roxyshoe

Thanks so much for your thoughts! It sounds like an amazing program!

Hi 2011 MSW Hopeful - I was just admitted to U Chicago and am seriously considering it. How do you like the program? I would be doing the clinical track. Do you feel like you are able to balance yourself with the workload and are you happy with your decision?

I wouldn't worry about the research stuff too much. From what I hear, MSW's will mostly only have you read research papers, and maybe one or two classes will have you design a small project of your own. But one of the major reasons why I chose MSW over a PhD in Clinical Psych is because I was really not into the idea of spending grad school doing research. Don't worry - you're entering the right program! I'd be worried if you were applying for a PhD

Thank you!! I submitted my application on December 1st

Just got accepted to U Chicago with a $12,000 scholarship! Waiting to hear from 7 more...but quite excited

Definitely do it - think of how many people get accepted but don't end up going. I'd still say do it as soon as possible, though!

Michigan has a program called the Global Scholars Program, but it is competitive.

I am so freaked out right now because it seems that I have really waited too long to turn in my applications. I applied to four schools, two of which I finished on the due date. I am working on my apps for four more schools, 3 of which are due at the end of this week. Ahh! I think I was a bit over-confident when I first started applying, but lately I have realized this is all more competitive than I thought. I am applying to: University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Chicago University of Maryland (Balt) New York University Columbia University Boston University Boston College I have a 3.76 overall GPA from U Michigan, double major in Psych and Creative Writing with a minor in German, completing a writing honors thesis currently, four years of research experience in a social psych lab, and 2 years of a teaching job, a survey research internship, and research fellowship. My only REAL human services experience was tutoring immigrant kids in Berlin for a few weeks. I'm so nervous because I really don't have much volunteer experience or know a whole ton about social work broadly defined. As my undergrad experiences clearly indicate, I was originally going to go for a PhD in social or clinical psych, but then I realized (perhaps too late, this past september) that I am tired of academia and like hands-on work far more. I also desperately need money from these schools because I already have debt from undergrad. GAH!

Hi! I am applying there too. I don't have an answer but I'm guessing an MPH would help you a lot. I hope someone else responds! x

I am applying to B.U and Maryland, don't know much about their macro programs...but from what I've read and seen at grad fairs, the macro side of things seems to be really good everywhere, whereas clinical is a bit more iffy depending on the school. x

I have a very similar issue. Lots of research experience. One of the info sessions I went to (U Mich) basically said "it doesn't hurt", but didn't seem to help much either. WUSTL, on the other hand, is really open to a variety of past experiences. I know you aren't applying to those but it seems like different schools have different preferences. I'm just crossing my fingers! Good luck! x

U Michigan, NYU, Columbia U, University of Chicago, University of Maryland (Baltimore), University of minnesota, Boston U and Boston College. Too many places, really.

Also, to what extent is the German language really a part of PhD programs or the pre-req master's ones? Would a german lit course, for instance, be taught in german?

hey! I just posted a new thread for advice about German PhD's in this forum. Can ya'll take a look? I felt it was unique enough that it deserved it's own thread, hehe. Thanks so much.

Hi all, After thinking about many other career options, I am currently considering doing a PhD in German. I don't know much about them, though, so I need your advice! A bit about me: I have taken a number of intensive German courses in college, passed a proficiency exam, and travelled to Germany twice. However, I am really rusty with the lang. right now because it's been a year since I've taking a German language course. How important is your German knowledge when being considered for admission? I am currently double majoring in Psychology and Creative Writing, with a minor in German. If I decide to pursue German I will major in that as well, and do an honors thesis for it. I am primarily interested in obtaining a German PhD because it is a great way for me to combine my interest in German literature/art history with my love for psychoanalytic theory. Would you all agree? I am intimidated because I don't have very much previous knowledge about German lit, etc other than some stuff I learned in classes. I can say I am very in love with Kafka and Hesse, and know their work well, but am somewhat unfamiliar with other writers. Is that baaad? I go to U Michigan and it looks like most ppl here get into really top PhD programs for German, and that getting into a German program is not too difficult in general due to lack of competition. Is that true? I mean, I was originally planning on applying for psych phD programs - it's notwhere near as competitive as that? Also, with my interests in mind, what are some good schools for me? THANK YOU!!!!!!!

ALSO, do you generally think it's a plain bad idea to get a Psy.D? Is it true the degree is being considered for eradication because of it's weird in-between of msw and phd in clinical psych? =/

I know a lot of schools offering Psy.D's are a bit sketchy. What are some universities that offer a Psy.D and are not-for-profit programs? For example, I know Northwestern has a program like this and I think (hope) it is funded in the same way a Ph.D would be. What are some similar programs? I also was wondering about my chances of getting into a program like that of Northwesterns. Here are my stats. - Double Major in Psychology (BA) and Creative Writing/Literature, possibility of German minor. - Overall gpa - 3.73; Psych GPA - 3.56 - I have gotten a minimum of an A- in all of my upper-level psych courses. However, in textbook-based, big intro classes I have gotten mostly B's, hence the mediocre psych gpa =/ This includes a C+ in Statistics and a B in Research Methods. (I just really don't do well in big classes!) - I am not expecting my gre scores to be over the top awesome. if anything, i will just make the cut-off with luck. - I had a paid internship working on a social psych survey project at the umich institute for social research one summer. And I had a research fellowship this past summer to do my own project in psychology (about meditation). - This will be my second year teaching a research in the social sciences course to underclassmen, which includes leading seminars, planning, grading, meeting/dealing with students..the works... - This will be my fourth year working in a social psychology lab (with big-name profs), and my third year as a lab manager in it. - I will be completing an honors thesis this year in clinical psych. - I will be a part of the counseling services student advisory board at my school this year. I know this is all more than enough to get into a professional, profiteering school's psy.d program, but what about really reputable ones? I have a lot of experience, but I've never published or anything, plus my grades in psych are not perfect, AND my gre scores will likely not be too impressive (I just suck at standardized tests...what can you do...) THANK YOU!!! And sorry for spamming this board, haha... xx

So I have been in an utter state of confusion concerning my future. In the past week I have oscillated between going into clinical psych, as was my original plan, to going into optometry to literature to german to chinese medicine! It has suddenely hit me how delicate my decision is, and how little time I have to decide what to apply to (at least for next year). I am back to thinking phd in psych is the most logical route for me to go. But I am so so afraid of it. I hear horror stories, basically. I am afraid I will have a nervous breakdown and have no life for seven years, finally graduate without much prospect of getting a good job, etc. I haven't just "heard" of such stories...but witnessed them first-hand. Granted, it is with a Social Psych PhD student and not a Clinical Psych one, which I most likely want to pursue...but ugh! Clinical is even more crazy competitive than social!!!! I do have mixed feelings on spending so much time doing research. I have already done lots of research in undergrad and feel frustrated and burdened by it often. It just seems so stressful yet so incubated in a tiny, often obsolete academic bubble. You can put a year into a project and it never gets published, and even when it does, no one really cares, etc. Plus, I am strongly considering going into private practice after obtaining my PhD, and I hear this is a "shameful" quality for students not in a Psy.D or counseling program. Plus there are a ton of annual fees to the APA and all that? It seems like this stuff is a scam unless you are really okay with being completely broke and overwhelmed for a long time. I hope I am wrong though. I just honestly don't know what to do with my life, it seems like EVERY degree and EVERY profession has con's which far outweight the pro's these days. I probably will take a year off, but I still want to apply to a few top choice psych programs just in case. So, basically, what are your thoughts on all of this....is getting a phd really worth the stress?

Thanks so much for your quick replies!! I DEFINITELY want to use psychoanalysis in whatever I do for literature. I find the combination quite fascinating I'm definitely going to keep using this site, I am already feeling better One more question - I am noticing several programs, like B.U's, don't even have classes about literature that isn't pretty much American or British. Is this common for a lot of schools? Is translated literature more of a comparative lit thing?

Hi all, I am a senior at University of Michigan with a double-major in Creative Writing & Literature (basically an english degree with an equal proportion of creative writing and literature courses) and Psychology. Psychology has been my main focus throughout college, although my real passion has always been for my other major. I have four years of experience as a research assistant in a social psych lab and lab manager experience, two years experience teaching a course on research methods to social science undergrads, one year works with the advisory board for counseling services, etc! What do I have for English?? A's in all my lit and creative writing classes (don't have this for psych- mostly b's), and a creative writing senior honors thesis, and a strong background in German language and some in its literature. I have been tremendously concerned about my future. I always felt pressured to go into psychology, but the more I think about getting a PhD in psych, or even an MSW, the more unsure I am. Tonight I realized I should utilize my natural talents for literature, and my pure passion for it, and pursue a PhD in English. However, this relief was soon trampled by the numerous sites I've found disparaging doctoral degrees in English. "Don't do it!" "You will be in debt!" "You will hate your life!" "This is meant for aristocrats ONLY!" So basically, I'm back to freaking out. ...I know what you are going to say, "You just decided on this TODAY! You need to know for a FACT that you want a PhD before you get one!" I do realize that...unfortunately I am so indecisive and fickle that I never know anything for sure. I need your help to aid me in coming closer. A few notes: My creative writing major is through a program called the residential college which is a lot more flexible in terms of requirements for my lit courses. Basically - I don't have a background AT ALL in certain realms of lit. My studies have been extremely centered on central and eastern european modern lit, especially 20th century. If I end up going the lit route, I will take a few more lit courses to broaden my knowledge in my final semester, but grad schools would not see that on my transcript. Will they think I'm pretty lame for having such a specific background? Also, will they look at my resume, see all my awesome psych experience, and be like, why is this girl not applying to psych grad school? What is she doing in this application pile? *spit* In my personal statements, I plan on utilizing my psych background as something which has strengthened my ability to critically analyze literature and pay attention to details, plus gives me extra knowledge that sets me apart from the typical applicant. Is that rational? Finally...I do want to go to a really good school. I haven't looked into things enough yet. But if I really, truly, seriously care about 20th century lit...to the point that I have a poster of Franz Kafka above my bed...will I be happy in an english program where I can specialize in this? or will I realize I just romanticized it all and hate myself for my bad decision? Sorry this is long...thanks so much for your help. any insight you can give...give away! xx