<p>This fall, I will be beginning my freshman year at a well-respected liberal arts college and am very interested in some of the top doctoral programs in clinical psychology (i.e. Yale, UNC-Chapel Hill, UM-Ann Arbor, etc.). </p>
<p>I am entering with some AP credits under my belt which will accelerate my class standing to sophomore standing within one semester. This will most likely allow me to graduate within three years. </p>
<p>I have two questions regarding this. First, would the top clinical programs in the country frown on an applicant who received his B.A. in less than four years, assuming he has stellar GRE scores, a highly-competitive GPA, and extensive research experience, including writing an honors thesis? </p>
<p>I also have another option on the table for me. The college I am entering has a combined B.A./M.A. program in psychology and my AP credits would allow me to receive a B.A. in three years and an M.A. one year after that, if I chose to enter this dual-degree program. Would that be a better option than just receiving a B.A. in three years or would already having an M.A. hinder my chances of admission into a top clinical doctoral program? </p>
<p>I would appreciate any advice anyone could give me on this as I am just starting out and don't know much about applying to clinical graduate programs.</p>