Jung&Psyched

Could you expand on the funding being a red flag? Does that usually indicate that they are not well established or something else? One of the programs I'm applying to offers partial funding... as an out of state student I would have the out of state fees waived, but still have to pay in-state tuition. Should that be a concern about the quality of the program? Obviously I would rather go somewhere that would fund me fully, but the in-state tuition is pretty inexpensive and I am very interested in the research opportunities at this university !

I think this is the most important thing; that you are focusing on a good fit and somewhere that you will be happy! I honestly sought out programs that had fewer applicants to raise my chances. Sure it made my list smaller once I factored in research interests as well, but I had to be realistic that I would not get into a top ranked school, and that is 100% ok with me!

One of the programs I applied to had a specific format listed and it sounded like they wanted my CV in that exact format...so I reformatted the whole dang thing for that one school. It felt like a waste of time, but if it helps my application I figured I would do it . Good luck !

I'm applying to 11 - 7 doctorates and 4 masters!

Some of the programs I applied to have where you can track through the online portal..some do not. Most specify that it is your responsibility that you ensure that all items are received...so if you can't check it online then I would definitely follow up with a phone call or email!

Four doctoral applications fully done and submitted... 2 more to go !

I'm applying to 11 schools, and my social life is definitely suffering when you add in working fulltime and doing some volunteer lab work. I'm pretty much at the same point as you...working on all the individualized essays and edits for each schools. I can't imagine trying to apply to 20, good for you for maximizing your chances!! Good luck and here's to our social lives returning next month haha!

One of the schools I'm applying to specifically stated that it should APA format including a running head..maybe extreme, but I'm doing that for all of mine since that one school required it...

Your research experience is great and your essay is well written for concisely describing your work. I would consider rewording some of your sentences, many sentences in a row start with "I". Just look for more active ways to describe your work and experiences, rather than simple "I" statements. . Otherwise, looks good!

I'd love ya'lls opinion regarding my SOP. My undergrad gpa was lousy....talking like 3.0. I did have pretty good reason for this and demonstrated a lot of improvement in my last 60 hours, as well as all As in some post-grad courses I have taken. Is this something I should address in my SOP? I have my SOP pretty much completely finished...and I just can't figure out a good way to work in what was going on in my life to have effected my gpa back then without making my SOP unnecessarily long. I have been out of school for six years ...so I'm wondering if they will be more focused on the classes I have done post-grad and if taking up space on my SOP may not be worth it?

I have fewer than that and its stressing me out lol! I am applying to 6 counseling psych phds and 4 masters programs. I know, realistically, with my undergrad gpa and limited research experience, I am most likely going to have to do a masters first --- but wanted to try my shot at doctorates as well! It seems like most people are applying to 10-15 schools, so I think your 13 is pretty standard!

I know numerous people who went to Virginia Commonwealth for social work and it was a great program with a ton of fantastic internship opportunities. I also know two people who went to University of Denver and both were able to obtain great scholarships and found jobs quickly after graduating .

I would caution you from comparing yourself to others on this site....people on here tend to be extreme overachievers haha. I can guarantee people would laugh at my credentials, but I am applying anyway because I know I have a lot of strengths and want to give myself the chance. I am not very familiar with Canadian schools, but I have noticed that many people on grad cafe apply to very prestigious schools that get 300+ apps and only take like 5 people . So, if you are applying to that kind of school, then yes...I think everyone is worried and doubts their application!! However, I think you have a great gpa and outstanding GRE scores. Having a solid year as an RA will def work in your favor...just go easy on yourself , all you can do is give it your best shot.

Hi all, I was hoping for some input on a writing sample. I am applying to counseling psych doctorates, as well as some clinical/counseling masters and a few programs are asking for a writing sample. I have three papers that I think would work, but am uncertain which would be best. 1. I did not do a thesis in undergrad, but did a large group research project - each group created, ran, and presented their own experiments. While the majority of the paper was a group effort, each individual wrote their own introduction. I could use my introduction, which is 2-3 pages, for my writing sample. 2. I did one semester of my masters in social work and then decided to take some time off and work and get a better idea of what I wanted to do. I wrote a 20ish page policy paper during that semester..... So while it is more social work focused, it was at a graduate level. 3. I recently took psych of personality, as it was a pre-req for some of the programs I'm applying to and didn't take it in undergrad. For this class I did a 15 page paper that relates to my research interests for grad school. I received As on all three papers and they are all a good representation of my writing style and ability to write strong APA style papers. Any opinions on what would be best for applications? Something short and research-y, something graduate level but not psychology, or something more recent and pertaining to my research interests? Thanks for your input!

Haha we've got time (I won't be saying that in a couple months lol)! I'm doing pretty much everything to avoid starting on that personal statement, so I commend you for knocking out the hard stuff first!

Everyone I wanted to write recommendations has agreed to do so, I've pretty much finalized my list of schools (would like to find one more masters program to apply to...just haven't found the one yet ), and I've completed the general applications for two schools and have started giving some thought to how I want to structure my statement of purpose. A lot to do in the next few months !

I took some online courses through Fort Hays State in order to prepare for applying to grad programs (some pre-reqs I didn't have and retaking a psych course that I had a bad grade in). I was pretty impressed, the cost was reasonable and professors were great and very attentive. I learned a lot,and the process of applying was super easy !

Great! That's how I started laying it out initially and the was second guessing myself! Thank you for the response and advice

Hi all I have started working on my CV and has two questions I was hoping you all could help me out with! This is my first time writing a CV, so any additional help/advice is appreciated. 1. My first question is about the education section. I attended a private college my freshman year and then changed my major and realized I was spending waaay too much money to be going to a private school and not even certain of what I wanted to do, so I transferred and did a year at community college to figure it out and knock out some of my general education credits. Then I transferred to a public university and finished out my degree in psych. After graduating I did one semester of my MSW -- realized I wanted some work experience to see if that was really a field I wanted to go into and dropped out (but had a 4.0 that semester). I've been working for about five years now and then over the past two semesters I have taken two online classes to retake two poor psych grades I got in undergrad. So how should I best summarize my education into a CV?? Should I just put the university I graduated from and the one a began my MSW at? Or should I include all places I attended and then place a cumulative GPA after all of the listings ? My cumulative GPA is higher (though still terrible haha) than the GPA from where I graduated, but I don't want to list the cumulative under only the graduating institution because if they looked at that institutions transcript it wouldn't match up. 2. Do you include a cover letter with your CV when applying to grad schools? It seems a bit redundant since you also submit a personal statement, but I don't want to not include one and look unprofessional ! Thank you for your help !

Another thing you may consider is a Phd in Counseling Psychology--they are still APA accredited and you do research but slightly less heavily in clinical. The programs are still very competitive, BUT if you do a masters in counseling psych and then apply for doctorates, that masters will usually knock 1-2 years off your doctorate as long as they accept your masters thesis. That way you may feel less like you are wasting those two years in a masters if they will count towards your doctorate. There are even some counseling psych programs that won't accept you unless you have your masters (University of Memphis and Tennessee State are both that way!).

I would recommend taking a couple years to work in the mental health field to find out more about what interests you and what setting you want to be in! I was in your same boat at your age and wanted to just get through schooling as fast as possible. I started a masters right after undergrad and felt totally lost and dropped out after a semester. I've been working for five years now and am planning to apply for graduate programs for Fall 2019. I have learned so much through working in the mental health field and I feel so much more prepared to pursue graduate studies ! Working I have been able to interact with people from all different backgrounds, with a huge range of diagnoses, and attend trainings on different topics in mental health. It has really helped me establish future goals and understand settings and populations that I enjoy (and those that I enjoy less haha). Best of luck to you

I"m pretty sure that University of Kentucky and University of Louisville both have professors doing research in mindfulness. You may also look into Southern Miss or Texas Womens - I've been in contact with both, and it seems that they offer a lot of flexibility to their graduate students to develop and pursue specific career goals . Good luck with your plans--- I think it is great that you have been able to identify such specific career goals!

1. Thinking based on all of these responses I'm going to forgo the psych GRE, I just can't justify the cost for one school. My undergrad gpa was fairly low, but I have retaken some courses and received all A's and I'm hoping that will show that I am capable and significantly more focused than I was in undergrad. My general GRE scores are above avg scores for the masters programs I'm applying to, and about average for the doctoral. 2. Good to know! I will start formulating a good email and update my CV to send as well to explain what I've been up to the past 6 years. 3. Yep! I am planning to apply to both. My ultimate goal is a doctorate, but with my limited research experience and low-ish undergrad gpa I am being realistic and applying to masters as well. Most doctorals I am applying to are in counseling psych, as they are often more, or equally, interested in clinical experience compared to research and I have about 4.5 years of direct work with clients in the mental health field. Gotta play those strengths !!

Thanks for the reply! Honestly, I will just be happy if they remember me and are willing to write LORs for me six years later haha. It makes me feel better to know that they can do a pretty standard format and just alter them slightly to each school1

Thank you for the reply! It definitely helps with setting up my timeline. May I ask how many programs you applied to and did the same professors provide LORs for all programs? I am limited in the professors that I think will remember me...and I don't know if there is an "acceptable" number of LORs to ask them to write? I have about 12 programs I am interested, is that too many to ask them to provide LORs for?