[AnarchyAo]

I got bad grades throughout high school. I am currently getting ready to go into the local community college's two year transfer program (I graduate from high school in a few months). I am really dreaming of possibly getting a psyd. It's going to be a lot of work but I think if I keep the dream in focus it's attainable. But, the downside of my bad grades in high school is I cannot get into a possibly better college. The college I will be transferring to is James Madison University (I live in the city that this University is in) and the local community college has great ties and great programs with JMU for transfer students. JMU does have a psychology major program, they do have a graduate school for it, so everything I need is available there. But, if I am shooting to be a clinical psychologist am I already 'screwed'? Do I need to have gone to a much better University that is widely known for their great psych major programs?

Hoping to look forward to your responses.

[kimmydawn]

AnarchyAo,

I wouldn't think the choice of colleges would matter. For instance, I never asked my t where he received his BA, Master's or PhD.

I think what will matter is the DEGREE and your personality.

What a wonderful plan you have for your life! I applaud you! I hope you go all the way and then some! MUCH LUCK.

kd

[JohnShaft]

Make sure you excel in all of your classes and take any opportunity to do your own research or to gain experience in a clinical setting. You will need more than an undergraduate bachelor of arts/sciences to work in the field. You'll also need to get a masters and PhD. I'm starting a PhD program in a couple months. It was extremely difficult to get in. I applied to 12 places and got accepted to two (I had awesome grades and good experience too). Just remember to keep your eye on the prize. You'll have years of hard work ahead of you but if you stay dedicated you can do it. Good luck! : )

[darkeyes]

No, you are not screwed, just might have to do like I had to do with my math, take non-credit prep course, they usually offer other subject prep courses.
It cost me more than I would have just had regular tuition but at least I was then ready to matriculate into the credit courses.
Don't give up, and do not worry if the college isn't super well known, after your first 4 years you can then go onto another college, transfer credits over to where you choose and are accepted.
Most often when you are transferring credits to a different college, there is not a big deal with acceptance compared to when you are fresh out of high school and applying to college the first time. Just my take on this.

My son is graduating HS this year too, and is going into psyc., also wants to be a psychologist and shoot for psyd.
he's even thinking of teaching elementary school afterwards or be a counselar.
At this point, who knows if he will change his major, but at least he is happy with this choice of his own.
For the first 4 years he is going to a local small college, nice student/professor ratio. He first wanted Drew University, but the tuition was outrageous (sadly,most are) and we, his parents, told him save that for your Psyd. or PhD.
At the college he will be going to he'll be able to do his Masters if he chooses.
My point I want to make to you is don't be self defeated, you'll do it, so even if you need college prep courses to be enrolled as a student, it's still worth the effort.

I was terrible student in HS, way back in the 70's, goofed off and had horrible grades, I went to college when I was in my early 40's.
No one is ever too old for college, ha! ha! In fact I am thinking of going back, get a bachelors in animal behaviour or psychology, who knows. Fist we have to concentrate on my son's tuition, thank God he has done fabulous with his grades, that helped get him a small scholarship.
You can even go part time to school, I did that cause of needing to be home most of the day, it took longer to get my degree, but was good for me especially with algebra and pre-calc, cause I needed to concentrate on that, other courses were easy.
Just do not give up, and do not give up on yourself

Sincerely,

DE

Not screwed at all. And btw, I'll be starting school for psycology hopefully this fall. My hometown (where I'm moving back to) has a similar program from the local community college to the University... UTA (Arlington). And they have a kick arse psychology dept. As kimmy said, I don't think it's as much the university as it is the degree. Like kimmy, I never asked where my t went to school. Good luck. Maybe we can study together LOL

Ry

[mel020377]

I took two courses on psychology and wow. Psychology is a great field. If you go to a junior college and have a good GPA then you should be able to enter any major university, But if that college you are going to offers everything right there that would be great too

[Parker10]

Go for it !!!!! I took some of my undergrads classes at JMU ! If u start at a community college that has ties to JMU - your chances should be better to get in JMU when the time comes. Really study HARD and get really good grades from here on out. FOrget the "fun" many Freshmen think they HAVE to have to get the total college experience - there is no time for fun if you have a dream you want to fullfill and didnt start out with great grades in HS.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with JMU - its a wonderful school ! I drove almost 2 hours each way to attend it and UVA is only 45 minutes from me ! GOOD LUCK !

[Peanuts]

I don't think it matters the status of the college you attend. The important task is to do the best job possible and learn as much as you can. And who knows, if after you get your 4year degree and you have decided that another graduate school would better fit your needs... you can transfer.

Having a plan in place for your future is great !! Don't forget to enjoy the journey. As your journey unfolds, you will find the path that is right for you.

Once you get one or two college years under your belt, no one really cares about High School grades anymore. And, once you get out into the working world.. folks don't really care about college grades either. Only that you successfully finished a program of study and earned your degree.

It might be helpful for you to think about what caused your grades to be the way that they are. If you think you might be struggling with a reading or math difficulty - find out by asking to be tested. You can learn stratigies that will help you navigate through college. Learning difficulties have nothing to do with intelligence - don't get down or discouraged. Colleges expect students to seek out extra help and assistance themselves - so don't be shy. Seek out study groups etc that should be available at college.

Good luck to you on your future adventure. I did my growing up in college and have lots of memories - some great some not so great. I have no desire to repeat the process (meaning I have no desire to get my masters at this time), but I'm glad I pursued college and graduated with a B.S. Its hard work and you need to stick with it - but to finish is wonderful. Good luck & have fun.

[jennie]

High school grades do not predict the grades you'll receive in college, nor does it predict which graduate program you'll be accepted.

P E R S E V E R A N C E . . . is what it takes to obtain your goals. Don't focus so much on your failures, but keep working until you do succeed!

Try not to focus on what type of graduate degree you want or where to attend, until you have entered your Junior or Senior year of college for bachelors degree. Once you start taking psychology classes, your interests in the field will grow.

What was advised to me for selecting and applying to graduate programs (masters or doctorates) is that you apply to the programs that study, research, and teach the particular specialty you are interested. Psychology is a huge field . . . behavioral, cognitive, social, clinical, research, policy, neuroscience, academia, and etc., AND MANY COMBINATIONS of those listed. Many universities are offering tailored programs to meet a few of your interests. Also, by the time you get your bachelors, there will be many online graduate degree programs available.

Does it matter what type of degree? It depends. If in academia, absolutely it matters where you studied. Neurosciences are more like medical degrees, so they will be stringent also. You want to be a clinical psychologist; there are many types of graduate programs to choose. Some teach research, then clinical. A few teach only clinical. But don't worry about all that for now

You can do anything you set your mind to . . . never be afraid to ask for help (from family, friends, university, professors, clergy, counselors, doctors, online).

[(JD)]

The important thing, imo, is that you really apply yourself. The first 2 years of college credit courses are all pretty much the same: basic... and it doesn't matter very much where you go or how much/little you pay for them!

Your college placement tests will tell you HOW much you have to do to "catch up" if that's what you feel you need.

Good wishes!

[LMo]

I got bad grades, too. High school years are tough on teenagers, mostly because of the hormonal changes. I agree with what someone else said -- they definitely are NOT a predictor for your life success. You certainly write well and are clearly very intelligent. And an achiever, just by virtue of the fact that you have set goals for yourself and have a plan for attaining them. My money is on you!

[AnarchyAo]

Wow, thanks a lot for the responses. it doesn't seem like everyone believes in me though when my mom found out that I was shooting for a psych major then the first thing she said was "Why?". (My mom has a masters in psychology and she is an elementary school counselor). I told her there are a lot of things you can do with it, and she said that she was hoping I would go for a business degree. I told her you can do a lot with psych major and that she just wasn't open to what all was out there.. She didn't seem to believe me. And I told her that I might even want to try going for the PhD in Psychology. She said "Andrew, you know you hate school". It seems like I can't break out of my shell that I covered myself in years ago.. I'm ready to break lose and go for what I want to do, I'm tired of people keeping me down to the lowest denominator.

I'm going for my goal, and I could care less about what my mom, or anyone else thinks.

[jennie]

bravo!

[Peanuts]

I'm sorry that your mom is not being supportive or encouraging - that has got to be tough. Hang in there and keep following your goals/dreams. High school is compulsary - you have to go and the environment is not always supportive for all students. College is optional - most are there because they CHOOSE to be there. Its ok that you currently hate school, you probably hate that it is not of your choice and might not be supportive for you. You are choosing college - big difference in outlook.

Hang in there, you are on the right track.

[(JD)]

Did you say you've taken career path suitability surveys? Some time during your first year or two of college, make sure you do and that will help you (and the counselor at college) determine in which psych path you would most enjoy and do well.