PsyDuck90

The best thing to do is try to get research experience in a psych lab. You can try looking for paid lab coordinator positions or just try to volunteer if you can't find any openings for paid positions. Research experience is one of the biggest factors in getting into a clinical psych PhD program, and you also want to try to get authorship on posters/papers. You don't need to do any sort of formal schooling. However, I would look into the pre-req courses that most programs require (abnormal, research methods, stats, etc) and make sure you have those. You can do a formal post-bacc program if you want or just see if you can take those classes at a local college unmatriculated, whichever is cheaper. Fair warning, clinical psych PhD programs are very competitive and applicants often take 2+ cycles before they are accepted. Research experience and research fit are the biggest factors to consider. Check out the Psycholog subforum for more threads about applying to psych programs.

Yep, most programs won't even look at any apps until after the deadline.

They are usually not rolling. Interviews typically happen in late January-beginning of March depending on the school/program. A visiting/interview weekend is pretty common where they interview all potential applicants. Also, not every field conducts interviews.

You can only apply to one. The website says "We have ten different areas of study, and prospective students may apply to only one area of study at a time in a current admissions cycle. For admissions and other info, please click on each area of study below" https://gc.cuny.edu/Page-Elements/Academics-Research-Centers-Initiatives/Doctoral-Programs/Psychology/Admissions-Prospective-Students The CUNY Grad Center is a school in and of itself, so even though the programs are primarily housed in several of the colleges, they are also technically all part of one large program. Hence, applying to multiple is akin to applying to multiple tracks at other universities, which is often not allowed.

I know plenty of people who have done full time master's programs at a CUNY and worked full time, myself included. I actually know someone who did that in your exact program. See how you handle it the 1st semester and adjust accordingly if necessary.

I think most people understand that a spotty internet connection isn't really a representation of a person.

What is a CFY?

An online masters is psych is usually frowned upon. Research is a big component in the field, and you can't do that through an online school. Also, getting any sort of practicums will be more difficult because the school will have limited resources to help you. If it's a clinically based program, then you can't really teach and practice the clinical skills as effectively in an online environment. Also, what kind of program are you looking for? Are you interested in a master's level clinical licensure? Are you looking for an experimental psych program to boost your competitiveness for PhDs?

What do you mean by volunteering? Research experience will be beneficial. Are you applying in the US or Canada or a different country? Also, what kind of program? A research based psych masters or a masters in clinical mental health counseling that leads to licensure?

Just FYI, a PsyD or PhD will take between 5-7 years to completion. Most programs are 4-5 years or coursework, practicum, and dissertation, then a full year internship on top of that. Once you graduate, you typically need another 1-2 years of post-doctoral hours prior to becoming licensed.

To my knowledge, there are no reputable online clinical psych PhDs or PsyDs. Also, these programs are usually full-time. I am unfamiliar with any university-based part-time doctorates. For PsyDs, you also want to look for those attached to a university rather than a for-profit school similar to the now defunct Argosy. Based on your expressed interests, a masters level licensure in counseling or clinical social work will be less time-consuming. I would still always recommend in-person rather than online, as they will have better connections to clinical placements in your area since they are in your area. Check out any nearby state universities by you, as they may offer options. I know the one by me has a weekend-only intensive MSW program. The LCSW seems to be the portable degree as of now, as the standards are nationally set. Licensing requirements for masters level counselors can vary from state to state, so if you think you may move, an MSW may be a better route. Also, please note that as of now, there is no masters level licensure in clinical psychology. A masters in psychology will not get you where you want to be. There are talks of APA establishing an MA level licensure, but I wouldn't hold my breath for that one. As far as merit-based aid, that will be dependent on each school. I would also look at the programs provided by state schools versus private universities. The education is usually the same/comparable and the price tag is way smaller. Also, pretty much no one will ask their therapist where they went to school.

I would suggest taking the practice test available from ETS and see what you're weakest areas are. Then focus on those. For me, biological was my weak point (I had been out of school for 3 years when taking the GREs and forgot all the parts of the brain. Overall, just skim through the Kaplan book and maybe supplement it with some other resources for your targeted weak points. Few programs even ask for the Psych GRE.

I would do a mix of both. I would think topic interest for direct mentor and maybe a secondary faculty in the department who may be more skilled with the methods may be a good option as well, since you can always seek secondary mentorship. I think the area of interest matching the primary faculty may be more important for PhD application than just lab RA.

The university based PsyDs usually have more funding than the professional schools. Baylor and Rutgers have a bit, but I don't remember if they have any 100% funding. William Paterson has 4 full-funding GAships they give out (plus other opportunities for funding throughout the program). Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Widener University are two others to look into. Yeshiva's PsyD also may provide some funding. I think the PhD is funded. You can probably check the website.

You would have to talk to the program directly. Can you drop to part time status? Your program should have a handbook. Read through there. There should be some information regarding time to completion.

William Paterson has a good program. They have small cohort sizes and meet the requirements for NJ licensure. Monmouth University has a good one, but I think it's pricey. You can also check out the CUNYs. I would probably stick with a state school vs a private school because the tuition costs are usually lower, even though the quality is comparable. Also, double check guidelines between the two states. I don't remember if they offer license reciprocity or if they have different educational requirements for licensure. If they do differ, pick a program in the state that has the more stringent requirements.

I would do what you said for the career objectives and background, as the explanation says what have you done up until this point to prepare you for this area of graduate study. I would not write the statement of purpose as a personal history statement. The description states "academic and career plans" so it is still very much a statement of purpose. The career and objectives essay is about what you have done to prepare for this degree. The statement of purpose would be what you plan to do after you get the degree and how studying at this school/program will prepare you for the specific job you want.

You are not expected to find funding on your own prior to admission. However, if you do, then you are definitely more competitive because they don't have to worry about if the school has the funds to support you. There is no centralized system. You have to apply to things individually. NSF is one of the bigger ones I can think of off the top of my head, but I don't know if there are any restrictions on citizenship for that one.

It's really best to narrow your school selections by faculty interest match. That counts way more in the grand scheme of things than GRE scores.

I think this would be very dependent on the specific university. Has your company executed something like this before?

I personally haven't heard of it, but it may be a thing to explore. Your best bet is to talk to your current mentors and see what they suggest. A graduate certificate wouldn't hurt, but I also don't know how much it would help either.

Reach out to PI in the lab you prefer and explain that you got assistantship for the other lab. State that, while you are happy with that one, you would prefer to work with them and if you are still being considered.

I would do the subject test in September. October cuts it very close.

So, in psych, it is very common and usually expected that your research interests intersect with multiple faculty (things happen such as someone switching jobs, personality clashes, etc.). A lot of apps will actually ask you to identify up to 3 faculty of interest. Faculty also traditionally do not schedule lab tours or anything for prospective students. If you make it to the interview phase, that's usually when you tour the lab and meet face to face. You can definitely seek out faculty at a conference and strike up a conversation. Also, if you do email faculty, it should be only if you have a specific question that is not answered on their lab website, faculty bio, program website, etc. If you have a connection, I would speak with that contact and see if they would be willing to name drop you and "put in a good word." That person would also be a good person to ask for a letter of recommendation. I can't speak to the last question directly, but check out the program websites. Usually they have admission requirements. If you meet the class pre-reqs, it shouldn't hurt to apply.

If you've already graduated, there isn't really a way to change your undergrad GPA. A good masters GPA can overshadow the poor performance in undergrad. Your GRE scores are good, so that helps to balance it out. Just try to grind in that research lab and pump out as many posters/pubs as you can and make sure your LORs and SOP are stellar.