Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology: 2010/2011 Edition (Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology)

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5 Reviews

1. This book is a FANTASTIC summary of all possible research that can be done on clinical/counseling psych grad programs. It has helped me tremendously in applying to schools. The book has helped me be more organized and less stressed, seeing that all of the important information/deciding factors of the various programs are right at my fingertips. Very helpful worksheets are included at the back of the book in order to compare your top schools/programs. I cannot say enough good things about this book! I would recommend it to anyone/everyone interested in attending clinical/counseling psych grad school or to anyone that has any type of interaction with potential students.

2. This book is INDISPENSABLE when applying to graduate programs in clinical and counseling psychology, and as others state, not just a bunch of program statistics. Sure, it has all the statistics you need to start narrowing down to schools that are a good fit, but it tells you so much more. I would bet that 90%+ of successful clinical Ph.D. students have either read or used this book in some manner, it is that useful and valuable (no I don’t have data to back that up.) When you go on interviews for graduate school though it will be clear that everyone is playing from the same script, and for good reason, the successful candidate presents themselves in a manner that is professional and prepared. Having been through the application process twice, I would have fared better had I paid closer attention to some of what the authors stated, my second time through was very successful and I am in a great program. I don’t think I would have made it without the information in this book.

3. If you were to choose one book to help you apply to grad school, this is it. It’s like sitting down with the world’s best psychology advisor. It tells you how to play the game and win. I was extremely anxious about applying for grad school before, and now I feel very excited and prepared armed with this book.

4. As a university lecturer at three universities, I get plenty of questions about these things. I hear plenty of horror stories from students about faulty or non-existent mentoring in these areas. There is plenty of advice out there to be had from ignorant, indifferent, or hostile sources. A big problem is that many professors and staff in psychology departments at major universities don’t have knowledge or interest in clinical and counseling psychology. They may be openly hostile to the entire field, or toward areas and programs they perceive as being too unscientific. Even among supportive mentors, there isn’t enough time to mentor students on all these issues. For many professors, finding quality time with students sucks time from writing papers and chasing grants. Your best bet is to use this book to master the basics. Find a great mentor and use that person’s time to fine tune your thinking and turbo-charge your applications.

   My advice is to start here if you are serious about getting into grad school. Or, take a look at the APA’s book, “Getting In”, which is on the same topic. I don’t care for the APA books as much as the insider’s guide, but your mileage may vary. Also, you can probably get a copy of the 2006/07, or 2008/2008 guide for almost nothing. The earlier versions contain good general information and *almost* up to date info.

   And if you want your life as a grad student to go well at at the Big U, then make sure to consult the following classics: (Do this even if you aren’t considering an academic career)

   David Sternberg’s “How to Complete and Survive a Dissertation.”
   Robert Sternberg’s “Psychology 101 1/2: The Unspoken Rules for Success in Academia”

   Another must read, for future academics:
   Darley et al’s “The Compleat Academic: A Career Guide”

   And for future clinical and counseling psychologists:
   Yalom’s “The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients”

   Get these other books. Do it. This stuff is worth its weight in gold.

5. I haven’t delved too far into the book yet but I did skim through all of it and it looks great. Not only does it break down every graduate program for psychology but the beginning is all about what kind of degree you want to pursue, how to apply and how to interview. All great stuff that I know I will be using A LOT in the coming months as I start to narrow down my choices and apply. This is such a great book and I’m glad it exists so I don’t have to blindly find a graduate program by myself.