Switching application from experimental to clinical?

[Anoniemous]

Has anyone heard of switching an application from the experimental stream to the clinical stream? I originally planned on applying to clinical psychology at McGill, but none of the clinical faculty I was interested in were accepting. During my interview with my experimental psych POI, I was told that non-clinical faculty are also able to supervise clinical students. So, my question is, would it be a terrible/ridiculous/inappropriate idea to ask if it's possible to change my application to be for the clinical stream? I realize it's quite late, but this question keeps bugging me! Thanks.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Anoniemous

[Username_92]

I haven't heard of anyone doing that. If it is really really bugging you maybe call and ask, just as a general question (I would suggest calling and not e-mailing).  Better to try now than once you are in the program (because then it would be extremely difficult to switch, many universities don't allow it)

[clinicalapplicant]

So in all honesty, it is notoriously difficult to switch from experimental to clinical. You'll most likely have to go through the entire application process again versus an internal transfer. I know a lot of universities are attempting to cut down on the transfers between streams, and it isn't encouraged. I would rather not enrol in an experimental program if clinical was my main goal.

[TXInstrument11]

What are your research interests? Where do you want to eventually work (in academia as a researcher, as a clinician, in industry, etc.)? Since you were okay switching to experimental, I'm assuming you want to be a researcher, no?

 

I think we need more information to see where you're coming from.

 

However, regardless of how appropriate it may or may not be, clinical is typically much, much more difficult to get into than experimental - so you may not even make the cut if you could somehow switch. I don't see how any program would let you switch midway-through either. 

Edited February 21, 2015 by TXInstrument11

[Anoniemous]

I caved in and called to ask. For those who are curious--it is not possible to switch applications at this point, since the decisions for the clinical program have been made. 

 

 

What are your research interests? Where do you want to eventually work (in academia as a researcher, as a clinician, in industry, etc.)? Since you were okay switching to experimental, I'm assuming you want to be a researcher, no?

 

I think we need more information to see where you're coming from.

 

However, regardless of how appropriate it may or may not be, clinical is typically much, much more difficult to get into than experimental - so you may not even make the cut if you could somehow switch. I don't see how any program would let you switch midway-through either. 

 

 

My research interests are definitely in the clinical area. Before applying, I was debating between clinical and experimental, but now, I've realized that I'm not satisfied with approaching clinical questions from only a researcher's point of view. I've become more sure of my preferences after going through several interviews and talking to faculty and students. I'm thinking about re-applying to the clinical stream next year, so I wondered if it was still possible to switch the program I applied to this year. Bad question, I know, but I would have regretted it forever if I didn't at least ask. 

Edited February 21, 2015 by Anoniemous

[TXInstrument11]

I've realized that I'm not satisfied with approaching clinical questions from only a researcher's point of view. 

So are you interested in treating any patients and/or designing new therapies?

[Anoniemous]

So are you interested in treating any patients and/or designing new therapies?

 

Oops, apologies, I didn't address that clearly. Yes, I am interested in treating patients and improving therapy. I enjoy interpersonal interaction, and I want to help bridge research and practice.  

 

You're probably finding it strange why I had applied to both Experimental and Clinical. To be honest, I love clinical psychology and the breadth and flexibility it offers, but I didn't think I was competitive enough to get in. I also had no idea that many people apply to clinical multiple times, or after getting more experience after undergrad. But now that I have an admission to a clinical psych program, I'm slightly regretting not applying to clinical at my dream school (with my #1 POI), which brings me to my current situation!

Edited February 21, 2015 by Anoniemous

[TXInstrument11]

Oops, apologies, I didn't address that clearly. Yes, I am interested in treating patients and improving therapy. I enjoy interpersonal interaction, and I want to help bridge research and practice.  

 

You're probably finding it strange why I had applied to both Experimental and Clinical. To be honest, I love clinical psychology and the breadth and flexibility it offers, but I didn't think I was competitive enough to get in. I also had no idea that many people apply to clinical multiple times, or after getting more experience after undergrad. But now that I have an admission to a clinical psych program, I'm slightly regretting not applying to clinical at my dream school (with my #1 POI), which brings me to my current situation!

Well, unfortunately, I think you may need to reapply. That's what I would do if in your shoes. It doesn't sound like a pure-research degree is really your speed. If it was a terminal master's we were talking about, I'd say go for it, but this is the next 4-6 years of your life. It's going to be hard motivating yourself through that if the degree isn't going to prepare you for the job you want.

 

For what it's worth, I've seen clinical psychologists transition into a pure research career, but not the other way around, so you can always focus more on research later on in your career if you plan it right.