Undergrad Senior: Desperate Need of Grad School Advice (Theatre, Psychology, Soc)

Graduate School
1

<p>I have been struggling with what to do after graduation for most of my time in undergrad. I am currently a double major in theatre (directing) and sociology and also a double minor in psychology and women’s and gender studies. </p>

<p>Other Stats:
GPA: 3.5 Overall, 3.8 Sociology
Honors: Provost’s List (1 Semester), Dean’s List (Three Semesters), Member of International Sociology Honor’s Society
GRE: 640V, 610Q, 5.5AW
Internships/Experience: Currently intern at a suicide/counseling hotline, Non-profit Women’s Organization Development internship, Stage Management Internship (Served as a PSM for a large outdoor production), Tutor student athletes in statistics, Abundance of academic and community experience in directing and theatrical work
Important: I have no research experience</p>

<p>I will be applying to programs in MFA directing as well as internships and feel comfortable and excited to do so (this would be what I would love to do). However, my age and lack of professional working theatre experience is likely to limit my chances.</p>

<p>I would like to apply to a couple of programs that are not theatre-involved so I have some other options. My focus in theatre as well as in general is sexual orientation and sexuality in general, I would love to be involved in sex therapy and to work with the GLBT community. I don’t believe that I have the passion for research and am more of a hands on person; I would like to work directly with people rather than teach in a university/be stuck in a lab.</p>

<p>I have been looking at counseling programs, dual degree programs, sociology and gender programs, and PsyD programs. I believe that a PHD would be out of my reach due to a lack of research experience. </p>

<p>I am feeling a little bit lost as to where I should be looking/what degree would be right for me. Would anyone be able to give me a little more insight?</p>

2

<p>How about taking some time off to pursue some of these activities? If you can’t get a job in those fields, at least find a way to volunteer your time. </p>

<p>Also, if you don’t have the passion for research, you aren’t gonna survive graduate school. Research is quite important and after you’ve finished all the coursework and passed the exams, you’re left with research. Your dissertation/thesis will totally involve hours, if not months, of research. </p>

<p>Don’t like research? Then don’t go for any of those degrees, especially PhD and PsyD.</p>

<p>Have you considered social work?</p>

3

<p>

I have very similar interests except more of an interest in research. I chose a traditional liberal arts field for grad school, but I’m maintaining that interest on the side through volunteer work.</p>

<p>If your school has a counseling center or (even better) LGBT center, swing by and talk to those people. I think you’ll find that people enter that field from many different directions - off the top of my head, I can think of LGBT counselors/administrators with degrees in anthropology, psychology, education, and even an MDiv.</p>

4

<p>Have you considered LSW/MSW?</p>