My Experience of the DClin Application
It’s that time of year again! And no, I’m not talking about Christmas markets and ‘tis the season…I’m talking about the application process for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology! With the closing date being the 27th November, I thought I’d share the highs, lows and reflection of my experience of the whole process.
Why Did I Apply?
This time last year I was a couple of months into studying a Masters in Clinical Psychology, and a few months in my first face-to-face clinical role. During this time I felt that I may as well do a ‘practise run’ of the DClin application. Something that was a little awkward approaching my new manager about regarding a reference, and something that our lecturers advised the class not to do – but I thought that I may as well, see where I get… what’s the worst that can happen?!
How Did I Apply and What Did I Include in The Application?
So I registered on the Leeds clearing house website (https://www.leeds.ac.uk/chpccp/dates.html), I even had to research this as I was struggling to believe that I wasn’t applying directly to Leeds university! However, once I had registered, I then started the application. First I picked universities based on distance, and then provided my GBC status (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership) through uploading the letter that I had received from BPS stating that I was a graduate member.
After this, I input my references and qualifications and then it was time for the section of all sections…my experiences…
I was ready to include every little detail, be precise and get that Thesaurus prepared, but then I saw that this section gave 120 characters for each experience….….CHARACTERS, NOT WORDS! And as someone with Dyspraxia who struggles to summarise, this was a right headache! But, I plodded through and kept deleting and retyping, and deleting some more, then would retype and then delete again…. My advice is that if you can start this bit first then do, because after this you have the ‘Personal Statement’ which isn’t as bad as 120 characters, but it’s 3000 characters (one page) to basically sell your soul and hope that the reward is an interview. To be honest this section is difficult, but there are additional questions in this section that ask for hobbies outside of Psychology, what (as a candidate) you expect to gain from training, and other relevant information about yourself. So all in all, definitely enough space to include relevant information, and I think after the initial shock of the lack of space available, it does seem logical to compress the wordcount to allow only specific information about yourself. After this section, the next step is to upload any documents, completing equal opportunities and then download the completed application.
And that’s it!
(I may have downplayed the level of organisation and deleting, and retyping involved but once it’s handed in, it’s an AWESOME feeling!)
Psychometric Tests
Some of the universities require the completion of Psychometric tests after an application has been completed – this is something that you will be invited to via email.
My handy dandy tips for these tests include:
PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning, as these tend to be the tests requested to pass.
A really useful revision tool was the book: ‘1250 UKCAT Practise Questions’
Practise websites:
o https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/psychometric-tests/
o https://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests
It tends to be that that tests are to be completed within a certain time frame (usually 15/20minutes). My advice when first practising is to IGNORE THE CLOCK and FOCUS ON THE QUESTION. With time and practise you will be able to recognise question types and be able to pick out the relevant information.
The Interview
So, I was lucky enough to pass the Psychometric tests and be invited to an interview – and I was shocked – I’m not ashamed to say that I cried and was a little shaky, as an interview had been my dream for many a moon, so to receive that email was something else! As soon as I found out I had the interview I then started to prepare my answers and do research on the university that I was interviewing for. I’m not going to disclose the university that I interviewed for, or what was involved in the interview as, honestly, I’m unsure if I can?! But I do have some tips:
Breathe!
You can take notes into the interview
Specific and brief examples are necessary
Be precise
And breathe some more!
The Aftermath
I wasn’t fortunate enough to get a place in the 2019 cohort, however, I absolutely would not change anything about my application, I have no regrets for allowing myself a practise run and feel as though I made the right decision in applying. However, to be honest, filling in the application, completing the psychometric tests and then attending the interview felt like a long process…because it was a long process. It took seven months in total from completing the application to finding out that I had not been successful. This was something that I was aware of going into it, but the reality, for me, was a lot of anxiety and waiting to hear and just not knowing whether what I had done was enough. This, plus working full time, volunteering and completing a full-time Masters was extremely difficult. Still, even though I am taking this year out from applying, I will be going through the application process again in 2020 for the 2021 cohort. The excitement, the nerves, and the preparation, to result in a successful outcome and know that you have got a place on the Doctorate is something that I can only image….and one day will hopefully achieve.
My advice?
Go for it, what’s the worst that can happen?
By featured writer, Megan Jane. See ‘Team’ for more information and contact details.
