USUHS Clinical Psych 2025

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dukun8ter

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Hi All,

I haven't found a thread started for this year's application cycle so I figured I'd start one. I'm Active Duty Army and looking to apply for the military track for Army, Navy, and Air Force. My first pick will be the Navy (for a lot of reasons) Just wanted to connect with people and other service members/veterans who are looking to apply this year. After reviewing a lot of posts from previous years, I feel absolutely underqualified to apply due to my academic career and lack in research/clinical hours. I'm looking to apply to both the USUHS SOM and USUHS Clinical Psychology PhD as I could be happy with either one.

For those that have been accepted into the program or are reapplying, please chime in with any tips and advice. Especially for those applicants that are interested in joining the military.

Current Stats:

-Undergraduate, 4.0 GPA in Organizational Leadership (after transfer. Before transfer was like a 1.9 🥲)
-A.A. Certificate in Criminal Justice, 4.0 GPA
-150 hours of clinical shadowing military and civilian (MD, DO, PA, LMHC)
-DIY Post-Bacc 3.83 GPA for pre-med (2 more classes left then the MCAT studying begins )

Experiences:

-Chief Warrant Officer 2, US Army, Apache Pilot, 800 hours, 7 years TIS
-Police Officer (part-time) with experience in working Crisis/Hostage Negotiations and previously assigned to the Mental Health Evaluation Team, 10 years

As you can see, I am lacking in the research/clinical experience aspects, but I'm trying! Also, I'm not very close to any of my professors so most of my Letters of Recommendation will be supervisors that might not be able to speak about my academics.

Please feel free to PM me! Would love to connect and find a like minded group to encourage one another.


**Edit**

After about 4-5 revisions on my personal statement and CV, I finally hit submit today! Gotta finish gathering everything for submission now. It's been rather quiet this year on SDN for this program, but good luck to everyone applying!

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Hi All,

I haven't found a thread started for this year's application cycle so I figured I'd start one. I'm Active Duty Army and looking to apply for the military track for Army, Navy, and Air Force. My first pick will be the Navy (for a lot of reasons) Just wanted to connect with people and other service members/veterans who are looking to apply this year. After reviewing a lot of posts from previous years, I feel absolutely underqualified to apply due to my academic career and lack in research/clinical hours. I'm looking to apply to both the USUHS SOM and USUHS Clinical Psychology PhD as I could be happy with either one.

For those that have been accepted into the program or are reapplying, please chime in with any tips and advice. Especially for those applicants that are interested in joining the military.

Current Stats:

-Undergraduate, 4.0 GPA in Organizational Leadership (after transfer. Before transfer was like a 1.9 🥲)
-A.A. Certificate in Criminal Justice, 4.0 GPA
-150 hours of clinical shadowing military and civilian (MD, DO, PA, LMHC)
-DIY Post-Bacc 3.6 GPA for pre-med (4 more classes left then the MCAT studying begins )

Experiences:

-Chief Warrant Officer 2, US Army, Apache Pilot, 750 hours, 6 years TIS
-Police Officer (part-time) with experience in working Crisis/Hostage Negotiations and previously assigned to the Mental Health Evaluation Team, 10 years

As you can see, I am lacking in the research/clinical experience aspects, but I'm trying! Also, I'm not very close to any of my professors so most of my Letters of Recommendation will be supervisors that might not be able to speak about my academics.

Please feel free to PM me! Would love to connect and find a like minded group to encourage one another.


**Edit**

After about 4-5 revisions on my personal statement and CV, I finally hit submit today! Gotta finish gathering everything for submission now. It's been rather quiet this year on SDN for this program, but good luck to everyone applying!
Congratulations on successfully submitting your application. Now it’s a waiting game until invites are sent out for interviews! Usually 3rd week of January.
 
Congratulations on successfully submitting your application. Now it’s a waiting game until invites are sent out for interviews! Usually 3rd week of January.
Thanks! Yeah, waiting is the worst part of any application process 🥲 At least the Army likes to keep me busy.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
Hi All,

I haven't found a thread started for this year's application cycle so I figured I'd start one. I'm Active Duty Army and looking to apply for the military track for Army, Navy, and Air Force. My first pick will be the Navy (for a lot of reasons) Just wanted to connect with people and other service members/veterans who are looking to apply this year. After reviewing a lot of posts from previous years, I feel absolutely underqualified to apply due to my academic career and lack in research/clinical hours. I'm looking to apply to both the USUHS SOM and USUHS Clinical Psychology PhD as I could be happy with either one.

For those that have been accepted into the program or are reapplying, please chime in with any tips and advice. Especially for those applicants that are interested in joining the military.

Current Stats:

-Undergraduate, 4.0 GPA in Organizational Leadership (after transfer. Before transfer was like a 1.9 🥲)
-A.A. Certificate in Criminal Justice, 4.0 GPA
-150 hours of clinical shadowing military and civilian (MD, DO, PA, LMHC)
-DIY Post-Bacc 3.75 GPA for pre-med (4 more classes left then the MCAT studying begins )

Experiences:

-Chief Warrant Officer 2, US Army, Apache Pilot, 750 hours, 6 years TIS
-Police Officer (part-time) with experience in working Crisis/Hostage Negotiations and previously assigned to the Mental Health Evaluation Team, 10 years

As you can see, I am lacking in the research/clinical experience aspects, but I'm trying! Also, I'm not very close to any of my professors so most of my Letters of Recommendation will be supervisors that might not be able to speak about my academics.

Please feel free to PM me! Would love to connect and find a like minded group to encourage one another.


**Edit**

After about 4-5 revisions on my personal statement and CV, I finally hit submit today! Gotta finish gathering everything for submission now. It's been rather quiet this year on SDN for this program, but good luck to everyone applying!
Hey! Congrats on submitting! I'm planning to apply too. This program really does seem like winning the lottery. I'm civilian but wanting to go military track. I've wanted to be a military psychologist ever since college and I've considered just enlisting to get that experience first, but considering the years spent towards a doctorate, I figure it's worth a shot to at least apply and see what happens first. I'll apply for the HPSP if not because I know I want to be an Army Psychologist.
 
Hey! Congrats on submitting! I'm planning to apply too. This program really does seem like winning the lottery. I'm civilian but wanting to go military track. I've wanted to be a military psychologist ever since college and I've considered just enlisting to get that experience first, but considering the years spent towards a doctorate, I figure it's worth a shot to at least apply and see what happens first. I'll apply for the HPSP if not because I know I want to be an Army Psychologist.
Oh yay! Yeah, I stumbled upon this program by accident and was solely committed to getting my Master's/PhD the traditional route once I got out of the military. I ended up loving the military life and learned of this opportunity. I'm hoping for the best 🙂 but seriously! There's really not a reason to not apply! Good luck!

Also, I don't recommend you enlist unless you really want to serve. I think it can be a great opportunity and you get some decent benefits, but there are also downsides to enlisting first. It's what you make of it. I never enlisted and went straight for a warrant officer appointment.
 
Oh yay! Yeah, I stumbled upon this program by accident and was solely committed to getting my Master's/PhD the traditional route once I got out of the military. I ended up loving the military life and learned of this opportunity. I'm hoping for the best 🙂 but seriously! There's really not a reason to not apply! Good luck!

Also, I don't recommend you enlist unless you really want to serve. I think it can be a great opportunity and you get some decent benefits, but there are also downsides to enlisting first. It's what you make of it. I never enlisted and went straight for a warrant officer appointment.
Oh thank you so much for saying that. I was seriously considering enlisting as a 56M (my recruiter keeps calling me haha) to get that experience but it just doesn't make sense to do that and put off my end goal for 4 extra years.

I saw you are an Apache pilot! That's pretty awesome. I've got a few friends who just graduated flight school in Alabama. One of them just left to Drum for his first duty station. I LOVED it there when I was there. Would love to go back someday... do you mind me asking what led you to clinical psychology?
 
Oh thank you so much for saying that. I was seriously considering enlisting as a 56M (my recruiter keeps calling me haha) to get that experience but it just doesn't make sense to do that and put off my end goal for 4 extra years.

I saw you are an Apache pilot! That's pretty awesome. I've got a few friends who just graduated flight school in Alabama. One of them just left to Drum for his first duty station. I LOVED it there when I was there. Would love to go back someday... do you mind me asking what led you to clinical psychology?
Sent you a PM!
 
Hello,

This is my 3rd time applying since learning about the program back in 2021, and I have not made it to the interview phase yet. I'm applying to the military track for any branch, but I am currently active Air Force. Best of luck to you all!
 
Hey all! I just created my account after seeing this post.

Just submitted my application for the first time as well! I have a feeling I won't get selected my first try but hopefully I get my foot in the door!

Background:

Associates in Arts, GPA: 2.8 (Yikes, I was 16 and was not responsible enough for college)
Bachelors in Social Work, Cumulative GPA: 3.3, Institutional GPA: 3.98
Internship with non-profit providing case management to local homeless population: 400 hours
Volunteer Crisis Line Counselor: 192 hours

Work Stuff:
Enlisted since 2018, E5, started out as a Gen Duty Corpsman but have 6ish years of experience working in mental health.
Challenged and earned my Psych Tech NEC/MOS in 2023
Institutional Review Board Member at Military Hospital since September of 2024
Recently was added to a research study as a research assistant, but the PI hasn't really done anything with the study yet.

Most of my letters of recommendation have come from members of the mental health or research community, however I wasn't close enough with my professors to feel comfortable asking for a LOR. I have one from the mental health director, scientific director, and a seasoned clinician all from the hospital I work at.

Please DM/Respond for any questions! I would love to discuss applications or just interests in the field 🙂
 
We should all make a group chat to stay in contact! I would love to stay connected to yall regardless of results.

I’ve applied to a handful of civilian schools as well with the hopes that I might be able to land the HPSP during my 2nd or 3rd year. USUHS is superior though and would be a dream. I love how unique the curriculum is. I’m especially excited for the internships, years down the road. I just got in contact with an Army Psychologist who is currently at Madigan for her residency. She has nothing but amazing things to say about Army psych! The training and preparation received is top notch to best help service members and their families
 
Hello everyone. I am joining the thread late. I decided to take my chances and apply this year for the first time. I am currently an Army reserves officer, mos MP. I commissioned through OCS.

For my civilian career I am a contractor overseas for DoD and work with the military families and their children on post. I am a masters level therapist (lpc, lmft) since 2020. I have lots of clinical experience, but no research experience. I am hoping for the best and wishing everyone the best as well! Hopefully we hear back soon.
 
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Hoping for the best! Collecting LOR writers for the worst! Good luck all!
A lot is at stake for me this time around. Lol. I just finished my masters so it’ll be a little difficult to ask for LOR and I’ll be getting stationed in Japan as well 😂
 
Hello everyone. I am joining the thread late. I decided to take my chances and apply this year for the first time. I am currently an Army reserves officer, mos MP. I commissioned through OCS.

For my civilian career I am a contractor overseas for DoD and work with the military families and their children on post. I am a masters level therapist (lpc, lmft) since 2020. I have lots of clinical experience, but no research experience. I am hoping for the best and wishing everyone the best as well! Hopefully we hear back soon.
I just started getting my hours for my LPC. Hopefully this would help on my end!
 
Well whatever happens for you good luck! I have heard Japan is an amazing experience for a duty station. I am currently in South Korea. We've visited Japan and it was great!
A lot is at stake for me this time around. Lol. I just finished my masters so it’ll be a little difficult to ask for LOR and I’ll be getting stationed in Japan as well 🤣
 
Hello all,
This is my third year applying for the military track. I am definitely starting to lose hope, I do have an interview tomorrow with a PsyD program but was really hoping to get into USUHS to continue my military service without a break in service. Additionally, I specifically want to continue to work with with the Veteran and military population. I applied with the mention of a couple different PI and recently received my MA in Applied Psychology. I will be getting out of the Navy in August to hopefully pursue school at USUHS, but if not there, somewhere. Best of luck to you all and keep your heads up.
V/R
 
Hello Everyone!

Does anyone know if USUH will let you know if you didn’t make the first round?
 
Yeah. I kinda gave up this cycle. When I received my invite before interviews are usually the two weeks after the invite has been sent. Non-select letters are sent out first week of February. Good luck to everyone who got their letters!
 
Hey everyone, I got the email for interviews, I got waitlisted last year, After the interviews, you will be sent a letter about a week later whether you are accepted, waitlisted or denied. I applied for Air Force and Navy, "also stated I would work for the Army,
Former Marine with a Masters degree in Psychological Sciences. Currently working as a research program coordinator for John Hopkins University in mood disorders such as major depression disorder and biploar, and still work as a research associate for a suicide prevention lab in D.C.
 
Hey everyone, I got the email for interviews, I got waitlisted last year, After the interviews, you will be sent a letter about a week later whether you are accepted, waitlisted or denied. I applied for Air Force and Navy, "also stated I would work for the Army,
Former Marine with a Masters degree in Psychological Sciences. Currently working as a research program coordinator for John Hopkins University in mood disorders such as major depression disorder and biploar, and still work as a research associate for a suicide prevention lab in D.C.
Congratulations! Did they send you notice for interview today or earlier in the week?
 
Congratulations! Did they send you notice for interview today or earlier in the week?
they sent me the invitation email on January 10th. Last year it was around January 17th, so I am not sure if they send them out all at once or as they review applications.
 
Hey everyone, I got the email for interviews, I got waitlisted last year, After the interviews, you will be sent a letter about a week later whether you are accepted, waitlisted or denied. I applied for Air Force and Navy, "also stated I would work for the Army,
Former Marine with a Masters degree in Psychological Sciences. Currently working as a research program coordinator for John Hopkins University in mood disorders such as major depression disorder and biploar, and still work as a research associate for a suicide prevention lab in D.C.
Congrats! Did you apply to Jobes at CUA as well?
 
Yeah. I kinda gave up this cycle. When I received my invite before interviews are usually the two weeks after the invite has been sent. Non-select letters are sent out first week of February. Good luck to everyone who got their letters!
Yeah looks like that’s the direction I’m going give up on this cycle. I haven’t heard anything
 
This is where I am currently at... 😂 It seems to be insanely competitive just to get an interview to a PhD.
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Dammm thats crazy, My only advice is to keep trying and focus more on research programs
Yea, it sucks because I have a single publication, but in my rate with the Navy it is impossible to really get into a research lab. I have spent most of the last 11 years either in the mountains, on a sub, or in a jungle.
 
I’m torn between writing this application period off as a loss or keeping some hope. I feel like usually there’s more activity on GradCafe and this thread when the mass interviews are sent. But some have already confirmed interviews and this is typically when interviews are sent.
 
I’m torn between writing this application period off as a loss or keeping some hope. I feel like usually there’s more activity on GradCafe and this thread when the mass interviews are sent. But some have already confirmed interviews and this is typically when interviews are sent.
True, I think I have also noticed a lack of activity on all of these forums more recently.
 
Welp, got a nice rejection letter from University of Northern Colorado today. I am down to UAA, TC Columbia, Rutgers, and the PsyD program at TCS. I am honestly thinking about just getting a research assistant job after I get out of the Navy and reapply to other programs next year.
 
Yea, it sucks because I have a single publication, but in my rate with the Navy it is impossible to really get into a research lab. I have spent most of the last 11 years either in the mountains, on a sub, or in a jungle.
Same. Haha. I’m not even in the field of counseling/medical/research. I’m on a squadron in a carrier.
 
I told myself that I wouldn’t dwell on it. I’ve done everything that I can for this application. I also saw the difference in post between this and the others.
I’m torn between writing this application period off as a loss or keeping some hope. I feel like usually there’s more activity on GradCafe and this thread when the mass interviews are sent. But some have already confirmed interviews and this is typically when interviews are sent.
 
Same. Haha. I’m not even in the field of counseling/medical/research. I’m on a squadron in a carrier.
It is rough man. A lot of us apply to USUHS from the military with this idea of it being like an officer program and having some favoritism toward active-duty, but it still feels pretty rough. I am honestly really hoping for some good news from Alaska. I think I can go ahead and knock off Rutgers and TC, as I think I saw people from both say the interviews were yesterday.
 
It is rough man. A lot of us apply to USUHS from the military with this idea of it being like an officer program and having some favoritism toward active-duty, but it still feels pretty rough. I am honestly really hoping for some good news from Alaska. I think I can go ahead and knock off Rutgers and TC, as I think I saw people from both say the interviews were yesterday.
When I interviewed last time I asked what I could do to help me better my application. They said the GRE and shadowing a psychologist. I’m like I don’t think I can shadow a psychologist, specially a military one. Lol.
 
When I interviewed last time I asked what I could do to help me better my application. They said the GRE and shadowing a psychologist. I’m like I don’t think I can shadow a psychologist, specially a military one. Lol.
It is crazy they mentioned the GRE, I read a lot of programs didn't want people taking the GRE. I even remember that one of the programs I applied to specifically stated not to send in their GRE scores.
 
If possible, those that got an interview, Could you share your CV or preparation to have a baseline comparison on things to improve for a future cycle? Thanks in advance for your consideration
 
If possible, those that got an interview, Could you share your CV or preparation to have a baseline comparison on things to improve for a future cycle? Thanks in advance for your consideration
whats your email? I can send you mine
 
When I interviewed last time I asked what I could do to help me better my application. They said the GRE and shadowing a psychologist. I’m like I don’t think I can shadow a psychologist, specially a military one. Lol.
To my enlisted Navy personnel,

The Navy has approved PsyD and PhDs for MSC-IPP. This means that next year, you could apply for multiple programs and then apply for MSC-IPP if approved.

 
Hey everyone, I got the email for interviews, I got waitlisted last year, After the interviews, you will be sent a letter about a week later whether you are accepted, waitlisted or denied. I applied for Air Force and Navy, "also stated I would work for the Army,
Former Marine with a Masters degree in Psychological Sciences. Currently working as a research program coordinator for John Hopkins University in mood disorders such as major depression disorder and biploar, and still work as a research associate for a suicide prevention lab in D.C.
Did you received any news from USush? Last year AF applicants received their acceptance letters the first Friday after the interviews, so same week.
 
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Did you received any news from USush? I heard last years some AF received it acceptances letters since first Friday after the interviews
I just had my interviews 4 days ago, So i haven't heard anything yet, I'm assuming a week after my interviews is when I will get results.
 
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