What are my chances?

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I need major help. I'm sort of clueless with this whole grad school thing, but my whole life I wanted to become an abnormal child clinical psychologist. I want to work with children with psychopathology and mental disorders. I have a LOT of questions:

1.) I'm not sure if that is too specific and if I should just become a general clinical psychologist?
2.) Confused with the whole, "funded" Ph.D and Psy. D. So, if I am accepted into a program, these programs pay for your tuition?
2.) I just finished my junior year of undergraduate at University at Buffalo as a Psychology and Health and Human Services major with a concentration in Early Childhood. Everyone is telling me that clinical psychology programs are too competitive to gain acceptance into a Psych Ph.D or Psy. D directly out of undergrad. I'm not sure if I should get my masters or attempt to get into a program? I want to go to school in the New York City area. It would be ideal to get into Rutgers' Psy. D. I am looking at Columbia's clinical psych ph.d. program as well. The only reason I THINK I might be an exception is because I think I have something more to offer than the typical undergrad. I juggled swimming on a scholarship for UB's Division I swimming team for four years, still managed to get a 3.7 cum this year, worked in a research lab for 1 year last year, worked last year as an intern at the Buffalo City Court for mental health court, family court, drug court, and veterans court, and organized 2 annual cancer fundraisers alone raising over 10,000 dollars for American Cancer Society.

What are my chances of getting into a phd program right out of undergrad? I'm SOO sorry if I'm being ridiculous but I am very impatient and I am CLUELESS to this process. I am trying so hard to educate myself but I haven't learned much from websites. I still need to take the GRE and I plan on taking it this summer. I need to apply the fall of my senior year right? What are some other options as far as Masters degrees goes? AHHHH. Thank you so so much. 🙂

Taylor

 

[touchpause13]

I need major help. I'm sort of clueless with this whole grad school thing, but my whole life I wanted to become an abnormal child clinical psychologist. I want to work with children with psychopathology and mental disorders. I have a LOT of questions:

1.) I'm not sure if that is too specific and if I should just become a general clinical psychologist?
2.) Confused with the whole, "funded" Ph.D and Psy. D. So, if I am accepted into a program, these programs pay for your tuition?
2.) I just finished my junior year of undergraduate at University at Buffalo as a Psychology and Health and Human Services major with a concentration in Early Childhood. Everyone is telling me that clinical psychology programs are too competitive to gain acceptance into a Psych Ph.D or Psy. D directly out of undergrad. I'm not sure if I should get my masters or attempt to get into a program? I want to go to school in the New York City area. It would be ideal to get into Rutgers' Psy. D. I am looking at Columbia's clinical psych ph.d. program as well. The only reason I THINK I might be an exception is because I think I have something more to offer than the typical undergrad. I juggled swimming on a scholarship for UB's Division I swimming team for four years, still managed to get a 3.7 cum this year, worked in a research lab for 1 year last year, worked last year as an intern at the Buffalo City Court for mental health court, family court, drug court, and veterans court, and organized 2 annual cancer fundraisers alone raising over 10,000 dollars for American Cancer Society.

What are my chances of getting into a phd program right out of undergrad? I'm SOO sorry if I'm being ridiculous but I am very impatient and I am CLUELESS to this process. I am trying so hard to educate myself but I haven't learned much from websites. I still need to take the GRE and I plan on taking it this summer. I need to apply the fall of my senior year right? What are some other options as far as Masters degrees goes? AHHHH. Thank you so so much. 🙂

Taylor

Mods: This is in the wrong place. I'm not sure where it shud go TBH. psychology forums somewhere?

 

[huskydock]

I need major help. I'm sort of clueless with this whole grad school thing, but my whole life I wanted to become an abnormal child clinical psychologist. I want to work with children with psychopathology and mental disorders. I have a LOT of questions:

1.) I'm not sure if that is too specific and if I should just become a general clinical psychologist?
2.) Confused with the whole, "funded" Ph.D and Psy. D. So, if I am accepted into a program, these programs pay for your tuition?
2.) I just finished my junior year of undergraduate at University at Buffalo as a Psychology and Health and Human Services major with a concentration in Early Childhood. Everyone is telling me that clinical psychology programs are too competitive to gain acceptance into a Psych Ph.D or Psy. D directly out of undergrad. I'm not sure if I should get my masters or attempt to get into a program? I want to go to school in the New York City area. It would be ideal to get into Rutgers' Psy. D. I am looking at Columbia's clinical psych ph.d. program as well. The only reason I THINK I might be an exception is because I think I have something more to offer than the typical undergrad. I juggled swimming on a scholarship for UB's Division I swimming team for four years, still managed to get a 3.7 cum this year, worked in a research lab for 1 year last year, worked last year as an intern at the Buffalo City Court for mental health court, family court, drug court, and veterans court, and organized 2 annual cancer fundraisers alone raising over 10,000 dollars for American Cancer Society.

What are my chances of getting into a phd program right out of undergrad? I'm SOO sorry if I'm being ridiculous but I am very impatient and I am CLUELESS to this process. I am trying so hard to educate myself but I haven't learned much from websites. I still need to take the GRE and I plan on taking it this summer. I need to apply the fall of my senior year right? What are some other options as far as Masters degrees goes? AHHHH. Thank you so so much. 🙂

Taylor

Despite this being in the wrong place, I can answer the questions anyway. I was in pursuit of a psychology doctorate before I ultimately decided on medicine.

1) It's okay to be specific. In fact, you definitely should be. Top clinical psychology programs are incredibly competitive. Usually the way to break in is to have top notch grades and GRE scores (90th percentile), and have very distinct research interests that would make you a great fit with a faculty member. Keep in mind, doctorate programs are very strong research programs. If you just want to focus on the clinical aspects of psychology, look into careers in social work and MFT, or a MA in clinical psychology. IMHO, spending 5-8 years getting a PhD in psychology is not worth it if your heart isn't into research first and foremost.

2) If you get into a funded program, GREAT. That's the only kind of program you want to go for. Don't even concern yourself with for-profit psychology schools. They pay for your schooling and also pay you a small stipend. However, don't fool yourself into thinking that it's a sweet deal. The stipend is usually nowhere near enough to live off and you'll still be taking out loans.

3) How to be competitive for psychology programs out of undergrad: High GPA and GRE, significant research experience, maybe some publications or abstracts or posters, great personal statement, great fit with some faculty member, and a little bit of luck.

PM me if you want more info.