ClinicalApplicant2019

I also want to say how truly sorry I am about your father’s passing. You’re going to make him so proud one day. Check out this book: Insider's Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 2020/2021 Edition (Insider's Guide To Graduate Programs In Clinical and Psychology) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1462541437/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1CT6EbEEWQXZW I used it both times I applied and it’s such a good book explaining the in’s and out’s of the application cycle and has every accredited PhD program in both Clinical and Counseling Psychology listed. Best of luck to you.

Not in practice as a counseling psychologist but have my master's in counseling psych and will be starting PhD in counseling psych this fall! Feel free to DM if you have questions or would just like to chat! I'm happy to offer a student's perspectives/my motivations for entering the field

Some of my key reflections after a second painful, arduous, and frustrating time, albeit rewards and insane amounts of pride and accomplishment: 1) This process is incredibly frustrating and often very arbitrary. I applied a second time to my top program and wasn’t invited for an interview both times. When speaking with a professor I’ve been in contact with who works in the program, I learned the decision of who to invite was like “splitting hairs.” Basically like comparing an A to an A+. Someone might have one or two small (but apparently big enough) advantages over you. I felt far more qualified for this program as compared to my first time applying and I learned I made my PI’s short list for interviews but still did not make the final cut. The difference might come down to a PI having space to only invite four people, and you happen to be the fifth. Thus, you’re not invited. It’s all incredibly painful but I’ve had to remind myself that I’m still a qualified and hardworking person. I could never lie and say it didn’t hurt my soul to know I was very high on my very top PI’s list but wasn’t invited. Doesn’t mean I’m not a good candidate and don’t have a bright and successful future ahead. Just means this process is unimaginably competitive and, again, might sometimes boil down to a couple factors. 2) If you don’t get in the first time, try again! During the time, reflect on what you can improve, build connections with mentors, expand and also narrow in on your research interests. Take the awful GRE again if you truly must. I took it a third time for second app cycle and as much as I hated every minute studying for that exam, my verbal score was much better and I think that’s the score PhD programs value the most. I know it sucks to retake but sometimes you gotta do the shitty things that are eventually (and hopefully) worth it. 3) Interview day is a formal thing that should be taken seriously. Although tbh I really didn’t see or interact with anyone at my interviews who was informal, unprofessional, or uninteresting. I think if you make it to an interview, you clearly have what it takes. Now faculty just want to see how you are as a person. Do you listen to other applicants talk (if in a group interview) or do you look too busy thinking about your own response? Do you ask questions? Are you kind, respectful, easy to talk to, personable, hardworking? All traits of a quality psychologist. Be yourself, respect others, and show them who you are as a lovely, smart, determined person. I’m sure I have more reflections in my mind somewhere in the distance... after all, my second time applying felt that much more important to get in. If this is something you can see yourself spending your life doing, you’ll do the things to accomplish your dreams.

Post-Master's, incoming Counseling Psych PhD student here! So of course I'm biased but can also completely relate to what you're currently thinking through. If you want to go into private practice, you can most definitely do that with a Master's and get your licensure as a professional counselor. It's a two year program plus two years of post-grad supervision before you get your LPC and can have your own caseload/bill insurance. You'll save tons of money and time going this route and can begin practicing before many people are done their doctorate. On the other hand, having a PhD simply opens up so many doors and opportunities that Master's level clinicians may not have. You can test, diagnose, treat, assess (the latter two can be done with a Master's though). LPC's get paid pretty well but obviously the higher the degree, the higher the income. I think you have to at least somewhat like research before going into a PhD, where it is expected that you'll be doing research and writing up a lengthy dissertation. And some PhD programs have less research focus, while there also are PsyD programs that are predominantly focused on clinical (not research training). A PsyD may be something for you to look into but keep in mind that there is very little funding offered to students in PsyD programs. Of course feel free to DM me if you'd like to chat further. I can only speak to my experience but sounds like you're in a similar thought process I was in so I'm happy to help!

I 100% appreciate @PsychPhdBound comment about enjoying the moment, tapping into hobbies, and relishing the peace and quiet for the next few months! Totally on board with that. I can also see the other side of concern in terms of committing your time towards something that excites you such as planning for grad school - this seems especially important to do something that might bring you joy during this crazy time. Sometimes if I want to whet my need to prep for school, I'll go on Zillow or Craigslist and look at home/apt. listings. But even still, March might be too early to do that. I'd mostly recommend asking your PI for current students' emails and getting in contact with them regarding community resources and their own personal suggestions for how to prepare. But also... don't forget to take time to be lazy, binge Netflix, talk to loved ones, maybe some a couple plants and nurture them... whatever it takes to keep yourself safe and occupied during this time while also being kind to yourself and slowing down.

Ball State - Counseling Psychology PhD Message me if you’re in my cohort!

Ball State - PhD, Counseling Psychology! Hang in there everyone

Clarify: by doctors do you mean physicians or people with their PhDs? I also ask because one of my recommenders in my first cycle has their MD, which another mentor in my second cycle advised me against by suggesting psychology PhD programs “don’t care” about MD credentials (even though I was applying to programs with a health psychology focus/a POI with health care research interests). I agree with previous comment that a recommender with PhD may hold more value than one with a Masters degree but the ultimately biggest consideration is how well this person can speak to your abilities. A recommendation from a PhD that is average or lackluster isn’t gonna be helpful, whereas a recommendation from a mentor with a Masters who knows you well and has worked with you could go a long way.

A big part of my decision is student satisfaction. I wanna study somewhere for the next several years where students report feeling happy and supported. I’m not a competitive person so going somewhere ultra competitive and everyone-for-themselves isn’t something I was into. Unfortunately, part of my decision will be compromising geographic location because this university isn’t exactly anywhere I want to be long term, nor is it a poppin’ place. However, if the students talked about having an awesome cohort and felt supported/heard by both faculty and other students, I really took that into my consideration.

100% appropriate and a great idea in general! I went to the APA conference in 2019 without even presenting anything but I wanted to network. So I emailed professors I wanted to connect with in order to put my name on their radar for fall 2020 applications. They were all appreciative of my outreach and I think it’ll make you stand out as someone who is super motivated!

I think this makes total sense. You’re considering a decision that’ll determine the next few years of your life and then, ultimately, your future (nbd). I’m definitely projecting here because I’m so terrible at making huge decisions but the weight of this decision is massive, gigantic, enormous but also exciting, well-earned, and amazing.

I, too, am working full-time but my supervisor doesn't know about my applications/plan to start a doc program this fall. That's really shitty of your indirect supervisor to break your trust and, honestly, leaves a bad impression on them. I've been thinking this same exact question over and have decided I'm going to make the last June business day as my last work day so that I have a full month and a half to spend at home, hang out with friends and family, and soak in the summer in my current beloved city of almost 9 years. However, that does kind of mess up my finances because I won't be making any money anymore (other than my side hustle in private prac counseling). If I were you, I wouldn't inform anyone else because 1) you don't owe people an explanation and 2) they might start looking for someone to replace you. Great question but I think main consideration is what will work for you. Best of luck - feel free to DM me to chat further if you'd like!

I interviewed exactly one month ago and still haven’t heard *shrugs*

Reading all of that, I couldn’t help but be so impressed with how everything played out for you. You seem very aware of how insanely competitive this process is, and the validation you’ve gotten from your supervisor and admissions is truly incredible. To address your anxiety, though, because I don’t want to minimize your feelings: it sounds like you have a classic case of Imposter Syndrome. Perhaps? Feeling you shouldn’t have gotten in or that your offer will be revoked. You made it this far because of all the work you put into this and feeling like an imposter is an unfortunate beast to tackle. Trust in yourself that you got yourself here through hard work and you deserve a spot. Also, try to be in the present moment more because it’ll keep you ground and steady while you get ready to take on your top program!

Question re: acceptance email and what I should expect in the following steps. I was accepted into a Counseling program via email sent by DCT. She cc’d my PI on the email, stating this PI would be my advisor... now I’m wondering if it’s common for PI’s to email their potential grad students or does it typically work the other direction? I thought I’d hear from her with a congrats email or something but haven’t, so wanted to see what other people’s experiences have been with potential advisors reaching out first.

To the other person who got accepted into Ball State's Counseling program, I'd love to talk! Feel free to DM me if you see this

Cold calls are spooooooky but congrats, sounds like things went well! What school was this for? Feel free to DM if you prefer

Has anyone heard yet post-interview from University of Denver Counseling Psychology program?

I’d say around mid-Feb since, at that point, most schools have had their interviews. Hang in there!! And if you don’t get in, don’t give up on your dreams! I didn’t get any interviews my first time applying and I applied a second time and things are going way better than last year fingers crossed for you.

UMass Boston

Anyone else have a mini heart attack at today's UMB clinical psych email? Biggest tease ever

Wondering this too and if you could share POI/ DM me I’d appreciate you

Can CUNY Clinical Psych poster share POI? Thanks so much and congrats!

Has anyone heard from clinical programs: UNC Charlotte, UMass Boston, and CUNY? And/or counseling program Colorado State? Let me know!

I have an interview in two weeks and wanted to gather some feedback prior to the interview. I have a small nose stud and don't know if I should keep it in or take it out on the day of? I feel like this field in particular is accepting of tattoos and piercings, but wanted to tread lightly. So, do I take it out or leave it in with hopes of professors not caring about it?