Grad School problems

[WuGgaRoO]

OKay dudes and dudetts... i need people's oppinnions here
basicvally i have a 3.2 gpa because i majored in Biochem and Thr arts now
I want to go into Psychology grad school, so i figure why not get another major, im already done with the other two
my academic advisor told me that i should just graduate (which i can) and then go for a second bachorolette (however u spell it) which would enable me to boost my gpa (i was never a fan of biochem so i didnt get great grades u know)
THE DILEMMA

i have always banked on getting into grad school cuz I am a well rounded student...and there is nothing more well rounded than biochem and thr arts..i am going to lose all of that if i graduate...i would lose my edge against the other applicants cuz i will JUST be another psychology major with a good gpa

now..helpith me out please?

[shwaip]

Why do you want to go to grad school?

[WuGgaRoO]

to become a clinical therapist

[Nomad]

You need to evaluate your reasons for going to grad school. You already have two degrees (or two majors, depending on what you did), and you want to major in something else...?

[shwaip]

Not to put you off, but in grad school, no one cares how broad your knowledge is. They want you to focus on one specific area, do a lot of research, and become an expert.

Are you sure you don't need an MD of some sort to be a clinical therapist?

[QCH2002]

Not to put you off, but in grad school, no one cares how broad your knowledge is. They want you to focus on one specific area, do a lot of research, and become an expert.That's not totally true... I'm working towards Master in Information Systems Management. Overview of every aspect of IT, Management, Accounting, and a touch of Human Resources. Nothing specific.

[shwaip]

That's not totally true... I'm working towards Master in Information Systems Management. Overview of every aspect of IT, Management, Accounting, and a touch of Human Resources. Nothing specific.

Right, but they don't care whether or not you know about...Comparative Literature and Organic Chemistry

[Gargoyle]

I'd agree that the well-rounded bit doesn't help that much. All they really want to know is how committed and capable you'll be to conducting research. That's not to say you can't find some way of demonstrating that your are capable and committed by using your education as evidence, though.

Also, you don't lose anything by graduating and undertaking another bachelor's degree, if that's what you want to do. You'll still have your first degree and your transcript of classes - they're not going anywhere. And your grad school will want to know about all of your post-secondary education when you apply. Although I wouldn't do another bachelor's degree unless it turns out Psych departments really want one.

Can you apply to grad school at the school you're already at? Sometimes that's an easier process. Even if you can't apply right now (deadline may have passed for next fall, depends on the school), you could go ahead and meet with someone in the Psych. department and see what kind of work they're doing, whether or not you're interested in it, and try to gauge how interested they'd be in taking you on as a grad student.

[WuGgaRoO]

the thing is that i do not need to become an md to become a clinical psychologist..to be a psychiatrist, yes, you need to go to med school..but i dont want people coming to me looking for drugs, Id rather deal with people on a much more emotional basis...and in order to become one u need to first go to grad school, then get ur phd in order to practice... i could also go into grad school for social work..get my phd in that...and start up my own practice...either way i need psych credits and i figure since im focused now i can boost up my GPA

[Nolf-Job]

I think that there probably isn't a clear answer that anyone will be able to give you. Everyone has their own personal experiences. I did my undergrad in engineering and computer graphics and now am in an mfa program. From what I've seen/heard/learned, I think my advantage was that my engineering degree was different from most other applicants.

Various schools emphasize different attributes of the applicants. Yes grades are important, so are extracurriculars, experiences, background, and any number of factors. There really isn't anyway to know, unless of course you've got an inside to someone on a graduate admissions committee. Maybe schools will consider you a standout because like you said 'you aren't just some other psych major' or maybe they'll think you aren't focused enough. It's really hard to say.

I guess I'd suggest not following anyone's advice too strictly, unless you're confident in what they're telling you. Talk to as many people as you can, especially people who are in the programs that you're interested in. See how they fared and what they think of where they're at.

Also, since you should be finishing up soon, can't you just apply to grad school and if you don't get in, continue on with psych?

[WuGgaRoO]

u must apply to psych schools by january so i totally missed the deadline