PSY D OR MASTERS?!

[Psychyogi]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice. I'll make the story short:

I applied to Nova Southeastern University's PSYD program in Davie, Florida, got an interview, but was then rejected. I am accepted to Argosy University Florida School of Professional Psychology's PSYD program though. I was also accepted to NSU's Masters in Experimental Psych program. The director of the program contacted me explaining he was interested in my application and that we share the same research interests

 Now, I am stuck between whether I should choose the master's program at NSU for 2 years to then apply for their doctorate program (totaling to approx 7 years of schooling and a larger debt) OR if I should just begin the PSYD program at Argosy. What holds me back from going to Argosy is that its not well known, the internship match rates are not the best vs NSU's is well know and highly respected for its research. The tuition for each school would be about the same because for Argosy I'd have to move out vs NSU I am able to stay at home since it is driving distance.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE IN THIS SITUATION? :(

NSU'S MASTERS PROGRAM TO THEN CONTINUE ON TO DOCTORAL PROGRAM BUT SPEND LONGER TIME SCHOOLING VS STARTING DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT AN OK-ish SCHOOL AND FINISHING IN 5 YEARS?

Things to keep in mind: I am 23 y/o. Doing the NSU route I'd be done by 31/32 ish, and doing the Argosy route I'd be done by 28/29 ish.

[Elephas]

Have you discussed with the director at NSU that you are very interested in attending but are hesitant because of funding? This may help increase your funding package especially since you have another funded offer already.

[Lea0919]

It seems like a big part of your concern is the time that it may take you to finish.  I will tell you that, while it is important, the time you could spend in school- particularly in doc programs- is not always as dependable as you might think.  In those years life happens.  I know a few too many people who started a program thinking it would take 2 years, but it took 3.  Which program will offer you more training for what you want to be doing as a professional?  If I were you, I would also actually break down the cost.  I know a lot of time we can say to ourselves "oh, it is more expensive" but not realize just how much more.  The last thing I will say is, which one would you be excited to go to? It may seem silly, but I think some times we forget to actually listen to our gut about this stuff.

[ABApsychh6]

On 4/28/2018 at 8:12 PM, Psychyogi said:

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice. I'll make the story short:

I applied to Nova Southeastern University's PSYD program in Davie, Florida, got an interview, but was then rejected. I am accepted to Argosy University Florida School of Professional Psychology's PSYD program though. I was also accepted to NSU's Masters in Experimental Psych program. The director of the program contacted me explaining he was interested in my application and that we share the same research interests

 Now, I am stuck between whether I should choose the master's program at NSU for 2 years to then apply for their doctorate program (totaling to approx 7 years of schooling and a larger debt) OR if I should just begin the PSYD program at Argosy. What holds me back from going to Argosy is that its not well known, the internship match rates are not the best vs NSU's is well know and highly respected for its research. The tuition for each school would be about the same because for Argosy I'd have to move out vs NSU I am able to stay at home since it is driving distance.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE IN THIS SITUATION?

NSU'S MASTERS PROGRAM TO THEN CONTINUE ON TO DOCTORAL PROGRAM BUT SPEND LONGER TIME SCHOOLING VS STARTING DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT AN OK-ish SCHOOL AND FINISHING IN 5 YEARS?

Things to keep in mind: I am 23 y/o. Doing the NSU route I'd be done by 31/32 ish, and doing the Argosy route I'd be done by 28/29 ish.

I think you should do the NSU route personally. I got accepted there for the PsyD and their programs as you have said are more well known than Argosy. In the long run it would be more beneficial as far as the "name" goes to go the NSU route, but it depends on just how much more expensive it is. Is the cost of moving going to in anyway balance the amount that you would spend at Nova? 

[nycgrad14]

On 4/28/2018 at 8:12 PM, Psychyogi said:

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice. I'll make the story short:

I applied to Nova Southeastern University's PSYD program in Davie, Florida, got an interview, but was then rejected. I am accepted to Argosy University Florida School of Professional Psychology's PSYD program though. I was also accepted to NSU's Masters in Experimental Psych program. The director of the program contacted me explaining he was interested in my application and that we share the same research interests

 Now, I am stuck between whether I should choose the master's program at NSU for 2 years to then apply for their doctorate program (totaling to approx 7 years of schooling and a larger debt) OR if I should just begin the PSYD program at Argosy. What holds me back from going to Argosy is that its not well known, the internship match rates are not the best vs NSU's is well know and highly respected for its research. The tuition for each school would be about the same because for Argosy I'd have to move out vs NSU I am able to stay at home since it is driving distance.

 

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU WERE IN THIS SITUATION?

NSU'S MASTERS PROGRAM TO THEN CONTINUE ON TO DOCTORAL PROGRAM BUT SPEND LONGER TIME SCHOOLING VS STARTING DOCTORAL PROGRAM AT AN OK-ish SCHOOL AND FINISHING IN 5 YEARS?

Things to keep in mind: I am 23 y/o. Doing the NSU route I'd be done by 31/32 ish, and doing the Argosy route I'd be done by 28/29 ish.

I hate to tell you but I would NOT go to NSU. It was one of the worst programs I have ever interviewed at. I applied for their PhD, didnt interview with ANYONE remotely close to my field, got accepted by someone in my field, and they asked me to send them my CV... so they literally had no idea who I was. I am sorry but there is just no real research going on at that school, also to remind you there is absolutely no funding either so its about 150K for the whole program. It really is a money/psyd/phd mill, you will be attending in a class of 100 - times that by 5 for each cohort so technically you will be 1 of 500 doctoral students at any given time. You cannot possibly get the attention you need. You should find a program that is a little more robust. I would say if you want to do a Masters to get more experience and then apply elsewhere, that's what you should do. You shouldnt just go to a school because it's the next step of the journey; you should be going to school because its a great fit and you will get great clinical exposure - not sure either of those schools fit the bill. I am happy to connect with you offline to tell you more about my interview experience at NSU - it honestly was almost comical how amateur this program was. Luckily I got into my top choice and can put this behind me.