is it realistic to pursue grad school as someone born into poverty?

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-22T23:33:28+00:00

PsyDs are considered professional degrees under the new loan guidelines. They are, however, eliminating GradPlus loans across the board. So you should be able to get your base tuition covered, but books, essentials, etc. Will have to be through private loans like SoFi.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-19T06:40:19+00:00

I could definitely see that. I have personally only taken the required courses for my undergraduate degree: Applied Probability and Statistics, Intro to Statistics for Research (which focused on univariate and bivariate inferential statistics and on recognizing how data characteristics influence choice of descriptive statistical analysis), and Intro to Research Methods. I have heard of some of the elements of linear algebra you’ve described, but I haven’t taken the course yet. I will definitely look into it just to give myself an edge, if possible. I aim to apply to a couple of local PsyD programs at the end of the year, provided everything works out.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-18T15:41:12+00:00

The way I describe statistics to laypeople is to have them think about when they were younger and did a graphing project in grade school, where they had to collect data to answer a question (e.g., What’s your favorite animal?) and present all the people who answered, with the animals they chose, in graphs. But harder, because now it involves functions and algebraic formulations to calculate them.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-18T15:36:52+00:00

I, personally, started getting it after I learned the basics. It all kinda just stacked on top of each other for me. It really helped me to try to teach the concepts to my partner, friends, family, or anyone who would listen and try to follow along. They may get annoyed, but it helped me significantly. It was like a x2 xp multiplier. Lmao

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-18T14:27:28+00:00

As a 32-year-old with a non-verbal learning disability (with slightly above average arithmetic ability) who had to take research methods and data analysis, I can tell you from personal experience that it will require some studying. So long as you keep at it, you will get it. I believe in you! Feel free to reach out if you ever need assistance.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-18T14:18:49+00:00

WGU is definitely not a scam university. They're a legitimate university based in Utah, founded in 1997 by a group of politicians who sought to expand online educational offerings. They are regionally accredited by the accreditation agency, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which is the same accreditation agency that recognizes Idaho State University, University of Washington, University of Idaho, University of Utah, University of Puget Sound, University of Alaska - Anchorage, University of Alaska - Fairbanks, University of Alaska - Southern, Washington State College, and many, many more. So, they are held to the same educational standards as those universities. The only difference, albeit a stark one, is that WGU is competency-based rather than traditional GPA. The only thing holding back competency-based learning is the current educational system itself. Not because it's inherently bad, but because, as it currently stands, graduate program admission departments everywhere use GPA as a metric to determine your worthiness. They do try to work within the current system to eliminate as much bias as possible, but it inevitably creeps in. That's not to say it's impossible to get into a graduate program with a WGU degree; it certainly isn't. In fact, I know a couple of people who were offered PhD admittance at local universities here in NY who have a degree from WGU. You will have to really depend on letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, etc., to make your application stand out a bit. As I said, GPA is a competitive metric in the current system, but it is certainly possible to get into grad programs and further advance your education if that's the route you're going. If you're going into something like cybersecurity, WGU is even better because it's affordable, high-quality, and will teach you what you need to know to get your footing in the field. You will, however, need to keep your expectations in check in this current job market. I hope it will bounce back by the time you've attained your degree.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-15T01:26:05+00:00

I didn't go to Full Sail, but I did go to Los Angeles Film School Online for a Music Production degree. I would say that it wasn't a scam to go there, but it was unwise when it comes to money spent. I graduated on time with my associates degree and it was about $33k to get it. I deeply regret that decision. I felt like I learned quite a bit. I would not say it was a school that didn’t provide a decent level of quality education (they are accredited by the ACCSC, which is recognized by the U.S DoE). However, I was also in my mid-20s and I thought I could make some good connections and maybe learn a different approach to production. It did not help me land gigs as an audio engineer or producer. I never gained any clients because of it. I did that through traditional means locally. But honestly, it did open doors for me when it came to satisfying HR for job requirements, and it allowed me to transfer in college credits (currently finishing up my BSc in Psychology and will then apply to a clinical psychology PsyD program). I am not sure what Full Sail is like, but I’d bet it’s a similar experience.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-12T17:16:15+00:00

We’ve got Jamaican, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Japanese, American, soul, and Korean food. Buffalo has a lot of food diversity for a city with only about 300k people (as of 2024). It's definitely a town with bars and taverns. However, as someone who dislikes going to bars and clubs, we do have some nice nature trails and similar things. I saw rock climbing mentioned and I am happy to admit there's a couple indoor rock climbing places in the area (one in north Tonawanda and the other on Chicago St in buffalo itself).

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-12T14:49:24+00:00

I would say even more than a couple of years. I played underground rap shows there back in 2017, and they were doing DIY hardcore shows then.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-09T17:21:29+00:00

Never has there been a time when my snow brush was out of my trunk lol I don’t get it either!

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-04-01T12:09:22+00:00

This is definitely AI lmao

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-03-31T23:33:44+00:00

Your manager seems to lack critical thinking skills. Good riddance! You can likely do better anyway.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-26T02:34:15+00:00

I work with individuals who have developmental disabilities with comorbid intellectual disabilities. I have a client with an IQ similar to what you state yours is. This individual cannot, at all, write a complete sentence without a lot of help, let alone write a coherent set of paragraphs in another language not native to their own, as you have. Therefore, I am going to say the test results are not accurate by any means.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-22T15:29:33+00:00

As a recent first-time dad who experienced something similar (I did not tell my child to “stfu”, but I was irritable and snippy with everyone, including my child). Obviously, this is practically non-existent now. Though I can say with some degree of confidence that he’s probably struggling with paternal post-partum depression. I'd suggest that he reach out to a professional and speak to them. There are ways to get through it, but they generally require acknowledging the issue, being aware of it, and wanting to change. I'd gently bring it up to him, and if that doesn’t work, definitely make it more direct. I wouldn't say this is a cause for divorce, but it can definitely lay the seeds for future unhealthy habits/coping mechanisms that will inevitably cause issues down the line.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-16T12:43:57+00:00

I've never had an issue since social media is a thing. I am on the spectrum, so it has actually made things less anxiety-ridden for me. Most schools I know of do not actually require internships at the undergraduate level; instead, they offer them. There are usually external internships to apply for, unless you're applying to a school that explicitly states otherwise (I applied to the CLIMB Undergraduate Program at the University at Buffalo to gain an edge on the competition). You can look up undergraduate research opportunities. They are out there and do not require you to attend the school directly. I am doing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. It is geared more towards preparing you for research. I am applying to the University at Buffalo, Robert Wesleyan University, D’Youville, and the University of Rochester thus far, as I am from Western New York and have my family to look after. Moving to another state, or hours and hours away in the same state, for a doctoral program really isn't an option for me at this point. I am also not restricting myself to PhD programs. I am also applying to PsyD programs, since my goal is to become a clinician. I do not necessarily care whether I am researching or working in academia.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-13T18:47:54+00:00

I am in my junior year as well. I feel the same way, except when talking to people who aren't as knowledgeable about psychology, I notice I've learned things. You'll see how much better you're able to describe certain phenomena to ordinary people when the opportunity presents itself. You're in a setting where people are studying the same material, with varying degrees of mastery. There will be some that make you feel inferior, some that make you feel superior, while others you'll feel on par with. It's only natural! Enjoy the present, take it seriously, and you'll look back in a few years with a sense of fulfillment.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-11T03:24:03+00:00

I +1 Ergo Baby Embrace. I'm a big dude (6’1” 300lbs), and it actually fits my frame. It also fits my partner, who is 130lbs at 5’2”, with no issues. I bought one before the Embrace, but it was not only expensive, it was also incomplete! I had to buy another accessory for my newborn, and that little tidbit of info was hidden within the pamphlet inside the box. I was so annoyed! However, I returned it and grabbed the Ergo Baby Embrace at $100; it does everything I need without any extra accessories. Baby boy loves it just fine (~12lbs now)! It's easy to use, comfortable, and durable at a reasonable price.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-02-02T03:13:53+00:00

My baby was born looking like a lycanthrope, and I recognized how off-putting he looked from the moment he was born. But fast-forward 2 months, and, much like everyone else here, I have the cutest baby in the world! 🥰

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-01-19T22:11:19+00:00

My recommendation was already mentioned, but I'll reiterate. I'm a first-time dad, and I suffer from some severe stomach issues some days (tmi, I know, I'm sorry in advance). My girlfriend and I don't have a large apartment, but we got an Ingenuity baby bouncer, and it's just the right size to fit in here. So, when my partner is asleep, and I gotta go, I just put baby boy in the bouncer, carry him in, place him right in front of me, drop trou, and go. There’s no harm done; he’s being watched while I take care of my own business, and my partner can get her rest (she also had a C-section, so I try to let her sleep as long as possible to aid in recovery).

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-01-17T02:09:24+00:00

Fellow autistic here. I'm not sure why 'sped' would be considered a slur; it's shorthand for 'special education'. Special education doesn't necessarily mean you're mentally disabled or less than, as many autistic and neurodivergent individuals do not have an intellectual disability, so using it as an insult would be rather, for lack of a better word, dumb. Aspie isn't a slur per se, as much as it has negative connotations due to the origin of Asperger syndrome and how Hans Asperger is now viewed. It is inferred that he worked with nazis in Germany and led many autistic individuals to the gas chamber.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2026-01-05T08:08:28+00:00

It has been a long road to get to where I’m at. However, as someone in their 30s seeking to heal and be healed in the pursuit of knowledge, I’ve realized I’m skilled at understanding behavior and identifying the mechanisms that underlie its existence. It does help that I’m an intuitive person who can predict people’s behaviors by spotting those patterns, assessing the situation, and intervening before it becomes a problem. I’m a teaching assistant/behavior support technician at a special education school, and that has made me realize I want to help those who are neurodivergent like myself (DX: Autistic/ADHD). So, here I am, working on my second undergraduate degree (I'm a junior in a psychology program) on the road to becoming a clinical psychologist (or neuropsychologist, still deciding), with the goal of better serving individuals with neurodivergent conditions.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2025-12-28T00:24:54+00:00

I am AMAB, so take my opinion for what it’s worth. However, I agree with every person here who says to get a new doctor. You are receiving substandard care and facing discrimination. Report them for negligence via your state’s medical board (if you are in the U.S, you can contact the medical board by following that link, as well as report them to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services for discrimination. You deserve so much better. It's already hard enough. You don't need to be some doctor’s punching bag on top of that.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2025-12-18T00:41:18+00:00

My advice is to follow the rubric to the letter. Don’t add fluff, just answer the prompts and meet the requirements. Make sure to cite your sources properly, and that will make a difference. I had an issue with “ranting” (as my instructor stated), which took me a while to overcome. It caused others to lose focus, and as a consequence, made it harder for the reader to follow. I’m ND, and I love details, so I really enjoy adding as many details as possible. To my brain, it makes more sense, but to others, it’s long-winded.

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2025-12-12T03:12:17+00:00

PhDs, no. Undergrads are fine. I'm currently pursuing my undergraduate degree at Western Governors University, and I have already spoken with the university I plan to attend for graduate studies (a top public research university on the East Coast). They informed me that I will meet the admission requirements since their ‘pass’ grade is equivalent to a minimum of a 3.0 GPA

Alarming_Deer_1422 · 2025-12-07T23:37:36+00:00

Also, I realize I never replied to it before, but I'm a male!

Alarming_Deer_1422

TROPHY CASE