<p>Hello, I am a non-psych major (communications) about to graduate in May. I have become interested in further psychology education through my research in consumer motivation. Let's just say hypothetically that I wanted to consider a grad program in psych? (I am thinking clinical) I have an excellent GPA (3.9) and great extra curriculars/work experience at a presitigious private college. (although nothing specifically related to psych).</p>
<p>I realize that I am crazy for considering this, but what would you suggest as the best route to pursuing this ambition? I will only consider top schools, and ideally I would like to pursue a PhD as I have always wanted to work in academia. </p>
<p>Should I consider a master's program before PhD? What should I do to be qualified even for a master's? I live near Brown University- any info on their psych programs? Should I just continue to study at the undergrad level until I get perhaps a second bachelors in psych? (oh please, no!) ....</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your insight- I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>just so you know, clinical psych phd programs are among the toughest grad programs in the country in terms of admissions- nationwide, there is an average acceptance rate of 5%.</p>
<p>To get in, you will need:
-killer GRE scores
-high gpa
-excellent letters of recommendations
-awesome personal statements</p>
<p>because you dont have a psyc background, you will need to prove that you are competent, and have the pre-reqs. this will involve you rocking the psych gre subject test. you will also need to get some experience in the field- preferably research experience, as well as clinical experience. i recommend that you do a masters program first, in general psych.</p>
<p>by far the most important criteria in admissions is a research match with a particular professor- you will not be applying to the program, but to work with an individual professor. if you arent that into research, you might want to consider a psy d, which is a doctoral program with a pure applied clinical approach, as opposed to the phd, which is entirely focused on research.</p>
<p>Grad programs in clinical psych are among the most difficult to get into so the comment that you would only consider "top schools" is a bit arrogant and obnoxious. Having that out of the way you have to make sure you meet the course requirements for undergraduate preparation in psychology to apply to a grad program in psych. The undergrad preparation extends to MA programs so if you do not have intro, stats, experimental, personality, abnormal, biopsychology/neuroscience, and likely a cognitive psych course you will need to take those courses either at your current college or somewhere else at the undergrad level. Because the competition for clinical psych is so intense you will need at least two letters of recommendation from psychologists who are familiar with your academic and research work. While your research in consumer motivation could be a very big plus, grad programs in psych want to see letters of rec from psychologists. This is where an MA program in psych can be very helpful. It allows you to get to know faculty members and they get to know you and your work and give you those very precious letters of recommendation. Brown does not offer a Ph.D. in clinical psych but does offer one in experimental psychology. It does not offer an MA in psych. URI offers a clinical Ph.D. and has a very well regarded program.</p>
<p>Reviewing Huskem's post I don't think he meant to imply that you can avoid the prerequisite undergrad coursework by stellar performance on the Psych GRE--you can't.</p>