myanlee

Dear HyacinthMacaw, Thanks so much for your reply! Yes, the GPA was hard work indeed, and the research/clinical experience were really valuable and interesting! The tips that you gave are indeed useful - I'll definitely work on them and see how things go. I'm just a little worried about a couple of things, namely: (1) I've only got 7 months left before I head for scholarship in Buffalo, and (2) I have a feeling that professors aren't going to want to give research experience to a student that's only going to be there for one semester. :/ I've read quite a bit - but not researched extensively - that PhDs focus on research, but do have a substantial clinical component as well, while PsyDs usually focus on being consumers of research - that is, practicing. I'd like to have exposure to both, for I'd really want to be involved in research to shape the field, but also not forget about what I'm doing all this for - i.e. it's all about the patients in the end! Thanks again, Hyacinth. Your advice really helped! Myanlee

Hello all, I was wondering if going straight from undergraduate status (I'm a senior) to PhD was going to be disadvantageous. I've been advised in another forum to get tons of research experience, and I was wondering if it was possible - especially seeing how so many people on this forum have so much research experience! Applications look very daunting to me indeed. I'm currently an international (Singapore) student taking psychology at University of Buffalo, but doing it in my country (they offer an entire syllabus and sends their faculty down to teach us)! I've a GPA of 3.966 so far, psych GPA is 4.0. I'm taking GREs soon (fingers crossed). In addition, I've been conducting research testing (WISC, WIAT...) to research participants in the local schools for around 6 months and concurrently doing an internship at the local hospital consisting of roleplaying of mental patients, discussions and practice in psychological assessment which will last 6 months. Lastly, i've taken courses in the local mental health institute where we were assigned mental patients, and we had discussions on them. Thing is, I'm gonna be going on a scholarship to Buffalo, NY for one semester to University at Buffalo itself, and I'm wondering what I could do there, for I do realize that Clinical Psychology programs can be really competitive. I'm thinking of going to a college that's more balanced between practice and research, for I'm very much interested in both. Where do I stand right now, and what do I need to do to improve my qualifications? I'm a little worried about my relative lack of research experience. Would like to know where I can do more research on universities and their orientations. Ideally, would like to get into a top 10 program that would offer me the best fit for my dual interests above -- but not sure how I should go about doing it. :/ Thanks in advance! Good luck to those people receiving applications soon!

Hello Nessa, Many thanks for your response! It was timely and important for me. You know what, I reckon you're right partially - I do feel that I'm applying for UC Berkeley based off reputation - and it's very clear to me that I was going in without knowing what was getting into after reading what you said! I guess I was just a little worried about the age and time factors - there's compulsory national service in Singapore and I'm not getting any younger. I'll do just what you did! However, what would be your (or anyone on this forum's) appraisal on my credentials? Besides gaining research experience, I do want to know how I can further bolster my academic profile so that I can better expedite my entry into a good graduate school. Thanks again, Nessa - what you said about research experience and "knowing what you're getting into" really struck me - I'm gonna rethink my options very carefully! Myanlee

Hello to all of you, I'm an undergraduate senior student doing Psychology in The State University of New York, Buffalo in Singapore (they offer a program in Singapore, where I stay). I'm in my last 2 semesters, and I'm considering where to apply to. I would really, really be very appreciative if I could obtain help on this forum! Just looking at university applications make it really stressful for me. My resident director in Singapore has encouraged me to head over to Buffalo to do my PhD. However (and I really, really don't wanna sound conceited), I believe I deserve more than my current college in terms of academic development - also considering that University at Buffalo does not have a very recognized Psychology department. Please feel free to correct me if anyone of you believes that I'm horribly mistaken! Please read my academic information below: 1) My GPA is a 3.966/4.0 - I guess I can be considered an international student since I don't actually study in the campus itself! I've never S/Ued any courses, and I've generally stuck to Psychology-related stuff. 2) I'm going to be taking my GRE in April, so I have no idea how I'm gonna do for that - but I did sign up for a prep course. 3) I'm a scholarship recipient in the Singapore program for University at Buffalo - but it's only for a semester's study in Buffalo, so really - it's nothing major 4) The undergraduate program in Singapore doesn't offer any thesis component, nor any research component! This is one big headache for me! 5) Currently, I'm a research assistant at one of the local universities, but only doing grunt work such as conducting tests, nothing major at all! 6) I'm currently applying for a psychology internship at the neuroscience clinic at one of the hospitals in my country. I should be getting it if nothing goes wrong. Now, I would really appreciate help on the following questions that I have: a) I looked at the Clinical Psychology program for UC Berkeley, and the first thing that I saw was that, "... it is very advantageous to have field research experience. Many of our successful applicants have at least a year of such related experience, and most have more." Will this jeopardize my chances if I apply for this program? Will my internship and little research experience be able to substitute for their "field research experience" component? If I'm unable to obtain enough research experience, should I take a 1-year postgraduate diploma to obtain the "thesis component" and "research experience" required? Will my current standing be good enough? b. I'll be heading over to Buffalo, New York to complete my last semester under the scholarship that I managed to obtain. I have sent emails to professors (who have come over to teach the cohort here), and they have agreed to let me tour their research labs. I've asked them if I could do some research work for them - any form! - and I'm now waiting for a reply. How can I maximize my short time over in Buffalo to make sure that I can expedite my own application for the top universities in U.S? c) I'm really interested in the Clinical Psychology program at UC Berkeley, for it is world renowned, and I would be thrilled to be able to work with such esteemed people and to be able to share, discuss and do work together! However, what are the other Clinical Psychology programs in the U.S. that are good too? Being in Singapore, it is difficult to find out a lot about the professors in the U.S. d) How do I study for the GRE? I would like to practice on my own too besides what the prep course offers me. Will doing the GRE books suffice? ----- As you guys can probably see, I'm really one stressed up furball. I really want to make the best choice for my postgraduate education, and not waste the time (and money!!) that will be needed. Thanks so much in advance for everything! I would be really appreciative if I could obtain some enlightenment amidst all this gloom. I'm a confused student right now indeed.