what are my chances?

[AspiringPsyD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone!

I am new to this board but thank you for all your helpful information! I was wondering if you guys can gauge how competitive I'll be as a candidate for a clinical phd or psyd as well as any advice you might have to strengthen my application. I'm more interested in the university-based psyd programs, as for phd programs, I'm not looking to go to a top notch one-- I'll be happy with anyone that'll take me!

My story: I went to a top notch liberal arts school but did not do well as an undergrad. As a result, my gpa is about a 2.7. I was also academically dismissed for a semester, but managed to be able to return and graduate. I think I was too insecure and immature as an UG to take school seriously. Since graduating from college, I worked at a community mental health agency for 2 years and racked up a lot of clinical skills. I'm currently a research assistant in psych at Brown. I took the GREs and got a 610V, 710M and 5 for writing. Are these decent scores or should I retake the GREs?

My background: I have a good story for my personal statement as someone who came to the US as a refugee and lived in an inner city prior to going to college. I'm interested in doing research about minorities and access to mental health treatment/taboos, etc.

What do you think? I don't plan to apply until fall of 2009. What are my chances of getting into a decent program? Should I do an MA first to improve my UG gpa? I'm still in my mid 20s but the thought of 2 yrs in addition to the 5+ yrs as a doctorate makes me exhausted to think about!

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[Ollie123]

Normally I'm a proponent of working over doing an MA, but your situation is pretty much the exact one where an MA might be really helpful. A good option might be to go that route first and making sure you excel. Then you should definitely be pretty competitive for PhD programs. I know its tough to think about adding additional years, so alternatively, you could apply to both master's programs and less competitive doctoral programs just to see. You're still young though (many people don't start graduate programs til their later 20's or early 30's) so I wouldn't worry too much about the idea of adding a couple years with the master's.

 

[WaitingKills]

Couple things very quickly cause I"m on the run.

Your GRE scores are very decent. I wouldn't do them over if I were you. However, looking at your time frame to apply, you may have to. I've looked at a couple schools this year that they want you to submit GRE scores that have been done within the last 2 years. Being that it's Sept 2007 and you won't be applying till Dec/Jan 2009/2010, you may have to take them over anyway.

As for your grades in undergrad, you most likely will have to do something to give you an edge. I know many schools have a grad admission minimum of a 3.0 which is not flexible. Are you able to go back and do another year of upper undergrad classes? Or even better, is there a post graduate diploma or certificate that you are able to enrol in? You will need to be able to prove that you can handle and do well at a post graduate level.

 

[AspiringPsyD]

thanks guys for all your suggestions. Wow, I didn't know I needed GRE scores within 2 years of applying. That sucks!

Does it count at all that I went to an academically strenuous UG? Because it's not like I got a 2.7 at say, Arkansas State or something. I am so kicking myself for messing up in UG. But thanks again for your responses. Anyone out there in the similar predicament?

 

[paramour]

Be careful what universities you bash. Have you been to Arkansas State? Do you know whether or not it's academically strenuous? If not, then perhaps you should refrain from identifying any one particular school.

Your 2.7 would likely not be considered competitive regardless of where you went to undergrad, whether it be a top ivy league school or a generic state school.

As far as GRE's, I applied to many, many programs and my scores that were over two years old were fine at all of them. However, this is something YOU need to check with EACH program that you consider applying to.

G'luck~

 

[spillsomepaint]

thanks guys for all your suggestions. Wow, I didn't know I needed GRE scores within 2 years of applying. That sucks!

Does it count at all that I went to an academically strenuous UG? Because it's not like I got a 2.7 at say, Arkansas State or something. I am so kicking myself for messing up in UG. But thanks again for your responses. Anyone out there in the similar predicament?

Just an FYI: I'm sure some programs require that you redo the GRE within two years, but none of the programs I've looked at require that. So you might want to check out the programs before you re-do the gre's. Unless you particularly enjoy them : )

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Be careful what universities you bash. Have you been to Arkansas State? Do you know whether or not it's academically strenuous?

That's a fantastic point, and one that I'll never forget. I always thought U of Alabama would be a crappy school just 'cause it's... well, Alabama. Then when I was researching schools I recognized some big names in forensic research there.

Anyway, a 2.7 is below cutoffs for most schools that are worth your time/money. A lot of schools are wising up to the fact that past course performances is a better indicator of grad school success than GRE scores. I would recommend going for either a) more UG classes, b) a Master's degree, c) taking some Master's courses as an occasional student which I'm not sure if you can do at every school.

 

[terrybug]

I was thinking you'd have a tough time getting into a PhD program as I read your description until I got to the part about you coming here as a refugee... I think that might open a lot of doors for you. There's a need for diversity in the classroom and out in the field.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Anyway, a 2.7 is below cutoffs for most schools that are worth your time/money. A lot of schools are wising up to the fact that past course performances is a better indicator of grad school success than GRE scores. I would recommend going for either a) more UG classes, b) a Master's degree, c) taking some Master's courses as an occasional student which I'm not sure if you can do at every school.

Agreed.

Most clinical programs seem to average at least 3.5-3.6, so <3.0 is not going to get you on the radar, regardless of your other stats. I'd suggest taking a year of MS/MA classes and trying again. In regard to GRE scores, I think 4-5 years is probably the max length, though 2 sounds awfully quick, considering the # of students who need to apply multiple years.

-t