<p>It figures that I would choose clinical/counseling psychology, the (agruably) hardest discipline to get into grad school for!</p>
<p>I got a late start on the whole psychology thing, switching my major sophomore year and starting research in Spring semester of that year. I got involved with a lab (which I love) and will probably have four semesters of work in it by application time. I'm also doing a thesis in the area (as a junior), the prospectus of which should be going to my committee soon. Additionally, I'm preparing the prospectus of a second thesis that touches on my first thesis/main research interest and my clinical work, and looking at the possibility of doing something else next year with a secondary interest of mine. I've worked in a variety of other labs, taught/TA'ed psych and non-psych courses (and gotten good evals), have clinical experience, and have decent grades (3.8 overall, 4.0 psych). I'm prepping for the GRE now and have done okay on practice tests (1250 range). </p>
<p>It seems like no matter what I do, I'm still behind in the applicant pool because the pool is just that competitive (20% acceptance rates look sky high). As of now, I have no publications or poster presentations :( :(, though I'm hoping one will come out of my thesis. Also, I'm working with a professor this summer who really likes to get his undergrads published, but that's <em>far</em> from a guarantee.</p>
<p>I feel like I have little realistic shot of getting into a funded clinical/counseling program and yet that's so very much what I want to do. I plan to apply broadly but only to strong matches for my demonstrated research interests.</p>
<p>Anyone else have that sinking feeling in their stomach? What will you do if you don't get in (MA program? Try to find a research job?)?</p>
<p>
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Is it really that hard to get into grad school for psychology?
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</p>
<p>Heck yes. Especially clinical.</p>
<p>Anyway, my advice to the OP is to start working on a backup plan (like finding a job). Not because I think the OP will get rejected across the board (his/her app sounds pretty decent), but because one should <em>always</em> have a Plan B with which one would be happy, if possible, and because in my experience working on such a Plan B reduces anxiety.</p>
<p>That's why it's so hard to get into probably, there are not many agricultural economics programs around. Regardless, it's irrelevant to what the OP said.</p>
<p>I can relate, I switched to math in my junior year. I had to work really hard and I did not get 4 full years to grow and learn math, I had to squeeze everything in at once. I definitely feel like I'm very far behind. I already once applied for math phd, got rejected, this is my 2nd time around. I would not be shocked if I didn't get admitted again to be honest. It doesn't always go to the person who worked hardest or wanted it the most, it's about who performs. And that's how it should be.</p>
<p>Clinical Psych IS agruably the hardest field to get into--it's regarded as harder than med school and law school in most circles (5%-7% average acceptance rate). I'm applying to broad range of schools and a lot of Counseling Psych programs (<em>slightly</em> less selective), but still, the odds are against me. I'm a junior now, so I'm not looking for a job as yet and will probably apply to some clinical MSW programs as well, as I'll also have a BSW.</p>
<p>Ph.D. or Psy.D. in CLINICAL or COUNSELING Psychology will get you into private practice. As long as it's an APA-accredited program in one of those two subfields, you are eligible to take the EPPP for licensure.</p>
<p>Last I checked, the mean acceptance rate for Ph.D. programs was 9.5% with SD=4, so 98% of all programs accept between 0.5% and 17.5% of applicants. To be competitive, you need at least a 1250 GRE, 1-2 years (minimum) research experience with LORs to go with that research and preferably a publication or 2. In addition, you need to match the school research-wise and simply be a likable person with evident potential as a clinician (i.e., shown both by an interview and by any clinical experience you may have gained prior to applying).</p>
<p>If you work hard, though, you CAN get in. It's not impossible just hard! Start looking at schools now and contacting faculty. If you can use some of their research in your thesis (cite it) that will be helpful when they see their name in the references (IF you show you actually understood their research). That shows an interest in their area and would give you a leg up on matching at a given school.</p>
<p>Counseling Psychologists tend to work with less severe cases. Generally, they deal with such cases as adjustment disorders, subclinical depression, etc.
Clinical programs are generally more competitive than Counseling programs, which are often taught in a Dept./School of Education (sometimes creating funding and/or political issues between the psychological and education professions), while Clinical programs are almost always found in Depts or Schools of Psychology (assuming they are university-based -- DON'T attend a professional program in Psychology, Just Say NO!)</p>
<p>Additionally, Clinical Psychologists make an average of $10-15k more each year in salary (that's a HIGHLY variable figure, though, since both professions work in a variety of settings -- many of which overlap).</p>
<p>...However, having said that, they both end in the same licensure exam (EPPP) with the same requirements for licensure in most (all?) states. As Clinical is quite often seen as the "highest" (and most common) specialty in psychology, though, it tends to open the most doors -- including many that Counseling does not open (for example, it isn't uncommon to see someone with Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology teaching or doing research in a Counseling dept.; however, it is fairly rare for someone with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology to be found in a Clinical Psychology dept.)</p>