Aiming Low... Where Can I Go?

[PSY@UCSD]

Hello. =) I'm new to the GradCafe forums, so I apologize if I'm posting in the wrong section.

I am currently a psychology major (junior) at UCSD. My GPA (overall) is just below a 3.5, and my psych GPA is just below a 3.2 (drastically lowered due to a C+ and C earned during my first two years). I am planning to take the GRE this summer. I am currently working at the local hospital as a research intern, and have participated in two other labs over the past year... so I'm hoping that my internship experience will help make up for my low GPAs.

I've considered applying to various PsyD and MFT programs (I'm interested in counseling vs. research)... but I'm facing two problems:

1. I was only able to find ONE "top ranked" list for PsyD programs, and NO "top ranked" lists for MFT programs.

2. I want to aim low (aka be realistic), but not TOO low. Basically, I don't want to apply to 10 schools in the fall, and be rejected by all of them because I'm not good enough... but I don't want to be accepted into a program that's TOO easy, and end up with a degree that's essentially worthless to employers (or seen as a joke by other professionals).

I could really use some guidance regarding all of this. =(

[bon to the jour]

I'd start by asking someone in your department (probably a clinical person, if you want a psyD) or whoever teaches the "careers in psychology" class if you have one of those. Also regarding your GPA, check to see if your school allows you to retake classes for a grade replacement. My undergrad school let people retake up to 3 classes for a new grade and this was a life-saver for me.

As for psyD programs, I'm not really sure where they are or how they are ranked (I'm a social/cog psy person) but another thing you may want to look into is clinical phd programs. My school, for example, is really counseling-heavy; clinical students here are supposed to have 300+ hours counseling whereas some other schools are more research-based and only require about 80 hours counseling. Also, where you apply is going to have a lot to do with where you want to live, what exactly you want to study, and also the strength of your application packet, including letters of recommendation, research experience, publications/posters, statement of purpose, overall and major GPA, GRE scores, and general fit with the program you are applying to. When you speak with a professor about where you should apply, be prepared to answer these sorts of questions.

Finally, if your GRE scores aren't very good (and keep in mind that there are some cases where this doesn't really matter), you can take a GRE prep class that almost guarantees at least a 100 pt increase.

[tiredofwaiting923]

Honestly, your gpa doesn't seem too low. I don't know too much about the PsyD programs, but do have a couple of friends who applied to MFT programs. Their gpas were much lower than yours and they were able to get into respectable schools. My advice is to focus on your personal statements and reflect on how you have learned and benefited from your volunteering experiences and internships. If you can come up with a good personal statement along with decent GRE scores, you should be fine.