English undergrad -> Psychology for grad school?

[tudor3x8]

Hi guys! This is my first time posting in this forum, so I still have a lot of information I still need to process and things I need to learn.

 

I was wondering if you guys could give me advice for going to grad school in psychology (most likely, clinical psychology). I went to a top 10 (sometimes top 5) ranked school in the US and majored in English. I finished in 3 years due to financial reasons, and majored in English because I initially wanted to pursue a PhD in English. Now, however, I've decided that I would like to apply for clinical psychology programs. I had wanted to double major in English and psychology as an undergrad, but financial constraints made it impossible for me to finish both majors (I think I was also one short for the minor).

 

Basically, my question is what I should to do assist my application process and to increase likelihood of getting into any program.

 

Short backstory of me is that I got a 3.4 GPA in undergrad with a degree in English. I've been working full-time in the last year for a very prominent PI in medical/microbiology research at the same university that I graduated from in addition to taking psych classes postbac. I haven't published a paper on my own yet, nor was I able to pursue a thesis in school, but I have a published abstract and an acknowledgement in PNAS. I've taken the GRE, but plan to retake that and take the psych subject test if needed.

 

What else would you recommend that I do to help me with the application process? Suggestions? To be very honest, I know I will have a lot of catching up to do for applications, but any suggestions, advice, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!

[student896]

You probably need to do an honours thesis in psychology. Try and see if you can do this as an elective. Otherwise, I guess a research opportunity where you collect data and then analyze it yourself and write up a full paper and submit it for publication. Not sure what you mean by a published abstract? But that's probably the only way to overcome a lack of an honours thesis.

If you do not have an undergrad degree in psych, you will absolutely need to write the subject gre and get at LEAST 90th percentile (aim for 95).

Edited February 17, 2015 by student896

[tudor3x8]

I did an oral presentation at a conference and published an abstract of my research based on that. I've had two oral presentations and a poster but that was the only publication I've had so far.

 

But thanks, I had thought that I would need to get a publication at some point. My work would have me working on dissertations, manuscripts, and grants, but none of it would be my own. So definitely would have to figure that out.

[psych face]

You probably need to do an honours thesis in psychology. Try and see if you can do this as an elective. Otherwise, I guess a research opportunity where you collect data and then analyze it yourself and write up a full paper and submit it for publication. Not sure what you mean by a published abstract? But that's probably the only way to overcome a lack of an honours thesis.

If you do not have an undergrad degree in psych, you will absolutely need to write the subject gre and get at LEAST 90th percentile (aim for 95).

 

My undergrad wasn't in psych and I didn't do any of that stuff. My school doesn't even do honours thesis projects for bachelors.

Just two cents from the opposing viewpoint. I think they have a better chance than I did...

- pick your school and POI wisely. I did some dumb stuff I would have done otherwise.

 

Published abstracts are common after conferences - the journal connected to the conference will publish the abstracts in one of their issues.

[mb712]

Clinical psychology is a whole different beast so this might not mean much but I've been accepted into a political science program and I'm wrapping up a bachelor's in psychology, where I only took one political science class. I have been told that my research experience is what made me stand out (my GRE & GPA aren't anything to shout about) so my go to for advice is always to get the most research experience possible. One of the labs I have experience in isn't relevant whatsoever, so I wouldn't worry about trying to find the perfect experience applicable to clinical. Just get experience. I'll echo the psych GRE subject test sentiments, study your butt off for that test to show off your psych knowledge.