Clinical Psyc round 2 freaking out

[ugapsycgrad]

Hey everyone,

 

So I guess I am having a life crisis at 23 and just need some advice or anything really. I graduated in August 2013 from undergrad with a bachelor of science in psychology. i applied to grad schools last year while still in school hoping to get into a Ph.D. program for clinical psychology. well...i got rejected from everywhere! it was pretty devastating but I didn't give up and reapplied/still finishing apps this year. This year I am also applying to Master's programs too as back up. anyways, I graduate with a 3.48 cumulative gpa, 3.58 psychology gpa and a gre score verbal 152 and quantitive 152 (i know that's pretty bad but that was an improvement from the first time and i took online classes...im just a bad test taker when it comes to those kind of tests). so I have already applied to most of the ph.d. programs..i have one more to go and a few more masters programs and i am starting to freak out! i need to get in because i dont want to wait another year..o and did i mention i cannot find a job at all? i have been looking for all kinds of jobs...in the field of psychology i don't qualify for anything and i am not even getting hired for receptionist jobs. so basically i guess i am just wondering...did you get into this program? what was your gpa? gre scores? what was your statement of purpose like? etc. AHHH i'm dying

[GradApplicant201420]

Hi, I understand how you are feeling in regards to not being able to control the factors that might lead to your acceptance. You have done what you can, and it sounds like you have prepared for this moment. Let your experiences in the past and your inner confidence shine bright. (Sorry, I hate to be cliché but I really do mean it.) 

 

I would look into the Results section of thegradecafe and look up the programs that you applied to. If anything, the academic credentials of past applicants who were accepted can give you a good clue as to what the graduate programs are looking at..

 

I hope this helps.

[Lisa44201]

Make sure your SOP is strong and speaks well to research interest fit; I cannot emphasize that enough.

 

I went the Masters -> PhD route; it is a viable option. Good luck!

[juilletmercredi]

Clinical psychology is very competitive - by some accounts, just as or more competitive than medical school.  A program may get 100-200 applications for 5-10 slots.  It's not uncommon for even great applicants to have to do two or even three rounds when it comes to clinical psychology.

Your GPA is fine; your GRE scores are also fine.  My top psychology program (not clinical, but the score requirements are similar) recommends a combined GRE score of around a 310, so you're not too far below that.  But I've noticed that you didn't mention anything about research or clinical experience.  Do you have either?  Most successful clinical psychology applicants have 2-3 years of experience as a research assistant in a professor's lab and some volunteering experience in a clinical setting, like a psych clinic or hospital.