing than I would like. I'll have to think more on this. And in considering URI, I can't really know how I'll feel about the vibe of the program unless I interview there. All I know is that the research in cancer prevention seems great so I should definitely look into it. And thanks for the advice regarding UNLA and UMB!

Honestly, if you do not feel as strongly about the schools on list C, I do think that applying to the schools from list A and B only will be sufficient for you to land interviews (and acceptances, depending on how well you interview 🙂). Your application is really strong. I applied to 17 schools that were all competitive (and very research focused) comparable to the schools you have on list A & B and I had similar stats that you have and I ended up with plenty of interview offers last interview season. Also, and I know others will tell you otherwise, if you feel strongly that you will not like living somewhere, take that into consideration too! After all, you're gonna live there for 5+ years, and it's not like you've only picked schools in your A and B lists that are all in NYC/California.

Good Luck!

Psych2011 - Thanks so much for the reassurance! The competitiveness of these programs is intimidating but I should also remember that I am a strong candidate 🙂

 

[vivaloca]

What are your career goals (research/teaching/clinical/etc)? You can check to see how the schools' goals for students match with yours, and what kinds of support/mandated activities the programs have that will help you along your path. Also check to see what recent alumni have gone on to do, to see if alumni from these programs are successful at what you want to pursue.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I can think of a few programs that are missing but that's not what you're asking for. 😉 I agree with the others -- look for what their graduates are doing and verify that everyone is taking students.

 

[cara susanna]

You should consider faculty productivity, too, if you're interested in research. Look at how many pubs they're churning out per year.

 

[missentity]

I can think of a few programs that are missing but that's not what you're asking for. 😉 I agree with the others -- look for what their graduates are doing and verify that everyone is taking students.

Oh jeez, don't do that to me!!!! Chances are, I've already looked at whatever programs you're thinking of (I've been pretty extensive in my research) but now I'm curious! 😛

 

[missentity]

What are your career goals (research/teaching/clinical/etc)? You can check to see how the schools' goals for students match with yours, and what kinds of support/mandated activities the programs have that will help you along your path. Also check to see what recent alumni have gone on to do, to see if alumni from these programs are successful at what you want to pursue.

Thanks vivaloca!

This was something I've struggled with for a while because I'm not 100% decided on where I want to be in 6 years. I was going around and around regarding what types of programs to apply for (mainly clinical/counseling psychology vs. social work and public health), fearing that I'd choose the "wrong" path. I feel like there's this myth in our culture that we have to find our "true calling" and we just have to keep looking in order to find it. Well, that doesn't work for me, it just makes me procrastinate and causes me anxiety! I've had both positive and negative experiences with research and clinical work, but I believe with continued education and practice, there will be more positives than negatives!

Or, if I really hate it, I'll get my masters and duck out, but I doubt that will happen 😛

If anyone reads this post... what do you think? Do you feel pressure to "know" exactly what you want to do after you graduate? Do you know? Do you pretend to know?

P.S. - for people in similar situations with similar mindsets, this article really helped me out: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html?smid=fb-share

 

[Psychadelic2012]

This was something I've struggled with for a while because I'm not 100% decided on where I want to be in 6 years. I was going around and around regarding what types of programs to apply for (mainly clinical/counseling psychology vs. social work and public health), fearing that I'd choose the "wrong" path. I feel like there's this myth in our culture that we have to find our "true calling" and we just have to keep looking in order to find it. Well, that doesn't work for me, it just makes me procrastinate and causes me anxiety! I've had both positive and negative experiences with research and clinical work, but I believe with continued education and practice, there will be more positives than negatives!

Or, if I really hate it, I'll get my masters and duck out, but I doubt that will happen 😛

If anyone reads this post... what do you think? Do you feel pressure to "know" exactly what you want to do after you graduate? Do you know? Do you pretend to know?

P.S. - for people in similar situations with similar mindsets, this article really helped me out: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html?smid=fb-share

Wow, what a great article and such a refreshing post. I personally think you are in a perfect place. I am highly skeptical of students who claim to know exactly what they want to do--it's impossible. I am also highly critical of people who seem to know everything or say everything right. I believe you will go far...keep up the questioning nature and keep exploring, because it makes life more interesting. The pressure to "know" is definitely there, but it's a facade, IMO. Don't let it paralyze you and keep you from making some decision, though. Just know that you may not ever know for sure. 😉

 

[mewtoo]

Thanks vivaloca!

This was something I've struggled with for a while because I'm not 100% decided on where I want to be in 6 years. I was going around and around regarding what types of programs to apply for (mainly clinical/counseling psychology vs. social work and public health), fearing that I'd choose the "wrong" path. I feel like there's this myth in our culture that we have to find our "true calling" and we just have to keep looking in order to find it. Well, that doesn't work for me, it just makes me procrastinate and causes me anxiety! I've had both positive and negative experiences with research and clinical work, but I believe with continued education and practice, there will be more positives than negatives!

Or, if I really hate it, I'll get my masters and duck out, but I doubt that will happen 😛

If anyone reads this post... what do you think? Do you feel pressure to "know" exactly what you want to do after you graduate? Do you know? Do you pretend to know?

P.S. - for people in similar situations with similar mindsets, this article really helped me out: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/30/jobs/follow-a-career-passion-let-it-follow-you.html?smid=fb-share

I feel very much pressured! I still have moments where I wonder if I'd enjoy med school or something like PA or NP school or even biology grad school better, though it probably does not help that I have a family that says I'll be "wasting my talents" if I don't go to med school. 🙄

I'd say 80% of the time I'm pretty sure clinical psych is for me and probably 70% of the time that I'd enjoy doing research for the rest of my life. Since middle school I've wanted to be a psychiatrist (I didn't know the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists back then) so I feel pretty confident that what I want to do is in the psychological world. Now its just figuring out what part of that world I want to be in and hope that clinical psych is it. Though sometimes I feel like I may be just convincing myself that I know...

I loved the article, btw. 😎

 

[missentity]

Wow, what a great article and such a refreshing post. I personally think you are in a perfect place. I am highly skeptical of students who claim to know exactly what they want to do--it's impossible. I am also highly critical of people who seem to know everything or say everything right. I believe you will go far...keep up the questioning nature and keep exploring, because it makes life more interesting. The pressure to "know" is definitely there, but it's a facade, IMO. Don't let it paralyze you and keep you from making some decision, though. Just know that you may not ever know for sure. 😉

Wow, I was expecting to be shot down! Thanks so much for your kind words, it means a lot 😳

I feel very much pressured! I still have moments where I wonder if I'd enjoy med school or something like PA or NP school or even biology grad school better, though it probably does not help that I have a family that says I'll be "wasting my talents" if I don't go to med school. 🙄

I'd say 80% of the time I'm pretty sure clinical psych is for me and probably 70% of the time that I'd enjoy doing research for the rest of my life. Since middle school I've wanted to be a psychiatrist (I didn't know the differences between psychiatrists and psychologists back then) so I feel pretty confident that what I want to do is in the psychological world. Now its just figuring out what part of that world I want to be in and hope that clinical psych is it. Though sometimes I feel like I may be just convincing myself that I know...

I loved the article, btw. 😎

I'm lucky to have a family that doesn't pressure too much either way but there was a lot of pressure on myself for a while to do clinical psych. I too wanted to be a psychologist since I was a young teen, even without really knowing much about psychology. Then I studied it in college and enjoyed it. However, after college I worked as an Residential Counselor with suicidal/self-harming girls mostly with borderline personality disorder... it was terribly stressful and I felt helpless so much of the time, causing a lot of self-doubt. I'm hoping my fear of being a psychologist comes more from lack of confidence than from lack of interest! I've definitely felt better since being at my research job and having study subjects tell me that they really enjoyed talking with me!

I just think people don't give living in the moment and not overthinking things enough credit! I hope that both of us go into the psych world and we find our niche, without too much anxiety!

Good luck! 🙂


Also, I'm glad you both enjoyed the article!

 

[szymk1sm]

Thanks vivaloca!

This was something I've struggled with for a while because I'm not 100% decided on where I want to be in 6 years. I was going around and around regarding what types of programs to apply for (mainly clinical/counseling psychology vs. social work and public health), fearing that I'd choose the "wrong" path. I feel like there's this myth in our culture that we have to find our "true calling" and we just have to keep looking in order to find it. Well, that doesn't work for me, it just makes me procrastinate and causes me anxiety! I've had both positive and negative experiences with research and clinical work, but I believe with continued education and practice, there will be more positives than negatives!

Do any of your programs have the option of obtaining a MPH en route to your PhD in Clinical/Counseling??

I'm only familiar with UF, but see if something like this is an option if you have interests in both psychology and public health...

http://mph.ufl.edu/programs/collaborative-degree-programs/psychology/

 

[doggums]

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