Need your opinion!

[chak]

I'm currently an undergrad at my college with rougly about 6 courses(18 credits) left before completing my B.A. I've spoken to a bunch of people and a doctorate student at my school threw out this website as a source of information. I am basically applying for grad school early decision in approximately a month so I can start grad school once I graduate from undergrad. The program that I am looking into specifically is Mental Health Counseling or the master's equivalent of a Clinical/Counseling Psych PhD. program. I've decided to stay in NYC and the programs that I am interested in applying for reside( not in any order) in Columbia, NYU,Baruch,CIty College, Queens College.

Here is my situation:

My CV/resume consists of interning at a clinic in the city, lab research assistant in 3 separate psych labs in my school, internship for a summer in a daycare center for the elderly, 2nd authorship in a potential poster publication. My cumulative gpa is only a 2.8 at the moment but my gpa for the most recent 45 credit has been close to a 3.5gpa. Psych gpa (which I declared when I wasn't as focused in school) is only a 3.3, Political Science major gpa (which I declared when I began paying more attention towards my grades) is a 3.8.

What I plan to do for the fall/spring is:

-Take 18 credits for the both the upcoming fall and spring semester to a)finish my requirement and take extra courses to futher boost my cumulative gpa.

-Continue work as an intern at the clinic to further build up my experience as an undergrad

-Continue work as a research assistant in 1 or 2 of the research labs at school

-Attempt to sign up for an independent study course under a psych professor

Let me know your opinions!

[TheDude]

I'm currently an undergrad at my college with rougly about 6 courses(18 credits) left before completing my B.A. I've spoken to a bunch of people and a doctorate student at my school threw out this website as a source of information. I am basically applying for grad school early decision in approximately a month so I can start grad school once I graduate from undergrad. The program that I am looking into specifically is Mental Health Counseling or the master's equivalent of a Clinical/Counseling Psych PhD. program. I've decided to stay in NYC and the programs that I am interested in applying for reside( not in any order) in Columbia, NYU,Baruch,CIty College, Queens College.

Here is my situation:

My CV/resume consists of interning at a clinic in the city, lab research assistant in 3 separate psych labs in my school, internship for a summer in a daycare center for the elderly, 2nd authorship in a potential poster publication. My cumulative gpa is only a 2.8 at the moment but my gpa for the most recent 45 credit has been close to a 3.5gpa. Psych gpa (which I declared when I wasn't as focused in school) is only a 3.3, Political Science major gpa (which I declared when I began paying more attention towards my grades) is a 3.8.

What I plan to do for the fall/spring is:

-Take 18 credits for the both the upcoming fall and spring semester to a)finish my requirement and take extra courses to futher boost my cumulative gpa.

-Continue work as an intern at the clinic to further build up my experience as an undergrad

-Continue work as a research assistant in 1 or 2 of the research labs at school

-Attempt to sign up for an independent study course under a psych professor

Let me know your opinions!

Straight up: it is going to be a steeper climb for you than others. Great news though, I think it is totally manageable. The key is going to be your last 2 years of work and you have research experience in multiple labs. I would apply this year with the caveat of making sure you apply to a real diverse set of programs to maximize admission possibilities. In other words don't just apply to top labs. Also, really be able to articulate you goals for the future so that when people meet you and you tell them why your GPA was lower and then show them your renewed focus you will be a homerun.

Go for it!

[chak]

I totally agree with what you are saying. Its been pretty tough since I'm still in the process of establishing a strong work/study habit, but my gpa for each semester has been steadily increasing in comparision to the previous semester so its pretty exciting and intense at the same time! Thanks for your input.

[rachaelski]

I would just add that you should try to visit or contact professors in the programs for which you are planning to apply.

[chak]

I've attempted to do that for the past (last) week actually haha. But I've only been able to contact 3 of the 5 and its only secretaries because professors are still on vacation. I've thought about going to info sessions for the upcoming fall semesters before I start my personal statements. Thanks for the reminder though!