A Note On Age
Since a PhD program in clinical psychology, or anything for that matter, can take such a long time, I've noticed that people often get worried about how old they'll be when they end the program. It may seem like a weird thing to worry about, but it's very common. So, this is for all those worriers.
I, like many others, remember thinking that if I didn't enter grad school right out of college, at age 21, I was going to be some sort of academic old maid. When I didn't, I was dismayed. When I didn't get in at age 23, either, I thought "Yep, this is the end of my career." Looking back, I wasn't too old to enter grad school - I was ridiculously young.
It's a little discriminatory of them, but it's been my and others' experience that grad schools tend to accept people who are a little older and have a little more experience. I think they like it if you've shown a few years of dedication to the field, beyond college. I believe it also says something about you if you've been in the work force a couple of years or so, and have decided to go back to graduate school. That shows some real guts - you're making all sorts of money and now you want this badly enough to be poor again for half a decade?
So, don't feel bad if you don't get into grad school in your early or even mid-20s. In fact, it's probably a good idea to see what's out there first, and actively wait to apply until you're in your mid-20s. You will not be old. Many people in your class will be in their 30s, 40s, or even beyond. There are a lot of people who decide to go to graduate school when they're older. Don't stress out about your age if you're in your early 20s. It's surprisingly common to do so, and it's a little irrational. You are not going to turn to dust when you're 30, so give yourself some time to get a little more experience, in the field of psychology or otherwise, before you apply.
