A Local Resource for Advising Applicants to Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs

Abstract

Undergraduates planning to apply to graduate school in clinical psychology have few resources for identifying suitable programs. Published sources are limited and uneven in their coverage of topics that may be important to applicants. Visits and interviews can be helpful but expensive and difficult to arrange. This article describes a procedure for polling departmental graduate students and faculty who have personal knowledge of programs. This procedure does not obviate the need for other sources of information, but it makes informal information more readily available. As an additional benefit, the survey involves the support of faculty and graduate students for undergraduates.

Now or Later?

“…In fact, advisors from colleges and universities around the nation report that one of the most commonly asked questions among upperclassmen is whether they should apply to master’s or PhD programs during their senior year (e.g., Ball, personal communication, June 30, 2009; Cox, personal communication, June 30, 2009). It is surprising, however, that there are few published resources to assist students and their advisors with this decision (Briihl, 2001; Neimeyer, Lee, Saferstein, & Pickett, 2004; Todd & Farinato, 1992). Empirical data specific to deciding when to apply to graduate programs could have important implications for undergraduate students and the advisors who assist them in making this important life decision.…”

Admission requirements, acceptance rates, and financial assistance in clinical psychology programs: Diversity across the practice-research continuum.

“…The proliferation and diversification of doctoral programs in clinical psychology has not been paralleled by regular empirical analysis of their admission requirements, financial assistance, theoretical orientations, and other valuable data. Clinical applicants and faculty advisors have limited and uneven resources in appraising either individual programs or general trends (Halgin, 1986; Sayette, Mayne, & Norcross, 1992; Todd & Farinato, 1992).…”