Hey guys, posting this here because the MSW boards seem a bit less lively than this. I am an undergrad that applied to Clinical Psych Ph.D. programs this fall- I received interview invites for five of them. I know these are excellent rates for an undergraduate, especially because I have a TERRIBLE GRE score for Clinical Psych (in the 1200s).
Here is my dilemma- the more I interview for these programs, and come to TRULY understand what it means to obtain a Ph.D., the sicker (like literally, physically) I become. I will have to relocate for the Ph.D., relocate for internship, relocate for post-doc, relocate for tenure-track. On top of that, I fear the the publish or perish mentality. In undergrad, I thought this was all I wanted, but now I am becoming increasingly concerned that academia may not be for me, even though it is what I have been preparing myself for since I was 19. I think it's good that I figure this out now, rather than when I'm knee-deep in a program, but it's still a very odd and stressful feeling to have to reevaluate your goals, your self-concept, etc...
Anyway... to the WAMC!
I am interested in UCLA's MSW program for a number of reasons; when I first became a psychology major, before I found research, this was my goal. I left this goal when learning about my passion for research, but that passion is quickly dwindling the further entrenched I become. I am primarily interested because I interact with several graduates of this program who are LCSW's on a clinical trial I am on, and they seem incredibly competent and have both job AND life satisfaction. I am wondering if I wil be a "shoe in" for this program, or at least very competitive, based on my stats and provided I can write a compelling statement. My stats are below:
Undergrad Institution: Lower tier CSU
Undergrad GPA: 3.9 (also have taken many "hard" science classes due to my minor)
Research Experience: Have researched in four labs- two at UCLA, two at my institution. Have 19 oral/poster presentations, and not just at local conferences- APA, APS, etc. Nothing discipline specific like ABCT though. One publication where I am second author. Two years of independent research in a cognitive psychology lab, where I've carried out my senior thesis which has now won three awards and is in preparation for publishing. Two labs were clinical- both child psych, as that is what I hope to pursue. One I have been in for one year, and I am there 15-20 hours per week. I am an integral part of the clinical trial and attend trainings in therapy, attend therapy, work one-on-one with the PI and study organizers to figure out management systems for data and things like that. In my first lab, I worked on government funded research, and worked directly with minority subjects on topics that would explain minority health disparities.
Clinical Experience: For two years, volunteered with ASD teens role-playing positive behavior and using ABA to promote positive social interaction. Can also spin my two clinical research labs as clinical experience, as I have a ton of patient interaction. Volunteered at a DMH state psych hospital for six months in the penal compound. Also, I know for MSW programs they are interested in community servi
Community Service/Leadership: Have volunteered with low-income, minority teens for one year as an emotional mentor and tutor. Not related to humans, but shows my devotion to community service- have been a volunteer at the pound since 2009, and have fostered animals within that capacity as well. Attended American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness walk, attended National Society for Brain Tumor's LA Walk. Tons of honors societies, tons of clubs. Held officer position in one honor society, held officer position in one club. Volunteered on committee to promote a research event on campus.
Teaching Experience: Have TAed for five courses on my campus- have probably accumulated 30 hours in lecturing over that time. In two of the classes, I ended up briefly being the sole instructor (yes, as an undergrad, as I stated this was very brief... it's very complicated and is not the fault of the school, but the professor slotted to teach the course), and created the syllabus, the research paper instructions/grading rubric, exams, led class, etc.
GRE Score: ABYSMAL! Verbal is 90th percentile, Analytical is 96th percentile, Quant is 30th percentile. I intend on spending every penny from my stipend (I am in a funding program for non-traditional, underrepresented students) on a private tutor to bring up my score.
Ultimate goal, if I were to be accepted: Complete my thesis on adolescent suicide and non-suicidal self-injury (this is my number one passion and I have worked with this population for one year), and work as an LCSW in a hospital or research setting in the Los Angeles area. Should I decide I miss research, and I know it will be more difficult as I will then be a non-traditional student, I know I can always apply to Ph.D. programs later.
Thank you so much for reading, and for all your support. I wuvs this board <3
