MSW, MA Psychology, Counseling?

[crazyzoomusic]

What I want to do is Counseling. My original plan was to work hard and enter into a Clinical program, but with three semesters to go before graduation (undegrad) my advisor rather harshly (IMO) stated that I probably wouldn't have a chance at a Clinical program with a 3.6 (that I've changed from a 2.6 in two semesters) even if I get all As for the rest of my undergrad career. She suggested Social Work. This is NOT something I had previously considered and I am curious what similarities there are in Counseling and a MSW. Also, anyone with experience with a "lower" GPA that has had success with a Clinical program. (My advisor is the only one for 5,000 psychology students at my school, so I am reluctant to attempt a second meeting.) Or what are some other paths (if any) might I not be aware of to lead me to a counseling position. (I would prefer adult/individual to marriage/family or school counseling.)

Thanks,
Overwhelmed Undergrad.
Ideal job would be counseling individuals at an outpatient/mental health clinic or at a university (not school counselor or academic counselor). I plan on getting a license but I am confused about the differences and benefits of the psychology versus social work route. My dream WAS to get a PsyD but my advisor kind of shot me down. (Although I still may consider it a possibility.)

[Michele]

Dear Undergrad,

Although it is likely that your advisor was attempting to be helpful, he or she may not be up on admissions standards. As far as getting into a doctoral program with a 3.6 - virtually no chance. You would, however, have a reasonable shot at getting into a master's program in clinical, counseling, or community psychology. GPA is important, but so are GREs, research, and work experience.

If you really want to get into a master's level program in clinical psych, there are a couple of things you can do to greatly increase your chances. First, you need to kick butt on the GRE (both subject and general). There are study guides available. Use them. Purchase one of the general books on enhancing your vocabulary, and study it religiously. You need high scores on bot the verbal and the quantitative sections. So - first thing on your list: GRE.

Next - get connected with a professor who will let you do peon work as a "research assistant". Volunteer to do ANYTHING. Any by "anything", it could be anywhere from helping care for the rats in the psych lab to copying journal articles, to actually conducting research (don't count on this one). What REALLY makes an undergrad stand out is research and work experience.

Finally, keep on working to get that GPA up! Your advisor IS right, as far as the intial weeding-out process being all about the numbers. And those numbers include GRE, GPA, etc. If you can get your GPA up at least to the point where you aren't weeded out right out of the chute, you'll have a shot if you can also show some research (and preferably also work related) experience.

Don't give up. Go to the bookstore and get the book (it's usually one of those of newspaper print quality) that lists all the graduate programs in psychology along with their basic requirements. Mark down the ones for which your GPA might allow you entry. Then start making out applications.

Best of luck,
~M~

[Dr_Adventure]

Counseling programs are not very competitive to get into much less competitive than MSW programs. Now she may have thought you were referring to a clinical psychology PhD program (these are very competitive). However an MA in a counseling program is very easy to get into.

Now most psychotherapy is done by social workers and the MSW is the most versatile degrees and the LCSW (clinical social work license) is the most respected clinical license (after the PhD in clincial psych).

Now an MSW is more than about clinical practice so you may or may not be interested in the social justice and focus on other systems than just the individual.

DA