Hi All!
New to the board so I don't know how to reply directly to quote peoples posts!
Kenny 12345, I feel ya. My GRE scores were not good this year. I ran into issues with studying enough in a time of family crisis, but I don't know how much I can improve or if I have it in me to retake this year. May apply w/o scores for schools that are waiving GRE. I certainly have not been accepted to Rutgers. Only NYC program I have considered applying is Columbia TC for Counseling or Clinical.
I'm a non-traditional student, (read: older than probably most applicants, with kids) so if there is a specific board for this someone please let me know?
I do have experience applying to grad schools (goodness knows). I have now completed 2 Master's (one in Clinical, and one MS in psychology) along the journey (long story). I have been accepted to one Clinical Psych PsyD program (not APA) that I did not attend, and two Clinical Psych Phd programs (non-APA that I took 6 months of coursework in years ago then did not continue for several reasons). Most recently (last year) was accepted to start a Clinical PhD (APA accredited) this Fall but had to turn down due to location constraints plus zero funding and VERY expensive program. Totally painful to turn this down, as I am starting to worry I may never get my doctorate.
For anyone who has advice on this, would you suggest me to to keep applying to: APA schools with funding, APA schools w/o funding (but less expensive), or APA very competitive schools (but who knows if they will accept me due to ageism(?) and my limited research experience? Should I be concerned that my Masters degrees will be a mark against me. For what its worth, my aim is Counseling Psych doctorate rather than Clinical at this point, so perhaps a bit less competitive? I need to stay within a certain geographical radius of my parents who have serious health issues.
I have considered licensing at Masters level several times but have resistance to it. I really am passionate about research in particular areas and would like to teach/supervise/ work at college/university level. . Where I live psychologists make about twice as much as masters level clinicians too so there's that incentive. i have a family to support.
Anyway, I am almost certainly applying to my top choice school (closest to my parents, best fit with POI, funding, is Counseling doctorate) this Fall, perhaps a handful of others. Tough since all other programs in my area are Clinical not Counseling though. Definitely. I still need more research experience. Have about a year and a half of clinical experience. No publications yet (I know). I welcome any helpful thoughts, suggestions?