m1ntyfresh
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- Jan 13, 2023
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Hey all,
I've read through a lot of the posts here and elsewhere, have spoken to some admissions offices, my PI at my lab, and some PsyDs back home (NY) so I have a plan in mind (postbacc/master's -> doctorate -> work with adolescents -> PP?). Just want to get a sanity check.
Key background points:
I need a postbacc (CU has one) or masters in psych (CU, CCNY, Hunter, and Fordham have ones that seem decent) and was hoping to get some advice here.
I'm also reading that a postbacc is actually a better idea if I'm gunning for doctorate programs. And I guess for MA I'd need to do some online coursework on my own, at least introductory psych, stats, and research methods. I took AP Psych and Business Stats so I hope that could count but I will reach out and ask. But I sense that MA programs could connect me better to tenured profs which will help with PhD admissions? For CU for example, the MA is housed in the same school as the PhD (TC) while the postbacc is not. They also literally pair you with a PhD student mentor. Any thoughts here?
Overall, just looking for any big obvious red flags with my plan or if things don't make sense. Thanks for any help!
I've read through a lot of the posts here and elsewhere, have spoken to some admissions offices, my PI at my lab, and some PsyDs back home (NY) so I have a plan in mind (postbacc/master's -> doctorate -> work with adolescents -> PP?). Just want to get a sanity check.
Key background points:
- Turning 29 soon
- Majored finance then compsci at a top 30 US university, 3.855 GPA
- Was software engineer/manager in tech industry at top companies
- Quit my job last year and pivoted to psych this Jan after a break. I want to help people like me who I feel are underserved (queer POC, immigrants & immigrant children) and I enjoy working with others in this way.
- Currently an RA at a neuroscience lab with well-connected and regarded PI (h-index 50+). They are promising co-authorship as well as intros to profs at UCLA/Columbia and research is going well. I'm working on face recognition/grid cells.
- Currently volunteer at the national English-language crisis hotline here in Japan and received good training for it.
- Aiming for at least one co-authorship by next June and then plan to go back to NYC. Could continue with my current lab remotely.
- Really enjoy both research & the hotline so I want a mix of both moving forward.
- Current research interest is DBT/BPD & trauma, and maybe autism spectrum/ADHD.
- I want to work with adolescents based on my hotline experience and then maybe open a private practice later.
- I am location-bound to NYC, maybe LA. Willing to flex for the internship years only if necessary. So, Columbia, Fordham, and the CUNYs are basically it for fully funded. Yeshiva, LIU and St. John's are partially funded. I am not considering the New School based on what I've read lol. In LA it's just UCLA & USC right excluding the degree mills? Am I missing anything?
- In terms of other degrees: not interested in MSW as I want to learn about psych rigorously and be an excellent clinician. Also not as interested in community organization/advocacy - I did a lot of volunteering growing up and that side of things was always more of a drag for me. Keeping PsyD open but I have money and demographic (the other students) concerns.
- Money is not a problem, but I'd rather save if I can. I'm also not super time-gated - if I don't get in one year, I'm happy to wait and reapply if that's a thing.
I need a postbacc (CU has one) or masters in psych (CU, CCNY, Hunter, and Fordham have ones that seem decent) and was hoping to get some advice here.
I'm also reading that a postbacc is actually a better idea if I'm gunning for doctorate programs. And I guess for MA I'd need to do some online coursework on my own, at least introductory psych, stats, and research methods. I took AP Psych and Business Stats so I hope that could count but I will reach out and ask. But I sense that MA programs could connect me better to tenured profs which will help with PhD admissions? For CU for example, the MA is housed in the same school as the PhD (TC) while the postbacc is not. They also literally pair you with a PhD student mentor. Any thoughts here?
Overall, just looking for any big obvious red flags with my plan or if things don't make sense. Thanks for any help!