Leaving Current Clinical Psych PhD Program and Reapplying in December

[Clinpsychhopefull]

Hi everyone, 

I'm in desperate need of advice and would appreciate any feedback anyone would be able to provide. 

I'm currently a first year student at a Clinical Psych PhD program that does not feel like a good fit and I'm interested in applying again in December. The program is a lot more clinically oriented than I had initially thought and I am very interested in research. Students are not matched with a mentor until after starting classes and I was matched with a mentor that doesn't really seem interested in helping students get experience in research (working in lab, publications, etc..). The program also isn't fully funded so I'd be looking at about ~200k of debt after graduating, which just doesn't seem worth it to me right now. When I was interviewing for the school, I was told that if research was something I was interested in that I'd be able to put in the extra effort to get the experience I felt I needed, but that's not really looking like the case.

I can try switching mentors next year, but many other students from my cohort are also interested in switching over to the main lab I'd be looking to switch into, meaning there's no guarantee that it'll be a successful switch. I don't want to waste another year (and about 25k in loans) to see if it'll work out. 

With all of this said, I'm really leaning towards applying to different programs in December, I'm just not sure how to go about it and I wonder about the following:

1) Would it be best for me to finish the semester or even the year? I'd really like to avoid taking out more loans for next semester since I'm aware that you can't really transfer over credits to other programs, I just don't know which would look better on an application. If I leave now, I can still get a partial refund, but would that look terrible on an application?

• My GRE scores aren't very great (155 for verbal and quant), so would completing the semester compensate for that at all?

2) I've read on other posts that a letter from the DCT can go a long way, but I'm not sure how to talk to my DCT about this and if they'd even be willing to provide a letter since I don't think they'd be supporting my decision. Is this something that'll severely impact my application? 

3) Has anyone else gone through this? If so, can you share your experience? 

Thanks!

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Clinpsychhopefull
Forgot a question

[Psyche007]

Oof, tough situation, I'm sorry to hear it.

The first thing that jumps out to me is the likelihood of being accepted into another programme next cycle. If you knew that you might not be able to get in for perhaps 2-3 years, would that change your perspective?

Have you identified any other programmes of interest? Is there a way to speak to anyone to develop a sense of how leaving a programme looks on an application to their application committee?

Finally, how do your research interests stay within clinical psych? Is it possible that you would benefit from an adjacent psychological discipline that is purely research based?

If that turns out to be true (for example, switching from clinical to social) I suspect that might be viewed more favorably than a switch from one clinical psych programme to another.

Edited September 13, 2020 by Psyche007

[Clinpsychhopefull]

Thanks for your reply @Psyche007. All very good points to consider. 

- That's definitely one of the most concerning factors given the competitive nature of these programs, but I've been thinking about it a lot and I think I'd rather wait to get into a program that's a better fit than trying to stick through a program where I'm unhappy. It's unfortunate since I'm already in my mid-20s and I was really eager to start school, but I just don't feel like I'll be happy if I stick around, additionally the idea of taking on so much debt to be in a program that I don't find fulfilling is stressful to say the least. 

- I have a few programs in mind and I started making phone calls, but no luck yet. I haven't called too many schools though, so I'm remaining a bit hopeful for now and maybe I'll be able to make contact with someone that'll be able to provide some insight eventually. 

- I've thought about this one a lot. I've tried thinking about changing my focus (considered developmental psych for a bit), but in reality clinical psych is the only discipline that fits my research interests. 

[SoundofSilence]

11 hours ago, Clinpsychhopefull said:

Thanks for your reply @Psyche007. All very good points to consider. 

- That's definitely one of the most concerning factors given the competitive nature of these programs, but I've been thinking about it a lot and I think I'd rather wait to get into a program that's a better fit than trying to stick through a program where I'm unhappy. It's unfortunate since I'm already in my mid-20s and I was really eager to start school, but I just don't feel like I'll be happy if I stick around, additionally the idea of taking on so much debt to be in a program that I don't find fulfilling is stressful to say the least. 

It sounds like a tough situation to be in, sorry to hear you aren't happy at your new program.

From what you said, it sounds like it's not a funded program, which is not typical of research heavy ones. Programs that train successful researchers often have star research faculty that provide mentorship and who draw in a lot of big grants and thus can fund their grad students decently (not a lot, but usually no or minimal debt).

200k in debt is a looot, especially since even academic clinical psych doesn't pay as much as say a MD degree would after graduation. I would advise you to consider avoiding as much debt as you can. 

You're still young! Many people on here (including me) made it or are trying to make it into a program in their 30s, 40s, etc. Getting into a better program, that matches your interests and with less debt would be preferable, even if it takes a year or two longer.

11 hours ago, Clinpsychhopefull said:

- I have a few programs in mind and I started making phone calls, but no luck yet. I haven't called too many schools though, so I'm remaining a bit hopeful for now and maybe I'll be able to make contact with someone that'll be able to provide some insight eventually. 

Do you have any previous academic mentors/ supervisors that can give you some advice? Program admins might not be able to answer such a complex question on the phone regarding admissions. A professor might be able to give you more insight into how to handle this change and how a committee views these things.

11 hours ago, Clinpsychhopefull said:

- I've thought about this one a lot. I've tried thinking about changing my focus (considered developmental psych for a bit), but in reality clinical psych is the only discipline that fits my research interests. 

If you don't intend to practice, you may still consider other areas in psychology. Those might  be easier to switch into and less competitive, so would not take that many more years to start the program, while letting you put all the focus on the things you are passionate about. However, if you do intend to practice, clinical psych is very competitive. Do you have enough previous research activity to get the attention of POIs? That might compensate a lower GRE for example.

If all seems too fuzzy right not, you can consider working as a lab coordinator for a year or so - this could give you an edge in clinical psych admissions and might help you clarify what you want to do next and how to get there successfully. 

From my perspective, that amount of debt is definitely not necessary if you are intending on a research career and it will only keep you from achieving your dreams (after grad school you might want other adult things that come with a high price tag - such as a house, family, boat, etc  A lot of debt might keep you stuck in an area you don't like or employed in a place you hate just because you have such a high financial burden).

The path to clinical psych is not a straight one for many of us, but it doesn't mean it's bad just because it's not how we dreamed of it initially.  Often these experiences are what make us very good and unique clinicians/ researchers. 

[Clinpsychhopefull]

Thanks @SoundofSilence, I totally agree. And it's reassuring to hear that! I honestly do feel that it's worth waiting to be in a program that better fits my needs (and that won't leave me with so much debt of course) 

My supervisors are being extremely supportive and they're trying to connect me with people that might be able to help since they're not too sure either. I'm going to try to get in touch with some of my undergrad professors (that's a good idea, thanks I didn't think of that!) 

Though research is my primary interest, I would love to have the option of practicing available which is why I'm still sticking to clinical psych even though it's so competitive ?. I really like both aspects of clinical psych, I'd just like to focus on research with the option of practicing on the side if possible (or even later in the future). 

I have 4 years of research experience, 3 of those years as a full-time research coordinator, but I don't have any publications. I'll definitely be working on this once I leave my current program to try to make my application hold a bit more weight. 

And yes, definitely! That's what really terrifies me about all of this, having that weight over my head for who knows how long and not even being happy with the experience I got out of the program. 

Thank you so much for your message, you've given me a lot of reassurance! I just hope this all works out