Research and Professional Development 3 - Promoting Access to Clinical Psychology Training: A Model for Demystifying the Phd Admissions Process

More students apply to PhD programs in Clinical Psychology than any other psychology subfield, yet acceptances are among the lowest (~12%; as low as < 1% among the most competitive). To gain admission, undergraduates are encouraged to obtain post-baccalaureate research positions, gain academic writing experience, and present work at (inter)national research conferences. Such opportunities are hard to come by, with the number of undergraduates overwhelming the positions available. Further, such expectations are often only shared with students who are already connected to research mentors who help post-baccalaureates apply to PhD programs on an annual basis, thus perpetuating a cycle of inequity in educational access across diverse groups. For most students interested in Clinical Psychology, the hidden admissions curriculum represents a major barrier to entry. Thus, there is a critical need for innovative, effective approaches to disrupt existing systemic challenges in this process.

This 60-minute, hands-on professional development panel will provide attendees with a novel model for demystifying the PhD admissions process to undergraduate and post-baccalaureate audiences. Panelists will provide data and methodologies from a recently-piloted, free mentorship program offered to Clinical Psychology PhD applicants (N = 93) (available at www.psychphdeat.com). Although nearly 100 applicants enrolled in the program, materials were accessed by thousands. Program content had a 93.5% satisfaction rating and 100% would recommend it to others. Pillars of the program included: 1) monthly online meetings to walk applicants through the application process; 2) feedback on application materials from PhD students/faculty; and 3) office-hours for providing 1:1 support.

This professional development panel will be useful for those passionate about mentorship, who interface with undergraduate and post-baccalaureate psychology students, or are otherwise involved in the PhD admissions process. Following the presentation, attendees will generate innovative ideas for how individuals across positions, subfields, and varying degrees of student contact can make tangible progress toward diversity and inclusion in doctoral psychology programs.