RebeccaPsych

Hi, @psychapplicant21 Thank you for your offer, and sorry for the delay! I postponed my applications by a year, so here I am again. In addition to PhD programs in the US, I'm now looking at DClinPsy programs in the UK. Do you happen know anything about international (non-EU) students attending postgraduate programs? I'm struggling to understand the logistics a bit, because I've never had to do anything like this before (visa--definitely, BPA accreditation, etc.). Then, after whatever I work I put in, is anyone even likely to accept me if I come with the responsibility of sponsorship? I know full well that a US PhD would be the easier route, but it would be so exciting to study in the UK.

I would include it! Just be strategic about how you're presenting it. "Engaged in discussion regarding..." "Discussed current research..." "Actively participated in (adjective) weekly meetings..."' Frame it in a way that emphasizes your participation. If you can't get that much out of it, you can always just tack it onto your CV in a clubs/organizations-type section.

*Bump* Any updates on Toledo since 2012?

Thanks very much!! And that's an important point that I'll need to consider. Thank you for noting it.

@PsyDuck90 Let's see... Here's the PhD dual degree: https://ssw.umich.edu/offices/phd Here's an MSW dual degree: https://ssw.umich.edu/programs/msw/overview/dual-degree

@PsyDuck90 Ah, interesting about the PhD in social work! Wouldn't have guessed that offhand. I was just looking into UMichigan's dual social work/clin psych PhD.

I'll comment on safety, too. This really depends on a number of factors. I feel totally safe walking around East Rock at night as a lone woman. I could walk around the main areas of downtown alone, but I probably wouldn't feel super comfortable doing so. With a friend, I'm happy to walk around downtown at night. I've heard that some areas are more dangerous than others. Apparently, around the med school isn't great. I walk around the med school (during the day, granted), and have always felt okay. I get the sense that a lot of the reported crimes are interpersonal or minor things. Chances are, you won't be personally affected. And, on the whole, it feels pretty calm. I don't feel like I'm living in a dangerous city at all. As others have said, Yale does offer door-to-door free car rides (for ANY reason, available to all, no questions asked) after 6:00pm. It's like Uber Pool.

I actually love New Haven! I'm currently working at Yale. Everything is very walkable, but not ~too~ small. Most of the grad students live in East Rock. Some live in Wooster Square, but the two people I know who lived in Wooster Square ended up moving to East Rock. There are lots of hiking trails, little Italian markets, frequent Yale shuttles... It's really nice! There are a lot of extracurricular opportunities. New Haven has a huge arts community (performance and visual). You can also get physical at the Payne Whitney gym or MActivity gym -- both offer a variety of classes. There are a fair number of bars! You're not really going to find a "club" scene; the closest is Toad's. Gryphon's Pub is only for Yale grad students and staff, so that's really nice. There's also Bar and Geronimo's. You're also nearby a lot of nice beaches (not so great in New Haven, but in neighboring towns). Connecticut is small, so you can easily take day trips around the state. You're also right in between Boston and New York, with easy transportation via train. New Haven also has its own small airport. Another small airport is only an hour away in Hartford. Connecticut public transportation, like in many places, isn't particularly amazing. So, if you do want to explore other areas, a car is best. To get around New Haven, though, you shouldn't need one.

@Suraj_S I've heard just a little about it, but the programs hadn't caught my eye. Do you know much about them? Any insight? Thanks!

@PsyDuck90 Thank you for this! I agree. While research isn't the ~reason~ I got into psychology, I think it's necessary to maintain good clinical practice. I do worry that an MSW wouldn't necessarily give me the tools I'd need to keep up with current research and appropriately apply it. In terms of PsyD programs, I've picked out a few potentials: Rutgers George Washington U Indiana State U of Colorado Baylor To be honest, I mainly just googled "good PsyD programs," or "PsyD programs that provide funding". Indiana State and Rutgers, though, both came recommended. I'll need to dig deeper. At the time, I didn't appreciate the convenience and simplicity of College Board. There are just too many grad options! I feel like I've been chasing my tail for a year now.

Thank you all for the advice! @amazingbutternutsquash Right!! In regards to interdepartmental communication, I wouldn't be surprised either way. I think my default plan would be to keep the first part of my statement the same (about my psych experience), and then rewrite the latter portion (about why I'm applying to the program). I'm not sure if that would be sufficient or not. @PsyDuck90 Believe it or not, Rutgers was probably the first school I had in mind here! So, that's definitely good to know. I wouldn't have expected each school to have a different policy, but I guess that about makes sense looking at the rest of the grad app process. That's all really helpful. Thank you! @Clinapp2017 A good question! I haven't even looked into app fees yet... In regards to the rest of the funding: That's a big reason I was initially going to just apply to PhD programs, because they are usually funded. But, then I heard that PsyD programs can offer funding, it just depends on the school. MSW is expensive, but at least shorter. Possibly less debt than a PsyD. I feel like none of the degrees are perfect, which is frustrating. I want to focus on clinical work but still have the benefit of a research background. That would probably be a PsyD. But, I don't want to be in a mountain of debt. @Randi S Ah, bummer! Generally, all the PsyD/MSW programs I'm interested in are at schools that also have PhD programs I'm interested in. Thanks for that information! I'll have to start checking that out.

Hi, all! If a school has multiple programs you're interested in, what's the etiquette there? Can I apply to their PsyD AND their PhD programs? And, if I do, is it going to be weird using the same personal statement (only slightly altered)? Any misc. tips to know about here? I don't want to make a faux pas. Thanks!

I'm having similar concerns with GRE subject tests. My test was cancelled. We were told that slots for September would be announced in April, but that never happened. There's been no update. And, subject tests haven't been made available. I know it's a confusing time for all, but ETS really hasn't been helpful! I wrote to them at one point, and they responded two weeks later with a stock email. It's quite nerve-wracking! One of my top programs requires this subject test, and they haven't announced the intention to waive requirements yet. I also don't know if I should be studying right now (so I haven't been... lol).

A non-clinical Master's makes sense in terms of being a stepping stone for a PhD in the US. While I suppose I'm not dead set on clinical work, it is an important piece for me. But that's definitely an option to consider. Thank you for the suggestion! The accelerated program does sound amazing! I'll definitely be throwing my hat in the ring, but I don't think I can get my hopes up too much. You have to get into both the program and either Oxford or Cambridge. So, it's competitive for sure. I'd love to discover other similar programs. Thanks very much for all your help!

SEEKING A FULL TIME CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR AT EMORY UNIVERSITY FOR ECT IN DEMENTIA STUDY Emory University is looking for a clinical research coordinator who is organized, independent, and a skilled communicator. We are looking for a CRC to help start up a new study, which aims to investigate the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for agitation associated with dementia. The study is a multisite project in collaboration with Harvard/McLean, Mayo Clinic, U Michigan, Northwell Health, Pine Rest and MUSC. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gain both clinical and research experience and to become a seminal part of a large neuromodulation grant. This CRC would additionally gain exposure to other projects in our department, such as our treatment-resistant depression clinic. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree • Prior research experience • (Preferred) Experience in psychology or related field • IRB experience • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; the applicant must be comfortable interacting with patients and caregivers Duties include: • Data collection and database management • Coordination of patient treatment and assessment · Coordinating all study procedures · Ensuring IRB compliance · interacting with the local and central IRB on all regulatory matters · Assisting the Co-PIs in completing regulatory documentation · Participant recruitment · Maintaining and updating data generated by the study · Conduct mental health scales and assessments measures To Apply: Please email current CV, cover letter describing fit with the position, and two professional references, to Dr. Adriana Hermida and Rebecca Seidemann

Thanks very much for sharing all of these resources!! I'm a US citizen. I'm interested in attending school in the UK, but then returning to the US. When I was in college, I spent a semester in England. I'd love to go back, but wouldn't want to go permanently because all of my family is here in the states. So, really, I'm looking for a way to incorporate England into my 10-year plan. Were I to go to school in the US (which is the default), I'd be applying primarily for PhDs. I'd throw a couple of Master's programs in to cover my bases and test the waters. Were I to go to the UK, I'd be more interested in Master's Degrees--again, just because I wouldn't want to be away from my family for so long. As far as I know, a Master's in the UK wouldn't shorten a PhD in the US, so it's not a great stepping stone--unless I want to pay a lot of money for experience. So, my thought is: Would I be able to get a short degree from the UK (1-2 years), come back to the states to use it for a couple of years (in some way or another), and then decide if I want to pursue a PhD in the US? A PhD in the UK has seemed more feasible. One program I've looked at is the NIH Accelerated Scholars Program: 2ish years in US and 2ish years in UK = PhD. That would be PERFECT except for the fact that it's incredibly competitive. I'm not sure if other comparable programs exist, but that's the dream. Another factor that could influence things: I may be getting German citizenship in the next few years. But, at this point, who knows how everything is going to play out.

Update I've contacted a few licensing boards, but they've been pretty vague and unhelpful. The summary is: Get the degree and then we'll see if it works in this state. Has anyone gotten a master's abroad and used it in the US? OR not been able to use it in the US?

Thank you!! This is definitely helpful information.

Hi all, A similar question was asked way back in 2013, but that thread is (understandably) dead at this point. Does anyone know how an MSC or MA from the UK would translate in the US? Could you, for example, get an MSC in the UK and then get licensed in the US as a counselor/social worker/something? See: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/coursefinder/courses/121472.html as an example. OR, where would I be able to find answers to these types of questions? Thanks!

So, is the consensus that you can't get a 1 year MSC/MA in the UK and then get licensed in the US?

Hi all! There are so many resources to assist in choosing a particular school once you have a short list going. But, I have no short list. I have no long list. There's no list at all. I was wondering where other prospective clinical psych PhD candidates are applying/have applied. I'm especially curious regarding the choices of folks with similar interests. I've got a background in mental illness (depression, personality disorders, NSSI/suicidality, eating disorders). Anyone in the same boat? Thanks in advance for your responses! :)