Graduating from Undergrad, Need Help With Next Steps Towards Pursuing PsyD
Hello! I am about to graduate from UCLA in less than a month. It is my goal to become a child & adolescent clinical psychologist. I want to pursue a PsyD as what I’m most drawn to is assessment. I know how meaningful getting properly evaluated and diagnosed can be from personal experience as an autistic woman and want to provide that same support I received to the next generation of children.
I want to know more about where I should go from here. I am a first generation graduate, so I have few people in my real life to turn to for advice for something like this. I have a few questions so feel free to answer any that you’d like. My questions are:
• What is a feasible timeline for me getting into a reputable PsyD program (my dream program is GWU for reference)?
• What should I expect when it comes to preparing my applications? (I often see advice for how to write PhD applications, but given that PsyD programs are less research focused does that advice differ meaningfully?)
• What experience should I focus on obtaining before applying? (how much of that experience should I get?)
• How did you know you were ready to apply?
I attached a copy of my resume with some identifying information removed to show the experience I already have. I am about to begin volunteering for a crisis line which I’m excited about. I am also currently applying for jobs (ideally hoping to secure a research position but I will also be applying for Behavioral/Mental Health Technician roles). As for the GRE, I am planning on taking it this August.
Thank you for any help you can give me! I truly appreciate it as I feel getting more clarity as to where I’m at and where to go from here will relieve a lot of stress.