WAMC: What Are My Chances

Hi December! Your stats and experiences look great. Definitely work on refining your research interests and add 2-3 more programs to your list, and you should have a good shot at getting in somewhere this round. Good luck!

 

Wow! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time to write such a thought-out and helpful response. You make some really fantastic points that had not even occurred to me - I will definite keep everything in mind and take full advantage of your advice.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

 

removed

 

I am graduating in Spring of 2014 with my BA in Psychology with a 3.8 GPA (4.0 in my major and minor classes), and I have secured solid letters of recommendation. I am in the process of applying for grad schools (clinical and counseling psychology programs), and I am setting my sights fairly high in terms of where I am applying. I don't have any research experience yet, though I am in the process of looking for opportunities at my school. Am I being unrealistic looking at the Ivy league? I don't know much about what schools are looking for, so any insight would help.

 

Why are you applying to Ivy League? Is there generally a good fit there? Remember that in clinical/counseling psych, Ivy Leagues don't necessarily correspond to prestige in your area of interest.

 

Building off what cara said, i think you need to read up a bit on the process of applying to these programs. Applying to PhD programs in clin psych is not like applying to undergrad, or even something like med school or law school -- it doesn't so easily fit into "tiers" from 'upper' to 'lower'

One thing is for certain: most schools that will take you without any research experience are generally going to be schools you don't want to go to. You will need a solid year or two of research experience to be 'competitive', but your GPA is solid and if your LORs are good then all that is left is rocking the GREs and getting that experience. Publications and presentations are the gold standard currency for these programs, and the more you have, the better your options.

You need to figure out what you want to focus in on for research as well; this will be your primary determining factor when picking schools. Harvard, for example, is a well known school but if there are no psychologists there studying what you want to study then it offers little to you.

 

The fact that you are asking this makes me think you haven't done much research on grad school in clinical psych. Ivy league is an undergrad thing. The top schools in psych vary tremendously by your research interest.

 

Moving to the WAMC thread

 

I've got a really good one for you all. I graduated from college in 2004 with a B.S. in Computer Science and have recently realized that I don't really want to do this for the next 35 years. Psychology was a career I considered initially but decided against.

I think I have a very, very uphill battle in front of me. I'm OK with that as long as it's not actually impossible.

- I have not yet taken the GRE. I'll be doing that soon.

- Graduated with a poor GPA: 2.93. I made 3.0 or higher every semester of school except my first two, but they were pretty bad and the damage was forever done at that point.

- Currently I expect to enroll back in school as a non-traditional / irregular student to get the undergrad psychology courses I will have to have to even consider following this route. I think dragging my GPA upward during this process is about my only realistic chance of fixing the problem. After that, my plan would be to get into the Master's program at the school I graduated from, then move on to the PhD program at another school once that's done.

- I can secure the letters of recommendation. I had about four or five of my professors in offer to write them for me while I was still in school and hopefully those offers still stand.

- I have 8 years work experience in my field, but that's pretty well useless to me at this juncture.

- If I can do this, I am looking more at experimental psychology as opposed to clinical. The area I would like to research is social media and the kind of impact it has on people, especially young people. I'm specifically interested in what kind of effects the kind of socialization you see in electronic media has on adolescents in their formative years.

This is really very little information to go on, I know that. I guess what I want to know is if it is even possible to do what I'm thinking of. I don't plan to try for Ivy League, I imagine "decent state school" is about as high as I'm likely to go.

 

Hi. I am a new member here. I went over this thread and saw that almost everyone got a reply by some really helpful members. I would also appreciate a reply about my chances to get into a Masters program in clinical psychology at a US school.

I am an international applicant from the Republic of Georgia (formerly a member of the Soviet Union). My undergrad is in business - graduated in 2010. I have worked at a consulting firm for two years and an environmental NGO for the past year as an environmental economist. As you can see I have had little formal connection with psychology, however last year I enrolled into a one-year weekend course in psychology and will receive a certificate of completion in June. (To avoid any confusion about why I want to apply for a psychology degree, I should mention that I am seriously passionate about psychology, I am doing a lot of self-education and reading about mental disorders and would love to work in this field).

My GRE scores are:

158 Verbal
155 Math
4.5 AW
I took TOEFL and nailed it - got 117 out of 120.

I realize that I am not very competitive due to an unrelated background and average GRE scores (considering that I did not prepare for GRE at all, I guess the scores are satisfactory, but I realize that schools do not care whether I prepared or not). As a result, I plan to apply for a Master degree at an average school in the US to increase my chances of being accepted and to get formal training in clinical psychology and then continue my advanced studies at a more serious university.

If anyone has some advice, or just comments about my background, I'd greatly appreciate it. If anyone could recommend some schools where I'd have a higher chance of being accepted, that would be a nice bonus (My priority would be schools in Denver, Colorado, or in and around New Jersey).

Many thanks!

 

Is your ultimate goal a Master's program or a PhD program? What are your career goals? This will help us to give you advice.

If your ultimate goal is an M.A. in clinical psychology and then to practice, you may have a chance of getting in somewhere.

If your eventual goal is a PhD, I would NOT recommend getting a Master's degree in clinical psychology first. This step would not help your chances of getting in to a PhD program. (If this is your goal, let me know... We can talk about some better options, including first enrolling in an undergraduate program in Psych at an American university.)

 

Thank you for the reply. I really appreciate it.

My ultimate goal would be to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology, but I was planning to take a pause after I finish my Masters and before starting my PhD. Why wouldn't you recommend getting Master's degree in clinical psychology first?

 

The short answer is that, although there are some exceptions, the majority of M.A. programs in clinical psychology are set up to prepare students for licensure at the M.A. level. They are NOT set up to prepare students for Ph.D. programs. Ph.D. programs are primarily going to be looking for students with excellent research experience (in addition to good grades in psych courses and good GRE scores). Although you may do some research in most clinical M.A. programs, the other demands on your time will be extensive.

Your best bet would be to enroll in some kind of program that will allow you to do psychology coursework AND gain high quality research experience. The best ways to do that are:

1) Enroll in an psychology undergraduate program. You could probably finish the degree in roughly two years using your transfer credits. While there, start working with professors as an undergraduate research assistant. You could even do a thesis.

2) Enroll in a few undergraduate courses (without doing the full degree) and also start working with professors as an undergraduate research assistant.

3) Another potential option would be to enroll in an experimental psychology M.A. program and get research experience that way. You may or may not be competitive for these programs. If you do apply to some of these, be sure to ask how successful their past students have been in gaining acceptance to Ph.D. programs.

I hope that's helpful! Let me know if you have questions.

 

I don't have a prayer, do I?

 

softwareninja - I think you do have a chance. I have a friend who graduated with a degree in chemistry a few years ago with a low GPA, worked in industry for a couple years, and then went back to school for psychology. She did really well in her psych courses, got some valuable research experience, and was enrolled in a experimental Ph.D. program within two years.

Do well in your classes, be sure to get as much research experience as you can, and rock the GRE. You're right that this is going to take work, but it's also possible. I do suggest that you look into job prospects for social psych PhDs before you start, though. You're going to find some pretty discouraging things about the job market in academia and teaching.

Best of luck!

 

Thank you, Thewesternsky! I will consider applying to undergraduate degree in psychology. Since I studied business, I doubt many of my credits will transfer, so I might have to study more than 2 years, which is fine...except for the fact that it will probably be associated with high costs.

 

I would consider the clinical path, but the six figure student loans are scary enough to send me hiding to a corner.

If the prospects are so bad for non-clinical PhDs, what does it look like for Masters level? I would guess not much better, but there's always the whole less money spent on schooling thing.

 

This is how I did it (I had a completely unrelated undergrad degree). I enrolled in an affordable public university back in Jan of 2011. I completed all the prereqs, and began working as an RA for my mentor. I will start my doctoral program in the fall.

 

Re: student loans-- you could always try for a funded PhD program.

Re: Master's degrees... What kind of prospects? It depends what kind of career you're talking about.

 

About the funded program...I admit that I am, at present, completely lost about the ins and outs of graduate school. I am currently under the impression that clinical psychology programs are, by and large, not funded...you pretty much have to pony up the money yourself or finance it entirely with loans. Is my perception on that wrong?

As for career...I always assumed that if I was going to do this, it would be worth my trouble to go to the PhD level. I could easily see myself as a researcher and teacher; I can also easily see myself doing clinical work where I would have the chance to directly intervene in ways that will improve other people's lives. The truth is, I really don't know what kind of opportunities are even available for a Masters in Psychology. Everything I've looked at so far indicates that I need a doctorate.

 

This is wrong. Most reputable Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology are fully funded, including tuition remission and a stipend. They are, however, competitive and difficult to get into. I suggest doing some reading on this board if you're interested in these programs. Some especially valuable threads are linked to here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=714255

I am not sure what you have been reading, but if you only or mostly want to be a therapist you do NOT need a doctorate. There are some really useful threads on these paths on the Mental Health and Social Welfare [M.A., M.S.W., B.S., B.A.] board... Depending on your interests and your state's licensing procedures, you may want to consider programs that would prepare you to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MMHC), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).

 

Thanks for the info. The competition is very concerning, my current college transcripts are not going to help me much there, at least for now, but I appreciate the link to info.

In my current state of residence, I know for a fact that you will not be licensed to run a private practice without a clinical doctorate. Relocation is always an option, however.

The truth is that I think I would feel more at home in research and academia, but I'm not hearing good things about the prospects of finding work going that direction. Decisions, decisions....

 

Actually, LCSWs can be licensed and independently bill third party insurance companies in 47 states. This means that you can hang out your shingle and have a private practice. Are you in the three that do not allow LCSWs to practice independently? I would look at state laws before making any decisions so you know for sure.

 

I am planning to start the application process to roughly 12 to 15 Clinical/Counseling PhD programs in the fall of 2014. I am currently in the summer before my senior year. I am not restricting myself geographically and I am only applying to programs that have faculty who are studying my research interests, which are specific but not too specific. Here are my credentials:

1 year of solid research experience (at least in my mind). I have served as an RA to a fantastic mentor in the field of multicultural psychology. I have been present for several focus groups, been allowed to express ideas and give input on current projects, done literature review, data collection, poster presentation, and worked on preparing tables, graphs, etc. for presentations so the data has been explained to me by my mentor. I've done both qualitative and quantitative research. I am currently conducting my own independent project under the supervision of my research mentor. My project is being conducted in the same field of research that my POIs are currently working in. Data collection has already been started and planned completion is in early fall.

2 My Overall GPA is a 3,98. My Psych GPA is 4.0. I received an A- in Spanish this semester. i have taken Abnormal Psych, General Stats, Stats for the Behavioral Sciences, Research Methods, Theories of Personality, Multicultural Counseling, Family Psychology, Theories of Psychotherapy, Child Psych, and Introduction to Clinical Psychology so far. I have a Clinical/Counseling focus within my psychology major.

3 I have yet to take the GRE but have scheduled it for this coming August.

4 I go to a small university so I have close student-faculty relationships across the board. I can easily secure three solid recommendation letters simply because of the high level of interaction with others in my department. My research mentor is a former grad student of one of the schools that I am applying to so I feel that this may give me an edge?

5 I will have given 7 poster presentations by the end of this summer. The three larger conferences I have presented at are APA, APS, and MPA.

6 I have received a number of grants for research. I'm not sure if this play a role in the application process?

7 I am getting my clinical experience this summer. I am going to work two days a week at a private in patient facility with a clinical population (schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, schizo affective disorder, etc. I also intend to work at a hotline for sexual assault victims. I have already taken a course through my university that gives me the 40 hour training necessary to do this. I also will be working as a mentor to first generation college students in the fall. Does the duration of my clinical work matter? I will only have clinical experience from this summer and fall at the time of my applications.

8. I am currently vice president of Psi Chi/Psychology Club and also President and Co Founder of an organization that actively promotes engagement in research across campus.

9. I am going to be serving as a primary volunteer coordinator for a division of APA (the division that is focused on the area of research I am planning on pursuing in my graduate studies) this summer at the annual conference as well. I feel like this will give me the opportunity to network seeing that the majority of my POIs will be present at this conference. Many of them serve on the board for this division in some way. I have already done some minimal networking at APS. Does it help to put a name to the face before "application season".

10 I also am a member of APS and APA and a division member within APA. I've heard this shows that you are actually involved and familiar with the field.

Any input would be much appreciated. I am open to advice and constructive criticism My main concern right now is clinical experience and my GREs. I generally don't like standardized testing but I am going to spend my summer studying even more.

 

Hi guys, I’ve been reading the WAMC thread for a while now, and finally want to post for myself! I would REALLY appreciate any feedback you guys have. I’m planning to apply to a fully funded, research-oriented PhD program in clinical psychology this coming winter.

I graduated in June 2012 from a top-10 public university with a B.A. in Psychology , summa cum laude and with highest honors.

Overall GPA: 3.89
Psychology GPA: 4.0

GRE Scores

Verbal: 170(99%)
Quantitative: 160(81%)
Analytical: 5.5(96%)
Psychology: 780(97%)

Experience: During undergraduate, worked in three different psychology labs(one clinical, two non-clinical) for a total of three school years. I got pretty solid experience in these labs but no poster presentations or publications. :/ Independently of working in these labs, I conducted a psychology honors thesis on a non-clinical psychology topic(cultural/social psychology) and it was judged by a thesis committee, receiving highest honors. I went on to present this research at an undergraduate research conference, although this was not published or presented professionally.

Currently, I am working full-time in a clinical neuropsychology lab and have been for about a year(will continue to do so for another year). In this job, I’ve gotten very high-quality experience as the lab manager leading a team of RAs, administering clinical interviews, and interacting daily with patients with severe mental disorders.

Posters: Only 1, second author
Presentations: 1 upcoming in September(will present above poster at a national conference).
Publications: 1 manuscript in prep, but this is not guaranteed to be finished by the time I apply.

Clinical experience: Worked for 8 months as a co-leader of a social skills group for autistic teenagers.

Letters of recommendation: Two strong (one from a psychiatrist and one from a clinical psychologist) and one decent.

I want to apply to about 15 different schools, programs of different levels of prestige and research/clinical balance, but probably leaning more heavily towards research, and of course focusing on fit.

My biggest concerns about my application are: Not a lot of publications or poster presentations for the amount of experience I have, and very broad experience not necessarily specializing in any one topic. Should I be worried? Thoughts?

 

I think your background in CS will actually be a huge asset to you. A lot of departments need someone with that skillset, especially if you're interested in anything relating to neuroscience. But even outside of that, skill in programming is very helpful. Check out departments like Northwestern Feinberg's CBITs to see what I mean.

That said, the issue of research experience might get you. How familiar are you with research methods in any field? Is there any way you can relate your work experience to the type of work you'd need to do as a grad student in your department of interest?

It sounds like your area of interest might be housed in more social psych departments, but you might be able to find faculty in clinical looking at the same thing. You'd have to search around at some programs and see what faculty are looking for. If you don't have any schools in mind right now, you can check out the Insider's Guide to Programs in Clinical and Counseling psych at a bookstore/library/wherever. They have a whole appendix in the back that lists various areas of research interest and what schools house faculty who are studying those things.

 

Hatusu - I think you're in really good shape! Your GPA / GRE scores are impressive, and so is your research experience (even if you don't have that many publications or presentations). You're aiming for top programs so it's obviously uber-competitive, but I think you've done all you can to give yourself a really good chance. Emphasizing a research fit with your POI will clinch the spots for you.... good luck!

 

I won’t be applying for a while, but I figure I’ll give it a shot. My primary interest is in sport/performance psychology, but will be pursuing a general clinical Ph.d, and will hopefully find a program that has a specialty track in my particular interest or a lab that has this particular focus. As said, I am not applying for a little while and have only done preliminary research on schools, but the University of North Texas looks promising in this regard. I hope for my research in school and eventual career to revolve around current or former professional or collegiate athletes who have suffered traumatic sport injuries and henceforth have issues with performance (if they can still play) or are suffering from clinical disorders as a result. This interest stems from my brother who suffered this same fate.



Major: Psychology
Minor: Statistical Methods



GPA: 3.11
- Every time that I look at that number it makes me sick. I’m the classic case of not caring
about my education until I realized what I wanted my career to be and that I will need
a doctoral education to achieve it. The good news is that there is a significant upward
trend from freshman year to my graduation. My scarlet letter is a D+ that I received in
“Psychological Statistics”. I retook the course and received a B+ and went on to receive
a minor in statistics in addition to an A in research methods. Hopefully that may help the
situation a little. I understand that I am fighting an uphill battle with this GPA and will not be shooting for the moon when it comes to the schools that I apply to.


Research Experience:
- For my senior year I worked as a research assistant in one my professor’s lab that focused on family relations and mood disorders (I’ve found there aren’t many labs that specialize in my specific interest). We did do a lot of work with motivation and performance under stressful situations, which I believe can easily be translated to sport/performance issues. I did all the typical RA work, data entry, survey administration, etc. I did do some unique tasks such as administering sections of the WAIS-IV and collecting saliva samples to measure stress hormones before and after stressful tasks. (Getting a LOR from this advisor)


- I took a semester long course in which we were tasked with creating a testable hypothesis, and creating a study designed around it. We did all the work that goes into a typical study spanning from initial research and creation of consent forms to the recruiting of participants and eventual creation of a mock journal article. It was an amazing course, but unfortunately has little to nothing to do with my specific interest. (Getting a LOR from this professor)


- I did not complete a senior thesis or have any sort of publications. However, I have
presented several posters that were from my own research for various classes. Not sure
how beneficial that will be.



GRE:
- I took the GRE the summer before my senior year when I had a strong focus on my grades. Because of this I did not study for it anywhere near as much as I would have liked to and did average, but not well enough to get me where I want to go. (I forget exact scores as I decided then to take some time off after graduation and retake the test at a later date).
Obviously I will retake the test.


Currently:
- I graduated in May and have since accepted a job working in a large central IRB. The
studies we receive range from psychology to oncology, however we generally work with
pharmaceutical trials for these sciences. I manage the company’s database and organize
and maintain recruitment and study related documentation. I also perform quality control
checks on them to make sure the IRB appointed changes were made by the investigators.
It isn’t the traditional way to gain research experience after college, but I do feel that
I am learning a great deal about the process and the correct ways to make this type of
documentation. It also pays the bills.

- During nights and weekends I am going to personal train. This is more of a passion of mine, but I think it will also give me a little experience in the performance/sport psych field. Though not in a clinical sense.

- Additionally, when I settle down a little bit (IE find a place to live) my lab adviser from
undergrad has said that I can come back and help him out with his research anytime. (I work about an hour away from where I went to school).


Additional:
- This most likely has no bearing at all, but I was the executive vice president of my fraternity(see low GPA) spanning from my sophomore to junior year.

Well, sorry for the novel, but I figured if I was going to ask I mind as well give you everything. Thanks for any and all advice!

 

I apologize for the horrible formatting of my above post. I guess this is why we shouldn't do things like this from a phone

 

I am wondering if I can ask for a bit of advice. I am currently a part-time RA for a prestigious research institute. My goal is to apply to a clinical psych graduate program and follow a child track orientation. However, I am currently doing research that focuses on depression in minority populations in adults. Although I have excellent clinical and research experience, and since I am only working part-time, I started looking for other opportunities to obtain experience with children. I am mainly interested in working with minority populations and latino children, my research and clinical interest lies there...
I have two new part time paid job offers... one is at a therapeutic nursery school affiliated with columbia university where I would work as a teacher assistant (TA). The second position is another RA position assisting in research focusing on head start programs and latino toddlers. I understand that the RA position would strengthen my application incredibly and may help round my research interests i suppose, however, I am so in love with the TA position...
I was wondering how would clinical phd or psyd programs value the TA position? It would be purely an educational and clinical experience. The director of the nursery said that a lot of her TAs do go on to great clinical programs.. but do clinical programs value a TA as a clinical experience? Would that be ok if I continue my research exposure at my current RA position?


thanks!!

 

Upon reevaluating my priorities I have expanded my school search both wider geographically and program-wise.

I would still prefer to be in the northeast (family, friends, and relationships), but realize the need for flexibility. I am also looking at school psych, ed psych, and counseling psych in addition to clinical.

Some of my previously mentioned targets have been removed and others have been added. I feel as though I have a better grasp of what I am looking for - now I just need to perfect that SOP.

Thanks all!

 

Hello. I'm a Senior UG, Psych major, Org Comm minor. Looking to apply to I/O and Social Psych phd programs this fall at:

UNC-Charlotte
Clemson
Virginia Tech
NC State
Duke (social)
UNC-Chapel Hill (social)

Cum GPA: 3.88, Psych GPA: 3.89
Just took my GRE and the scores are the reason I'm posting: Q150/V155. I am worried these scores are too low. I don't have my writing back yet, but I'm not worried that I'll score lower than a 4.5.

I completed 1 semeseter-long group research project, and two year-long individual research projects - 1 experimental, 1 purely review - both on I/O related topics.
I have accepted a RA position for this year at UNC-Charlotte in the Social Psych dept. I have presented my research three times - twice at local conferences, once at a regional conference that I applied for.
I anticipate my letters to be strong. I also have very strong supplemental extra curriculars like Pres of Psi Chi for two years, Honor Council and writing center tutor.

thanks for your input. I really want to be as competitive as possible and get into a good program.

 

I am currently a master's degree student at UT-Dallas studying cognitive neuroscience.

Here are my stats:

University of North Texas
Bachelor of Arts
Major: Sociology (GPA: 3.75)
Minor: Psychology (GPA: 3.66)
Cumulative GPA: 3.3
UNT GPA: 3.75
GRE Q: 137
GRE V: 145
GRE A/W: 4.5

I have spent over 14 years a classical musician, I started off my first year in college as a music performance major at New England Conservatory of Music...and my grades sucked then. Over the past 3-4 years, I made sure I kept a solid upward trend where I did great in my major and minor.

I don't have any research experience, but I am currently in the process of getting a research position at UTSW and at UT-Dallas during my master's program. I am essentially looking for Ph.D. programs in both clinical and counseling psychology...hopefully around the Texas area. Any recommendations (obviously GRE is one of them)?

 

Going into Senior Undergraduate Year at a State University

Overall G.P.A.: 3.73
Major: Psychology
Minors: Philosophy, Neuroscience, Sociology

GRE 1
Quantitative: 152
Verbal: 160
Writing: 3.5
New Total: 312
Old Range Total: 1260-1280


GRE 2
Quantitative; 162
Verbal: 154
Writing: 4.5
New Total: 316
Old Range Total: 1280-1295

Practical Experience

1 Year Suicide Hotline Volunteer
1 Year Support Tutor to First Year Students
1 Year Volunteering at Psychology Lab
Misc. outreach positions for mental health and general peer education

Poster Acceptances

1st Author for Undergraduate Conference
2nd Author for Poster at APA

----------------------------------------------------------

Just based on the above, where do I stand relative to admits into 2nd tier clinical programs?

 

Hi all,

FYI, the following volume has now been made available FOR FREE to all students. Just visit http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4614-3994-3/page/1 while on a computer connected to the server of any major university. Most all universities have a subscription to Springer's content which lets students download the whole volume for free. Enjoy!

The Portable Mentor, Second Edition
Expert Guide to a Successful Career in Psychology
Editor: Mitchell J. Prinstein

Part I Applying to Graduate School

1 Before you Apply to Graduate Programs in Psychology: Knowing When You’re Ready, and Gaining
Postbaccalaureate Experiences
Casey D. Calhoun and Mitchell J. Prinstein

2 Deciding to Apply and Successfully Gaining Admission to Graduate Schools in Psychology
Mitchell J. Prinstein, Sophie C. Choukas-Bradley, and Karen Guan

Part II Beginning your Career

3 The Whys and Hows of the Scientific Path in Applied Psychology
Steven C. Hayes and Nicholas M. Berens

4 Advancing Understanding of Cultural Competence, Cultural Sensitivity, and the Effects of Cultural
Incompetence
Joseph E. Trimble

5 Developing and Practicing Ethics
Kenneth S. Pope

6 Balancing Career and Family
Paula J. Caplan

7 Psychologist and Parent: Advice from Professionals in Different Career Tracks
Vicki DiLillo, Andrea Hussong, Barbara Kamholz, and Elizabeth Richardson

Part III Your Research/Academic Career

8 Writing a Literature Review
Roy F. Baumeister

9 Presenting Your Research
Lindsey L. Cohen, Laurie Greco, and Sarah Martin

10 Publishing Your Research
Alan E. Kazdin

11 How to Write an Effective Journal Article Review
Dennis Drotar, Yelena P. Wu, and Jennifer M. Rohan

12 Recommendations for Teaching Psychology
William C. Rando and Leonid Rozenblit

Part IV Your Career as a Practitioner

13 Gaining Clinical Experience In and After Graduate School
Alan D. Katell and Marcy C. Adler

14 Training to Begin a Private Practice
Jeffrey E. Barnett and Elizabeth Musewicz

15 Navigating the Internship Application Process
Mitchell J. Prinstein

16 Obtaining a License to Practice Psychology
Corey J. Habben

17 Specialty Certi fi cation in Professional Psychology
Robert D. Hill and Ted Packard

18 Becoming a Competent and Ethical Clinical Supervisor
Erica H. Wise and Ellen E. Fitzsimmons-Craft

Part V Your Professional Service Career

19 Getting Involved in Professional Organizations: A Gateway to Career Advancement
Daniel Dodgen, Raymond D. Fowler, and Carol Williams-Nickelson

20 Advocacy: Advancing Psychology and Public Well-Being
Christopher W. Loftis

21 Public Education of Psychology: An Interview with Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D.
Philip G. Zimbardo

22 Strategies for Successful Interactions with the News Media
Rhea K. Farberman

Part VI Your Career After Graduate School

23 Recommendations for a Postdoctoral Fellowship
Amy F. Sato, Valerie Simon, Elissa Jelalian, and Anthony Spirito

24 Applying for NIH Grants
C.W. Lejuez, Elizabeth K. Reynolds, Will M. Aklin, and Christopher Frueh

25 The Job Search
Robert J. Sternberg

26 Employment and Trends in Psychology
Jessica L. Kohout and William E. Pate II

 

This is fantastic! Thanks, DrClinPsyAdvice!

 

I am on a major university server and still cant seem to access it. Any ideas on ways to get access to this? seems like a great resource i could use.

 

Yes, try looking up the book on your university's library website and there many be a a link to download there. Or, contact someone in the university library and they call tell you how to access "Springer's e-Book collection (2012 BehSci eBook Collection)." You should be able to get it for free!

 

Here are the top choices in order. I know the order is a bit strange, but there are reasons. More will obviously be applied to than these, but these are the top ten.

1. UCLA
2. UC Berkley
3. University of Pennsylvania
4. USC
5. UCSD/SDSU
6. UCSB (This one is a combined Clinical, Counseling, and School program)
7. University of Oregon
8. Northwestern
9. Boston University
10. Harvard

Here are the Stats

1) UCLA Undergrad: 3.95 Overall; 4.0 Psych

2) 1 year + stats and research methods

3) GRE Scores (New scoring): Verbal:158; Quant:154; AW: 5.0

4) 2 years volunteer work as a crisis intervention counselor for a non-profit sexual assault advocacy group in socal (certified as a ci counselor, but it only required around 50 hours of training to obtain)

5) Western Psych Association published presentation on sexual assault variances between different sub-cultures.

Not much research or published works. What are the chances in your opinions?

Thanks in advance for any observations.

 

These are very competitive clinical science programs. The chances are slim without a very focused research match plus at least 2 years of good quality research experience and proof of productivity ability (e.g., pubs and posters).

 

If you were to apply to any of these programs, your chances likely won't be too great. You have decent, but not great GRE scores. Since all these programs are all extremely research heavy, your clinical experience won't matter and you have very limited research experience. You may have a somewhat better shot at programs that are not as research heavy as these. It also seems like you chose those programs due to location and general prestige as opposed to research match which people will generally strongly advise against.

 

Thank you and to the last poster as well. I think more research needs to be done, possibly another stab and the gre, and definitely a couple of more years to gain research credibility. Maybe a masters is a better alternative at this point. From what I've seen it looks like these stats will gain entrance into most masters programs. A Ph.D. may just be a little later on down the line. The goal is to teach at the UC level, which won't be possible with a masters, but it may just be another stepping stone. Still have to make a living in the mean time, so maybe a clinical focused masters is a better option. Again, thank you for the advisement.

 

Agreed. Most of the programs listed are heavy hitters are far as research (and overall admissions competitiveness) goes, so a full-time RA gig sounds like it'd be the ideal spot for you--it will get you the research experience you'll need in order to garner serious consideration, and will also help you to earn a living in the mean time. Trouble is, if you're in CA (as might be thought based on many of your school choices), those positions could be tough to secure. Certainly worth a look, though, and you could also try reaching out to any professors with whom you established a relationship while in undergrad to see if they might have any leads.

 

Since I wrote that recently I just quoted and edited. Edits are bolded.

I'm starting a experimental psych MA program this fall and am fully funded with a tuition remission and a stipend. Its great, but I still have to take out a lot of loans since the stipend is about half of what one gets in a doctoral program. Because of this and that I want to get the ball rolling and not waste my time in a masters program if I don't have to (especially since most phd programs don't allow many transfers!), I am wondering if I should go ahead and apply this cycle and if I get in leave a year early. My undergraduate mentor said she thinks that's a good idea, but I've heard others are more wary. I tend to give her opinion a bit more authority in this certain situation because she actually went to this exact masters program and expressed concern she didn't think it would be rigorous enough research wise for my liking. I may even be working with the same adviser (not certain yet) so I assume she would tell me if the professor would be angered by this.

Also of consideration is my relatively low (for psych doctoral programs) GPA and that glaring D in my last semester... I don't know if that will completely doom me and it would be better to stay in the masters program to show I can hack it. Though it is an upper level biology class so they may let in slide more. Another thing to consider, however, is I took a graduate level biopsycholgy class that same semester and made an A in it. I had to write a paper similar to a qual and even defend it (I guess I could mention this in my SOP to drive it home?). So I don't know if that would be proof enough. Also, if they want a writing sample do you think it wise to send something like that (I got a 100 on it and my defense) or keep it to my independent project's manuscript that I wrote about 2 years ago?

I'm wondering if you think the added awards, plus a few posters that weren't on there yet (and maybe even more I could add while in my first semester of my program), could make a difference in how my apps would turn out. I'm definitely going to overhaul all my written portions of the app, in hindsight I think they may have been a bit weak and I only had one professor look at them.

For what type of programs I am wanting to go into, I will be applying to clinical balanced or heavy research focused programs and probably some social/health psych programs as well. I'm not so much interested in clinical work, its just my research interests fall in that area. I want to do research at a university or research hospital.

So basically, should I stay and finish? Should I go (if I get the opportunity)?

 

Regarding the GRE, I think you should def. retake. I have a feeling you didn't make it to many interviews because of your Q score, as your GPA is fine and your research experience is excellent. The good news is that math is really easy to raise - I would suggest using the Barron's Math Workbook and the Manhattan Prep Math GRE books (there is 5 of them I believe)

I think the MA program is a good idea since it is fully funded. Even if you have to take loans for living expenses it shouldn't be that much. Could you also get a research job on the side, perhaps to avoid loans (and the added experience is a bonus)? It would be especially great if you managed to get a 3.8+ GPA to make up for the 3.3 (which is not horrible by any means, but I think below average)

I think the D by itself shoudn't be horrible - I hear that admissions officers rarely look at transcripts in detail. I wouldn't mention it in your SOP. Speaking of, how was your SOP? Now may be a good time to work on improving it

PS - do you know anything about which experimental MA programs are funded? I hear some are, but haven't been able to find a list of them. I am thinking of applying to a couple as backup option if I don't get in this cycle.

 

Hello everyone. I am interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. Broadly speaking, my research interests are related to anxiety, stress, and trauma. However, I’m also seeking out programs that lean more heavily toward the clinical. Geography counts for something, but in general terms (seeking a progressive, liberal area with four distinct seasons).

I earned my B.A. in 2005, double major in literature and creative writing. 3.85 GPA from top 50 liberal arts school. Attended on a full scholarship. My plan was to take a year off, work, and apply for Ph.D. programs in literature. I ended up working at a shipyard for four years.

In those four years, I developed my interest in psychology. My own family was not exactly the picture of mental health, so I always had a layperson’s interest in the field. Working at the shipyard was a strange experience. The family who owned the yard was…eccentric. Without getting into the nitty-gritty of the situation, I had a lot of opportunities to work with people who probably suffered from Axis I and II disorders. Also, I ended up serving almost a social welfare role (pushed people through rehab, worked with the county to hire ex-convicts as part of a rehabilitation program, wrote successful grants). Everything gelled, and I realized that I wanted to work in the mental healthcare field.

I joined the military to get money for school. This was 2009. I made rank quickly and currently serve as the supervisor for 30 junior technicians. Anyone familiar with the military knows that your job as a supervisor is unique. You manage a lot of young people who are making a major transition in life, so you provide not only professional, but also personal guidance. I screen people for financial issues, alcohol dependency, and marital problems. I refer them to social workers and psychologists. In one instance, I had to escort a suicidal individual to the hospital (and had to remain with the person for over ten hours until they were admitted). Additionally, I do vocational counseling for about 180 people.

So, now I’m 30. I’ve taken introductory psychology and developmental psychology at a local community college, both with A’s. At a minimum, I know I also need statistics, abnormal psychology, and a class or two in experimental and tests and measurements. I haven’t taken the GRE’s, but I’m studying hard, especially the math! My experience with standardized tests is normally good as long as I’m prepared.

These are my concerns:
1) Letters of recommendation (I’ve been out of school for almost ten years; most of my professors have retired, and those who haven’t surely don’t remember me. Right now I’m limited to online classes due to going out to sea frequently)
2) Lack of formal clinical experience
3) TOTAL lack of research experience

I intend to reenlist for shore duty so I can pursue some in-seat classes (getting some “face time” with professors) and get some volunteer clinical and research experience under my belt.

Do you think I need to pursue a Master degree in order to be a strong Ph.D. candidate? Or could I get the experience I need without earning another degree (taking classes in a non-matriculated status, seeking volunteer opportunities)?

Assuming I don’t return to school for a Master degree, I will be 35, if not a little older, by the time I apply to doctoral programs. If I do go back to school, I will be nearly 40! Will my age hurt me?

If I do not return to school in a matriculated status, what would be my research opportunities? I’m in close proximity to a number of universities, including a medical school and a consortium style Psy.D. program. Is it considered good form to cold call on researchers in the area and offer your assistance?

Will my diverse academic and professional background help me or hurt me? On one hand, I can see an admissions committee appreciating a diverse cohort. On the other, I can see someone looking at my resume and thinking that I’m capricious. The staff psychologist at my command believes my background will work in my favor, as long as I hit all the other wickets.

Any other tips for non-traditional candidates?

 

I will attempt to respond to your questions taking all your provided information into account.

1) Recommendations are important but where they should come from depends on what type of program you are applying for. You have stated that you are interested in pursing a PhD in Clinical psychology in your opening statement. I will assume that this aspiration is being informed by your understanding of the difference between psyd and phd programs as well as the difference between professional schools and other institutions. If this is not the case, I encourage you to investigate these options. That being said, you will need to accrue research oriented recommendations from PhD level advisors. Getting into a traditional boulder model PhD program is highly competitive, often because tuition is reduced or waved in return for research productivity. For this reason, schools are looking to take students that can produce publishable material without extensive oversight. Faculty will differ on their mentoring style, but I believe it is safe to say that giving off the impression that you are a competent and independent worker is essential. Although you can state this about yourself, a qualified recommender's testimony is essential. Let me give you an interesting example.

This past fall I geared up for my second round of PhD applications. The year prior I was able to land a funded slot in a decent 2 year clinical masters program, but at my advisors recommendation I applied to a small pool of PhD programs. Much like you I had been out of academia prior to my masters program, and knew that I needed help bolstering my applications. I asked my mentor to review my proposed recommenders and she made one surprising change. My primary reference was a PhD candidate that I had worked under while in undergrad. Although he wrote me an extensive glowing review, the fact that he had not yet earned a PhD diminished his credibility. She advised that I request a recommendation from another faculty member instead. This example is not unique, and many research labs circumvent this by simply having a qualified faculty member sign off on the recommendation. I share it to give you an idea of how mentors in my life have put an emphasis on who writes your recommendation. To clarify, I was successful in my pursuit and have accepted a fully funded position this fall.

3) I will address your third question now as it relates heavily to the first. I would not fret over your current lack of research experience given your time table of applying in the next five years. You will certainly need to fill this gaping hole, but you can more than accomplish this over the course of the next three years, especially once you are stateside. My best advice is to be tenacious both locating and participating on research teams. There is always a need for lab rats, but simply creating data bases and coding video will not set you apart from the pack. Go in with the mindset that you need to present posters, and work on publications. Taking this active role will build your research CV and will bring you closer to your research team (thus enhancing your recommendations). You might be lucking and find an extremely productive and development oriented lab, but that has not been my experience. I have found that I get the responsibility I seek, and often must learn how to do things on my own. It is totally appropriate to contact researchers via phone or email. I recommend learning about there research online and attempting to join a team that is doing work you are interested in. Given how varied your experience has been, I would use this time to specialize.

Although you don't have direct research under your belt, your experience with grant writing will certainly work to your advantage. The bulk of my fellowship responsibilities revolve around grant attainment. Securing grants plays a huge role in a labs productivity and your ability to help in this process should make you uniquely qualified.

2) Most people do not have a lot of clinical work going into graduate study. There is very little "practice" you can do with a bachelors degree in psychology. Most jobs held by BA's in psych could be done and are done by anyone with a BA or even in some cases a GED. Your current position more than satisfies the clinical expectations in my opinion.

Hope this helps. I will leave you with this: My primary psychology mentor received a bachelors in business and an MBA before pursing his PhD. He went to one of the leading universities in the country for this doctorate and he said his diverse background enhanced his candidacy.