Is clinical experience important for PhD programs?

[Clinpsyc01]

I've heard mixed things about clinical experience when applying to clinical PhD programs- some people say it makes you look too clinically-focused, some people say it doesn't matter at all, and some say it's important to have (even though research is obviously still more important).

I'm graduating undergrad this spring and applying to grad school this fall, so I have time to pick up some clinical volunteering if I want to. My options are pretty limited because I live in a small city, so it wouldn't exactly be clinical... probably something like volunteering with inmates or people with disabilities. I volunteered at a group therapy program for children for a year, and worked for a year at my university's disability centre helping students use assistive technology/academic accommodations. I know that's not a lot of experience, so would it be a good idea to do something else? 

[clinpsy]

When I was planning to apply to grad school, I asked a clinical prof about this exact thing. She said that it's not necessary, and to instead focus on gaining as much research experience as possible. So, I didn't do any clinical volunteer work. I had a number of interviews this year and was offered admission to a couple schools. One interviewer asked me how a past volunteer experience affected me and my decision to go to grad school, or something like that, and I discussed previous volunteer work that was not clinical (mind you, it was a youth mentoring position). Either way, the interviewer was pleased with my answer (got an offer at that school) and that was the end of the discussion of volunteer work. None of my other interviewers ever brought up volunteer experience. 

This may differ in the US - perhaps they put more weight in clinical volunteer experience. I don't think it would hurt your case, but I also don't think it would strengthen you over someone who has more substantial research experience.

The other thing is this, you may not find volunteer work in time to have anything to draw on for your apps anyway. Clinical volunteer work involves rigorous training, so by the time you're actually doing the work, you'll be applying to schools. Something to keep in mind.

Good luck with your apps this fall! And feel free to let me know if you have any other questions  

Edited April 13, 2016 by clinpsy

[clinpsy001]

only one school asked about my lack of clinical experience-- how i knew i wanted to go into clinical without having much clinical experience. it likely won't come up, but if it does, have an answer for how you know you are passionate and ready for a program in clinical psychology versus another type. 

[estrella]

When I applied to Clinical Programs PhD programs in the U.S, I was told that clinical experience is always a plus, but not having it on your resume is not going to harm your application.  Research experience is what most programs are looking for and will be the defining factor in deciding the strength of an application. 

[Clinpsyc01]

Thanks everyone

I some have clinical experience that really did influence my decision to go to grad school, so it looks like I'll be fine in that regard. I'll probably concentrate on getting more research experience instead.

[artsy16]

I applied this year as an undergrad and I have WAY more clinical experience than research experience (pretty intensive too--counselor in an inpatient program for a few years. Only research exp I have is 2 semesters in 2 diff labs for course credit, and only 1 of those was clinical). I also applied to more clinically oriented programs (3 clinical, 4 counseling psych phd programs). But I know I wanna be a practitioner, mentioned that in my SOP and in interviews. Got 5 interviews of 7 applications, waitlisted at all 5, accepted off my top choice and subsequently removed myself from the other waitlists. 

Not trying to make any general statements about the process, just my experience  Good luck!

[Aminoacidalanine]

For most people, volunteering at the distress center is enough, especially for research oriented clinical psychology phD programs. Research experience is definitely more important, but you do need some clinical-related experience.