Long Island University PhD in Clinical Psychology: Costs, Aid, and More!

Okay, so I’ve been digging into PhD programs in clinical psychology, and Long Island University (LIU) kept popping up. I figured I’d share my deep dive in case anyone else is in the same boat.

First Steps: The LIU Website

I started, like everyone else, by hitting up the LIU website. I wanted the basics: what they offer, what they want, and all that jazz. I spent a good chunk of time just navigating the different pages for the clinical psychology PhD program.

Getting into the Details

Next, I focused on the specifics. What kind of courses do they offer? What are the research opportunities? What are the faculty’s interests, do they align with mine? Stuff like that. I also spent some time checking faculty’s published paper, it would be better if I could work with someone I am really insterested in.

I made a list of things that stood out, both good and bad, I guess.

Admission Requirements: The Scary Part

Then came the part I was dreading: the admission requirements. Ugh. I gathered all the info on GRE scores (if they are required!), GPA minimums, letters of recommendation, personal essays… the whole nine yards. It was a bit overwhelming, I won’t lie.

GRE scores are required, but not that high.
GPA need to be at least 3.0.
Three letters of recommendation are MUST!

Trying to Get a Feel for the Program

Beyond the numbers and requirements, I wanted to get a sense of what the program is really like. I tried to find any student testimonials or blogs, anything that would give me an insider’s perspective. I even considered reaching out to current students, but I chickened out. Maybe later!

Figuring Out Finances

And of course, there’s the money question. I looked into tuition costs, funding opportunities, assistantships, all that fun stuff. It’s a big investment, so I wanted to be sure I understood the financial side of things. I created a sheet to note all these costs and incomes down.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Finally, I stepped back and tried to look at the big picture. I weighed the pros and cons of LIU’s program, compared it to other programs I’m considering, and started to get a sense of whether it might be a good fit for me. I also put them on the sheet, and it really helps!