Today has been difficult due to challenges that arose after my interview regarding my transition from an M.S. program to an M.A.  I am graduating with my Master of Science in General Psychology in the Summer of 2023. I love being a student and plan on becoming a licensed psychologist if I can get out of graduate school. This path has been highly challenging, and psychology students need more resources. 

I have been considering transferring from the MS program to the MA program. I had completed a significant amount of coursework in the MS program, but the MA program would be a better fit for my academic and career goals. It was more difficult than I anticipated. I did not give up on my dream of becoming a doctor, and I spent two years falling in love with research. 

Letting go of pursuing my Ph.D. and determining that I would go to the MA has been something I have struggled with due to my research interest. I always had the MA in mind as a backup plan if I did not get into the Ph.D. program (which I didn’t), so this was the right path. But there have been multiple roadblocks that make me feel otherwise, and to attempt to pursue my PsyD or PH.D., which may take more time. 

The main issue was that I would have to reapply to the MA program as an outside candidate. This meant I would have to go through the application process again, including submitting new letters of recommendation, transcripts, and essays. Not only would this be time-consuming, but it would also cost me more money in application fees.

As of now, I tried to convince myself that it was worth it. I told myself that the MA program was the right choice for me and that the extra effort and cost would ultimately be worth it. But as I started filling out the application and gathering all the necessary documents, I began to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. What if I continue to explore my options and pursue a doctorate? There are so many options and paths to explore, so I created this page. 

Though I have this little bump on my journey to practice as a licensed clinician in psychology, I have realized that sometimes it takes work and time to get where you want to be. Taking shortcuts can lead to disappointments. After I completed the interview with my advisor, she told me that I was already in, and now she says that I have to reapply as an outside candidate.

Looking back, sometimes asking for help and seeking alternative solutions is okay. I have wasted plenty of time trying to figure things out for myself, aka the hard way. It’s important to remember that there are options, and you can find a way to achieve your goals without breaking the bank or wasting your time. It is also essential to follow your dreams and not be confident to ask for help.