What's up with CUNY-City College?

[Yumi1024]

I am hoping to hear from anyone with inside and current knowledge of CUNY-City College's Clinical PhD program. I am trying to decide between that program and Teachers College (starting in the fall). In particular, I would love to hear from current students about whether they think recent changes to the program in response to the APA re-accreditation effort are for the better or for the worse. My understanding of CCNY is that students there are generally happy, supported, and supportive of one another (and furthermore that this is less true at TC), and I would appreciate hearing from CREDIBLE, CURRENT sources whether this broad generalization is at all appropriate/no longer true/never was true.

I feel like I have a pretty good sense of the conventional wisdom about both programs in terms of their relative strengths and weaknesses (CCNY = great for clinical; terrible for research; TC = decent for clinical; increasingly strong for research). I have tried to get a better sense of what the recent re-accreditation process at CUNY means since they will be up for review again in three rather than seven years; so far I haven't gotten the sense that I should be too worried about this, as the program seems to be headed in a direction that will make the APA happy. Again, eager to hear if others don't share this view.

My aspirations are primarily clinical, which speaks to choosing CUNY over TC. I am, however, interested in learning to practice more than just psychodynamic psychotherapy, which makes CUNY a slightly less good fit than it would be other wise. Both schools have offered generous financial packages, so that is less of a factor.

Thanks so much for any help you all can provide.

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[LivingOffLoans]

the program seems to be headed in a direction that will make the APA happy.

What direction would that be? What have you heard?

Both schools have offered generous financial packages, so that is less of a factor.

I thought CUNY's program didn't guarantee funding, and that what they did offer was only offered for the first few years.

I'd be interested to hear what you know about these issues, and also from others who have some inside knowledge into what the situation is there. They are high on my radar as well. Not so much TC though.

 

[ancilla]

First of all, congratulations for getting acceptances from City and TC, probably the most competitive programs in the area (along with Rutgers).
There are many rumors floating around about City. Not sure what is true and what isn't. If I were you, I would not rely on graduate student lore or anonymous posts from a site like this. I would ask to sit down with the chair or DCT for a frank discussion. Specifically, where is this program headed, what are the plans for 4-5 years down the road? How will it affect you in the fall 2013 incoming class? Also, which faculty members are there for the long haul, which ones have plans to leave. From what it seems, there are many more the changes ahead.
Good luck with your decision. It is a tough one.

 

[psypipe]

I am hoping to hear from anyone with inside and current knowledge of CUNY-City College's Clinical PhD program. I am trying to decide between that program and Teachers College (starting in the fall). In particular, I would love to hear from current students about whether they think recent changes to the program in response to the APA re-accreditation effort are for the better or for the worse. My understanding of CCNY is that students there are generally happy, supported, and supportive of one another (and furthermore that this is less true at TC), and I would appreciate hearing from CREDIBLE, CURRENT sources whether this broad generalization is at all appropriate/no longer true/never was true.

I feel like I have a pretty good sense of the conventional wisdom about both programs in terms of their relative strengths and weaknesses (CCNY = great for clinical; terrible for research; TC = decent for clinical; increasingly strong for research). I have tried to get a better sense of what the recent re-accreditation process at CUNY means since they will be up for review again in three rather than seven years; so far I haven't gotten the sense that I should be too worried about this, as the program seems to be headed in a direction that will make the APA happy. Again, eager to hear if others don't share this view.

My aspirations are primarily clinical, which speaks to choosing CUNY over TC. I am, however, interested in learning to practice more than just psychodynamic psychotherapy, which makes CUNY a slightly less good fit than it would be other wise. Both schools have offered generous financial packages, so that is less of a factor.

Thanks so much for any help you all can provide.

..

 

[Lady Baltimore]

I've heard that CUNY is changing their program to better suit the demands of the APA; unfortunately, I don't really know any details. This was discussed in a study group with one of my profs and some other students. (I'm at Fielding Graduate University, but based in NYC; I also attended John Jay, which is part of CUNY.)

We were all surprised at the APA calling them out- I imagine, though, that the changes are for the better. I know Fielding recently had to make some changes as well, and I think they're an improvement.

Sorry if this wasn't too much help!

Two cents,

-LB

 

[cosmo107]

I currently work as an RA for someone on faculty at CCNY's Clinical PhD program, and work with a current student in the program. I have discussed with him the ins and outs of City College as I applied there this year. The reorganization of the program WILL have implications for APA accred. and has been concerning to my supervisor. From what I understand, this is still something in the works and is up in the air. It seems silly how they are shifting umbrella programs around, it seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot. Hopefully the upcoming changes will be for the better, but they do not seem concrete as far as I have heard. Also, they say that there is exposure to orientations besides psychodynamic, but that is in practicum experience only, usually not in coursework at all. As far as TC, it's difficult but possible to get into some great research. Columbia Psychiatry is the #1 highest funded Psychiatry dept in the country, but that means that Columbia's Psychology dept. is under funded. All of the grant money goes to the medical center. That said, if you make friends with a Columbia professor with grants at the medical center, you can get involved in some seriously amazing research, and utilize some of the data that Psychiatry is sitting on. (BTW I work for Columbia Psychiatry.) These are some things to think about that I am considering myself... Good luck!

 

[Yumi1024]

What direction would that be? What have you heard?




I thought CUNY's program didn't guarantee funding, and that what they did offer was only offered for the first few years.


I'd be interested to hear what you know about these issues, and also from others who have some inside knowledge into what the situation is there. They are high on my radar as well. Not so much TC though.

My sense was that they have added additional coursework that addresses the full breadth of disciplines within psychology (social, etc.) and that they have maybe beefed up their research requirements a little bit. They have also I think tried to give a little lip service to CBT (not much, as noted by someone else above).

I was offered what is called a Graduate Center fellowship: you can find the information on the Grad Center website (http://www.gc.cuny.edu/Prospective-...l-Assistance/doctoral-fellowships-and-support). It's more money for fewer teaching responsibilities than in the past.

I appreciate everyone who has shared so far! I also appreciate the advice to not over rely on hearsay. It's hard to do, but a really good point.

 

[Yumi1024]

I'm hoping to apply to those programs, care to share your stats?.

My undergrad GPA was 3.9. This was a long time ago as I am a career changer/not a psych major. GPA for more recent psych prerequisite classes was 4.0. GRE is 170 V, 165 M, 5.5 W.

 

[Yumi1024]

I currently work as an RA for someone on faculty at CCNY's Clinical PhD program, and work with a current student in the program. I have discussed with him the ins and outs of City College as I applied there this year. The reorganization of the program WILL have implications for APA accred. and has been concerning to my supervisor. From what I understand, this is still something in the works and is up in the air. It seems silly how they are shifting umbrella programs around, it seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts...can you say more about what you mean by "shifting umbrella programs around?" I don't quite get it.

 

[Balmoral]

The CCNY program has been traditionally extremely psychoanalytic and the scholar-practitioner model did not complement much of what APA was looking for so they were under some type of probation for a number years and I believe they recently got it back. Although I do not have first-hand information about TC, their program is slowly gaining momentum again (better match rates) after having some difficult times a number of years ago.

The one weakness of CCNY is their funding since they are not as funded as private institutions (translation: old computers, limited resources, etc.). The MAC building is also not the most aesthetically pleasing place. There has been a culture of "staying longer" at CCNY which has lead to 7 years or so to complete the degrees. The testing experience has also been limited (e.g., unless things have changed, you will not learn much Exner or get good experience with the MMPI, PAI, MCMI, neuro batteries, etc.).

Conversely, you will get sound clinical training and almost 1:1 supervision with faculty and/or other professionals. The model at CCNY is probably best for those planning on private practice. Congratulations and good luck for the next few years!