Lots of people apply to psychology doctorate programs because they believe it is the next step in their education and have run out of ideas about what else to pursue as a career. There are many career paths in psychology and going onto get a doctorate degree in psychology is just one of many options. At the doctoral level, you invest a minimum of five years in most psychology graduate programs. You need to be sure that a doctorate degree will get you closer to your ultimate career goal. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to apply to graduate school if you’re not 100% sure that this career path is for you. (And most graduate admissions committees at the doctoral level are screening carefully between lackluster applicants and those who really truly want to go on to earn a doctorate in psychology).

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