Where Do We Go Now? Psi Chi Cal Poly Pomona April 22, 2008 Alian Kasabian

Where are you now? –Graduating senior? –Rising Junior? –Rising Sophomore? *All these rely on how many years you have LEFT before graduation –No matter which path you take, planning will make it easier

The Second Question… Where do you want to go? –The job market? –A Master’s program? –A PhD or PsyD? If you aren’t sure, experiment! –Talk to professors, check out the career center, go to conferences, take career inventories, look at what you like!

Option 1: The Job Market Make sure your resume/CV is current –There are many resources on campus and online. Network –Ask around: sometimes jobs aren’t advertised, or they are coming up –Talk to your professors, they often have connections Check the career center –Career fairs, postings, advice The job market can be competitive –In 2000, 74,654 students graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology *

Option 2: A Master’s Program Usually take 2 years or more Requires the same planning as PhD/PsyD Overall- Master’s programs are not as competitive (depends on the school) –Accept more students per cohort –GPA and GRE scores do not have to be as high As a terminal degree –Your career choice may not need a PhD/PsyD –Now a BA may not be enough to be competitive in some markets On the way to a PhD –Always good to have a backup choice –Increases experience –Builds a broader network

Option 3: A PhD/PsyD Program Usually 2-4 years after Master’s Planning is important Choice depends on goals –Mostly practice- PsyD The practitioner model- emphasis on experience Tend to enroll at least 3x as many students (~40%)* Less financial aid Less time to finish than PhD (~1-1.5 years) –Want to teach- PhD is better (depends on school) The scientist model- emphasis on research Tend to enroll ~15% or less* Greater test scores for licensure –Relationship to faculty-class ratios Is not for everyone

Now what? Options 2 & 3 Junior year –Look towards your interests –Attend conferences –Try to get involved in research –Build relationships with faculty (as early as possible) Summer before senior year –Study for the GRE How worried are you? –Take the test early enough to retake if necessary Take a practice test for a baseline –Build on skills you have, not waste time –Practice scores are at least 10% higher than actual –Research programs Start with your criteria: location, financial aid, prestige Choose based on faculty interests and current research (esp. for PhD) Dreams are great, but be realistic as well –Start building your statements Check out what the schools are asking for, and build off that –Look into financial aid options –Budget! Applying is expensive

Now what? Options 2 & 3 Fall of senior year –Clarify schools Make a list/spreadsheet –Due dates, what is required, fees… –Keep track of specifics that each school wants (2 copies of transcripts, random questions) –Set up recommenders Politely ask for “strong recommendations” Prepare packet of materials for professors –Take GRE by early November General GRE offered year round Subject GRE ONLY offered in October, November and April –Apply! ~ Keep track of all info and dates Spring of senior year –Cross your fingers –Stay on top of later deadlines- Masters and PsyD –Acceptance letters: Never keep more than 2 on hand

School Deadline PaperworkSentRecommendations Acme UniversityDec.1GRE, transcripts, letters, sopYTo school w/ form Psych CollegeFeb. 1GRE subject, GRE, sop, 2x transcripts, letters NTo me w/ signatures and forms Clinical College of CA Dec. 15GRE, sop, research experience, transcripts, letters YOnline Etc…

Resources: CPP Career Center: Psi Chi Info: General Info: Job Market –UC Berkeley has a really helpful site: –Bureau of Labor Statistics: Check out Occupational Outlook and Benefits Graduate School –General Funding: Funding: What is a LEP? DO? ABFP? Timeline (slightly dated) Another timeline: APA guide: Tons of info on psych (not just social): GRE info: free practice book for psych subject test! Good general info: Council fo graduate schools: –Master’s MFT and LCSW info –PsyD vs PhD: Google search “PsyD vs PhD” –PhD/PsyD A possible timeline for a disseration: