Hey everyone,
Not sure if people are still checking the posts on here but thought I would try anyway. I am planning on applying to clinical psychology programs this winter. I am wondering what the average research experience of those accepted to programs this year was? I currently am a volunteer RA in one social psych lab and also recently accepted a second volunteer position in another social psych lab. Right after accepting the second volunteer position, I was offered a paid summer research assistant position with a borderline personality disorder clinic at CAMH - a U of T affiliated mental health facility. It is such an amazing opportunity and very happy to be working there this summer.
However, I am starting to wonder if I can handle the second volunteer lab job. I might be putting too much on my plate for the summer with classes, one of which is in calculus because I need it for my psych requirement at U of T. I know the calculus course is going to take a lot of my attention. Additionally, I am working on a theoretical independent summer project (similar to a thesis) which I hope may lead to an empirical project in the fall. The new volunteer job requires at least 10 hours a week, on top of my part-time job at the lab, the calculus course through July and August, and my independent project. Not to mention trying to find some time to actually enjoy the summer. I feel if I couldn't make it work the volunteer position would understand, and they would also have over a month to find someone to replace me as the project doesnt start until July.
So my question is, am I just shooting myself in the foot giving up research experience? Should I just grin and bare it this summer so my application looks better this fall? I am also hoping to find another paid position this fall, or at least another volunteer position to pad my application. Grades are good, 3.9 GPA this past year. Just worried about research experience. How much did people have? Is two or three positions far below the average?
Thank you if you read all of my rant!