SoundofSilence

Going after the goals you listed (therapy, assessment, maybe research and teaching), the PsyD seems like the better choice, since you would still have those options in the future. The advantage of the MSW is less time in grad school and gaining independence faster, but probably splitting your time between the clinical and social work activities. With both career paths you can supervise in the future and do meaningful work. You just have to weigh both and see which one would work best for you. A pro/con list may help with this. My take is that finalizing the PsyD, with as minimal debt as possible, gives you the best options for the future.

This is of course just my opinion - but is there a way you can convince your parent that rushing this decision will cost you many financial opportunities throughout your lifetime? When thinking about other big life goals that you may have (such as a family, home, travelling, retirement, etc) - one year or so is almost nothing. A heavy debt burden can be a big obstacle for all those things. Regarding what the faculty member said - indeed people's interests change. But it's not really great to invest a significant amount of money and then leave. Also they are wrong about the value of "doctoral" level research - you can do high quality research in a master's, or working as an RA, and have serious research products as a result (publications, international conference presentations). Conversely, during your first two years in a doctoral level program you might only have the opportunity to participate minimally in research. It's all about the quality of the experience and the types of things that result from it. Considering you also want to have a part-time job... things get even more complicated. Unless the program is absurdly easy or not training you adequately, it will be difficult to image how you would be able to juggle everything in those two years. I say this as someone who has been a graduate student for quite some time in more than one program. Having some financial support is a good sign, but again, investing that much money and then leaving is not the best financial decision. If you decide to go this route, it would probably be for the best to just finish the PsyD. This way you can pursue research at your own pace (if you still want) and get licensed to practice at the doctoral level. Remember you can always carve your own "niche" after graduation - just because a lot of school psychologists works in schools, you don't have to. If you start to really enjoy assessments, you might pursue a lucrative career in that area. Or maybe offering support to families? I think there are many interesting opportunities in the field. Yes delaying and applying to an experimental master's doesn't seem to match your goals. I think I suggested that based on the fact that you are not able to take a paid role and had to do a degree. I agree that chances are very likely that you would enjoy the PsyD. If you do want to go through another application cycle, an MSW may be a good idea in the sense that it opens up opportunities faster and you get licensed sooner. The financial impact is also lower than a PsyD. All fields can lead to burnout. Having the "doctor" title doesn't really help when you get to that point. My worry is that you may place so much pressure on yourself to do all those things during the two years, and arrive at burnout before even finishing your degree. I think it would be a good idea to talk to some of the PsyD students and ask them about workload, work-life balance, time to do paid roles or research, etc. This way you get a better sense of how the workload in the program looks. It sounds like a difficulty situation, I am sorry I cannot offer a clear-cut suggestion. There are no easy answers. I think what would be best is to prioritize. What do you want from your future in 5-10 years? To work in a clinical role (therapist/ assessment)? To do research? Advocacy? To have financial freedom? Just to be called a "doctor"? Do you see yourself working (or never working) with children? Choosing based on priorities may help you figure out what is the best option out of these less-than-ideal doors you have open now.

I do not know your personal circumstances around not being able to take a "gap year", but I do hope you are also considering the financial implications of each path. I doubt that the first two years of a PsyD would be much different compared to the master's - you would probably be very busy with lots of courses and practicum, so the time for research is limited. Most students in PsyDs focus on their research later on in the program. I would also keep in mind how that would look to a future admissions committee - they will probably wonder why you matriculated in a doctoral level program and then left. Some doctoral programs prefer to train students from the beginning, but I have met many (including me) with outside master's that got an offer. What I think is rarer is someone from a previous doctoral level program (PsyD or PhD) applying for admission. If you really want to bolster your research CV, and you can't work during that time, an experimental master's is probably the simplest way. Trying to gain useful experience while you are training in an intensive clinical program is going to be an uphill battle. You can contact some of the faculty at the programs that interest you and inquire about the possibility of being involved in research. That might give you a better sense. But keep in mind it might be difficult to do it all, and you may have to choose one path (clinical training or gaining enough research experience).

Hi there, I think you are hearing so many differing opinions because it really depends on the program and faculty members how they view these types of disclosures. In the past, it used to be seen as a "kiss of death" to include in an application personal struggles with mental health issues. Now it seems that most places are starting to recognize that that is not the best approach. Some programs used to get many applications from individuals with mental health difficulties, that mostly shared that they wanted to "learn more about themselves/ discover themselves" and said very little of how they manage those struggles, their coping strategies, what they wanted to do with that knowledge etc. This makes many programs and faculty hesitant since on one hand, that graduate student might not face the increased workload effectively, which impacts their well-being, and on the other that they will negatively affect client care. It's important to remember that faculty members put their license on the line when you work under their supervision, so they are less willing to risk that. However, if you are including the mental health difficulties because they are part of your own personal story of overcoming adversity or how it sparked your research / clinical interests, I think that is a different take altogether. There are still many barriers to overcome, of course. But I recently listened to a talk by Dr. Sarah Victor on her own personal journey and the importance of destigmatization in the field, and I am hopeful that things will keep improving on this front. In the end, it is up to you whether you want to share this information or not. My guess is that if a program rejects you for sharing a thoughtful statement on this topic, you probably don't want to be there anyway. However, it would be a good idea to have some feedback on how your statement reads before sending out, just to make sure you are expressing clearly the message that you would like to communicate. Also many program now have diversity statements and you could talk more about your experience and how you see the future there. I think that as long as you focus more on what you want to accomplish next, and how that program can help you reach your goals, it should be appropriate.

Hi there, The most important aspect is the quality of the research experience. However, given that MSW and MHC are more applied degrees, they offer fewer opportunities and allocate less time for independent research. Depending on the PsyD program, it might be a similar situation. The thing is, you generally cannot "transfer into" a PhD program; some may accept a couple of courses but usually you would have to start from the very beginning. So if you want to gain admission into a decent PhD program, you do need research experience and you can get that through volunteering or (better yet) working in a research lab (and getting paid for your work). The master's/PsyD route would not be the best. On the other hand, if you want to work clinically as a therapist, a master's level degree could be the fastest way to get there. I would not recommend starting a PsyD and leaving after two years - that does not allow you to practice and it's just wasted time and money at that point.

Hi there! I am not sure why you started three topics on these different programs, I think one would have been enough. Would you mind sharing a little about your goals and what exactly are you looking for? Why these three programs in particular? The chances of finding past or current students on this forum for these programs is pretty slim, because the forum is geared towards more current and future applicants that target traditional schools (for the most part). In addition, the three programs you are interested in are seen as "diploma mills" and may not have the best reputation. They are very expensive, don't provide sufficient financial support and the quality of training is seen as not great. Even if you have the financial means to afford them without loans, they may not be the best investment of your cash. Why are you set on these three, did you already apply to them or are you still researching? If you are set on a career as a psychologist, I would do a little bit more research (including on this forum) to find a couple of more worthwhile alternatives to reach your goals.

Hello there I completely empathize with the whole situation around the pandemic and having plans delayed/altered. That happened to me as well. I'm sorry it didn't work out as you hoped. You seem to have an interesting background, but how that would be viewed is quite relative - as in, it really depends on the POI and admission committee. Some might value and appreciate your real-world experience, while to others it might seem confused why you want to switch careers so soon or think you are unfocused. In my program, I've never heard of someone coming in from a nursing background, although I think there was a case or two of social workers switching careers, but that is more common. I don't want to be a downer, there are probably some out there, I just haven't heard of many With that being said, what will matter more is your research experience and/or potential. Your hands-on skills are a bonus, but for a decent PhD (or highly competitive PsyD) program, you will need a good research CV. It sounds like you have some experience during undergrad, but you might be going up against people who have multiple years of full-time experience and/or a lot of posters and some publications. Strength of references is also important. I assume you're probably going for one of those programs since you mentioned the financial aspect. A decent PhD/very good PsyD will come with a stipend and tuition remission. It's usually small, but livable in most places. Regarding your question about working during your degree, I don't really recommend it. Most programs explicitly prohibit you from working more than 10 or so hours outside the program, and the rest actively discouraged it (unless it's a diploma mill program that doesn't care). From my own experience, the first years are challenging and full of things to do. Sometimes it's hard to keep one's head above water even without a job, just trying to keep up with program requirements and other personal commitments. You also mentioned having a hard time doing both school and jobs previously, and clinical psych would just amplify that. I would look around at the stipends offered by the program you are interested in, cost of living, and make a decision whether that would be something doable for you without a job. Minimal loans might also be a an option, since clinical psych pays ok after you graduate (not a good idea to go overboard though). If you think you want to go this route, the next step is to make your application as attractive as possible. If there is any way to get involved in more research at your job right now, that would be ideal. Volunteering in a lab is also an option - and can come with some new academic connections. Are there any research opportunities you could take advantage now, while still working? Let me know if you have more questions, happy to share from my experience

Hello there, Sorry to hear that you feel misplaced in your current program. What year are you in? Depending on the area of psychology you want to pursue, it might be more or less cumbersome to switch/re-apply now. If you are aiming for purely research degree, some supervisors with compatible interests may consider you. An applied/ clinical program might be more complicated. However, I think that you still need some psychology coursework to be eligible for most programs. Furthermore, there might be a question of whether you can take a doctoral dissertation/project to completion. Without knowing a lot about you and your background, I have some questions that might help you reflect: 1. What type of program/degree in Psychology do you want to pursue? 2. Do you have the background (coursework, research) in psychology to be considered for admission? 3. Are you ok with the fact that it might take way longer to graduate? 4. What can you bring to a program/lab that might make you a strong candidate (in terms of skills/experience) 5. And finally - what do you want to do with the degree? Psychology majors are some of the more popular for undergrads and subsequently graduate school is quite competitive. A university like Yale for example is even more competitive due to associated prestige. Also, have you tried looking at Duquesne University/ Miami Ohio? You don't have to answer the above questions, but if you'd like more specific advice I would need more details about you/ your goals to help. Just keep in mind that switching graduate programs is a more difficult and often convoluted process compared to transferring in undergrad.

I will echo @PsyDuck90 - the important (and more difficult) part is getting to the interview. The "don'ts" are pretty typical of any interview - try to listen to others, be personable, avoid contradictory discussions (unless that is encouraged or a safe space), don't go overboard in showing off/ drinking too much alcohol during social events, etc. This guide may help: https://mitch.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4922/2017/02/MitchGradSchoolAdvice.pdf Altough it's targeted at clinical psych (and I'm not sure if that's relevant for you) it still has valuable advice and examples for interviews and writing research statements. What does help is preparing a small "elevator pitch" - besides your POIs, you will meet many other people that might not know a lot about you, so it is useful to have a quick description about yourself and your interests. Also, having lots of questions helps - they show you did your research on the program and they help you get a good sense whether it matches your needs as well.

Hello there, First of all - being ambitious and aiming for competitive programs is not bad at all. If you feel you are competitive enough, why not? However, there are other things more important for your future then where you went to school. Sure, having a grad degree from a prestigious school can open many doors, but so can many other less "prestigious" universities. It really depends what you want to do with the PhD after - are you going for an academic career? Industry? We could help more if we could get a sense of what your long-term plans are. Also - applying to these programs is not just about ticking boxes - get a good GPA, get this research experience with famous prof., etc. You really have to have very clearly defined interests when you are applying and the relevant experience to match. For example, for UK PhDs you'll probably need a set thesis topic from the start; for a US PhD you need relevant experience in your PI's area of research and a degree of research productivity. How you talk about your experience is also important. Whether your lab supervisor has an h-index of 40 might be less relevant if they don't provide you with a strong letter of reference, or they don't recommend you strongly to their network. When you have a clear idea of what you want to do with the PhD, you might also realize that the best school for you might not be Harvard, but that it might be some state university with many grants and a strong research record or history of placing graduates in respected industry roles. And it's also important to note that you need to do a lot of research regarding the different academic systems where you are applying. Australia is different than US who is also different compared to UK or other countries. Do you want to stay in that country after? And for your last question - professors are used to giving students reference letters and they understand that your dreams might not include their lab in the future - that is ok. However, if you strongly give them the impression that they are only a safety/ last resort, they might not be as enthusiastic to admit you to their lab. From my experience, as long as you work hard and show respect, many professors are glad to support students applying to other labs and happy for them when they get into a "better" program.

The scores are valid 5 years - so if you think you will be applying to programs that require it in this time frame, then you probably need to take it. The "worth it" part is debatable. Also, some people do better at standardized testing than others. You have to keep in mind the burden it can add to prepare for it - which consists of financial resources and extra time for practice - in addition to all of the other application steps. I took the old version (when it had 800 scores) once and the new version twice. Had to prepare extra for all of them, but I did see an improvement in scores. A lot of programs are making it optional or moving away from it though.

I finally got rejected by McMaster! It only took like forever. I wish there was a way to ask for my application fee back :))

Hello there, Sorry to hear about your mentor. Unfortunately in these cases there isn't an easy answer. The path of least resistance would probably be finding some common ground with a faculty member already in your program and trying to blend your research interests. While it may take you away from your current interests, if you continue with an academic career you can always pivot back to the areas that most interest you. You can also talk to the university if there is some room for compromise - can you be co-supervised (so maybe supervised by your mentor from afar and have another supervisor on-site or find a researcher who is not part of the university to co-supervise your thesis?) I have met people who had external supervisors and while this arrangement can lead to some headaches (mostly related to admin and bureaucracy), I've seen people happy with the choice. The transferring programs is not something that I've personally encountered, but it's probably possible. However, it is very likely that you will have to go through the application process again and have few transfer credits that you can move over. My understanding is that most programs prefer to train you from the start, in their own educational philosophy, and may be less flexible. In the best case scenario, if you find a good mentor match, is that you might push your graduation further into the future. If that is worth it or not, your the only one who can decide. It's important that you contact programs soon to find info on their transferring policies, since those aren't generally shared on websites. The best advice that I can give is to have a thorough conversation with your program and see what they can offer. I've seen people switch supervisors mid-program due to various reasons (incompatibility, parental leave, moving) and most of them were supported by the other faculty and graduated more or less on time. However, if you have other issues with the program (besides the mentor leaving), changing programs might be more beneficial.

This is sort of random, but has McMaster always waited so long just to send rejections? I woke up to another "file under review" email from them, and was confused for a moment, like "what month is this?" :)) I get it, I didn't interview, many competitive applicants, just send the rejection already. Enough with the automated emails.

Hello and welcome! ? There are quite a few Canadian-based applicants and students on the forum (including newcomers and international students), so you will find a lot of friends My first recommendation to you - if you are still in the country that issued your degree/ credentials, remember to check requirements for programs that you are interested in, so that you can bring with you transcripts/ translations and other documents that will make the application process easier. It's best to have the basics out of the way first, since the application season is stressful enough as it is. Best of luck!