Masters Degree in Psychology?

Question

I live in Chicago and would like to apply for graduate studies in clinical psychology. Its been many years since I graduated from college (over 15). I graduated from an ivy league school and the academics were quite difficult. I was only an average student (B- average). If I had gone to a community college for example, my GPA would have been much better. In the past I have avoided applying to graduate school because I didn't have a B average in college. I didn't think I would get in. But I find that I must get a higher degree in order to succeed in life these days. What can I do to get in? What are my options?

Answer 1

Talk to the schools that you would apply to, you probably need to take the GRE. They will base your application more on that score since you have been out of school for so long. Also, the average GPA has risen over the past 15 years, so they may take that into account.

Answer 2

You could:


1) Take a few courses at a nearby school, like UIC, to show your academic ability. The admitting committee knows that Ivy league schools are tough, so they will take that into consideration.
2) Take the psychology GRE (is there one?), to show your understanding of the material

For the application, I'd focus on what you learned over those 15 years and what skills you'd be bringing to the graduate school. Presumably, you did something during the duration, right?

Can you get a letter of recommendation from someone in industry?

Answer 3

Talk to a graduate studies counselor at the college which you desire to apply. Any advice here would probably be of little value, because of inaccuracies.