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Timemachines

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    Pathways for career change: post-bacc and other options

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted · Edited by Timemachines

    I think you might be in a bit of a rush to write off a masters program. While majority of students reaching for a PhD in clinical tend to have psych related coursework, their undergraduate degrees vary (English, biology, computer science, etc.). I can't speak to the post bacc option (although it sounds like a great idea), but going for your masters in psychology may equally provide you with a research opportunity AND related course work. 

    I think you have to ask yourself why you're interested in a PhD in particular. A research opportunity during a career changing program may not be sufficient in showing your commitment to the field of psychology and contribution to the scientific community. In saying that, the purpose is simply to illuminate that folks spend years refining their research experience, presenting and publishing their work, etc. If this is something you're mentally committed to, it will take time and may require a visa beyond your time of education.

    Last thought is to steer clear of anything having to do with online education. You want accredited coursework and will otherwise miss important interactive conponents in core psych/stem courses such as methods, statistics, bio labs etc and potential thesis opportunities.

    Best of luck to you! 

    Halp...what does this response mean

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, SAH said:

    All snark aside, it means that you will probably get an interview.  That is, you have a higher probability of getting an interview now than you did at the start of the process, but are not guaranteed one.  

    PIs have a lot of say in who gets interviewed/admitted, but they usually can't bypass the admissions committee/graduate school.  Best case scenario, your POI says "I want this one", the admissions committee/graduate school checks to ensure that you meet minimum requirements and you are invited to interview.   

    Thank you to the other folks that responded. Very fair advice @SAH - thanks for insightful feedback. 

    Halp...what does this response mean

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    I was in touch with a professor concerning funding for prospectice clinical PhD students and they ended their response with the following: "you will probably be receiving an invitation to come for an interview" (I was in touch with this faculty member back in October to express interest in their research before applications were due). 

    I'm overly analytical and this will probably keep me up at night for the next several weeks...what does this response mean? 

    Post-interview thoughts/feelings

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    21 minutes ago, Generic_Applicant said:

    I'm in the same boat! Feel like one of my interviews could have gone much better especially when I was asked a specific question. 

    But I also feel we are the hardest on ourselves, so I would be willing to bet you did better than you think :) 

    I was going to say...first and foremost, give yourself the credit you deserve for landing an interview! That's fantastic in itself. 

    Getting into programs with an MA

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    So my masters was productive in that I completed a thesis from start to finish ( data collection, piloting my conditions etc) in that year as most of my coursework was well rounded in STEM and psychological sciences in undergrad. I published to our unicersity's repository but not to a journal as the findings were a bit of a snooze. 

    With that being said I've had a slew of research experiences.. 2 in undergrad (one clinical lab, one behavioral neuro)..after undergrad I volunteered at Brown U and mass general labs...joined my masters lab, and now am on a second year contract in a neurpsychology lab with the military (a government sponsored fellowship). If I don't get in this year, I will likely go back to an Alzheimer's lab at mass gen because my current research is very peripheral to my core interests.

    I guess I'm just worried because it doesn't matter how much valuable experience I get ( I have technical skills in EEG,polysomnography, structural imaging preproceasing, imaging theory)..I could go on but it all feels like word vomit at the end of the day when pinned next to a 3.03 cum. GPA...(3.45 major in psych/neuro). 

    Many people have mentioned that their first application cycle was a huge learning experience so if it comes down to it, I still think I will have much to improve before next cycle.

    Interview/Interview Invitation Thread

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Applicant38 said:

    Does anyone have any info on the timelines for U Arizona or U Texas at Austin clinical programs? Haven't seen anything but one interview I think for UT Austin in December. 

    My poi at UT Austin said they review during January and send out invites in February but I think it all depends on the POI (as described by the DCT)

    Getting into programs with an MA

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    This may be a misguided observation, however, I'm noticing that many competitive applicants receiving interview invites do so without the need of a masters...and that pursuing an MA may actually hurt your chances. Can anyone speak to this? I got my masters because I recognized I had a weak undergraduate gpa that would never get me into a clinical program (above  3.0 though). This is my first cycle applying but I'm feeling pretty deflated about it. Not entirely sure how I should go about strengthening my applications for the future if my GPA is a kiss of death.

    So what's your Plan B?

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    31 minutes ago, bugabooo said:

    My plan B is to stay where I am (I go to school in my hometown), possibly attend my university's general psych masters program and keep working in the lab I'm part of. Continue living in my apartment, or move back in with my parents if I need to. I could maybe get my part time job increased to full time, MAYBE. I would probably take the GRE again, just in case I could improve my scores, and I'd apply to my original schools plus as many more as I could justify. 

    And I have no idea how I'd do it. I have a good support system, but I also have a lot of toxic managers and coworkers who would ask loudly and often "so what did you screw up?" type questions and otherwise humiliate me unintentionally or intentionally. I'm the first person in my immediate and extended family to have finished a bachelor's in four years, and the first to apply to grad school of any kind. I have 5+ states and two countries where people brag about me, which makes me uncomfortable even when I have GOOD news. I can't imagine if I had BAD news. Relocating isn't really an option for me unless it's to a university for school.

    This is my first application cycle, as I think may be obvious. 

    Its my first time as well and I'm trying so hard not to dig my grave early but I'm not feeling optimistic. Quite the opposite, honestly. I formed my plan b before I even submitted hah

    Interview/Interview Invitation Thread

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, SkyLy said:

    Is anyone else kinda disappointed that interviews seem to be super sloooooow this week?? I really had a feeling that this would be THE week for interview invitations to be sent out. Guess I was wrong....<_< ......maybe next week...... *sigh*

    Agreed. Im expecting rejections from a few schools thus far but the majority of my programs have been quiet...

    Fall 2016 Clinical Psychology Applicant Thread

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, beyondnervous said:

    Not seeing any invites on TGC still gives me hope.. At least that my application is in their consideration pile LOL This period of uncertainty is killing me. I want to get off these sites.. Eh :(

    Agreed...I looked up the timeline for invites last year at some of my schools and its a mixed bag but most go out starting mid January and later. My productivity at work is at an all time low because I can't curb my neuroticism...and not check my email and this site obsessively. 

    Fall 2016 Clinical Psychology Applicant Thread

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    3 hours ago, beyondnervous said:

    SO. MANY. INVITES. ON. TGC...... holy crap. No invites have been posted from the schools I've applied to, which makes me even more anxious!!!!!!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!!

    Its funny because many of the schools I've applied yo haven't either. I'm taking a soft rejection from northwestern because I know invites went out this week so I'm expecting a rejection email in the near future but otherwise...its been crickets ( I applied to 14 schools)

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