Advices from previous clinical doctorate applicants
- Psychology Cap
- Oct 25, 2024
- 6 min read
It is currently the dclin application process, many applicants find themselves grappling with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Whether you’re applying for the first time or have been through the process before, the journey can feel overwhelming. In this blog post, we aim to equip you with valuable tips to tackle your application with confidence. We’ve gathered insights from recent successful applicants who have generously shared their experiences in a Q&A format, offering you a roadmap to success.
Manisha Guru
Q: How did you prepare for your application and interview?
A: Once I decided on the universities I wanted to apply to, I tried to access all the support available. I accessed my supervisor, a qualified clinical psychologist who has been through the process, having gotten through the experience themselves. I accessed current trainees via LinkedIn on the courses I was interested in. I accessed YouTube and social media content by current trainees. I accessed blogs and aspiring psychologist pages. I grabbed hold of Marianne Trent's 'The Aspiring Psychologist' book. The other thing I did was access a mentoring scheme as part of the university I applied for to get additional support in line with my needs.
Q: If you did several rounds of application how did you bounce back psychologically?
A: It actually was my second time applying and I was successful this time round. The first time I applied, I did this as a practice run to demystify the whole process and get some exposure to what I would be signing up to. What I will say that may be helpful to this question, is to always remember your why, why are you choosing this doctorate and what kind of psychologist do you want to be. Your values will drive you and take pride in your uniqueness.
Q: What changed in between applications?
A: I made a conscious effort to record keep and reflect on my experiences as an Assistant Psychologist, making note of how this is building and shaping me as a practitioner. I also made a conscious effort to access any CPD opportunities I could get to widen my knowledge and experience base.
Q: If you had to do it back, what would be your advice for an aspiring candidate?
A: Similar to what I said earlier, really hold onto your values and drives. To be on the doctorate is a privilege, so ask yourself the question of what you would do with this power to influence change and better outcomes for the people we serve. I would recommend engaging in as many reflective practice experiences as you can and thinking widely about the responsibilities and duties a Clinical Psychologist holds within the
Q: What does the doctorate represent for you?
A: This is an opportunity to service the community that once gave so much to me. I value the idea that 'not one size fits all' so being on the doctorate helps to integrate my understanding of theory, research and practice to tailor person and evidence-based interventions. I love having the opportunities to have my thinking challenged and enhance my self-awareness around my abilities and engage in discussion about how Psychology fits into wider societal contexts. This in itself is powerful! I love that I am part of a cohort, learning and growing together as a united front, ready to improve lives together.
Chidinma Echanah
Q: How did you prepare for your application and interview?
I had a lot of conversations with trainees, peers, and supervisors/qualified CPs. Talking to trainees from the courses I applied to was the biggest help, as it gave me a sense of each course's values and helped me consider how to bring more of myself to the application, highlighting the values I shared with each course.
For the application, I had reflective conversations in supervision, which helped me begin tackling Question 1. I also kept a reflective journal with notes on past clinical experiences and my reflections on them, which was especially useful when preparing and practicing responses to interview questions.
I completed the Salomons/UEL selection tests, so I prepared by revising statistics for a few hours a week from December until the test in February. The situational judgment section was trickier to prepare for, but I discussed ethics, codes of conduct, and practice dilemmas in supervision to gain more confidence.
Q: If you did several rounds of applications, how did you bounce back psychologically?
I applied twice. The first time was a “trial run,” but I still felt emotionally invested, so getting four rejections was a big hit to my confidence. It was also unsettling not to know what I could improve on. I allowed myself to feel disappointed for a few weeks and disconnected from DClin conversations, webinars, and related activities as long as I needed. Once I came to terms with not getting an interview, I created a plan to prepare gradually for the next cycle. I took a DClin prep-free summer until the end of July, then began reviewing my old application with my supervisor in August, slowly making edits and reaching out to trainees who could guide my approach to Questions 1 and 2.
In short, I let myself feel my emotions, and when I was ready, I took practical steps to feel more prepared for the next round.
Q: What changed between applications?
A major change between my first and second application was being bolder and more authentic in presenting myself as much as I can. For me, that looked like voicing the influence that my faith and culture has on my values. My first application was written in a factual manner, emphasising skills and experience over genuine reflections on my values.
I also set up a revision schedule the second time for the stats part of the selection test, rather than cramming it into one week as I did the first time.
If you could do it again, what advice would you give to an aspiring candidate?
Take your time reading through the Alternative Handbook, and choose courses that genuinely align with your values. Think about whether you’re willing to relocate for the DClin, as it can be a significant decision socially, financially, and mentally when starting an intense program.
If possible, speak to trainees from the courses you’re applying to; their insights can contextualise what courses outline on the Clearing House.
Reflect! Truly consider your experiences and what you’ve learned from them, and make sure that comes through in your application and interview. Ask someone outside of psychology to read your application and see if they get a sense of who you are – ensure you sound human!
Be selective with feedback. Having 5+ trainees/CPs read and edit your application can sound beneficial, but if it no longer sounds like you, it may not be useful.
For the interview, no matter how daunting it feels, do as many mock interviews as possible – with supervisors, trainees, or family. This will be incredibly helpful when you're sitting with a panel of 3-4 interviewers.
Lastly, try not to let the DClin process consume you. Maintain your social life, self-care routines, and hobbies. Still book holidays, go out, and limit how much of your evenings you spend on the application. Discuss with supervisors how much CPD time you can use for DClin prep, like stats revision.
Q: What does the doctorate represent for you?
For me, the doctorate represents the next step in my career, allowing me to grow and develop into the clinician I aspire to be. I’m excited for what springs out of this journey and don’t generally have any concrete views around what the doctorate is for me, but I know that it will be a time of exponential growth and new experiences which I am here for :)
In this post you heard several time the importance of reflecting on your experience. To support this reflection, we offer our Reflective Journal X Study Planner, available in both digital and physical formats.
- Physical Version:
Additionally, to help you evaluate your options, we've created an Excel sheet that outlines the essential criteria for each DClin program. You can access it here: https://www.psychologycap.com/product-page/essential-dclin-crieria-2024-25
We wish you the best of luck in your application process!
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