Able to be accepted to Doctorate of Psychology or MSW?

[crmpsych13]

I'm a senior undergrad double major in Psychology and Criminology. Eventually I want to provide therapy in correctional settings, hopefully with juveniles. But, I'm not sure of the path I want to take. Ultimately, I would want to get my PsyD., in Clinical Psych since it's more practitioner based, but I'm not sure if I'd get in. I'm thinking of applying to a MSW program because they are easier to get into and cost less. Could someone please let me know what they think about my chances and best route to take?

Psychology & Criminology double major - 3.6 GPA

LISTS AND LISTS of involvement in school activities and organizations (including President of Psi Chi and Executive Board member in two other organizations, and Vice President of my Sorority)

Doing a small independent study to do research for a professor's new book and my own research paper next semester

Internship with Juvenile Justice System

Consistently working part time since coming to college (pay my own tuition and fees)

At least 1 VERY strong LOR, probably 2 mediocre ones

Weakest point- GRE Scores: V: 490 Q:670

VERY Specific future goals.

I don't want to apply to all Doctorate of Psychology programs and get denied from every school, but I don't want to only apply to MSW programs in fear of not being admitted to a doctorate program.

Thanks for your help!

Edited November 3, 2010 by crmpsych13

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

I'd say you have a very good chance of getting into MSW programs. Your GRE, GPA, and experiences would be competitive in an MSW application

Clinical programs, on the other hand, are really competitive. A single program can receive as many as 300 applications in any given season. Because they receive so many apps, they have to eliminate some right off the bat, usually by GRE. In order to get your application looked at, you'd need a GRE of at least 1300 or higher. PsyD programs are slightly less competitive than PhDs, but they are still very selective.

Most clinical applicants apply to 12-15 programs, hoping to be admitted to 2-3. So, even applying to mostly MSW programs and a few doctoral doesn't make much sense.

Bottom line: based on your credentials/goals, I think you'd be better off applying to MSW programs. If you were to take some time off before applying (retake the GRE, get more research experience), you might have a shot at a PsyD program.

[schoolpsych_hopeful]

By the way, not sure where I heard this statistic (probably is some MSW vs. PsyD thread). Even though MSWs make less than PsyDs, when you factor in the amount of debt PsyDs incur in grad school and the extra time spent in school (when you could be working and making money), the income difference for a MSW vs PsyD is negligible.

Just incase money is influencing your decision.

[crmpsych13]

By the way, not sure where I heard this statistic (probably is some MSW vs. PsyD thread). Even though MSWs make less than PsyDs, when you factor in the amount of debt PsyDs incur in grad school and the extra time spent in school (when you could be working and making money), the income difference for a MSW vs PsyD is negligible.

Just incase money is influencing your decision.

Thanks so much for your help! I'm still deciding, and money is definitely a factor because I'm financing my whole undergrad myself at a private institution.

[DrFaustus666]

If you're very frugal (and you obviously are!), you could earn the MSW, work for a few years, while banking a substantial portion of your income, and try again for PsyD.

A friend of mine did exactly that: she was about 45 yrs old when she started the doctoral degree, but was able to take off several years and pay her own tuition. I'm sure her admissions committees must have liked her commitment and long-range planning as much as her actual "numbers."

I'm not saying you need to wait that long, but only to point out that you've got your whole life in front of you, and it may well not be strictly an either/or situation.