sweetnighter

Doesn't really matter. Most people specialize in something or other... doesn't really matter what the Ph.D. is called as long as its recognized by universities and state licensing offices.

To be brutally honest here, the job prospects for having an MA in general psychology are really, really bad. REALLY BAD. It would be hard to me to overstate this point. I say this only because I have many friends who graduated from a terminal masters and are struggling to find work. I think it has less to do with the degree per se than it does with the economy. As the economy has soured, the number of folks out there with terminal MAs has risen sharply, while the number of opportunities for them have bottomed out. I know people who have MAs who are quite literally flipping burgers. This is not to say that the same fate awaits you... if you work your connections and find the right person or the right gig, more power to you. As far as applying to PhDs, you should definitely figure out a situation where you can get your name on a manuscript and get it under review at a reputable journal, even if you're a coauthor. Remember, making money and doing psychological research don't have to happen at the same place. You can work in retail and do your research. There are many possibilities. Hope I'm not bearing too much bad news... but the thread here would be amiss if somebody read it and didn't at least get the pessimist's perspective.

First off, hell yes for being a Clevelander. I grew up near Twinsburg. Second, to be perfectly honest, I think your biggest obstacle won't be your GREs, but your age. As said, its impressive that you finished college so young, but a lot of grad advisors look for people who have some kind of life experience to bring to the research table, whatever that may be. If I were you, I would look for a research job to get some experience under your belt. Work that for a few years, make sure you're still invested in getting a Ph.D., and then apply. If you rush it, you might be able to squeak into a middle-of-the-road kind of program. If you take your time, get the recommendations, ace the GRE, and get some real substantial research experience under your belt, you could really knock it out of the park. Also, what donnyz89 said is right on all counts. Admissions are wildly competitive. Applications take a long time. Also, keep in mind that most people in Ph.D. programs, especially clinical psych, are going to be 23-28 years old when they get admitted, and often times older. You're going to have a really crappy time if all your peers want to go drinking and you can't go. My advice: (1) Slooooow down and live a little. Go on a roadtrip or fly to Europe if you can afford it... I wish I had. (2) Explore your options. Get a job, see how it feels to make some money. Meet some people who are doing things in the real world--advisors are people who help you become your best self... not just people with Ph.D.'s working in university offices. (3) Don't apply to a grad program until you're in the 80th percentile or higher on one of your GRE scores... otherwise you're pouring money down the drain.

one for fifteen... but one's enough!

Veteran NYC student here. Ive never lived in New School housing, but if youre an international student, live in student housing. The NYC rental market is ***EXTREMELY*** stressful, competitive, expensive, and difficult to deal with. After living in NY for a bit, go for it, but start out with school housing.

Rejected here. Oh well, better luck next year. Congrats to this year's new fellows!

young cannibals

DONT DO IT If you just want to become a practicing therapist, save the time and money and go for an MSW. If you're interested in an academic-research career, wait until the next admissions cycle rolls around and apply exclusively to programs that fund their students. NO program is worth that much money, and it could be 15 or 20 years until you break even on that investment. When there are so many other cheaper options available, and funded programs, and fellowships, etc., there's no need to go that far in debt for a doctoral degree.

United States

Can't wait. Ford, please let us know!!!

Its a 2 year program. If you really want to, you can take summer classes and get it done in three semesters.

Yeah, when I found out I was waitlisted at one of my top choices -- and I was so certain I would be straight out rejected, as this particular program doesn't conduct interviews -- I lost my breath and then flipped out. Then, it was extremely exciting! Now, its much less so. I too have no acceptances and am desperately hoping that I'll be pulled off of one. I guess it changes based on my mood: When I'm feeling good, I just *know* I'll get pulled off the waitlist. Other times I feel that I'm just being teased and will end up with no acceptances. It's really a tough spot.

Teddy roosevelt

Its been a long road, but that magical month is finally here: April. These are truly the times that try men's souls. Some of us will be accepted off the waitlist. Others will face grimmer fates. But we will all make it through and face April 15th, together. How we doin, folks?

Night raid