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[sociologia-psicologia]

I recently turned down my offer for TWU's M.A. in Sociology. I am still awaiting results for the M.S. in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience at UT-Dallas. With this being said, I figured the worst case scenario is, I don't get into the M.S. program, I enroll in an introductory algebra class, study well and hard for the GRE and retake the test sometime in November. I scored a 4.5 on the analytic essay portion, a 137 on the math and a 142 on the verbal. This was my first time taking the GRE (I am very happy with my essay score). I figured, I lack algebra skills in general, I didn't take it in high school, nor did I take geometry. Because of this loop hole and the fact I have taken multiple statistics courses in college (made A's in them both). I need to take a step back and learn the basics, and do well on this GRE.

 

I want to become a psychologist, I want to help the mentally ill, I believe the current view of people saying that they want to be a psychologist is to help people are being discounted and often scoffed at. I don't want to be a counselor, a social worker, etc. I want to be a PSYCHOLOGIST, whom provides scientifically-back knowledge to help people suffering mentally. And yes, I want to be referred to as Dr. Ream one day

 

 

[Quant_Liz_Lemon]

I hate to break it to you, but clinical psych PhDs and PsyD are brutally competitive. I would strongly suggest prepping for your verbal as well. . You're at the 4% for math and 15% for verbal. I suggest you aim for 50% in both, which require scores in the 150s.

[EastCoasting]

Many states allow psychologists to practice with a masters. These are easier to get into, and you would be able to start working a lot sooner. I recommend retaking the GREs either way, but why pursue a PhD if your needs may be met with a masters?

[sociologia-psicologia]

I hate to break it to you, but clinical psych PhDs and PsyD are brutally competitive. I would strongly suggest prepping for your verbal as well. . You're at the 4% for math and 15% for verbal. I suggest you aim for 50% in both, which require scores in the 150s.

 

I know this, I was just referring to the fact that the math deficiency is due to lack of knowledge, my low verbal score is attributable to my lack of studying on the section.

[sociologia-psicologia]

Many states allow psychologists to practice with a masters. These are easier to get into, and you would be able to start working a lot sooner. I recommend retaking the GREs either way, but why pursue a PhD if your needs may be met with a masters?

 

Good question; I do find the title of being a psychologist to be my goal. I want to be directly responsible for treating and investigating mental habits. I like the fact that I would use scalings and inventories, where many master's-level practitioners (at least in Texas) don't have that ability, knowledge, training, etc. to do so (unless you take on the licensure as an LPA). If money was my main concern or goal, I would have gone into a more lucrative/ higher paying field in my undergraduate. I transitioned from being a professional classical musician, holding a full scholarship at the New England Conservatory of Music, studying with some of the best people in my field. Due to multiple reasons, I had a career change. I looked at immediately gratifying fields like nursing, computer and technology-based fields to give me the higher potential payout. Alas, I found the science of investigating, treating and managing people's behaviors via non-pharmacological methods to be my calling. I know that at most, Ph.D. psychologists will average around $60-75K within 5-8 years of practice post-doctoral level or residency training. Some (in the 90th percentile) can average between $90-180K through their life span as a professional (private practice psychologists typically don't see this from the research I have conducted). I do want to teach college, but I also want to practice as a psychotherapist. Most of your junior colleges are hiring more Ph.D.-level teachers even while the minimum requirement is a master's degree. (More bang for their buck). 

 

 

 

So...long story short (too late ), this field, while it doesn't provide the most immediately gratifying result, would still pay more than my previous profession as a classical musician, that has a <10% growth rate as an industry between now an 2025, whereas mental health professionals will have a 24-26% growth rate between now and 2025. The odds are favorably better in this profession than being a classical bass trombonist . An added caveat: doctoral-level mental health professionals also subsequently have higher pay than their master-level counterparts (I am not saying ALL, but a majority). 

[GodelEscher]

Unfortunately, from going through the application cycle recently..saying you want to be a psychologist and helping the mentally ill will not benefit you. Stating that in your SOP will most likely put you into a very large pile. Also, it seems odd you applied to Masters level program in Sociology, Neuroscience/Cognition? That will not prepare you to be a licensed psychologist (I am assuming you want to work with clients from your mental illness comment).

 

It is possible to go from undergrad directly to counseling/ Clinical PhD programs. Just my 0.02 cents