Route to a Clinical PhD: MA or RA??

[neuropsych4life]

Hi all,

In need of some advice on what to do next. I recently graduated from my undergraduate institution and applied to 11 Clinical PhD programs and 2 PsyD programs this application cycle. I was offered an acceptance to 1 PsyD program and an interview at 1 PhD program, however, neither are fully funded.

I am torn on what to do next, but ideally I would like to graduate without the burden of over 200k in debt (as most people would agree). I've noticed a lot of people on here pursued their masters before being admitted to PhD programs. Would you recommend this route for someone with a decent undergraduate GPA (3.8) and painfully average GRE scores? I have extensive clinical experience (2 years clinical and research assistant in concussion clinics, 6 months neuropsychology intern at a hospital) as well as research experience (2.5 years in a lab, 3 first author poster presentations, 1 oral presentation, 2 co-author posters, and 1 co-author publication) but am also considering the route of working as a RA to further build my research experience.

What do you think would be most beneficial in this case to strengthen my application for admission to a fully funded PhD program? Or are there any other routes I should consider taking?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated-- thanks in advance!

[stereopticons]

If you can get a funded masters, I would do it. If you can't, it's not worth the debt, and I would keep working as an RA. Try to get as many pubs as you can. Improve your GRE scores. Find ways to network with people. I think that's what helped me way more than my masters. 

[elephantbird]

I think getting a job as an RA is good for multiple reasons. You're making money instead of spending it and you actually end up with more research experience this way than through a masters most of the time if you're doing 40+ hours of research per week (in my opinion). More broadly, I think having experience working rather than being in school is extremely helpful in learning how to manage time when you may not have deadlines like homework/projects being due, and is more broadly good for personal development/life experience.

Feel free to DM me if you want to know more/get tips on how to find positions! (I've been working in research full-time for 2.5 years after graduating- will be 3 by the time I start school).

[Le Chat]

I would second the RA, but my backup plan is to do a Master's in Psychology research as well as being an RA. It's a feeder program for Clinical Psych and typically makes applicants competitive. 

 

[JungAndNotAFreud]

I agree with the posters above.  If you do decide to do a Clinical masters, I strongly suggest that you take thesis defense  route rather than comp exams. it looks good on your record and adds another potential publication.