Zalty55

Hi everyone this is a long post so I apologize in advance for the extensive reading. I’m asking this question because as of right now I feel somewhat helpless and desperate. I’m a psychology student in the faculty of science at the University of Alberta. I’m going into my fourth year but have applied for an honours program for my fourth and fifth year that would allow me to be eligible to apply to clinical psych programs. I had a horrible first year as a “pre-business student” (2.0 gpa). I had a multitude of personal issues going on at the time and struggled. I realize there’s never an excuse for bad grades but I just had really bad luck. I switched to psychology for my second year and had a dramatic improvement (3.0 overall). The first semester of my third year I had a 3.15 and the 2nd semester resulted in just (CR’s) due to the decision by the university to remove letter grades due to COVID-19. This means that as of right now I have a low cumulative gpa. My first hurtle is just getting into the honours program which according to everyone I’ve spoken to, is seen as vital for potential graduate students in applied psychology graduate programs like clinical. My second hurtle would be clinical psych admission which is famous for being incredibly hard and where my question is based. In a best case scenario, where for my last two years I do extremely well getting exactly/near a 4.0 gpa and get extensive research/volunteer experience. I know it doesn’t sound believable after what you just read but humour me. I would finish with a AGPA of a 3.2 which is seen as a dealbreaker apparently even though Canadian admissions prioritize the last two years. Is there a reasonable chance that I’d get in anywhere for clinical psych? Believe it or not I’ve been told by faculty that I’m “probably wasting my time” and that I should “lower my expectations”. I have counselling as a back up of course but even those programs in Canada are incredibly competitive. I want to have a fulfilling career in this field because I have found a subject I’m very interested in. I also want to avoid being a basement dwelling reject after an admirable comeback. I know I sound defeatist and could have had some more foresight earlier on in my university career, but what’s done as done and I want to do what I can. I was only 17 at the time and had no clue what to do during that time. I just want a reasonable chance to prove myself is all. Faculty members at multiple universities that I’ve spoken to have all been very doom and gloom with their responses. Any advice from admitted students or clinicians? Thanks ?