Alright, so I’ve been digging into this whole “depth psychology PhD” thing, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. I started out thinking, “Yeah, I like psychology, maybe I’ll make a career out of it.” But then I began to consider getting serious about the field and pursuing my PhD.
First thing I did was hit up the internet, just browsing around, seeing what’s what. Found out there’s a ton of info out there, but it’s all scattered. Some websites talked about how I needed to start learning new techniques. What does that mean? There are so many. I will learn innovative ways of teaching, which is cool, but that’s down the road.
Then I checked out some university websites. Harvard’s got a pretty detailed one, all about their doctoral programs. But man, it’s intense! They’ve got all these requirements and materials you need to apply. I started to feel a little overwhelmed, to be honest.
- Research, Research, Research: I realized pretty quickly that I needed research experience. Like, actual hands-on stuff. It’s not enough to just have good grades, especially since mine are not that great. I need to show them I can do the work, you know? I found out that it is pretty much impossible to get an interview without some experience. I began to start researching on my own and reading published journals to stay up to date.
- Finding My Niche: Depth psychology is a big field. I spent a lot of time figuring out what exactly I was interested in. Was it clinical stuff? Counseling? Something else entirely? I read a bunch of articles and books, trying to narrow it down. After doing some research, I found a few topics that really clicked with me. I’m not going to get into it now, but let’s just say it involves dreams and the unconscious mind.
- Talking to People: This was probably the most helpful thing I did. I reached out to some professors and grad students, just to chat about their experiences. They gave me some real talk about what it’s like to be in a PhD program. It’s tough, they said, but also rewarding. Plus, they gave me some tips on how to apply and what to expect.
- Getting My Application Together: This part was a pain. I had to write essays, gather transcripts, and get letters of recommendation. It took forever, and I was constantly worried I was doing something wrong. But I got it done eventually. I made sure to highlight my research experience and my passion for depth psychology.
After all that, I finally submitted my applications. Now I’m just waiting to hear back. It’s nerve-wracking, but I feel like I did everything I could. This whole process taught me a lot about myself and what I want to do with my life. I’m not sure if I’ll get into a program this time around, but I’m definitely not giving up. I’ll keep learning, keep researching, and keep trying.
This journey’s been a lot of work, but I figured I’d share my experience. Maybe it’ll help someone else who’s thinking about going down this path. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you’re really passionate about depth psychology, it might just be worth it.
What’s next?
Well, I will continue to practice my research and stay informed on depth psychology. This is an ever-changing field, and I do not want to be left behind. I will continue reaching out to professionals and ask questions. Also, I will start looking into other ways I can use psychology to help people. Wish me luck!
