MA program decision help!

[twelve13]

My goal is to get into a clinical psychology PhD program. I got into five MA/MS programs (one of which I already declined) and I'm having a lot of trouble making the decision.

 

Villanova: Probably the most prestigious of the ones I got into. It isn't my exact research interests (gender/sexual behavior/anxiety/sub abuse), but I should have the ability to explore them. I haven't heard back about funding yet, though :/. I got in touch with them and learned that I wouldn't hear until after April 15th.

 

Indiana State: This has my research interests to the tee and I got a $6100 assistantship and 50% tuition waiver. However, I have not visited the campus and I know the least about the program in general.

 

Western Carolina: It isn't my exact research interest, but I should have the ability to explore it. $8000 assistantship and only paying in state tuition. 

 

University at Buffalo: I would only have to pay in state tuition. It is probably the furthest from my research interest. It's possible that I could explore it, but not as likely.

 

I would accept Villanova if I got funding (I feel like I would have the best chance of getting into a PhD program from there), but the trouble is that I will not know about the funding one way or another until after the deadline tomorrow, and it would be rather pricey without funding :/

 

Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

[clinicalpsychphd20]

Why are you seeking a Master's? If your undergrad GPA is high and you were a Psych major in undergrad, I would suggest a research coordinator/research assistant position instead. 

If you do decide going with the master's, I would suggest not going to Villanova. Avoid debt if possible! Is the price difference between Indiana State/WC/University of Buffalo big? If not too big, I think going Indiana State would be great since you would work in your research interest area. What is most helpful for grad apps is not necessarily the prestige of your master's program, but the prestige of your mentor and research interest match (ei - if you people you are applying with know your mentor, they will be more likely to admit you) 

[twelve13]

I went to undergrad at one of the top 25 liberal arts colleges, but my GPA was a 3.35. Because of this, I took a year off after graduation and was involved in three different research labs (non-paid). I applied to several PhD programs as well and got wait listed at two of them, and then was rejected off the wait list. Since I have about three years of research experience total, but no presentations/ publications, I thought that a Master's might help with my chances of admission/ GPA.

 

Also, I have been working some during my year off (and I had a scholarship for ungrad, so no loans), so price isn't that big of an issue (but it helps!) as long as I can get into a PhD program.

Edited April 14, 2014 by twelve13

[clinicalpsychphd20]

Ah got it, 3.35 is borderline - tough call. I think what would actually help if price is not an issue is to ask your future mentors what publication opportunities they offer/ if you can present at conferences? Or check out the CV of their master students and see at which schools the masters students are publishing/presenting the most? Also ask where master's students are going after graduation. What you really need is a couple presentations, perhaps a publication, and quality well-rounded research experience (preferably in subject of interest). Also, what is your GRE? Maybe if you get a really high score that could make up for your GPA, especially if your masters GPA is very high

 

Are you in NYC? If you don't want to write off a research coordinator position completely, I know of a couple places that are really good about putting their RCs on papers/presentations.

Edited April 14, 2014 by clinicalpsychphd20