Fall 2018 CANADIAN clinical psychology

[Jay's Brain]

3 minutes ago, prospectclin said:

lol choosing to believe this. Thanks @Jay's Brain

I know quite a few current students, including myself, who didn't go to the Open House/were not invited. Don't lose hope!  

[Neurophilic]

10 minutes ago, Jay's Brain said:

 

I know some Clinical profs have sent out their invitations. If you haven't heard back, but also haven't received a rejection yet, that could mean that you are both on a shortlist. Some rejections have been sent out already so there's still a chance!

Do you know if all profs are required to send invitations to the open house?

[Jay's Brain]

1 hour ago, Neurophilic said:

Do you know if all profs are required to send invitations to the open house?

As with everything in the graduate school world, it depends. Each year the faculty get together and discuss whose turn it is to take a student. So the POIs that need to take a student will have priority. That is not to say other faculty members do not have a chance. Just because someone is looking to take a student, that does not mean the students that are applying to them are suitable. It is also possible that no students apply to them (this is rare, though, I assume). In that case, the profs may not invite anyone or, if they were not prioritized, they may wait until after the Open House to approach students that applied to them. If you want, feel free to PM me your POIs and I'll see what I know about them!

[razzledazzle]

Anyone that has heard back/ been accepted into the OISE SCCP program can you please DM me your POI? It would be much appreciated

[+ve regard]

Is everyone here applying to the MA programs? I did my MA years ago and am now applying for PhD - anyone else in the same boat?

It's more of a canoe, adrift in a sea of hopes and dreams  

[Sharbar]

9 minutes ago, +ve regard said:

Is everyone here applying to the MA programs? I did my MA years ago and am now applying for PhD - anyone else in the same boat?

It's more of a canoe, adrift in a sea of hopes and dreams  

I also have a masters (though not in clinical - in counselling) and all programs have made it clear that they would prefer to admit me at the masters level. I think most programs work this way except for one program out east (I think it’s UNB) that does direct entry into PhD. On the rare instance they may accept you directly into the PhD but I don’t think this happens too frequently. 

If your masters is in clinical I don’t know what that would mean. It might be possible to go into PhD but it’s also possible that they may ask why you decided not to move on to the PhD since most, of not all, clinical psych programs in Canada aren’t masters terminal programs.

hope this helps and good luck!!!

Edited February 13, 2018 by Sharbar

[Anne]

11 minutes ago, +ve regard said:

Is everyone here applying to the MA programs? I did my MA years ago and am now applying for PhD - anyone else in the same boat?

It's more of a canoe, adrift in a sea of hopes and dreams  

 

5 minutes ago, Sharbar said:

I also have a masters (though not in clinical - in counselling) and all programs have made it clear that they would prefer to admit me at the masters level. I think most programs work this way except for one program out east (I think it’s UNB) that does direct entry into PhD. On the rare instance they may accept you directly into the PhD but I don’t think this happens too frequently. 

If your masters is in clinical I don’t know what that would mean. It might be possible to go into PhD but it’s also possible that they may ask why you decided not to move on to the PhD since most, of not all, clinical psych programs in Canada aren’t masters terminal programs.

hope this helps and good luck!!!

 

Some schools give you the option of listing different programs as your first and second choices. In those cases, it might be helpful to list PhD as your first choice and MA as your second choice, so if they don't want to admit you to PhD maybe they will still consider you for MA. 

[+ve regard]

11 minutes ago, Sharbar said:

I also have a masters (though not in clinical - in counselling) and all programs have made it clear that they would prefer to admit me at the masters level.

Thanks @Sharbar I have an MA in counselling psych too. I've only applied to one program because I'm stuck geographically   
 

I was mostly discouraged from applying to PhD directly too but I was advised that if I can demonstrate equivalency with my MA then there was a tiny chance...

Edited February 13, 2018 by +ve regard

[+ve regard]

29 minutes ago, Anne said:

In those cases, it might be helpful to list PhD as your first choice and MA as your second choice, so if they don't want to admit you to PhD maybe they will still consider you for MA. 

It's true but the thought of re-doing essentially the same degree again is daunting. Do some people do this?

[Anne]

19 minutes ago, +ve regard said:

It's true but the thought of re-doing essentially the same degree again is daunting. Do some people do this?

Ive known people to do this. Depends on if youre willing to put in those extra 2 years! 

[FacelessMage]

50 minutes ago, Sharbar said:

I also have a masters (though not in clinical - in counselling) and all programs have made it clear that they would prefer to admit me at the masters level. I think most programs work this way except for one program out east (I think it’s UNB) that does direct entry into PhD. On the rare instance they may accept you directly into the PhD but I don’t think this happens too frequently. 

If your masters is in clinical I don’t know what that would mean. It might be possible to go into PhD but it’s also possible that they may ask why you decided not to move on to the PhD since most, of not all, clinical psych programs in Canada aren’t masters terminal programs.

hope this helps and good luck!!!

UNB will admit you into the PhD program (it's a combined program anyways so it doesn't make that much difference), but will require you to retake the core skills classes (psychopathology, assessment, therapy) if you came from a program that wasn't accredited. There's a few programs that will accept you directly into the PhD with the provision that you'l take any relevant classes from their Master's program that you may have missed (I know SFU does this). 

[Sharbar]

56 minutes ago, +ve regard said:

Thanks @Sharbar I have an MA in counselling psych too. I've only applied to one program because I'm stuck geographically   
 

I was mostly discouraged from applying to PhD directly too but I was advised that if I can demonstrate equivalency with my MA then there was a tiny chance...

 

32 minutes ago, +ve regard said:

It's true but the thought of re-doing essentially the same degree again is daunting. Do some people do this?

I decided to do the whole thing because the training for counselling vs clinical psych is a bit different (plus my masters was course based) so I personally didn’t feel the counselling training equipped me well enough research and clinical practice (re assessments) at the PhD level. 

I imagine it might be slightly different for those who hold a thesis based masters. 

@+ve regard wish you the best! 

[+ve regard]

Thanks so much, @Sharbar - same to you! I really admire your dedication. 

Honestly, I've been out of grad school for ages and it's very exciting to be back in the hunt! I know I would have regretted not trying again   Good luck to everyone waiting. 

Edited February 13, 2018 by +ve regard

[Jay's Brain]

4 hours ago, +ve regard said:

Thanks so much, @Sharbar - same to you! I really admire your dedication. 

Honestly, I've been out of grad school for ages and it's very exciting to be back in the hunt! I know I would have regretted not trying again   Good luck to everyone waiting. 

Even if you end up redoing a Masters, you should take a look at whether some of your previous courses from your earlier degree can supplement the curriculum that is required for the newer Masters. Sometimes there are overlapping courses in counselling/clinical and it might not be unreasonable to take a couple less courses! After all, you have a Masters, so why not see if some of it can help with the next one?

[snow_4]

Hi Everyone, 

I am also happy to have found this group. I am a first time applicant with a Master's degree in experimental psychology (MSc) and a specialist undergraduate degree in psychology research (BSc Hons). I was hoping to get some advice from those who are already in a clinical psychology PhD program about whether to accept an offer or not.  I applied to the following Clinical Psychology PhD programs: 

McGill

U of T Scarborough

U of Waterloo 

U of Windsor

York University

UBC

Concordia

So far, I interviewed and was recommended for admission at the University of Windsor (Adult Clinical) and was rejected from UBC. I did not get invited to interview at UTSC, McGill, U of Waterloo and York so I assume those might all be rejections. I am not sure about Concordia yet. 

I am also not sure if I will accept the offer from the University of Windsor (I have not heard anything about funding yet). My main goal is to go into academia (I have more of a research focus). My desire is not only to become a clinical psychologist, but I would also like to become a professor and run a lab. I got the impression that most of the students who graduate from the PhD program at Windsor become clinicians, primarily.  In addition, the professor at Windsor whose work I am interested in does research in an area that I am curious about, but it's not the perfect fit, although they seemed open to new ideas for the PhD. 

I also know that Clinical Psychology PhD programs are highly competitive and I am lucky to have received an offer the first time I apply. But I am not sure what to do. I am considering maybe I should wait, refine some of my research interests, better articulate them, try to get a publication and reapply next year. I am also thinking maybe of getting a second Master's degree in Clinical Psychology so that I increase my chances of getting into the programs and labs that do research I am really excited by. What would you do if you were in my shoes? 

Thank you in advance for reading my post and your advice. 

[Mickey_]

20 hours ago, razzledazzle said:

Anyone that has heard back/ been accepted into the OISE SCCP program can you please DM me your POI? It would be much appreciated

Hi, did you find out any POI names that have contacted successful candidates? I'm still waiting but will DM you my POI

[FacelessMage]

1 hour ago, snow_4 said:

Hi Everyone, 

I am also happy to have found this group. I am a first time applicant with a Master's degree in experimental psychology (MSc) and a specialist undergraduate degree in psychology research (BSc Hons). I was hoping to get some advice from those who are already in a clinical psychology PhD program about whether to accept an offer or not.  I applied to the following Clinical Psychology PhD programs: 

McGill

U of T Scarborough

U of Waterloo 

U of Windsor

York University

UBC

Concordia

So far, I interviewed and was recommended for admission at the University of Windsor (Adult Clinical) and was rejected from UBC. I did not get invited to interview at UTSC, McGill, U of Waterloo and York so I assume those might all be rejections. I am not sure about Concordia yet. 

I am also not sure if I will accept the offer from the University of Windsor (I have not heard anything about funding yet). My main goal is to go into academia (I have more of a research focus). My desire is not only to become a clinical psychologist, but I would also like to become a professor and run a lab. I got the impression that most of the students who graduate from the PhD program at Windsor become clinicians, primarily.  In addition, the professor at Windsor whose work I am interested in does research in an area that I am curious about, but it's not the perfect fit, although they seemed open to new ideas for the PhD. 

I also know that Clinical Psychology PhD programs are highly competitive and I am lucky to have received an offer the first time I apply. But I am not sure what to do. I am considering maybe I should wait, refine some of my research interests, better articulate them, try to get a publication and reapply next year. I am also thinking maybe of getting a second Master's degree in Clinical Psychology so that I increase my chances of getting into the programs and labs that do research I am really excited by. What would you do if you were in my shoes? 

Thank you in advance for reading my post and your advice. 

Hey! I was an applicant with an experimental master's degree who's now in a clinical psych PhD program. PM me and I tell you a bit more about my application experiences!!

[ContentFaces]

Anyone hear back from Simon Fraser post-interview?

[Sharbar]

As I continue to stew in my anxiety, I’m wondering generally how long profs take to get back to their interviewees post interviews?? 

Its been a week since my clinical suitability interview and I’m dying to know ??

[iliketurtlestoo]

On 2/12/2018 at 3:23 PM, CanadaArrive said:

Please forget everything i have just asked and said - I have been rejected too. 

A sad club to welcome you to

[iliketurtlestoo]

9 hours ago, +ve regard said:

Thanks so much, @Sharbar - same to you! I really admire your dedication. 

Honestly, I've been out of grad school for ages and it's very exciting to be back in the hunt! I know I would have regretted not trying again   Good luck to everyone waiting. 

@+ve regard I'm starting to wonder if you are me. I also have a counselling psych masters (although an M.Ed.) have been out of grad school for ages and know I needed to try for the doctorate, and would prefer to stay geographically in my area, although I do have an amazing family willing to go with me on a grad school adventure. I feel like I don't fit the mold so it's nice to hear a similar story. 

[CH217]

42 minutes ago, Sharbar said:

As I continue to stew in my anxiety, I’m wondering generally how long profs take to get back to their interviewees post interviews?? 

Its been a week since my clinical suitability interview and I’m dying to know ??

It depends on the school, and where you rank in your POIs choices. I interviewed with Guelph and UVic last week and received offers from both this week immediately following the faculty admission meetings. However, I know sometimes UVic profs will take a week or two to make their first-round offers, and you may not hear back for longer if you are the second choice and the first-choice student hasn't responded to their offer yet. 

[BeezKnees]

45 minutes ago, Sharbar said:

As I continue to stew in my anxiety, I’m wondering generally how long profs take to get back to their interviewees post interviews?? 

Its been a week since my clinical suitability interview and I’m dying to know ??

I heard back from one within 3 days, another within a week, one within 2 weeks, another within a month, and another ghosted me entirely, lol. 

Basically, theres no set rule but really depends on where your poi is on the priority list for acceptances- most wont email you with a yes until its been confirmed by the university that its a go. They may not answer until theyre done interviews etc either. Be patient, even though its hard! 

[+ve regard]

26 minutes ago, iliketurtlestoo said:

@+ve regard I'm starting to wonder if you are me. I also have a counselling psych masters (although an M.Ed.) have been out of grad school for ages and know I needed to try for the doctorate, and would prefer to stay geographically in my area, although I do have an amazing family willing to go with me on a grad school adventure. I feel like I don't fit the mold so it's nice to hear a similar story. 

@iliketurtlestoo Career twins - love it! I had a revelation last year that I still had 25-30 years of my working life and that I still had time to make this dream come true. Fingers crossed for grad school adventures starting Fall 2018  

[Neposydko]

5 hours ago, snow_4 said:

Hi Everyone, 

I am also happy to have found this group. I am a first time applicant with a Master's degree in experimental psychology (MSc) and a specialist undergraduate degree in psychology research (BSc Hons). I was hoping to get some advice from those who are already in a clinical psychology PhD program about whether to accept an offer or not.  I applied to the following Clinical Psychology PhD programs: 

McGill

U of T Scarborough

U of Waterloo 

U of Windsor

York University

UBC

Concordia

So far, I interviewed and was recommended for admission at the University of Windsor (Adult Clinical) and was rejected from UBC. I did not get invited to interview at UTSC, McGill, U of Waterloo and York so I assume those might all be rejections. I am not sure about Concordia yet. 

I am also not sure if I will accept the offer from the University of Windsor (I have not heard anything about funding yet). My main goal is to go into academia (I have more of a research focus). My desire is not only to become a clinical psychologist, but I would also like to become a professor and run a lab. I got the impression that most of the students who graduate from the PhD program at Windsor become clinicians, primarily.  In addition, the professor at Windsor whose work I am interested in does research in an area that I am curious about, but it's not the perfect fit, although they seemed open to new ideas for the PhD. 

I also know that Clinical Psychology PhD programs are highly competitive and I am lucky to have received an offer the first time I apply. But I am not sure what to do. I am considering maybe I should wait, refine some of my research interests, better articulate them, try to get a publication and reapply next year. I am also thinking maybe of getting a second Master's degree in Clinical Psychology so that I increase my chances of getting into the programs and labs that do research I am really excited by. What would you do if you were in my shoes? 

Thank you in advance for reading my post and your advice. 

I had interviewed at Windsor last year as well, and that was my impression too, based on what I saw and heard from the students and faculty there. They focus heavily on the clinical practice side of things, and their students are very good clinicians by the end of it. Even though it seemed like some faculty there were trying to change things, and put more emphasis on research, overall my impression was that research was not the focus of that program. It seemed as though because of that, most students ended up not receiving external funding. Also, they do not promise funding to you (unless maybe your supervisor has a grant or something and they can afford it). So there is no guaranteed funding from year to year. I think they give you a 7 000$ entrance award in the first year of your masters, and then another entrance award for the PhD, but the rest of the time you get nothing. There are opportunities for TAing though. 

I was interested in a balance between clinical training and research, and was lucky enough to receive an offer from my first choice later on. If you like research, then Windsor is probably not the best choice. If you're more interested in clinical practice, then Windsor is an interesting option. Try applying at the Master's level, if you don't mind re-doing a Master's. Or try getting some practical experience in a clinical setting, or with vulnerable populations. In my cohort, some people were able to get into the program at the PhD level like that, even though they had a Master's in experimental psychology.

I hope it all works out for you! Good luck!