Hi y'all!
I'm applying to clinical PhD programs this fall and it's safe to say that I'm completely freaking out! Ah! I wanted to post my stats here to see if anyone had any input on my chances of getting accepted into a funded program this cycle/if there is anything that I can do to make my application stronger. I was also wondering if there are any weaknesses in my application that I should either address in my personal statement or ask my letter writers to address? Any advice would be super appreciated.
B.A. in psychology with a minor in women's and gender studies.
Cumulative GPA: 3.75, not sure if it matters by my GPA for my last year of undergrad was 4.0
Psych GPA: 3.80
GRE: Haven't taken it yet, but I'm studying a lot using Magoosh, ETS, and Manhattan Prep. My goal is to get a cumulative score of 320+.
Honors, grants, ect: Magna cum laude, Deans list, "student of the year" award from my school's psychology department, award for overall outstanding academic achievement, undergraduate research assistantship grant. I also did a senior honor's thesis.
Current research experience:
- 3 years volunteering as an RA in a lab at my undergrad university: training new RAs, qual/quant data analysis, manuscript prep, presentations, IRB prep.
- 2 years working as a RA in a hospital: data entry, qual and quant data analysis, recruitment, study design/conceptualization, manuscript prep, presentations. I interned here during undergrad and have continued on to work full time after graduating.
- 6 months as a RA in another lab at my undergrad university: developing a training program for new RAs, conducting qualitative interviews.
Past research experience:
- 3 months as a RA on a project for another university: organizing/facilitating data collection.
Publications/presentations:
1 second author pub, will have some more manuscripts under review at application time including a 1st author pub.
5 first author posters/oral presentations and 3 co-authored posters at a mix of local and national conferences.
LOR:
Two from professors from undergrad who I had classes with and worked in their labs. One from the PI that I currently work with at my RA job. I'm confident that my letters will be strong.
Research interests:
Minority mental health disparities, social determinants of health, HIV prevention, LGBT+ psychology, adolescent mental health, community based mental health interventions.
I don't have any clinical experience other than sometimes helping run groups at the hospital where I work. I also don't have any teaching experience.
Thanks!