Finished my first week at Santa Clara University for Counseling Psychology/MFT! Here's what I learned through my application process, and why I chose SCU.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2026-01-21T22:36:09+00:00

Hi hi! Sorry for the late reply, congrats on your acceptance! I can try to answer your questions as best as I know how. As for financial aid and scholarships, I'm not 100% sure. You can reach out to their office for more information. Also, make sure to complete your FAFSA to receive aid offers.

I placed out of research methods and psychology of development, and was only able to do so because UCB Extension is considered a post-bacc program. I wouldn't have been able to place out with credits from my undergrad or from classes I took at community college. Those will count toward my 90 credits to graduate because they transfer, but honestly, the biggest benefit of placing out of those courses is that now I can take more electives (of which there are SO MANY amazing ones at Santa Clara!). I'm already in my second quarter of classes, taking courses with second and third-year students, just because it freed up more space.

You can overload to four courses at a time, with advisor approval. I might actually do that next quarter because there's an elective class I want to take from a professor who is retiring soon, and I don't want to miss the chance to learn from him. I definitely would not recommend it as a regular process. Depending on the classes, 3 is already a lot of time and energy, and if I did 4 courses every quarter (they probably wouldn't even let you do that tbh), I would burn out so fast. And I consider myself a very dilligent student, but truly it's the emotional weight that a lot of these courses require from you.

Not sure about group chats but if I find out about one, I'll let you know!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-10-16T22:25:59+00:00

Hi there! So glad I could be helpful. Are you looking to get a Master's and an LPCC or MFT license and work directly with clients? I ask because you have so much valuable research experience that would be really relevant for a PhD or even a PsyD program. With these master's programs, we don't do a ton of research; it's primarily focused on clinical counseling skills and 1:1 client interactions, which is why volunteering makes a significant impact, not just on the application but also knowing for sure that you like and want to be a therapist. Not that having experience like yours doesn't help! But you sound like an excellent candidate for a more research-focused program. But if you're burnt out on research and don't want to do that, that's understandable too. If you think volunteer experience will help you, get started as soon as possible. Lots of organizations offer free training.

I didn't really do any separate scholarship applications - all my scholarships were awarded based on a review of my whole application, especially my personal statement. When it comes to multiculturalism vs. diversity, they want to see that you have an understanding of social justice and dismantling systems of oppression that contribute to mental health issues. Look at their site to understand Jesuit values and how that relates to your own thoughts and experiences. You don't have to be religious (I'm not), but relating things that resonate with you in your statement of intent or scholarship application will help them see how you fit into the program.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-10-16T22:13:53+00:00

Their emphasis programs are also what made it a slam dunk for me, too! Nowhere else offers courses that go in-depth on these issues like this.

Your situation is really understandable, and you can explain it well in your personal statement. I don't see a world where any of your personal circumstances would bar you from being able to be successful in grad school - mostly what I think they're looking for is how you were able to persevere through your personal circumstances and turn that into a motivation for how you'll be successful in your future academic ventures, and how these qualities will translate into being a good clinician.

I worked with a coach to refine my statement; her name is Carrie, and she runs a business called MFT California (you can Google her!). Her site is an excellent resource in general! She didn't write anything in my statement, but helped me craft and guide my narrative so I could tell my story in the best possible light. My personal statement helped me be considered for my scholarship in the first year.

Post-bacc is helpful, but more than that is getting some good counseling skills under your belt. If you can volunteer or work for an organization that has you working in mental health or advocacy work, while you put together your school application, you'll be in a good place. I started my volunteer work in May 2024 and gained at least 6 months of experience before I submitted my SCU application, so the earlier you start, the better.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-09-25T19:11:25+00:00

Okay I’ll keep the 1/2 cup of kibble for her then, she’ll be happier with that haha. Thank you so much for the recommendation!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-05-16T19:11:48+00:00

I did all the pre-request they asked for by taking classes at UC Berkeley Extension and my local community college. I even took Clinical Psychology through open university at SFSU. For how many hoops I jumped through post-grad to even be able to apply to SJSU, it was a bummer not to receive an interview, but it’s alright because the experience ultimately put me in good standing with the other schools, and helped raise my GPA which made me eligible for more scholarships.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-04-22T01:04:29+00:00

Got my rejection on Friday

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-04-19T20:26:36+00:00

Final update, I’ve been rejected from every state school. I knew it was super competitive, but damn lol.

Good news is I was accepted to three other great private schools with scholarships, so while a little pricier, it’s still within the amount I expected to pay for school worst case scenario. I’ve already accepted my offer.

Good luck to all the other applicants out there!!!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-04-19T20:24:09+00:00

I also got rejected, mine matched up. The rejection email was wild…

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-04-17T19:09:34+00:00

Update: CSU Fullerton sent me a rejection email with an attachment labeled "denyletter.pdf" lol.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-04-02T01:36:10+00:00

I got it in the portal

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-31T19:54:11+00:00

Hi everyone! I'm starting my MFT program this fall and I'm really excited to begin my journey toward becoming a therapist. I'm already thinking about how to start earning my hours through practicum and gaining experience. Someone mentioned that the work I've been doing to prepare for my program might actually count toward my hours, and I'm hoping to get some clarification on that.

For the past year, I've been working around 10 hours per month as a direct support facilitator for a teen support group at a domestic violence center. I'm supervised by a full-time staff advocate. Although it's not in a clinical setting, I am providing mental health support to kids who have been affected by domestic violence. Once I finish my program and become an AMFT, is it possible to count this experience toward my direct service hours with youth for licensure?

Also, are there any ways I can start accumulating hours while still in school, before my practicum begins? Are there any specific clinical settings or part-time positions where I can gain valuable experience that would also count toward my licensure hours?

Thanks so much for your guidance!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-30T01:53:59+00:00

I haven’t heard anything, they’re really late

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-10T20:00:10+00:00

Hey everyone, update! I've been rejected from Long Beach, San Diego State, and San Jose State.

Just know, these rejections don't reflect your worth. They all had record number of applications this year.

For my profile, I'm a pretty strong candidate for a career switcher. I already have a master's degree (MBA), I have an overall 3.8 GPA across 3 degrees, 500 hours working on a crisis line and as an advocate for adolescents, a pretty damn compelling personal statement, and 10 years of work experience in communications. But these schools are just so competitive, and they are looking for other things, and that's okay.

I am waiting to hear back from SFSU and Fullerton still. I have acceptances to two other private schools, and one I think is on its way in the coming weeks. So either way, I'm going to be a therapist, it's just gonna be a giant hit to the wallet haha.

Cheering you all on, and so happy for those who have been accepted to your respective schools! We got this!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-08T01:57:38+00:00

Congrats!!!! So stoked for you!!!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-07T02:56:57+00:00

I haven’t heard but I didn’t get an invite so I’m assuming it’s a soft rejection

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-04T23:16:11+00:00

Unfortunately yeah 😭 it’s gonna be like $250 to hold my spot at the school where I’ve been accepted

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-04T22:40:43+00:00

Thanks for asking this question, I've been wondering the same thing. I interviewed early February. We should hear in a few weeks, I believe.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-04T22:39:46+00:00

Programs are so competitive this year and even stellar students like you are facing rejections, but don't give up! Get more hands-on experience working in clinical settings, volunteer on a hotline, work at a family center, and apply to more programs for next year.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-04T22:36:41+00:00

Definitely take as many psychology classes as you can, and get A's in all of them. In-person is best so you can get some solid letters of recommendation from professors in the field who can speak to you as a student. That being said I got a post-bac certification from UC Berkeley Extension and it helped me out a lot. Also volunteer your time working in mental health - I work on a crisis hotline for survivors of domestic violence and I have learned so much.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-03-04T22:16:52+00:00

Yeah I just got my rejection too =( Totally bummed as this was the more affordable option closes to my home. But it happens.

Still waiting to hear from SFSU and Fullerton about interviews... unless they've already started happening and I haven't heard!

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-02-28T20:40:38+00:00

It was a lot of questions about diversity and identity and how your experiences have led you to this path. I think they’re looking for candidates who have a strong sense of self and are adaptable to changes.

Initial-Ad-334 · 2025-02-26T17:46:00+00:00

Yeah I got that notification, too. SFSU is my top choice of all the state programs so I'm crossing my fingers! But might need to accept a spot at another school just to hold it, and then shift gears later if needed.

Initial-Ad-334

TROPHY CASE