Psychoplasmics

It's that time of year! Please use the following format-Official Site Name:Speciality Track or Site (e.g., for consortiums):Date Invitation Received:Method of Invitation (Phone call, personal/mass email):Interview Dates Offered:

Just a quick reminder: There are programs that are just beginning the process of reviewing applications. I imagine some have not begun yet. Practice self-care during this stressful time. Do things you enjoy (to the best of your ability). Flesh out your Plan B. Many of us needed multiple cycles of applications to finally get into programs. I needed 3. Your timeline is your own. Despite how it feels, you are not in competition. Be well and good luck!

I don't envy you guys going through the application process during a global pandemic. I would like to ease your anxiety, if I can. Many programs, if not most programs, are taking longer to respond this year. There are COVID-related complications to contend with that impact any number of the processes attached to doctoral admissions. Please be gentle with yourselves! Your situation is unique and cannot be compared to past cohorts.

It is still very early in the season. Many programs are taking longer to make decisions due to a multitude of factors.

Good luck this application cycle, everyone!

More than likely the programs will not know you've applied to both unless they are housed in the same college. Clinical psych is typically housed in colleges of psychology while counseling psych is typically housed in colleges of education. There are exceptions to this rule, however.

Specialization in neuropsychology typically begins during pre- and post-doc internships (i.e., after doctoral [coursework] training). However, there are certain courses and clinical experiences you will need to accrue in order to qualify for internships. After completing your internships and becoming a licensed psychologist, you would need to be certified by one of the two neuropsych boards to be competitive in the market. If you google Neuropsychology Houston guidelines, you will see exactly what's required. https://legacy.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3402

If you lack prerequisites, I would suggest taking them at a JC or community college or even a local college. You do not need another degree. Your best course of action is probably picking up the prerequisite courses you need and gaining as much research experience as possible. Focus your interest and be prepared to answer questions about your unusual path to doctoral studies. It's actually not that unusual. Many people come to psychology after beginning careers in unrelated fields.

You raise such a good point. It's very easy to overlook the importance of a positive relationship, but it comes to bear immediately and lasts beyond the time you complete your program. My mentor is still actively involved with her mentees from years past.

I bought some materials the second time and paid for an expensive online class the third time.

3 cycles for a funded Ph.D. program. Took the GRE 3 times (didn't change at all, really), took the Psych GRE twice (score went up a lot).

Hang in there, everyone. I was in your shoes last year and I know that it can be nerve racking and exciting and confusing and aggravating, but I can tell you it's worth it in the end. It took me 3 tries. In retrospect, I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck to everyone!

For clinical psychology, 14 applications is perfectly reasonable. The competition is fierce in this area! Counseling Psychology programs are more likely to take applicants with masters degrees than Clinical. There are exceptions. You would need to look at admissions stats for each program which can be found on their websites.I wound up doing a research focused masters degree and a clinical one to make my profile more attractive. I got into my number one program last fall.What I really focused on this last time around was being strategic about the POIs and programs to which I applied, contacting POIs sometimes a year before applying (I was able to exchange emails, have phone calls, Skype calls, and in-person meetings with many), obtaining bullet-proof recommendations from professors that know me well and can speak to my strengths at length, and crafting the best SOP/PS that accurately reflected my interests and career aspirations. Basically, I have devoted myself to being the best candidate I can be and recognizing that the rest is totally up to chance. Last thing is I opened myself up to Counseling Psychology programs as well. The degree leads to the same licensure.

Dr. Ashley Randall at Arizona State University's counseling psychology program researches this area.

I absolutely love how supportive this community can be.

I'm not sure why you would consider doing a masters degree in anything other than psychology. If your ultimate goal is a psychology PhD program, start laying the groundwork for that discipline. There are many areas to choose from (e.g., general psychology, experimental psych, counseling psych, clinical psych, etc.). Be aware that clinical psych doctoral programs sometimes frown on applicants with masters degrees. Not all clinical psych programs, but many. Counseling psych doctoral programs, on the other hand, usually consider students with masters degrees and some programs even require it. I would suggest trying to find a masters program that is funded. Otherwise they can be expensive.

The differences between the two specialties is more historical than anything else. That is, they have their origins in disparate areas, but they are currently much more alike than different. You will find greater diversity within the specialties than between them. They lead to the same licensure and you will find people from each working in the same spaces. Try to locate a mentor (in either specialty) with research that interests you and be less concerned about the distinction, is my opinion.

Counseling Psychology has its roots in vocational psychology. It is possible to work in positions typically held by I/O Psychologists as a Counseling Psychologist. It is not super common, but it does happen. The upside to choosing Counseling Psychology is it gives you more options employment-wise. You can practice as a clinician, you can work in academia (professorship), you can conduct research, you can do the work you described, and there are other options as well. Figure out where your passion lies and pursue it, but be aware that increasing your employment options is always advantageous. On a side note, I wouldn't put too much stock in the salary listings you find. So many factors play into earning potential (e.g., region of the country, where and if you practice, years in service, etc.).

I'm entering my PhD program with 2 masters degrees (Forensic Psychology & Counseling Psychology). I am a non-traditional student and I think I needed the degrees to demonstrate my viability as a candidate for competitive programs. It took me 3 cycles to finally gain admission to a fully funded, APA-accredited program, but it was worth the struggle. This last cycle I applied to 16 programs and received 11 admissions interviews. I was able to cancel the last four interviews as I received an offer from my first choice program. I should note that it was my second time applying to my first choice program.

Awesome! Congrats!

Congratulations. So awesome!

I was amazed at how difficult it was to turn down an offer. It really twisted me up inside. I think the better the program and faculty are, the harder it is to let go, even when you have selected what you believe to be the program for you. I never thought about this while selecting programs to apply to. What made it a little easier was seeing the person who got the spot I released express their excitement on the results board. That was awesome!

Congratulations! What's your number 1 program?

Congratulations!

I did. Well, my masters is Counseling Psychology.