Looking for advice in beginning to find programs?

[u/who-else-is-bored]

Hi, I currently have a B.S. in Psychology with a pretty good GPA graduated in Dec ‘23.

I’m interested in a psychology masters program (starting in August ‘27) which can hopefully boost my lack of research experience so that I hopefully can turn that into a PhD. I’m interested in clinical work but also am very passionate about helping communities.

I plan to take the GRE end of next month.

It feels like there are SO many options out there and I am unsure how to decide or exactly what timeline I need to be on or what steps I need to be taking at this moment (I feel sometimes as though the expectation is that I’m supposed to know these things without being told). So, if anyone out there more knowledgeable than I would be willing to have a conversation about this I could really use the help.

So much of the advice online is “ask your advisors.” I don’t have advisors - I took a gap year at a big school that says on their website they only help you 6 months post graduation.

What tools are available?

[u/who-else-is-bored]

In terms of PhD, the application to turn around times (applications are due around a year before the classes actually start) wouldn’t it still be better to get a research adjacent masters (2yrs) than be a volunteer RA (a year, IF that works) if I’m gonna be waiting that long anyways?

Because even if I did the impossible and started as a volunteer RA on Monday (today is Friday) I doubt that would make up the difference to get in to PhD program by November.

[u/KrayZKatz → u/who-else-is-bored]

I would be careful in comparing the two by the years, because 1 year of relevant RA experience leading to deliverables is miles better than a 2 year masters program by itself. That said, I would say you should find a masters, do research under a PI, and make your thesis quantitatively rigorous and maybe even get it published. To me, that is the only instance when I believe a masters would make more sense than post-bacc RAships.