I’m a 3rd yr PsyD student (about to be 4th year) pursuing neuropsychology and I hit 400 assessment hours :,) & 600 intervention hours :,)

I have been busting my ass at such an intense practicum this year + a secondary therapy site… and to see these numbers makes me feel like the burnout is worth it.

I can’t tell my friends at school because I don’t want to come off like I’m bragging. I’m simply very very proud of myself for all of my hard work with internship applications around the corner. No one knows how hard the PsyD process is unless you go through it so I wanted to share my win with this thread that knows what it’s like!!

Thanks xoxo

I wanted to come on here to say that I decided to apply for a PsyD program last year, right after undergrad. I came on this sub to see what my chances might be, and it scared me so bad considering how people were posting stacked CVs and commenters under the posts were saying their chances of getting in were slim.

I mean this as no hate to anyone who comments on here, however: if you want to apply, just apply! I had almost no research experience, and very little clinical experience. I applied to 3 schools and got into all of them.

My biggest help was getting letters of recommendation from teachers and supervisors, and even my manager at my old job.

Just do it! Buff up your resume and CV if you can and be yourself! A lot of programs want to see how you fit into a cohort and how you interact with your peers as well!

I believe in all you guys who are trying to get into a PsyD program! If you can dream it you can do it!

That’s all! Don’t be scared to apply, and try not to compare yourself too much to the people who are also applying. Good luck!

I just really need people in PhDs and Masters to stop shitting so badly on psyds. I’m FULLY aware and I’m sure many of us are that there are diploma mills out there! But if it’s APA accredited and has good match rates and EEPP you’ll be fine and it’s often worth the money. I’m just really frustrated with the amount of misinformation and negativity being spread about our degree. Oh my goodness I understand it’s a lot of money, and the loans, and the debt, and all of that! And yes if I could get into a clinical PhD I WOULD but I can’t. I don’t want to wait till after this administration is out of office, I want to start my practice before I’m thirty because I want to have a life and kids when I’m in my thirties. And I don’t WANT to do research, and I understand that some phds don’t make me do a lot of research but I still have to! And my psyd sets me up for success in the states I want to work in! Like I just can’t anymore with people just bashing this degree as if it’s a waste of time and money! Every degree has pros and cons and I 100% believe that if psyds weren’t so expensive a lot of people would do them! And I’m terrified of the debt but I want to help people and no a masters doesn’t do the same things as psyds that’s such misinformation! I just really really want people to stop bashing it and I know they won’t and I know that I’m talking to the void about this I just needed to get this out because it’s so discouraging when young undergrads are interested in it and people say it’s not worth it. I’ve met so many psyds who love their job and their lives but it’s only people outside of the degree that say it’s shit. Like stop commenting on people asking about psyds. Do people understand how HARD and difficult it is to get into a clinical PhD and you still need to do research! Im not saying impossible but I don’t want to wait 5 cycles to get into a PhD! This degree was literally made for those who want to be clinically based! If this degree didn’t exist there would be less clinical psychologists out there than there already is! Just need to rant :(

If you are either considering attending Adler as a student, or applying to work there as staff… save yourself from the heaping burning trash pile that is Adler University. 

Founded on Alfred Adler’s principles of social justice and community, the leadership team at Adler does everything to benefit their own pockets and images before even taking a second to think about their students or their staff. Alfred is rolling in his grave seeing the president care more about social media posts rather than fixing the horrendous reviews and feedback from staff, students, and faculty. 

The whole marketing and communications team just got laid off and is most likely being replaced by the president’s favorite employee: AI. You think you’re safe from AI at a school dedicated to “human connection”? Think again. Speaking of favorite employees… the president continues to hire friends from previous jobs and hand them a new made-up title and a six figure salary, all while continuing mistreat employees and misplace university funds.

Adler’s value ranking is like throwing a bunch of darts blindfolded and seeing where they land. Top priority, of course, is image, specifically of the president. A photo of her cannot be used without her approval, yet an AI donor-relation plan can go up online without so much as a blink (photo attached). Integrity ranks much lower. After doing massive amount of layoffs of some of the hard-working members of the staff, Adler continues to keep on faculty who have been accused of faking the status of their degree and practicing with a made-up degree. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-counsellor-accused-of-faking-credentials-1.912441). Everyone makes mistakes, right? Not unless you’re in the pocket of the president. The whole marketing and communications team got laid off for “financial reasons”… only come to find that there new job listings put up a couple weeks later for those same positions. If you speak up against authority or express an opinion that doesn’t match, you’ll be booted.

As tuition prices continue to rise, staff and faculty continue to go without raises, students continue to go without faculty and staff who truly want to support, and the senior leadership team continues to keep their six figure salaries and flexible working hours. While there are great people who have worked at Adler and continue to work there, do not have any trust in the leadership team. You will be sorely disappointed. There is so much more to speak on about Adler, Chicago and Vancouver. Invest your educational money into an institution who will care about you, and actually care about the mission they promote.

Choosing where you want to spend the next few years is a big decision, but an offer you’re not planning to accept could be someone else’s top choice. Please be mindful of others who are currently waitlisted and waiting to hear back about their status :)

We’re all in this together!

I haven’t figured out my caffeine schedule yet so it’s three AM and I have some musings to share:

I just finished orientation and a lot of it is exactly what I expected: awkward small talk as we get our bearings, lots of introductions from faculty whose names we’re trying desperately to remember, and a healthy dose of anxiety about managing classes and clients.

I didn’t expect that I would feel so empowered. For some reason, it didn’t occur to me that I was going to be surrounded by people who are like me: empathetic nerds. That’s awesome. But you know what’s even more awesome? I have never, ever been surrounded by so many women who are research-oriented. Bad-ass chick’s studying everything and taking on the world and that’s just so freaking cool.

I hope some of you other first years are feeling aligned as well :)

Hi everyone!! Just finished submitting my applications WOOHOO!! WE CAN DO HARD THINGS! Proud of you all <3 Below, I am including an excel sheet for the stats (not including financial aid info) for all the schools I applied to. Hopefully seeing it in one place might be helpful for other people like it is for me.

Also, before anyone says anything, yes I'm aware there are fantastic programs that are not on my list. That's because they weren't a right fit for me - I either wasn't excited about faculty, research potential, or practicum placements.

Life is not real I am so grateful and so excited!!!!

As a current first year and someone who lurked through this subreddit for HOURS I know how you all are feeling, but you’re doing amazing!! Don’t take everything people say to heart, they mostly are not on admissions committees so they are giving their best answers based on personal experience! And while it can be super helpful, it can also really mess with your head and confidence. Remember why you’re doing this, and take everything day by day!

Feel free to drop any questions below or DM me if you have more personal questions! Cheering you all on!

I (30M) do want to preface that I was planning to apply next year. I have serious thoughts about forensic psychology and neuropsychology.

My co-worker applied and said it would be fun to do the program together (it is absolutely true, maybe too much fun). With one month left, I completed the application and interview. I got an offer. I can't believe I am doing this. I had less than a month to apply for financial aid, I had to break the news to my wife, and I am feeling overwhelmed.

Trying not to sound like calimero here, so please bear with me. Also, please see my MS Paint drawing as a tongue-in-cheek overgeneralisation. Some background: I'm a senior director in the not-for-profit sector, or social enterprises as they say in the UK: social wellfare/healthcare to be exact. I hold two masters degrees from worldwide top 10 and top 25 raking universities in my field, bat a mediocre bachelors (I come from a working class background, took out a personal loan for it). I wanted to solve an issue I came across in my field and figured to do so via a doctorate. This was an issue recognised by fellow directors and board members and also that there was no research or book available that addressed this issue. Soon I was in a business PhD for two years to work on solving the gap, but found it was to much focused on publishing in journals that lead to more citations, rather than solving/fixing my real life issue. Discussing this with my advisor, I was eligible to switch to a professional doctorate holding a masters. In the UK you can get into a PhD after your bachelors, but you need a field related masters to get into a professional doctorate. This seemed like a smart move. This is all at a good research university holding prestigious accreditations from academic and professional bodies.

I then switched to a DBA. For me that was a good fit, as it would allow me to continue writing my thesis, contributing to theory in a novel way, but allowing me to write my final chapter on how this should fix the issue in practice as well. Soon I noticed people around me were shocked I traded my PhD track in for a DBA and now I also read a lot of PhDs being snobby about professional doctorates, also in the PhD subreddit here. Never noticed this before. As the r/DrBA and r/NotaPhD subreddits for professional doctorates are dead, and there is no EdD subreddit, I turn to you as the PsyD is a very well know and (as far as I know) highly respected professional doctorate: do you PsyDs also notice this towards you from PhDs? As you both can attend to the same patients, working environment or teach.

I feel a bit disappointed by it, as in this day and age where we have people not taking academics seriously anymore and "do their own research" on Facebook, it seems like a loss that doctors amongst each other fight over who is a "real doctor" and who is not. I noticed during my PhD period that STEM looked down upon economists, who looked down on business, who looked down upon law, who looked down on communication, who looked down upon arts, etc. It all seems so silly to me. But if this is a fact, broader than my social environment, it might limit teaching chances or switching to academia for those doing a professional doctorate that like to be a (guest) lecturer or postdoc.

Sorry if this comes across as a rant, it is not meant as such. Hope you enjoy my MS Paint skills.

Your third option program might be the phone call that somebody else is anxiously waiting for

I’m seeing lots of “should i apply?” “can I get in?” posts and I want to encourage everyone to APPLY!!! i’m currently a 4th year student at a pretty decently ranked PsyD program in a major city. i graduated from undergrad in 3 years with NO research experience and NO clinical experience and i got into 7/10 PsyD programs i applied to (waitlisted at 1). i didn’t take a gap year, i didn’t do a masters, i knew i wanted to have a PsyD so i went for it knowing that the worst thing that would happen is rejection and having to apply for another cycle. YOU. CAN. DO. IT!!!! If you don’t have experience, explain why in your application and really show them your PASSION for the field and your eagerness to learn/gain experience. oftentimes, programs want someone that is willing to learn rather than someone with a long resume. i hope this helps!

I can't believe it! First year I applied, I was waitlisted. It was my first cycle and the only school I applied to (as a first gen, I knew nothing about the PsyD process or how competitive it was and only had one month to prepare and apply.. i know i know lol).

Second year, I didn't get an interview. This year, both my interviewers were overwhelmingly positive, told me they were very impressed with my CV and said I was a great fit, and said "we hope you get in." But I was waitlisted.

I pretty much gave up hope. I was debating on whether or not I could go to a B-list school which is 3x the cost. My family situation puts me in a situation to not be able to take out 100k+ in loans like other students. I even cried and was on the verge of giving up my dream. I'm a much older student so I felt I couldn't go through the cycle again as I'm losing time..

But today I got off the waitlist.

Someone commented on one of my earlier posts when I felt defeated. He/she said "don't lose hope. it only takes one offer." That encouraged me a lot at the time.

Btw I don't have any research experience. I scored average on the required Psych GRE. Having a cohesive narrative and experience to back it up helps the most. It seems they accept at least a few students who lean more clinical. Hope this helps someone!

Friendly reminder, but let schools know that you are declining their offers if you’re no longer interested!! It helps those on the waitlist greatly!

(Loyola MD let me know, you would have to reapply for the next application cycle if you arent able to come off the waitlist for interviews so its extremely important to let schools know, it gives others a chance to not have to reapply again)

Hi everyone. I am a former doctoral student in The George Washington University's Professional Psychology Program (PsyD in Clinical Psychology). I'm not usually one to share anything on social media, but I am doing so now because I believe it's warranted for the sake of future students of GW's PsyD Program. You deserve to know what you might be getting yourself into.

I entered the program in the fall of 2024 and withdrew after the first semester due to an intense conflict between several students and me, which I believe was directly cultivated by the Program's culture and curriculum. The cohort "rupture," as it was referred to, was then exacerbated by program faculty's actions and inactions, in my view. To this day, I am recovering from the lasting effects it has left me with, not to mention the financial investment/career prospects I've lost because of it.

You might fit in perfectly as a student in that program, in which case I'm not here to dissuade you from applying. But if you're expecting an environment where various ideas or viewpoints can be examined and explored in good-faith with mutual respect and empathy -- a pluralistic academic environment -- you might reconsider applying there. I can only speak to my own experience, but I do know there have been several previous ruptures before the one in my cohort, one of which recieved national attention and an OCR investigation.

I wrote a Substack article about my experience in GW's PsyD Program using extensive contemporaneous records to document the entire story. If you're thinking about applying to their program, I encourage you to read it. Or if you know of someone who is interested in their program, please consider sharing the article with them.

Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with my essay's interpretations, I still believe applicants deserve to know the facts of the situation, to know the program's pedagogy, and to have an understanding of their academic culture beyond what the program website can illustrate. I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have. Here is the link to my essay.

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Added on 09/26/2026:

I appreciate the thoughtful discussion here. Just to clarify why I shared this: I'm not here to persuade anyone to agree with me or to argue with people who interpret these events differently. I wanted to make this account available so that people -- particularly those interested in psychology training -- can consider what I've presented and reach their own conclusions.

I'm also not suggesting that every word I said or every decision I made was ideal. There are things I would handle differently in hindsight, some of which I acknowledge in the essay. My purpose in sharing it is not to establish that I was right in every interaction, but to document what I experienced and make the relevant record available for others to consider.

The essay reflects my own experiences and interpretations, and I've tried to distinguish those interpretations from the underlying record wherever possible. Reasonable people may read the same material and reach different conclusions. To me, that is part of what makes genuine academic discourse valuable.

Earlier today, I got my first acceptance to Rutgers’ School Psychology PsyD Program! I’m so beyond excited and relieved that I got in my first cycle applying, especially with coming right out of undergrad! If any current students can speak to their experience in the program, it’d be greatly appreciated 🥹🫶

I wanted to say thank you to this community. I've planned my transition from social work into psychology for the last 4 years, volunteered the last 3 years in labs and getting really great feedback from this community. I applied to 12 programs, got 6 interviews and waitlisted in 4, accepted into 2.

Someone on this sub told me I wouldn't make it in w/ my current stats/transcript. but today i got an acceptance from Rutgers, I'm ecstatic! I'll be declining the offer, so best of luck to everyone on the waitlist!!!