Psychology Graduate Programs At Private Universities?

Question

I hear that getting into doctoral programs is a lot easier at private universities than public. At my current university, there is about a 94% rejection rate for all psychology doctoral programs and it is a public university. Would it be a similar situation at other public university or at private universities, such as Capella University or Argosy University?

Answer 1

Capella University accepts everyone. They have also just dropped their doctoral program in psychology after trying unsuccessfully, for many years, to obtain accreditation from the APA.

Answer 2

When I went to school it was more difficult to get into clinical psychology than medical school. The return is not that good. Getting into other forms of psychology are a bit easier. If you are thinking of going into psychology grad school there are only two areas that may be worth it - neuropsychology and industrial/organizational psychology. Try to help out a professor as an undergraduate, that way he can write you a good recommendation and you get a good idea what graduate school is going to be like. There are more profitable careers, so start thinking of self sacrifice if you are going through with it.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about the rejection rate. If you have above an 3.5 in an undergraduate program (especially if it is psychology) and you have a great GRE score apply. You have a great chance. Don't worry about the rejection rate. You only get what you go for. What do you have to lose?

Answer 4

Cavassi is right.

It really depends on what type of program you are applying to. I am applying to Cognitive PhD as well as Sensation and Perception PhD programs and they are less competitive than clinical programs...but quite a bit. For example, one university I am applying at accepted 1 out of 15 clinical applicants and 1 out of 6 Cognitive applicants.

Good luck!