Added some new info and changes since last post:
24yo white male. Interest in PhD in Clinical, Child Clinical, Counseling, or Developmental (if the research interests align).
Transfer student at a HYPSM, transferred from a community college
Psychology Major, AAS possessed in Mental Health and Social Work from community college
Community College GPA: 3.91 (graduated Summa Cum Laude)
Community College Major GPA: 3.95 (A in stats)
Current School GPA: 3.86
Current School Major GPA: 3.98 (A+ in stats)
GRE: 158(V), 156(Q), 4.5(AWA)
Research Experience: Two years in lab as RA in Fragile X and Autism study, and 1.5 years in lab studying longitudinal early life stress, both fairly typical RA experiences... Hoping to have published paper sent for review on Turner Syndrome in late 2019... Sophomore summer spent on independent research project at residential treatment facility implementing a psychosocial curriculum - moderately successful (had its ups and downs), but culminated in a poster presentation at university level... Junior expanded upon this project, and was clinical intern under the clinical therapist of this facility, will present at university level again. Will be starting senior thesis in the fall, and will finish by spring 2020. Also worked with policy lab in the Law School to research how a law on foster youth placements has affected a county's placements. We published a report in March 2019. In short that's two presentations and one publication with another on the way.
Clinical Experience: Prior to transfer, worked for year and a half at residential treatment facility as front line staff with youth in the child welfare (foster care) system. Many have DSM diagnoses. Worked sophomore and junior summers with (masters level) therapist as intern, in addition to the project described above with those youth. I continue to work at this facility on school breaks.
Teaching Experience: Course Development Assistant for a freshman seminar with the same PI I'm hoping to publish with - got the course approved to satisfy an undergrad requirement. TA for Intro Psych course in the fall and winter of this year.
Work Experience: I worked as a full time school bus driver (while attending school full time also) prior to transfer.
Volunteer Experience: I served on the executive board of my hometown's little league baseball organization for five years prior to transfer, and continue to work with them as a special advisor.
Extracurriculars: I am on the leadership team (VP or President level) for three different student groups.
Recs: One from the PI I am publishing with (I also took a class with him my first quarter here and have known him since), one from the advisor that I'll be completing the honors project with (also had a class with her), and one from the masters-level therapist I interned and worked clinically with. All three of those would be very good.
Research Interests: The role of trauma in childhood and adolescent development, as well as its effect on the emergence of psychopathology; treatments and interventions designed to mitigate the long-term effects of trauma within young populations.
Career Interests: I would enjoy some combination of both research and clinical application. Possibly in a children's hospital?
Programs I'm definitely applying to for Fall 2020 entrance:
1. Joint PhD in Developmental Psychology and Social Work at the University of Michigan
A lot has changed for me financially and with my home situation in the last few weeks, and not for the better. I'm not sure I'll be able to afford much of an application cycle, and I may need to return to my home state (Michigan) regardless.
Questions:
1. WAMC for the Joint PhD program?
2. Should I retake the GRE with my current scores?
3. Are there any other programs I should look into with my research interests? Particularly in Michigan, but willing to explore anywhere.