<p>I recently graduated from a small, public liberal arts college with a double degree in Psychology and Biology, and a minor in Neuroscience. My overall GPA was 3.64, but my GPA in Psychology was essentially a 4.0 (all A's except for 2 A-'s). I spent last year working in a molecular biology laboratory at a top research institution, but am quickly coming to the realization that I'd like to work on a more 'human' level. I'm currently debating between applying to a PhD program in Psychology or taking the MCATs and pursuing Psychiatry. I am very much interested in doing 'actual' psychotherapy (ie. not simply existing to prescribe medications/direct people towards those that can), and was wondering if people had any insight into which career path might be best with this in mind? Additionally, I am wondering if I would be competitive for top tier clinical psych PhD programs (ie. Columbia, NYU, Stanford, UW, etc.) given my relative lack of 'real world' psych experience? </p>
<p>Essentials:
- Psychology + Biology double MA (overall GPA: 3.64, Psych GPA: 3.9ish), Neuro minor
- GREs (taken once): 620 v, 750 q, 4.5 essay
- Have not yet taken the Psych subject GRE (although I currently plan to)
- Significant neuro + molecular biology research experience
- I will be working this year for my city's department of public health as an assistant to a social worker
- I am shooting for fall 2011 admission if I apply to a psych PhD program, or a fall 2012 admission for an MD program in Psychiatry</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I really appreciate your help!</p>
<p>I think your overall GPA and verbal GRE are a bit on the low side for the very top programs. It won’t matter too much in terms of eventual licensure if you go to a lesser ranked PhD program, though it does make a difference for access to the best internships.</p>
<p>Your research experience is a plus. The fact that you don’t have clinical experience may not matter so much if you’re applying to a PhD program with a scientist-practicioner model.</p>
<p>Admission to clinical psychology PhD programs is quite competitive. Admission to many PsyD programs may be less competitive. You also should consider related areas, e.g., health psychology, rehab psychology, counseling psychology, etc. which are somewhat less competitive, but some clinical exposure may be more of an expectation in PsyD and those other subspecialty programs. Your biological background may be a plus in areas like health psychology, rehab psychology.</p>
<p>Some schools you mentioned don’t have a PhD subspecialty in clinical psychology: Columbia (but does have clinical programs in the Teachers College), Stanford, NYU.</p>
<p>If you try the med school route, keep in ind that you’ll be exposed to a number of specialties before you even get to the residency stage. You may very well decide on something other than psychiatry.</p>
<p>This is very useful advice; thank you. Of course, I still have questions :-)</p>
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<li><p>You mention that my GRE/GPA is a little low for top tier programs. Bummer! Do you have any suggestions for PsyD or PhD programs that I might be better suited for, given my background?</p></li>
<li><p>You mention considering a PsyD as an alternative to a PhD in clinical psychology. It had been my understanding (maybe erroneously) that PsyD programs were often considered to be less rigorous/prestigious than their PhD counterparts. Is this actually the case? How are PsyD graduates treated/viewed ‘in the real world?’</p></li>
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<li>I am just basing my comment on the perceived competitiveness of admission to clinical psychology PhD programs. For current specifics of particular programs, consult publications like the APA’s guide to graduate programs:
[Amazon.com:</a> Graduate Study in Psychology 2010 (9781433805356): American Psychological Association: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Psychology-American-Psychological-Association/dp/1433805359]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Graduate-Psychology-American-Psychological-Association/dp/1433805359)</li>
<li>IMO, in general, PsyD programs are less rigorous in terms of adherence to evidence-based practices. However, a lot depends on the particular program. A PsyD program based in a university department of psychology is more likely to be more rigorous than a program at a for-profit institute. There’s probably a continuum. Many PsyDs have excellent clinical skills and the degree designation doesn’t necessarily distinguish between the skills of a PsyD vs. PhD. You have to evaluate each program. </li>
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<p>To some extent, the particular state is a factor. In states where PsyD programs are more established/numerous, there may be a more favorable perception of them. It may depend on the setting in which you want to practice. If you want a job at a university hospital, perhaps it is perceived as less prestigious, but this may just be residual elitism on the part of some PhDs that doesn’t necessarily reflect differences in skills. The key considerations are access to the best internships and that depends on the particular candidate and his program. The key consideration for an internship is that it’s APA-approved. As far as licensure, there’s not must difference as you pass the exam. As far as the general public is concerned, there is no difference in the PsyD and PhD. Professional psychology is a diverse field with many roles and subspecialties and traditional individual therapy/counseling is only a portion of it. I think many times, undergraduate students don’t get much understanding of these diverse roles and subspecialties.</p>