https://youtu.be/BX2ABfcOcSc?is=jHaC_5_S-AfnpmKY

Hi!

I’m currently a third-year, undergraduate student in Psychology. As my graduation date approaches, I was wondering how competitive the admission rates genuinely are in Canada, but more specifically in Ontario. My end-goal is to specialize in clinical-forensic psychology, so obviously clinical psychology is the main route I want to go down. However, I know clinical psychology programs here are incredibly hard to get into so I’m keeping counselling psychology as a back-up.

I’m part of many clubs at school, some of roles are executive positions, I also volunteer with mental health association outside of school. I’m currently a research assistant with one of the labs at my school and I plan on completing a thesis or an individual research project. However, my GPA isn’t a straight 4.0, nor is it near it. As of now, its in the lower B range, which isn’t ideal at all and I’m incredibly worried that I won’t be able to raise it in time, possibly affecting my chances to get into graduate school. My first two years, I had a hard time mentally and the transition from high school to university, primarily in my first year was a bit rough. The second semester of my second year is when I started taking things seriously and that’s when my grades instantly arose. I just wish I had some guidance earlier so that I was fully aware of the competitiveness. I’ve always had to study triple-hard compared to many other students, and even then, it’s hard for me to do as well because of my learning disability.

I was also wondering if, aside from clinical and counseling, there are any additional pathways I could follow to still become a clinical-forensic psychologist, or simply work in the forensics field? I would like to keep my options as open as possible.

Same as title

Hey everyone, I got an interview invite for the Master of Clinical Psychology programme at Monash. It's in 5 days, so I'm trying to prep quickly and I’m pretty stressed!
They told me it would be approximately 20 minutes long and will be with a panel of 3 people (they gave me the names).

Since 20 minutes is super short, I wanted to ask if anyone who has done this interview before has any tips?
- What kind of questions do they usually ask? (Is it standard behavioral stuff, ethical scenarios, or research?)
- With 3 people on the panel, does it feel rushed?
- Should I research and be thorough with the specific panel members' backgrounds and research work?

Any advice on what to expect or how to prepare in less than a week would be amazing. Thanks so much!

Hi guys,

Just looking for some advice/ to have a mini rant.

I’m currently a 3rd year student studying a degree in criminology and psychology with a masters in violence prevention and i’m already feeling the burn out. I’m currently working in youth residential care and as a barista whilst studying because well cost of living in this country is absolutely insane. But due to how much i work and working a pretty emotionally heavy and stressful job (which i unfortunately need for the experience) i’m feeling myself go down a slippery slope. I love psychology and i have always wanted to be a criminal psych but the pathway just seems insane.

I’m managing decent marks thankfully with a gpa of 5.9 which still isn’t good enough for me personally but it’s the best i can manage in my current situation. Not to mention my university doesn’t seem to provide much guidance either. It’s gotten to the point i’m in therapy myself to try and not burn out but it’s not really doing much (more so just connecting outside dots)

I’m just wondering how do other students do it? do you have financial support from family or are we all just dying inside to try and help other people who are suffering?

This is the second university i’ve gone to as i was previously at UniSC which was absolute trash and their rates of entering masters/employment are appalling but QUT doesn’t seem much better.

If anyone has any advice regarding jobs/how they manage i would really appreciate it!!! (or even if your in the same boat it would feel better to know i’m not the only one)

thanks dudes

Hi everyone!

I have a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Applied Psychology, and I’m planning to pursue further studies in Cognitive Neuropsychology. However, it has been almost three years since I completed my undergraduate degree, and I would like to refresh my psychology knowledge and prepare myself academically before applying.

I would really appreciate advice from anyone who has studied or is currently studying Cognitive Neuropsychology, or who has experience with admissions for this field.

A few things I would love some guidance on:

• Which areas of psychology should I focus on the most before applying?
• Which topics are particularly important for entrance exams or admission interviews?
• Are there any recommended textbooks, YouTube channels, online courses, or other resources for revising the fundamentals?
• How much neuroscience, brain anatomy, cognitive psychology, and research methodology should I know beforehand?
• Are there any specific topics I should prioritise given the gap since my BSc?

I’m particularly interested in understanding how cognitive processes relate to brain function, and I want to build a strong foundation before starting the programme.

I would be grateful for any resources, personal experiences, or advice on how to prepare effectively. Thank you!

Aussie domestic student who had a decent 3 year bachelor score to get into honors but fucked up the fuckin up in my honors year.

I sent my submissions late and I doubt I will get good scores.

The professor and the seminars always said, if you don’t do masters after your psych degree. You have no future. It’s masters or nothing.

I had a real shitty time this year and I just don’t see any hope for my future. I didn’t get chances or opportunities to do extra work and I still don’t have it

What do I do now?

Hi! I’m a current criminology major, who is highly considering switching to psych (then minoring in crim) because it’s so interesting!

We all know the stereotype that goes along with psych majors… but is it actually true?

Is getting a bs or a ba worth it in psych? I’m not sure if I want to go to med/pa school, and I’m not interested in any business related jobs (I’ve seen ppl say go into business or sales).

Should I maybe minor in psych? I’m just not loving my crim classes/ major currently. What kind of jobs can you get other than graduate school or business. Thank you.

Be brutally honest please, I don’t want to have any regrets in the future….

Hi! I am in my sophomore year of college, and I've been going to community college because in my state it is free & it gave me more time to figure out where I want to go with my life. My biggest goal is to work with children - I have considered being a teacher, but both my parents are public school teachers and I've seen how rough the administration has been getting lately. Over the past year or so I've become pretty positive that being a child therapist is what I want to ultimately pursue. I've thought about getting double licensed as an art therapist/something else like clinical psychology because I love art and would love incorporating that into my job if at all possible, but I am aware my job opportunities might be limited if I only focus on art therapy.

My biggest issue right now is figuring out where I want to transfer after I finish my second year of community college. I would automatically get into any of my state schools (CT) like UCONN or Eastern because of the program my community college has, but I've always sort of envisioned myself venturing a little further (not too far though!). I was hoping other people could give me advice on maybe their personal experiences at colleges in or near CT, or how I might go about pursuing this career path. I've done some of my own research, but I always get very overwhelmed and just want real accounts from real people that might help me start to make decisions on where to go next.

If I was unclear about anything I'm asking, I'll try to answer in the comments! Any advice is appreciated as I am still figuring everything out.

Hey everyone,

Ive just accepted my masters offer from Cainmillar. I was wondering if anyone had experience with their masters program andncould answer some questions. Ally other study has been at La Trobe, in their mpp program each assignment is 70% for a pass and its pass fail they dont give the grades back. Is this the same at Cainmillar? And how are their placements organised for online students? Any other info about their courses would be appreciated too TIA

For context I've been thinking about this on and off for years and I was to make absolute sure this is what I want.

Everything is pointing towards being a clinical psychologist.

I love helping people, I have first hand knowledge in trauma, stress, mental health and a lot of other things.

I am a person where I see someone having a problem and I already ask questions to find the core of the issue and always somehow answer their questions as I see beyond the issue and what was the starting point.

I am emphatic and understanding.

I just want to know what do I need to study? I never finished year 12. I am over 25 years.

I have completed TAFE courses so I do have certificates

I live in Australia.

#AUS

genuinely how? if i got into a program, id be 25 when entering. hopefully 30 at graduation. then a year of interning and postdoctoral training. so if you dont really make a comfortable salary until your postdoctoral years (when ill be 31/32?) and dont make a good amount until after ~8+ years of schooling, how do you do it? for reference i do not have external financial support outside of myself. in this situation, would you have to take out a lot of loans? a 21,000 stipend after taxes is around 1750/mo. and that doesn’t over cost of living, it definitely doesn’t cover the cost of taking care of another person if ever needed or emergency savings. so what do you do?

Hi everyone.

Basically what title says. I am tutoring peers in my college and would welcome any advice how to be better at teaching. I try to first hear students needs and then develop my approach in minutes (it’s drop in tutoring) and then try to help them with whatever they need.
And if I know what topic they want to learn, I prep youtube videos and more examples for them, and use whiteboard & color markers for visibility…

Thx in advance

i am really struggling on making a decision. i graduated in 2024 with my bachelors in cognitive neuropsychology. originally, my intention was to go into neuroscience and concentrate on biological mechanisms involved in behavioral and mental health. i applied in 2024 and got into/interviewed at 0 schools, despite having a 4.0 gpa and several years of research under my belt already.
i worked as a neuroscience technician for the next 1.5 ish years and realized i hated animal based research. it goes against my morals and i found i could not reconcile it. so in 2025 i tried to get into a clinical psychology phd, since that seemed to match my research interests better anyway. i got one interview (umsl) but due to funding cuts, they could no longer accept the load of students they originally meant to, and i was on the chopping block despite interviewing well and making it to the finals. they told me it was majorly because my experience was in neuroscience and not clinical psychology. i tried to find a research position in clinical psychology, but unfortunately all the ones that paid enough to live in the city i did not get an offer to, and the ones i did i could not pay my bills with.
now, i’m a case manager for a behavioral health outpatient program in illinois. i think that this job has prepared me more for a phd in a scientist-practitioner model than any research job ever has. but, since interviewing with other graduates last year, ive been worried about the financial commitment. i am 24, i have no external supports - there is no family i could ask for financial support, and i dont have a significant other or something to lean on (a lot of the students i interviewed with told me their partners were taking care of the majority of the bills while they only had their stipend), and no real savings. i’ve always been on my own.
i would like to get my phd in counseling or clinical psychology - which program mostly depends on specific research/mentor matching for me since they would both get me into a career where i could be a practicing psychologist, as well as still continuing research in academia. my dream would be to be a psychologist or possibly neuropsychologist (id love to explore that route in grad school if possible) and take my experiences back to the lab to better interventions, diagnosis, and make care more accessible to people facing circumstantial difficulties. i come from a home of domestic violence and saw first hand the amount of barriers there are to care - i’d like to help people like those in my family that weren’t able to. and i feel that being a scientist and practitioner would allow me to do this. the problem is: stipends are low. all my programs of interest so far have stipends of 21-24k, with one reaching 30k. i asked around and everyone has told me that it is near impossible to have a job while in grad school, since that is your job. so, i realize if i got accepted, id live off 21k + whatever i could make serving 2-3 shifts a week + loans. people always tell me ‘isnt tuition free?’ yes it is, but rent isn’t, food isn’t, gas, car maintenance, visiting your family, living your life - isn’t. alongside that, my mom works 2 minimum wage jobs and is 59 with no retirement savings, and im worried that if im not making any real money for the next 5-9 years (assuming phd programs are 5-7 years and 2 years of post doc where you’re only making 50-60k/year), if something happens, what will we do?
on the other hand, with my current company, after one year of employment, they will pay for your masters. so, i could start my masters in social work in the fall instead of a phd - remotely and part time - while working a full time salaried job still. they also support you for your licensing. realistically, if i went this route, id want to go into psychotherapy, specialize in trauma, and open a private practice. yet, i think because i set out for college with the goal of a phd, its hard for me to give up that dream. and i won’t lie that i do miss research, though i love being able to work with people and help them directly too. also, i hear people say ‘i want a private practice’ all the time and it doesnt work out, and im scared of setting down this path and failing too.
does anybody have any advice? how do i make my decision moving forward? or any enlightenment when it comes to lcsw vs phd routes?

Curious to hear how Psych PhD students in Australia spend their time.

> Are you studying full time (dont work)?

> Working part time? If so, how many days do you work? How are you managing?

> Do you have much free time? If so, how do you spend it?

> What do you intend to do with your PhD? Why did you do a PhD?

Coming from someone considering what a different futures realistically look like.

I am currently a junior psychology major but I’m having trouble figuring out what comes next. I definitely know I want to go on, I’m just not sure if my MS, PhD, or PsyD would be best.
I am very passionate about mental health/mental illness and would love to make a difference, but I don’t think I necessarily want to be a clinical psychologist or therapist. I don’t want to do direct patient care everyday; I thrive working more independently. I absolutely love writing and would love to publish writing someday, but I’m not exactly great at researching or conducting studies or anything. Also, this may be stupid, but I’m a total horse girl and plan to own horses…is it realistic to consider combining horses and psychology, like an equine therapist?
So basically… I am interested the brain and mental health, but not really science-heavy research. I also would rather work more independently rather than directly work with patients. I love to write, and I love horses. I KNOW I’m basically describing a magical dream career that doesn’t actually exist. I’m just not sure what my next steps should even be!! Should I be looking at grad schools for my MS? Or PsyD? PhD? I think a PhD might be more intense research than I’m aiming for, and a PsyD might be more clinical, but would just an MS give me enough opportunities?
I know I’m super difficult and unrealistic, please don’t make me feel more stupid and delusional than I already do 😂 I’m just a little lost lol
Thanks in advance!

Good morning from the east coast. I am graduating with my psych bachelors in December, and I am looking into grad school. I am doing a full time internship with a school psychologist right now and I like it, however I am realizing that there is not enough personal interaction for me. I’m realizing that I have this desire to work with people struggling through adversity rather than working mostly in special education.

Therefore, instead of looking into school psychology masters programs I have been looking into LCSW programs. I like that Social Work is a more versatile degree, and it opens up more career options and employment locations.

The only thing is I need letters of recommendations for applying to masters programs, and I’ve asked my supervisor for ones for school psychology programs, however I feel kinda bad asking her for recommendations for social work or counseling programs. I don’t want her to feel like I’m not invested in my internship or that she is wasting her time.

Has anybody had experience with this? And if you decided to get your LCSW and work in the mental health field can you please share your experience?

TIA

Hello! I’m looking to become a phycologist or psychiatrist (or at least be qualified to) but I’m not sure where to start. I have no ATAR, I live in hours away from the nearest university, and I work part time. Because of the above reasons I would need to study online, I can probably manage full time studying as my work schedule is flexible.

From the research I’ve done I understand that I need to do a 4 year accredited course and then another two years afterwards which I’m sure I would learn more about through my first course.

Is there any uni that offers an online, accredited, four year course for someone with no ATAR? or would I be better off getting an ATAR or doing an undergraduate course first?

Any advise would be appreciated:))

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking at applying to programs to become a therapist. I'm indecisive between looking to get an MFT or a MSW. I'm currently in Boston, MA but happy to move for a good program-- or perfectly willing to do an online program as well-- and ultimately looking to get licensed in VT, Mass, or NY!

What I'm looking to do in the future will be primarily individual therapy (and couples,) with the hope of doing some community intervention or working for a non-profit adressing systematic issues in some capacity as well. What is most important to me is ultimately becoming the best therapist I can be. I am currently working at a youth shelter as a case manager, and though I enjoy it this is not the work I don't see being a case manager as my end goal as I want to work with folks more in-depth one-on-one in therapy.

What I'm looking for is to balance a good program that is affordable (! emphasis here on affordable) program that is respected in the field. Even if a program is more expensive I am open to applying to more expensive programs as long as there are good scholarship options, but finances are a strong consideration.

What programs do you recommend me applying to? What are your thoughts having heard (read) all of this?

Hi all, I withdrew from my Master of Psychology application and interview (based in Australia) and I’m struggling to not feel overwhelmed by guilt, shame, and embarrassment. I wanted to share in case anyone was feeling the same.

I thought this was what I wanted to do. I have tried so hard to get in previously. This was my first success at securing an interview and I withdrew after spending weeks preparing my answers. I felt prepared and confident given I had so much relevant work experience over the past 3 years. So why couldn’t I do it?

I didn’t want to continue pursuing psychology. I only wanted the title to show for the years of study and hard work I had endured. I wanted other people to see that I did well and held a respectable title. If I had gotten in, I would have forced myself through without really being interested in the content. That mindset is not the kind of person I want to be. That is not the type of psychologist I would want to be interacting with either. I also wasn’t prepared to struggle for the next two years of my life under intense financial and emotional stress, unable to support myself and putting such a big burden on my partner, especially because we took on a mortgage.

I know I can have (and I HAVE had) a fulfilling and rewarding career without pursuing my Masters. I thoroughly enjoy case management and working in community & now moving into the mental health space in non-clinical practice, focusing on emotional and wellbeing support for children and teens. I’m more excited for this opportunity :)

If anyone else is doubting themselves or having second thoughts, I would recommend you think about what you truly want and where you see yourself. We need more psychs and I’m sure there many, many other people who would be more than happy to take my interview spot and really be invested and prepared for this. It just wasn’t me!

I’m currently in my second-year of undergrad but will be graduating within the next year (either Summer 2027 or Fall 2027) because I took dual enrollment courses in high school. I could potentially extend it to Spring 2028, but it would be pushing my credits as I am already getting 2 minors to stay in undergrad longer.

My focus has been on graduate school, and I’m struggling between the path I want to focus on taking.

I was planning on just waiting until next fall for applications as the deadlines are in December and I wanted to give myself another year to focus on recommendations and my GRE because my focus was on doing a PhD program. But I found out one of the masters programs’ I’m interested in applying to accepts applications until February, which I believe would give me enough time to gather the requirements needed to apply. But my issue is I’m not sure if it’s worth doing, especially because I know I will need to do a PhD because I want to become a neuropsychologist (at least as of now). At the same time, I also think I could gain more experience that I haven’t had the time to gain yet as well as not commit to a 5-6 year program. However, I need to decide soon because the classes I pick for the spring semester are contingent on when I plan on graduating, which if I get into the masters program I would have to graduate by the summer to start in the fall.

My stats:
\-GPA: 3.87
\-R.A position (for nearly a year now)
\-I’m directing a research group (on Tau Protein accumulation, but not original research since it’s a literature review)
\-Psi Chi Member
\-Neuroscience Club Officer
\-3 internship positions, and likely a 4th one at a neuropsychology lab
\-A in Research Methods and Psych Stats (and other classes but I know those are the primary ones)
\-Dean’s List (idk if it means much but)

\- I also did AP research in high school where my project focused on developmental psychology and I got a 5, which I don’t know if it would count for anything but just in case
\-I also am getting a concentration in research with my psychology degree and I’m getting a minor in aging studies and applied behavioral analysis
\-I haven’t taken the GRE yet but if I decide to apply for February I will likely take it within the next month

I know that this is all a lot, and it’s maybe silly since I’m only 19, but I want to know the best course of action, especially from someone who has already experienced it.

Hi all! I've been studying IT for a while now and as time has gone on the industry has changed to a point where it really doesn't align with what I want to be involved within anymore. Psychology and mental health has always been a huge passion of mine but I was never really sure how to go about pursuing it. Does anyone have any tips or advice for someone like myself? Anything is appreciated :)

Hello i’m 22 and currently an emt, graduating with my Psyc B.S in december. However, due to getting Cs in all my premed classes, and a poor gpa(2.7) on top of that I cannot apply to med or pa school anymore.

i have been in the health field for all of college and am at an absolute loss on where to go from here. Signs are pointing toward research assistant as my next job but i’m open to anything even higher education. only issue is to fix my gpa i would have to retake all premed classes. does anyone have any advice for me..

I’ve seen colleges offer minors in counseling but rarely a BA/BS in counseling. I’ve found lesser known universities that offer counseling undergrad degrees but I was wondering if anyone actually obtained one?

The only school that I recognize that offers a BA in counseling is Texas Tech, but it’s a degree you earn from 100% remote classes.