PhD in Clinical Psychology in the U.S for an international student.

[Adriano Bisconti]

In my long online search to find a doctorate in clinical psychology the program offered by many universities (fully funded) in the U.S has caught my attention, and leaded me to seak advice. 

 

My name is Adriano Bisconti, I am an Argentine and Italian citizen. I currently reside in Argentina, i have 33 years old. When I was 28 years old, I decided to go back to school with many uncertainties and fears. Throughout this process I have achieved things that I never thought possible, the degree course in Psychology in Argentina is extremely demanding and due to the massiveness of its population, there are two ways to complete the degree program, the most difficult one of those ways implies a very autonomous and self-taught learning process with only a few tutorials from the teacher, in addition to that, a very demanding essay must be prepared to then take a written exam and, if the written exam is passed, an oral examination is taken. Throughout my bachelor's degree in psychology, I passed 12 exams using the most demanding modality of evaluation, this is something that very few people have achieved, and some teachers have told me that they have almost never seen students who have achieved something like this. I'm not saying that i am smart, i just can study and be focus for long hours (i love to study).

 

From one of those exams that involve a very high  commitment to self-taught learning, my thesis on neurosciences and sports was born, which was written entirely by me, this thesis will also be the first scientific research of its kind in my country (and maybe southamerica). Later in life (late bloomer?) I realized how much I love to study, create totally new and innovative knowledge, and that I am able to achieve very difficult and demanding things that involve creativity, time and a lot of sacrifice. I have also learned the English language in a self-taught way studying it for pleasure and being able to communicate with English speakers understanding absolutely everything.

 

I'm about to conclude my bachelor degree in psychology (5 year programm) and every day I wake up with a feeling that says "I can undertake more difficult challenges and achieve my goals with excellence" since I have the ability to stay focused for years on my goal working tirelessly being able to deal with all kinds of pressures no matter how intense they are.

This is my 3 years plan: 

 

• Prepare to get the highest possible score on my GRE exam (i know that i can score really good in all areas).
• Publish my thesis.
• Obtain a Master's degree in Neuroscience (publish the master's thesis, gain more experience in research).
• Work experience as a clinical psychologist in Argentina.
• Prepare my TOEL exam.
• Postgraduate course in cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Postgraduate course in neurocognitive evaluation.
• Apply in early 2022 (36 years old).

 

My dream is to become a clinical psychologist because I am passionate about acquiring the methodological tools that allow me to understand and scientifically investigate human behavior, as well as the therapies validated empirically to treat it.  I know I need to have 3 letters of recommendation, a good score on my GRE exam, and a letter arguing my reasons for joining the program. But as an international student I have the following questions about that some factors that may help in the selection process: 

 

• Would experience in clinical psychology from another country improve my chances of being accepted in the program?

• Would a master's degree in clinical neuropsychology increase my chances? (I am planning on taking this master the next year).

• Would Posgraduate training in EMDR therapy be valuable?

• Would a publication with my name in a journal increase my chances of being accepted?

• Is it possible to access an internship or teacher assitant position to fund my college fees? 

• Would certified experience as a collaborator in an investigation administering neurocognitive tests be valuable (i have two certificates)?

I know that i am a international student and there are millions of american students way more experienced, way smartter, with better college education, and i know that i will not be accepted in a top ten school. But anybody thinks that  if i can put together this experiences in a application form and then apply to ten different universities (with fully funded programms) some one would say "yes" ?

Any advice would be highly appreciated.