Hi there,

I am applying for the Masters in Clinical Psychology at UCT the end of the month as well as the MPsych programme at UWC when their applications are due. I have a honours in psychology as well as a MA in Psychological Research (both from, UCT). I currently work in social science research organisation. at the beginning of this year I realised that research  was simply a bad fit with my personality as well as what I need from a career and in a single golden moment had the epiphany that everything in my life and everything about how I am was perfectly suited to a career as a clinical psychologist. I since frantically went about preparing to apply for the Masters for 2011 elated at the prospect that I had at last found my purpose in life. While that may sound dramatic, I truly feel as if the profession has chosen me, and not me it and I so strongly compelled to fulfill what I believe to be my destiny.

so what exactly am I writing on this forum about? Firstly, how do I deal with the angst-ridden wait till I hear whether I am accepted or not? And also, I suppose I am trying to find reassurance and comfort from any individual (who is in the know) that I can that I stand a fighting chance. I am a wife and mother to a 2-year old girl and feel rather desperate, really, that I need to to get in to the masters in 2011, as: 1) I want to get the period in which I will be a financial liability to my family over with asap (I do not qualify for a bursary – I already have a masters – and my income will be lost); 2) I do not want the gap between my first child and my next to be too big; and 3) I want to start practicing as a psychologist as soon as I can so I can enjoy what I up until this year thought I would never have, namely a fulfilling career; and 4) I want my kids to enjoy the benefits of a mum who has flexible working hours (through perhaps working in private practice) while they are still little. I therefore feel that I have a lot riding on getting into masters next year.

I, of course, will apply and re-apply for the degree till I get in. I feel I have no choice as this really is the only degree for me. my opinion of my suitability is that I am perfectly suited to being a psychologist. I just hope to make the selection committee see this… sigh…

can anybody offer any advice, help, reassurance, and chicken soup for my angst-ridden soul?

Hi Fairuz...Im not exactly the ideal person to be providing a reply as I am still in Honours, but some of the things that you are advantaged with is that you are in a long term relationship and are somewhat stable in life.

What has been recommended to me by other persons whom have entered the masters programmes is to enter therapy, this enables one to introspect and gain a feeling of the type of interactional style that is needed in therapeutic situations.

From what us students have been told is that there is no ideal type and you are chosen based soley on your interview and the manner in which you answer your questions and the research question you construct...

Your masters in research is a plus and enables you to be already one step ahead any other applicants... Good luck for your application and i hope others are able to clarify and elaborate on my answer

Hi there,

angst is such an apt word.

Well, realise that you are embarking on a journey of which you do not control the outcome.  You can be yourself (authentically), but not more than that.  If relinguishing this control is difficult...then a few more emails is necessary.

Also, always a back-up plan....simply because nothing in this world is a certainty...except death and taxes.

I know my reply might not help with your angst and maybe that's why few have replied....because we all realise that getting selected for training as a psychologist is simply just another small step on our journeys.

Good luck for you & never give up :-)  yet, at the same time:  try and see over time that if we open ourselves up to life...we might be blessed to see that other dreams do exist.

Kind regards

wow, thanks to those who did reply, i sincerely appreciate it.

Fash - I am in therapy (started again recently) and have been previously for a few years. So, I am familiar with that whole process and expereince.

jwtaylor - thanks so much. this (the emotional anguish i feel as I wait) is definitely because I do struggle with relinquishing control. I, in fact, feel resenftul whenever control is taken away from me. My back-up plan comes in teh form of me applying for jobs for next year. I currently work at a reserach institution but my contract ends this year december, so I am applying for jobs as we speak in case I do not get into Masters next year. I hope never to give up, but I am so emotionally wrapped up in my need to become a clinical psychologist that I may find it unbearable to reapply in future. then again, i hold myself hostage to making teh sensible choice always, so i am sure i will get myself to. Thank you for your parting comment (try and see over time that if we open ourselves up to life...we might be blessed to see that other dreams do exist.) - i believe with every fibre of my being that my destiny and fulfillments lies in being a clincal psychologist but i do realsie i need to open myself up to other possibilities. I SHALL TRY!!

If anyone else still wants to reply, please do, I would sincerely appreciate any communication on this

So much anxiety around masters selection, seems to me someone should start offering pre and post masters selection counselling. I have been wrestling with a question- whats worse-to be dropped at the paper selection phase or at the short list stage? Either way  waiting for selection decision is traumatic to say the least.

All the advice given is great- be you, dress comfortable, eat well and relax, the truth is the anxiety starts building before one applies and by the time the paper selection decisions are out one has been reduced to a raging bundle of nerves.

As for me ...am  scheduling a session with a trauma counsellor-whichever way the cookie crumbles!

Hi guys,

Sorry for the late acknowledgement of your comments. For some reason, I don’t get notifications of responses.

Just today I got word that I have been shortlisted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

David, you have completely hit the nail on the head for me with both of your points. firstly, I would have agree that it is the damage that has been a bog driver for me - luckily from a positive place, as developing the skills to work through the trauma in my own life has fine-tuned many of the skills I believe a good psychologist should have.

Secondly, I have JUST last week let go of the desperation, gotten to root of why I was so desperate, and handed all of that negativity over to my Maker letting Him know that I would of course love to get short-listed and ultimately selected, but that if that did not happen, for Him to place contentment in my heart regarding the outcome. I have been so at peace and content since last week and today I receive this email regarding being short-listed. So I do also hold your belief that once you let go of your strong-hold on a desire, things fall into place as they should. I suppose I am so used to anything and everything being a rather arduous struggle, that my default way of is to MAKE things happen through blood, sweat and tears.

Well, even though I came to a point where I felt I would be able to move on if I had been outright rejected, I cried when I got this email. It is still my passion and desire, but I willing to concede that it may not be for me, or at least not right now… And THAT I never thought I would say…