PhD Prospects
 

I know some of you (including me) are thinking about getting our PhDs. So, I asked a buddy of mine what is the best way to get into highly competitive school. Here are some of his suggestions:

(1) Good grades (duh!)
(2) Publish Often. Not that hard to do since there are a gazillion academic journals out there.
(3) If there is a conference or conventions, go. And make sure you buy high profile professors that attends drinks.
(4) Once you get that professor drunk and happy, make sure you keep in touch.
(5) If you don't go to the conferences, get to know one of the faculty members in the department.
(6) Keep in touch and send numerous articles you've wrote.
(7) Remmember birthday, anniversary, etc.
(8) My personal favorite, find out if a professor also trade shows. Then send him shows and trade with him. This way you can establish not only academic relationship, but also social relationships.

This might or might not help. Take it for what its worth, two guys talking while being drunk.

Or work doing some research, have good grades, some good recs, and good gre's...that always seems to work ;)

-Rudey

I should have be more specific. Giving you that extra edge when it come to applying. After all, if two candidate have the same exact CVs, GRE and Grades, the deal breaker can be the candidate that already has a working relationship with a faculty member.

I've seen that most people with the working relationships usually do research with that professor.

-Rudey

Hence number 1 & 2. Also, confereces and seminars are great for networking purposes.

PsyD.
 

I am currently enrolled in a Masters of Arts of Clinical Adult Psychology program. I am planning on continuing with the PSyD. program, which is a doctoral degree in counseling psychology ( basically less emphasis upon research and more on actual application in a clinical setting). These programs are extremely competitive, as are most doctoral programs. For a fairly reputable school, there are usually 1,000 + applicants and under 10 spots avaliable. Mostly, those who are accepted, from my experience, are older (late 20's early 30's) and have obtained a masters degree and also post masters work. They are also published, and have experience in their feild. Also, conferences are GREAT to put on applications. I think that also working as a TA or research assistant of any kind is very beneficial. Grades of course are important. Its really depending upon the school.

If you're applying for a Ph.D program straight out of your B.A. program, you can't necessarily find time to all the things that you suggest. My recommendations for those still in undergrad:

--Don't suck up your GREs--actually study, they're more than just souped-up SATs
--Be realistic about how far your GPA can get you
--Find an advisor in your department that will work with you on your statement. Don't write a statement full of cliches.
--Do try to complete significant research
--Contact potential advisors at the schools you're applying to. A lot of the process for the professors is finding people that will be compatible with their research program.
--NETWORK baby. Hope that your advisor has connections in important departments.

I have some reading recommendations too if anyone is actually interested in this.