BritPhD

Actually, sorry to disagree with you Lifesaver, but I think that some MSW programs with a heavy clinical focus such as NYU would fit the bill. I completed my MSW at NYU and a great number of their core courses and electives were focused on psychotherapeutic techniques and how they applied to human behavior. Moreover, a number of term-long and mini electives were on different psychodynamic theories, and, if memory serves, there were several electives on CBT. These courses were taught by very experienced psychotherapists and analysts. While, the NYU courses didn't provide enough hands on training to say that you were trained in these areas, it certainly gave you enough exposure to these areas to determine whether you were interested in entering the therapy field and which treatment modality you were most interested in. Of my graduating class, I think roughly 75% or so, are working towards or were interested in getting their LCSW, mostly at institutes or mental health clinics, a good number also went straight into psychoanalyic training following graduation. I hope this helps Trufflesalt, feel free to PM me!

Hi justastudent, I have decided to attend Columbia too! I am super excited. I will PM you!

Hi there, Where would you like to work in the end? If you want to work in the US, then you should certainly go to Stanford. I have many close friends who have completed their PhD's in the humanities and social sciences at Oxford or Cambridge and have struggled to find jobs in the US, especially against US students who have completed degrees at the Ivies or similar (i.e. Stanford etc.). I am not sure the same issue exists for individuals with American degrees wanting to work in Europe! However, if you want to work in Europe, then Oxford should be just fine. You should certainly keep this in mind when making your decision. Good luck!

Hi ANS17, First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I understand that these choices can be overwhelming, so I will try to help, but I can only tell you about my experiences as a student at NYU. Honestly, for me NYU's Silver School was a great place to do an MSW. I felt incredibly supported by all the faculty; they all seem genuinely interested in their students, and are willing to help you carry out independent research, publish, find work placements and if unable to help, direct you to faculty members who might be more appropriate. Academically, while most MSW programs are not extremely difficult, I do feel that I learnt a great deal from some extremely experienced professors (a number of whom have experience with juveniles). In fact, when I work with clients now I often think back to one particular professor and ask myself: "what would X do?" Also the class sizes are quite small, 24 max, which seems to be more conducive to learning. NYU also allows you to take a number of electives that are international or out of the school. I was fortunate enough to take part trips to Paris and DC. In terms of placements, it seemed to be a mixed bag, my first placement was terrible (no supervisor, too many interns and not enough clients), but I was lucky, NYU saw the problems and pulled their students out of there. In terms of finances, do you have a scholarship to any of these programs? NYU is generally pretty generous. As I said, I only have MY experience of NYU, and I am sure all three schools are great and attending any of them will give you an equal chance of working with juveniles. It is really up to you and I don't think you can go wrong. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

Hey, I am quite sure I am acting in a manner that is crazy, but could a PhD program withdraw their offer? I received an excellent offer. I attended the open day, paid the deposit and then I haven't heard anything. I know the money left my account, but they haven't acknowledged receiving the deposit. I was told once they received the money they would allocate me a University ID number to enable me to begin getting my visa, I am an international student. I have emailed them and still nothing. I am concerned because another program has just contacted me to say that find my application "very exciting," and want to make me an offer. I would have withdrawn my application from this second program, but I am concerned the first may withdraw their offer. How realistic is this fear?

Hey there, This is my first post. So, I am currently attending a PhD program at a fairly good university lets call it A, when I applied to A I did some research on their website about their faculty's interest areas. When I met with the program coordinator after I was accepted I was assured that there would be a research match for me at the university. However, when I started I was informed that the faculty member I had shared interests with had left to work at another institution, additionally, those that had had similar research interests to mine "had moved on and were investigating other topics," I was told not to worry that if I needed supervision in this field I would be able to find it at "another university." Also, when I was at the faculty/new student mixer I was told by one of the faculty that I "should have applied to University B (an Ivy League)." Anyway, so I followed the faculty member's advice and applied to University B, not ever thinking I would get in. Well I was accepted, fully funded, they have at least seven faculty members with interest and extensive current work in my research area. I recently went to visit B and loved every second of it, they were all warm and very encouraging and the program is just a much better fit for me. I was honest with university B and told them that I was already attending another PhD program that was not a good fit for me, and they didn't seem to mind at all they said they "just wanted me to attend." I have to say that I really like the faculty at university A and my cohort are AMAZING, but I know that I would become really frustrated if I stayed. I know it is not the most ethical thing to do to leave university A, although I will be the second person in my cohort of 7 to leave, but I think I could have much better experience at B. So my question is, how do I tell university A? And when should I tell them? I am planning to finish the term as B will accept some courses from A. Thanks for the advice!