[SweetCrusader]

Guys, I want to go to grad school, and I'm getting really discouraged. The best school in terms of fit with my interests that I've found so far is the one I'm attending for my undergrad degree, and they strongly discourage you to get your undergrad AND grad degrees there. Had I realized I would want to apply to grad school here, I would probably not have come here for my undergrad. But I wasn't thinking that far ahead when I first changed my major to psych.

Anyway, these are the things I'm interested in (below). Does anyone know of grad programs in psych that have programs for, or professors interested in any of this stuff? None of it is very "big" in the field right now, but those of you who know me know that this is where my heart is- and therefore it's what I have to work in. I just have to find the school that will let me do that:

trauma (abuse and neglect particularly), dissociation, self-injury, rural psych, multicultural psych (particularly Native American), DBT, play therapy, art therapy

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

I'd start by looking up who is publishing on these topics in good journals. Then you can figure out where they teach. Then see what they offer in terms of the degrees offered.

At least that's a start, and you don't even have to leave the comforts of your keyboard! :-)

emmy

[SweetCrusader]

I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the tip. I think it might end up being a rather cumbersome method, though!

My current method is to enter [whatever state] state universtiy in a search engine and see what I find! lol!!!

I just thought I'd take the chance and see if anyone on here knew. I know I'm not the only psych major here, and DEF not the only person interested in psych of course!!

Thanks again!
Angela

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[gardenergirl]

Good luck with applications when you find you are ready to decide. I remember what it was like. Lots of hoops. It sounds like you have an adivsor helping you? If so, that's good. You definitely want someone there to guide you through the process as much as you need.

As far as programs, you might want to check out APA's site.

http://www.apa.org/students/student3.html

And also see if you school has a copy of the computerized of hard copy of Graduate Schools in Psychology.

Take care,

gg

[Why_W8]

I read your post and was moved to register as a member in order to reply.

I am currently working on my second Masters (Counseling)... my first is in Management and Organizational Behavior. One thing about any Grad program--it is your responsibility to make it what you want it to be.

My main focus is eating disorders and obesity-related counseling, and I find I need to do my own research into the latest studies on these topics in order to really explore these areas. Funny enough, as I seek out relevant issues, I find like-minded individuals who point me in even deeper directions! It is also through my personal research that I have connected with mentors who are helping me to advance my career and reach my goals and dreams!!

Good Luck!

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and
you help them to become what they are capable of being.
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

[dexter]

Do you have a guidance counselor at school? Seems to me that if they are going to discourage you from doing grad work there, they should at least help you find something appropriate for your desires. If not, maybe talk to one of the professors that you like and trust?

Searching the route is a good idea and the one I would probably start with... but a "personal recommendation" from a professor who knows what you want and need would hold much more weight, even a recommendation from someone here would be good.

In the end though follow your gut instinct, even if is just one you found on the web that "feels" right... or even if it means going against their "strong discouragement" .

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

[SweetCrusader]

Wow! That is really awesome for you that your research is taking you so far.

I'm trying to find programs that have interests like my own because when you apply to a PhD program, they look for students who are interested in the same things their professors are into. It makes your chances of getting in better, as well as finding a mentor.

Thanks for posting! And welcome to psychcentral!

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[SweetCrusader]

That's great advice, gg. I had thought about the APA's program, but since you have to pay to search their database via internet (or buy the book), I had abandoned that trail. Hadn't thought about seeing if my school has it! And I'll bet they do!

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[SweetCrusader]

We have psych department advisors. I could talk to some of them. I don't know how much help they would be, but it's worth a shot.

I don't really know the professors on campus here. I just barely moved on campus. I did most of my degree through a distance education program (taking classes via satellite). I did contact a professor that I don't know, but who it was reccomended that I contact. She's in charge of a program for Native Americans and for counseling Native Americans here, within the PhD program. And she has the same interests I have, in trauma. I set up a meeting with her, and I'm hoping she'll have some good advice. I hope she will become a mentor for me. My professor from my old college has been a mentor for me for about 4 years, and she will write me a great reccomendation, but I think I need someone here on this campus now.

I like your advice about the "gut instinct" and I think I'll apply here even though they "strongly discourage" it. They might accept me anyway. I'm a really good student, and their program is SOOO perfect for me! I can't seem to find a better fit anywhere!

Thanks again for your advice dex, and everyone else too!

Angela


-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[apislily]

You might want to look for people you would be interested in working with, instead of schools. When you find someone who's working on something you're interested in, read all of their papers from the last few years. Email the professors who you might want to work with and see if they're accepting students...that will save you money in application fees by eliminating school where there's no chance of working on what you want to work on!

This is how it worked in the grad program I was in. It wasn't psychology though, but entomology.

Good luck.

[SweetCrusader]

Thanks! See, what I've been doing is when I find a new school's site, I look up what the professors are interested in. So I'm trying to find someone! I feel really discouraged right now. I don't know why. I probably shouldn't be. I have a great gpa, some practical experience, definite and specific interests, and I'm working on getting research and t.a. experience. But I am still afraid I won't get in.

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[dexter]

I think that your appointment with the professor might be very fruitful. She may have good recommendations with regard to where she studied, and/or even considering her recommendations you might just find you feel comfortable and that she naturally falls into the mentor roll.

One thing I neglected to mention last time is do you know why they "strongly discourage" remaining in their grad program? They may have some valid reasons that make sense. Not that that should make your decision, but should be a factor in it, if you think their reasons may have some validity. Also knowing their reasons, if you decide you like this professor you are meeting, maybe you can more easily make a choice as to whether staying there for benefit of having this professor available outweighs whatever reasons they have for not wanting you to continue there.

------------------------------------
--http://www.idexter.com

[SweetCrusader]

Oh, yes, I do know reasons. And they are valid. It's generally discouraged to get a graduate degree from the same school as your undergraduate degree, particularly in psych, so that you can get a more balanced perspective. Here's what they say specifically:

"Students are strongly encouraged to gain exposure to scientific perspectives, research, clinical or mentoring approaches, other than the psychology department at USU. Students are discouraged from getting all their academic degrees from any one department."

This is in their admission criteria. And it goes on to say that they evaluate this by looking at your transcript. So, like, it's part of their decision about whether or not to admit you.

And I like that they encourage a well-rounded perspective. I wish I had the foresight two years ago to go to a different school for my undergrad work so I could get in here easier for the grad program. But this school just as a lot to offer in the way of what I want, way more than any I've found yet.

BUT, as I am a determined girl, THE SEARCH CONTINUES....

Thanks for hanging in there with me in my quest!

Angela

-comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable-

[shakes]

I know that there is this website...I think that consumer report puts it out, but it has a search feature that allows you to search colleges based on majors, activities in the surrounding town, size of school. Basically anything that you can think of. Then it rates all the features of the school and even gives you links to their website. I can try to find the site for you if you would like.

Jessica

[SweetCrusader]

That would be AWESOME!! Thanks!

[shakes]

This is the one I used before I started college. They changed it a little, but it still should be good.

http://apps.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp

Jessica

[SweetCrusader]

Thanks! I'll check it out