Which grad school??? Help please!

[books31]

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I have made my plans for my path of graduate school in psychology. I have applied to some schools (thinking of applying to a few more) and needed an opinion of each of these below please. Current students at any of the institutions would be very helpful! =)
Any input from all is appreciated!!!
Thanks!

1.) Pepperdine
~M.A.- Marriage and Family Therapy
~Psy.D- Clinical Psych.
2.) Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP)
~M.A. in psychology (distance learning- and bridge to Psy.D)
~PGSP-Stanford Psy.D Consortium
3.) The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
~online program for Masters and above
~any of the programs (traditional courses) for the L.A. campus
4.) Mount St. Mary's College (MSMC)
~M.S. Counseling Psychology (MFT)
5.) California Lutheran University
~M.S. Clinical Psych.

I am almost very certain for acceptance to MSMC. Pepperdine keeps calling me to check my progress with applying (not sure if that's a good sign). I just got off the phone with PGSP, and I have a good shot of starting the distance learning/bridge program for Fall 2009 (not as certain as MSMC).

My 1st preference is Pepperdine (but very expensive).
My 2nd choice to attend is a conflict between Chicago School and PGSP.
My 3rd choice is MSMC.
I am open to suggestions of schools.
THANKS AGAIN!

 

[leavingprov]

I have made my plans for my path of graduate school in psychology. I have applied to some schools (thinking of applying to a few more) and needed an opinion of each of these below please. Current students at any of the institutions would be very helpful! =)
Any input from all is appreciated!!!
Thanks!

1.) Pepperdine
~M.A.- Marriage and Family Therapy
~Psy.D- Clinical Psych.
2.) Pacific Graduate School of Psychology (PGSP)
~M.A. in psychology (distance learning- and bridge to Psy.D)
~PGSP-Stanford Psy.D Consortium
3.) The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
~online program for Masters and above
~any of the programs (traditional courses) for the L.A. campus
4.) Mount St. Mary's College (MSMC)
~M.S. Counseling Psychology (MFT)
5.) California Lutheran University
~M.S. Clinical Psych.

I am almost very certain for acceptance to MSMC. Pepperdine keeps calling me to check my progress with applying (not sure if that's a good sign). I just got off the phone with PGSP, and I have a good shot of starting the distance learning/bridge program for Fall 2009 (not as certain as MSMC).

My 1st preference is Pepperdine (but very expensive).
My 2nd choice to attend is a conflict between Chicago School and PGSP.
My 3rd choice is MSMC.
I am open to suggestions of schools.
THANKS AGAIN!

I'm a little confused-- are you applying to masters programs or doctoral level programs? Sounds like you're a little confused yourself and are still generating your list-- are you ready to jump in this semester?

If memory serves I think you already have to have your masters to enter Pepperdine's doctoral program. I'm not a student at any of the above progams though, sorry! Have heard decent things about Chicago school though, and the city is fabulous!

Good luck...

 

[books31]

In response to leavingprov...

Thanks for your response. You mentioned "fabulous city" but are you referring to Chicago? The Chicago School has locations throughout the nation. I am looking at the California campuses.

Anyhow, let me better explain my bio to clear the confusion (sorry for my confusing thread). In a nutshell...
I am currently in a graduate program for M.S. Counseling Psychology. I do not want to finish the degree at my current institution and desperately want to transfer to a California school (LA area my first choice, SF bay area 2nd choice). I am applying to schools to transfer into their masters program. After the masters I will apply for Psy.D or Ph.D. (hence the questions on schools for doctorate degrees mentioned in the original thread). Some schools I am interested in do not offer doctorate degrees. One school has a masters bridge program with automatic admission to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (http://www.pgsp.edu/ms-psychology-distance-learning), which in essence sounds like a great fit for me (just questioning the quality and credibility).

As for Pepperdine, I have spoken countless times with the admissions director and other counselors along with a phone interview. They recommend to attend Pepperdine for masters in psychology and then move on to the next application process for Psy.D. As a graduate from Pepperdine's master's program, they specified that it does not grant automatic admission but has a high chance.

Pepperdine is a very expensive school. Maybe it is wise to just get my master's elsewhere and apply to Pepperdine's PsyD program??? I would hate to rack up debt for their masters and then not get accepted to their doctorate program. Not sure what to do?
I have heard that professional schools have a better chance of acceptance... but professional school=LOTS OF DEBT!

where are you currently studying? did u have another school you debated to attend?
the pros and cons of your school?
looking back, do you regret your decision?

hope to hear back soon.
thanks!

 

[futureapppsy2]

The California campuses of the Chicago School are not APA-accredited.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The California campuses of the Chicago School are not APA-accredited.

APA-acredidation is REALLY important. With the increased competition at every step of the process once you are in graduate school (internship, post-doc, jobs, etc), you would really put yourself at a disadvantage to attend a program that is not APA-acredited. Many internships, post-docs, and jobs will not consider someone from a program that is not APA-acredited. Some places have formal policies about acredidation requirements (VA, many academic medical centers, etc), while other places may be more lenient.

Can a person make a decent career coming from a program that is not APA-acredited...yes. Are there people that go this route.....yes. Would I recommend it.....no.

 

[ScarletKnight62]

I'm applying to Pepperdine for the Master of Arts in Clinical Psych in MFT, too. I've heard it's a great program and they seem to really assist you with finding an internship. Although if you're going on to a doctorate I'm not sure how useful that part of it is for you.

They already gave you a phone interview? How soon was that after you submitted your application?

 

[leavingprov]

In response to leavingprov...

Thanks for your response. You mentioned "fabulous city" but are you referring to Chicago? The Chicago School has locations throughout the nation. I am looking at the California campuses.

...


Pepperdine is a very expensive school. Maybe it is wise to just get my master's elsewhere and apply to Pepperdine's PsyD program??? I would hate to rack up debt for their masters and then not get accepted to their doctorate program. Not sure what to do?
I have heard that professional schools have a better chance of acceptance... but professional school=LOTS OF DEBT!

where are you currently studying? did u have another school you debated to attend?
the pros and cons of your school?
looking back, do you regret your decision?

hope to hear back soon.
thanks!

LOL, yes, I meant Chicago. Though I'm sure there are fabulous cities in California too 😉

You mentioned the amount of debt as factoring into your decision. That is a very personal factor that unfortunately a lot of students interested in Psy.D. programs end up having to deal with. Without going into much more detail (feel free to PM me), I ended up choosing a (Psy.D.) program with poorer funding in a location that was better for me and at a school I was much more excited to attend over a fully funded (Ph.D.) program at a school that I decided was not as good of a 'fit'. I just started school a few weeks ago (I'm a first year) but thus far I am very excited to be where I am and definitely don't have regrets about the choice I made. BUT, I am at a state school, with a number of TA/GA opportunities, and the amount of debt I will come out with is very likely more manageable than it would have been at PGSP or Pepperdine. I actually didn't apply to those schools in part because of the complete lack of fin. aid.

Definitely PM me if you want further input from my end, and best of luck!