Is there a doctor in the house?

2016-05-13T12:08:16-04:00

I'm seeking a mentor in Military Healthcare--particularly, a Psychologist, who can speak to how I can optimize my chances of qualifying for the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). I'm a reservist w/an educational background in Communications/Marketing who wants to use my Post 9-11 GI Bill to go back for a BS in Psych, MA/PhD en route to a career in Clinical Psych. Taking all pointers!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2016 9:20 PM

2016-05-13T21:20:38-04:00

Maj Private RallyPoint Member Have you talked to an AMEDD recruiter??

Response by SSG Jeremy Kohlwes made May 13 at 2016 10:05 PM

2016-05-13T22:05:49-04:00

I would talk to an AMEDD recruiter. But to start out, get good grades, get involved with honors organizations. And try to get into some research with your professors. Those are all big plusses when you apply for grad school.

I am heading the same route myself and almost done with my undergrad work. Although I can't do the scholarship whoch is a shame.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 14 at 2016 5:26 PM

2016-05-14T17:26:16-04:00

CPT W - that sounds great. After retiring I went back to school on a similar path. I completed a BS in Family Studies (poverty, addiction, and life skills focus) in prep for graduate school (maybe). As for MA be careful in selecting a program that offers clinical supervision. Some distance and hybrid programs don't and that will effect your ability to get credentials say in addiction treatment or as an LPC. Though an HPSP scholarship would definitely get you in a fantastic education pipeline. As for my own experience working in the mental health/addiction domain, my intermediate-term goal is to complete my CAC (Addiction Counselor) Level 2. Longer term would be a PsyD versus a PhD. My own preference is clinical versus research. Best of luck!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 8:50 PM

2016-05-16T20:50:19-04:00

All the Recruiter is going to do at this point is to "plant the seed" of some basic info, since you are still several years from applying for HPSP. Your GPA in the BA and your GRE score are going to be crucial in getting into an APA accredited doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology. If you have other questions I'd be happy to answer from the Army side of HPSP clinical psychology. I recruited lots of people for the scholarship before using it myself to shift my career to clinical psych.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made May 18 at 2016 11:43 PM

2016-05-18T23:43:27-04:00

Do you already have a BS (isn't that a requirement for O ranks)? If so, there is no need to earn another. Depending on your school, you might need to make up a couple of undergraduate courses, but a bachelor's degree in psychology is not necessary for entry into a graduate program. Having the undergrad degree, good grades, and high GRE scores is the ticket. I don't know if it has changed in the last 20 years, but it used to be that clinical psych PhD programs had a higher rejection rate than medical schools (applicant to acceptance ratio).

I cannot speak to the military route or the scholarship. I do know a bit about graduate studies in psychology.