PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD) #2:GRAD SCHOOL ET AL.

Overview

Today’s PD is mainly geared toward preparing for competitive grad programs in psychology, with relevance to other types of programs and non-grad school options

Rationale Reality of applying to graduate schools Plan B options Opting out against immediate, additional

schooling

Rationale

Broad critique: Why isn’t higher education supplying students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful upon graduation?

Narrow critique: Why teach research methods to students who will soon be unemployed?

Today’s lecture should stimulate thought. Follow-up with me/others for more deliberation

Whether it’s terminal cancer or preparing for grad school, most conversations are overly rosy, which hinders decision making and enduring well-being

Harsh Reality

Most programs use (a) regression equations or (b) “multiple hurdles” to triage applications At many programs, most applications

are never reviewed Some exceptions to this, but it’s hard to

know which programs have exceptions Decision making is more straightforward

for medical school and law school than psych

Harsh Reality: GRE/GPA

General Cognitive Ability (g) and Conscientiousness (C) are key predictors of occupational and educational success

GRE and GPA: Approximately equal weight, outweigh all other factors by far A disservice to think otherwise Many grad programs define a B- or C+ as “failing,”

often with two resulting in dismissal Extremely rare exceptions: cultural factors,

eccentric professors, mentor’s (not family’s) connections

Well-developed life narrative or “spin”: Improvements, Psych GPA

Harsh Reality: Interests/Experience Key predictors of turnover and

dropout Relevant clinical and/or research

background are helpful (or necessary), but mostly after an applicant has made the GRE/GPA cut

Specific interests matter more to some mentors and programs than others

Hypothetical example of program where typical incoming GPA is 3.6 and highly competitive

Many receive offers, decline for better programs. Some don’t receive offers – no guarantee

Possible. What percentage of applicants receive offers? 90%? 5%?

Triaged

Time Economy

Juniors: Boost GPA, get clinical/research experience, seek concrete products (completed projects, posters, presentations, papers), plan to spend the summer practicing/studying for the GRE, stay in NOLA over the summer!

Seniors: Focus on GPA/GRE, perhaps look for low-commitment clinical/research involvements

Logistics

Background Info: Search Amazon for process books and program description books

Letters: Professors (n = 3) who know you well >1-month prior to the first deadline, ask if they

would be appropriate for writing letters and supply a COMPLETE set of detailed instructions, send reminders 1-2 weeks pre-deadline

How many programs? Varies considerably. See Background Info Expensive

Plan B: Many Good Alternatives! Consider different psychology specializations

Applied/Research: Clinical, counseling, school, I/O Research-only: Social/experimental, personality,

developmental, cognitive, brain/behavior Other clinical degrees: MD, physician assistant, MSW,

marital/family therapy, MSW/MPH Other research degrees: MPH or similar, human

development, Psychology 4+1 Business: MBA, MHA, or similar Masters programs can be university cash-cows, be

careful Avoid for-profit “PsyD” and “PhD” programs (e.g.,

Argosy, Alliant, Professional School of __). Why? Internship match rates? “Diploma mills” without diplomas?

Plan B: Many Temporary Alternatives!

Temporary Alternatives 2-year post-Baccalaureate research (or research

and clinical) experience as a lab manager, research coordinator, counselor, etc. Use connections and/or NIH Reporter Join APA Division listservs

E.g., Division 38 (Health), $23

Increase GRE scores (requires serious behavior change)

If you can’t modify the predictor, achieve the criteria! Get 1-3 first-authored publications (think secondary

data analysis!), Ace a grad class or two, research conferences posters/presentations, independent projects

Opting out of Additional, Immediate Schooling

Jobs: Use strategies under “temporary alternatives”

Upside: Employers care about whether you have a degree, only somewhat about where you got it, rarely care about GPA

No additional loans, tests, classes Can always go back to school later, even

much later: Many grad schools and med programs take this seriously

Downside: Lower starting pay and opportunities, worse gradients in both over time