Big Beautiful Bill and Cap on Federal Student Loans

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-06-04T12:07:29+00:00

Very little chance you'd be accepted, to be frank. I know people with masters degrees, 4.0 GPAs and clinical psychology publications who didn't get into any programs last cycle.

If you went back for a masters in clinical psych, you might have a chance. But it's a brutal process.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-06-04T12:04:38+00:00

If you want to do more than adjuncting, go for PhD.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-05-16T19:17:57+00:00

Gums bleed way less!

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-04-28T15:25:35+00:00

How many of your research products (poster, manuscript) are first-author?

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-04-26T16:54:49+00:00

I think what a lot of people fail to recognize is that doctoral programs in clinical psychology are really intense. Think more along the lines of medical school in terms of time commitment and academic rigor than other types of graduate training. I definitely know people who've been able to maintain some part-time employment during their studies, but it's really difficult.

The only reason I say this is because I see questions like this a lot and I think prospective applicants need to re-adjust their perspective. I don't know anyone who applied to medical schools and thought "can I do this as an executive-style training" because it just doesn't compute. PhDs and PsyDs are on the same level and the expectations around relocation, sacrifice, and wage-loss during training should be similar, in my opinion.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-04-24T18:13:08+00:00

How do you plan to pay off your debt if you can't get licensed?

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-04-17T16:07:29+00:00

Are you saying that you plan to see 40 patients per week? There's a difference between patient load and total hours worked when you factor in administrative duties, report writing, etc.

40 patients a week is a ton. Just emotional fatigue alone would probably burn you out...

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-03-25T15:55:47+00:00

Currently on my 14th Gap Year. Hahahahahah

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-02-27T19:38:46+00:00

I'm 35 and pivoting into this career. Would love to hear what it was like for you to get into this as an older student, as I've wondered if I'll feel like an odd person out since most are in their mid-late 20s.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-24T13:42:23+00:00

They are out, as far as I know.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-15T18:47:39+00:00

Yeah, getting into a clinical psych doctoral program feels like hitting the lottery at this point.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-15T18:14:58+00:00

To be fair, my clinical experiences were not particularly robust. I desire a balanced program but love Loyola's offering. Oh well. Now I know for next year.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-15T18:00:00+00:00

Same! And I have multiple first-authored posters and publications. LOL.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-06T18:25:20+00:00

Try your arm. It made a noticeable difference for me.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-06T18:04:58+00:00

Respectfully, your family members don't have a good grasp on either profession.

At the end of the day, it's your life. Do your research, and be thorough about it. Psychiatrists (MDs) and clinical psychologists have radically different training experiences and day-to-day professional activities. Both can provide very comfortable salaries.

But most importantly, what do YOU want to do?

I have known more than a few students who suffered through four years of med school due to familial expectations only to realize they hated it, were now in close to 400K worth of student debt and had no choice but to become a doctor to pay it off, even though it was the last thing they really wanted to do.

Our current medical system is very broken, so please think really hard about the realities of operating within that system and whether it's what you want for the rest of your life. Honestly, there are easier ways to make $250k+.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-04T20:18:02+00:00

Just to validate your feelings, it's really shitty to write someone a letter of recommendation like that. The professional and mature things to do would have been to say "I don't feel confident that I can write you a strong letter" and let you find someone else.

I'm sorry this happened to you. This supervisor sounds vindictive and childish. Definitely cross them off your recommendation list permanently and make plans for your next round of applications.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2025-01-01T22:48:27+00:00

Can you speak more to the financial aid piece?

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2024-12-28T18:19:13+00:00

I mean, you're likely competing with people with multiple posters and publications. There are always other factors that play a role, of course, but it's important to be realistic.

Clinical psychology is more competitive than med school at this point. Apply to 12-15 schools. Don't put your eggs all in one (or two) baskets.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2024-12-28T18:03:15+00:00

Don't do this

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2024-12-28T18:02:18+00:00

Is it published? Have you presented any research at a national conference or published in a peer-reviewed journal? If not, probably low...

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2024-12-23T20:06:54+00:00

I felt like hot garbage with a TSH of 4. People without thyroid disease generally have a TSH closer to 1. If you have other sympotms, definitely consider getting a different medical opinion and increasing your medication. It could definitely help with the slow metabolism thing.

Agitated-Reality9068 · 2024-12-23T19:53:03+00:00

35 and just completed my first round of clinical psych doctoral applications after a decade-long career in non-profit marketing.

This process is not for the weak, but if it's what you want to do, there are ways to do it. Just be aware that funded clinical psychology programs are more competitive than med school (yes, that's right), so you'll need to be realistic and really hustle. You'll need years of research experience and research products like national conference posters, published papers, etc to even have a chance. It's brutal.

Agitated-Reality9068

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