Okay, so I’ve been digging into PhD programs in clinical psychology, and Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) kept popping up. I figured I’d share my deep dive process, just in case anyone else is in the same boat.
Initial Research
First, I started with a broad search, just typing “clinical psychology PhD programs” into the search bar. FDU showed up in a few lists, so I jotted it down as a possibility. Then, to get a feel for the program, I headed straight to their official website for their Clinical Psychology PhD section.
Exploring the FDU Website
I spent a good chunk of time just browsing the FDU site. I wanted to get a handle on their:
- Faculty: Who are the professors? What are their research interests? Do they align with mine?
- Curriculum: What classes would I be taking? Do they offer any specializations?
- Admissions Requirements: What GRE scores do they typically look for? What about GPA? Do I need specific prerequisites?
- Funding: Do they offer assistantships or fellowships? How much is tuition?
- Location: is it located?
I poked around each section, taking notes on anything that seemed important. I made sure to pay close attention to the faculty profiles, because finding a good mentor is super important for a PhD.
Reaching Out (Maybe)
After getting the basic info, I considered whether to reach out to current students or faculty. I thought it might be a good way to get the inside scoop on the program culture and what it’s really like to be a student there. But, I decided to hold off for now until I narrow down my options a bit more.
Comparing with Other Programs
I didn’t just look at FDU in isolation. I created a spreadsheet (yeah, I’m that person) and started comparing it to other programs I was interested in. I looked at things like:
- Ranking (if that matters to you)
- Program fit (do their research areas match mine?)
- Cost of living in the area
- Overall “vibe” (based on the website and any info I could find online)
This comparison helped me to check its advantages.
Making a Decision (Eventually)
Finally, after all this digging and comparing, I would need to make a decision. I planned a list of pros and cons for each, and then try to figure out which program is the best fit for my goals and interests.
So, that’s my process for exploring the FDU Clinical Psychology PhD program. It’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely worth it to find the right program!
