Very odd case. My chance in developmental psychology?

[yourruth]

Hello,

 

I am very frustrated now and desperated. I really need to get into PhD 2014 and my chance in developmental psychology program looks so low.

 

I have no idea at which level of schools I should aim. I just have different experience(taught myself highschool course) and plethora of international experience. I can explain why I did Business and why I decided to change my major though.

But I need advice about what strategy I should have by now and what level of schools I should apply to. Please, help!

 

I did my Bachelor's in Business (GPA overall 3.41)

GRE  V:159, Q:166, AW:3.0 (I know...it is horrible)

No subject GRE

Courses: Psychology, Statistics(total 6 credit)

Experience:

-2 years of work experience in major international company as a sales consultant (but I know it won't help that much)

-volunteer work in orphanage 2 years

-children place 100hrs

-RA in parent infant lab 6 months(University)

-RA in child lab 6 months(University)

-RA in homeless program 2 months

Edited September 25, 2013 by yourruth

[juilletmercredi]

I am immediately intrigued by your statement "really need to get into a PhD [for] 2014."  Why?  It's generally not a good idea to rush into something if you are unprepared, especially if you want to go to a good program.

Your GPA is not ideal but it's solid; I got into my PhD program in psychology with almost the same GPA.  Your GRE scores are not horrible, just average.  While they will be low for the top programs, most programs admit a range of GRE scores and are far more interested in your experiences than these.

But if you only have 6 credits in psychology, you aren't a competitive candidate for a PhD in developmental psychology.  Most psychology PhD programs (like PhD programs in any field) will require substantial coursework in psychology; while you don't have to have majored, just general psychology and statistics are not enough for admission unless you're doing like an organizational behavior PhD.  What's more, your research experience - while good - isn't very long (looks to be about 1 year and 2 months.)  This is a field in which people routinely take 2-3 years after undergrad and work as a research manager, typically on top of the 1-2 years they did in undergrad, before they get into programs.  This is especially true in developmental psychology, which is competitive.

So were I you, I would be aiming at some mid-ranked programs.  Your research experience is not bad, just not at the level that students who to go top programs have.  That combined with your lack of coursework in psychology is going to make you uncompetitive for top programs, but you may be able to gain admission to a mid-ranked program.  I would apply to a range - perhaps a few within the top 25 that I really, really liked and thought would be a great fit for your research interests (because you never know!), and then the bulk in the 25-50ish range.

[PeakPerformance]

What do you plan on doing with your degree? If you want to be a professor, I would not rush into a Ph.D. program at a mid-level school. I would consider getting a Master's Degree first and then applying to a top-tier Ph.D. program. If you want to be an academic, your pedigree matters. If you get a master's and present at conferences and perhaps publish something during that time, you will be in a far better position to get into a first-rate program and better positioned to get an academic job down the line.