PsychGirl1

Well I caved and talked to the program I'm starting at, and they told me I have to graduate in June. They told me that when I start in August, I have to provide a transcript showing that I graduated from my program. ... And back to working on my thesis now. Sigh.

Why don't you ask them if you can speak to some current students over email or phone?

I don't have any personal experience with this, but here's what I'd think: it happens. Most of the time, people probably don't realize they made a mistake ever. I'd go in with your new results, what it changes, what the mistake made, and how this changes your conclusion (aka be super prepared and thorough). Then ask him how he wants to handle your thesis (my guess: you won't have to change anything) and the paper (my guess: new results). They won't take your master's degree away because you made a tiny math mistake.

Oops yes- that is what I meant. Non-clinical students rarely (if ever, really) have the chance to take any clinical courses or have any sort of clinical experiences.

Ah- you posted while I was typing :-D Honestly, I've said this before- you're going to retire what, when you're 75? Taking one or two more years to get into the program and career path you want is nothing in the grand scheme of things, and if it gets you where you want to go, then it's really the best decision. A little bit more research, a little bit more clinical experience, a little higher GRE scores... all those things may make a difference the next time you apply :-). Good luck!

Clinical Psych programs are a bit more competitive to get into (generalizing) and are structed differently. Usually you do 2 years of practicuum, and then you're required to do a year-long internship. However, over the years, you spend a lot of time working to get enough clinical hours to be competitive for internship. You also take very different courses, and your research has a different kind of focus (ex. it may be the same issue, but clinical psych will generally approach it from more of an intervention/treatment/etiology framework). It's much more of a balance between research, coursework, and clinical work- your graduate experience will be very different from being in a social psych program. Also, you likely will not have the chance to take clinical courses or do clinical work during your first year of the program to see if you're interested, so I don't see how you'll be any more informed in a year to make the decision. Just my two cents :-D

This thread is like being in high school :-). No, there is no such thing as early action.

Just reapply. The difference between social and clinical psych is fairly big, and will determine your graduate experience as well as your career options. If you're not entirely sure you want to go social, don't do it. Take the year to get some clinical experience and figure out if it's what you want to do and reapply. Taking that risk is better than ending up in a program and a career path that is not the right fit.

Awesome- thank you very much! I appreciate all the feedback and info on past experiences.

Yeah, I'll call and ask if it becomes more likely I'll have to do this, but I just want to figure out if it's an option as of now. (I don't want to call and have it turn into a thing, since I'm in a pretty small program). It just seems like something that should happen fairly often- people going from MA/MS/MPH programs right into a PhD program.

Bumpppppp

Harvard Extension School was great- I took a night class there when I lived in Cambridge. You had the option of either going to class in person (it was taught at Harvard by a real Harvard professor, she said she switched year-to-year between HES and undergrad Harvard) or watching the lectures online. Then for class participation, you could either participate in forums online or attend actual recitation. Even though I lived like, a mile away, I still ended up doing most of my work online instead of in person :-). You can also take many classes at an undergrad level or a grad level- it's essentially the same class with different degree requirements (ex. I had to write a different and longer paper and do more short essays, things like that). I'd recommend doing it at the grad level. I do think it's helpful for both your foundational knowledge and your application to have some graduate-level psych courses under your belt, even if it's just through an extension program.

Thanks for the responses! I already know that I have to do a second MS as part of my PhD program- they don't make any exceptions or take any credits or your thesis (one of the few schools that is so strict about it!). That's my gut, too- that if they aren't taking my credits or my thesis, and my acceptance isn't contingent upon me graduating, that it shouldn't be any problem if I'm technically enrolled in them both at the same time for a few weeks. My advisor did ask me if they knew I might not graduate til August but I was like "oh, I can't imagine that being a big deal" until i went home and thought about it :-D. Many people do take the summer to graduate, but I'm not sure if anyone has had this exact same issue, since my PhD program starts relatively early. I can try to ask around. Anyone on here have any experience with this?

I'm currently in a MS program. I'm wrapping up this spring and starting a PhD program in the fall. My thesis is fairly complex, and I'm struggling to finish it by the end of spring term (June 15th). If I want an extra week or two, I'm able to continue working into the summer term (many people do it), but even if I defend my thesis at the end of June, I won't officially "graduate" until September 7th. However, my new program starts classes August 19th. Does anyone know if this would create a problem or not? I haven't contacted my new program yet because I'm not sure if I'll need the extra time yet or not. Thanks!

Send a thank you. Doesn't matter if you do it together or separate, but separate can allow you to make it more personal. Don't overthink these things.

There have been numerous threads on here about master's programs. Like, at least 5 that I can remember in the past few months alone- search for them. Off the top of my head, check out the MS/MA programs at BC, Drexel, Villanova, and Wake Forest. There are more, though.

Chug it out while planning a week long vacation in July. For that week, tell everyone you will be out of the country and can't get computer or cell phone access. Turn everything off and RELAX. Make sure to drink margaritas and/or pina coladas as well!! Also, I'd spend some time thinking about major future goals/careers, or the people you really want to become in the future as inspiration. You could also try pulling in a new (but related area) into your research, so that you are learning new things and are becoming challenged. (I don't know anything about your area of research). You could maybe also try brainstorming for a certain amount of time every day all the crazy, cool research ideas you would like to do? No matter how expensive/crazy/whatever. I find this often inspires me. But like I said, I know absolutely nothing about your field of research, so if this is completely irrelevant, just ignore me :-D

Agreed- consent form should be the very first thing fter the first page.

I think we all agree that this can happen... but the majority of Psych programs that I know about do have a cut-off. For some programs, it means that faculty members won't even be able to review your file if you fall below the cutoff. For other programs, it means that your professor will just have to defend why they want to interview you if you fall below the cutoff. Cut-off values can range from quite high scores to fairly low scores. Other programs don't use cut-offs at all. Even some MA/MS programs use cut-offs, and I know that for a fact. However, once you get past the cut-off, it's not necessarily used after that. Depending on the program, GRE scores go anywhere from completely irrelevant to just one factor in your application. From my experience, it's not used to determine your base funding, but they would be considered for any sort of additional school-based or program-based scholarship/fellowship. My advice: Try to retake and get the GRE as high as possible. Then apply to a large number of schools (like, larger than the normally-already-very-large number of apps). Hopefully with this, you will hit some schools without cutoffs (or with very low cutoffs) so that your app gets reviewed by a decent number of faculty. I'd also apply to both PhD and MA/MS programs, or schools that have both.

I don't see why it should have to be the perfect match 100%. For example, if worked with someone who generally does what you're interested in, you could propose a study looking at weight/BMI within that. Or if you worked with someone who did children, perhaps you could do a study expanding his research into adolescents or young adults. Not every study you do has to exactly map onto what your POI is doing... I'd say if you get to like, 75% match you're closely matched. Just have an idea of how you would take the POI's current research and stretch it into your own.

Honestly, at some point you just have to decide for yourself. Go with your gut.

Clinical PhD programs range from almost completely clinical focus to almost completely research focus. So they do not just train you for academia only. Which program you go to depends what career path (clinical vs research vs both) you're most prepared for, but in theory, you could go any way you wanted.

<Crickets>

I've decided not to live with someone in my small cohort. First, you're already going to be spending tons of time together. Second, think about every time a project is due, or there is a test- think about whether you want that person knocking on your door asking to study with you, or asking for help, or explanations- at any time of the day/night. Third, in my opinion, it's a way to ruin relationships within the cohort, especially if one of you has a strong personality. The benefit of the stranger IS that you're both preoccupied with separate worlds- but also that it doubles your potential social circle. I'd personally go for the stranger, but after talking a few times to make sure you guys get along. As long as you are living near where people in your cohort live, you won't be missing out on any socialization. Also, keep in mind that you can always move after the first year (or sooner if you find someone to replace you at your current apt!).

You could see if there are any web-based exposure therapies. Otherwise, public speaking class sounds like the same thing- but maybe see if you can let the instructor know that you are taking this due to a public speaking fear, and see if she can increase your exposure over time (ex. let you sit with notes the first time, etc. and then work your way up to standing with no notes and no podium). If the class doesn't help, I'd look into a psychologist who specializes in public speaking/exposure therapy when you get back, so you can at least work on it while you're in school. Good luck!