emh289

Most of the highest ranking clinical/counseling PhD programs have average GRE scores of around 160 for verbal and 155 for quantitative. Probably the best thing you could do is to focus on getting your scores up, as the admissions committees instantly throw out more than 50% of applications based on GRE/GPA alone. If I were you, I would research the schools to which you want to apply to get a sense of their score requirements (they should have admitted student data on their website) and then study like a mad (wo)man. I used Magoosh as a study aid and it did me well. Good luck!!

I'm currently finishing up my first year of a PsyD program at a highly-ranked professional school and realize now that it's not a great fit for me academically, professionally, or financially (i.e., I want to do more phenomenological research, be able to get a teaching position, and don't want to graduate with $130k in debt). After talking with my academic advisor and gaining her support, I'm seriously considering reapplying to clinical psych PhD programs that better fit my interests (specifically Duquesne, York, and Miami Ohio). Does anyone have advice on how to go about a transition like this? Am I doomed? Would it strengthen my application to stick out the second year and apply with a "MA in progress" even though it's not a terminal MA, or would that look even more shady? Also, any thoughts on how to tactfully frame this in an application letter? I realize that admissions committees frown upon this sort of thing and I feel like a big dumb idiot for not weighing my options more carefully before starting this program. Help! Background specs: BA in religious studies and psychology (cum GPA 3.76, core GPA 3.9); GRE combined score of 323 (167 verbal, 156 quantitative); strong rec letters (both academic and clinical); 2 years of clinical experience; 2 years of research experience; contributing author on 2 publications; good standing in current program. Thanks!