How I Got Into a Masters of Clinical Psychology! | Interview Tips & Tricks, Volunteering, Marks

This is how I got into the Masters of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney! We touch on my journey, the application process, marks, volunteering and extracurricular activities on my resume as well as all my interview tips and tricks! :)
🌞 About Me: Hi! My name’s Ro and I’m a psychologist (and clinical psychology registrar) from Sydney, Australia!
💖 Subscribe to join me for weekly videos on all things mental health and my journey to becoming a psychologist
✏️ Comment down below, I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions :)
👍 Like to let me know you enjoyed todays video (it really helps me out!)!

[@sarahcip]

I remember watching this video when it was first posted and I was in undergrad, trying to prepare myself for the struggle to get into masters. Now I'm here, two years later, after having received an MClinPsych offer for one of the best unis in the country. There's a light at the end of the tunnel!

[@thepsychdiaries]

AHHHHHHH THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY!! Congratulations and what an incredible effort you've put in. Yayy 🥳🥳🥳

[@CodySchmitt]

I can relate, I got my Clin Psych offer the other week (with a CSP spot!). Congratulations, it's not easy.

[@celinamahendran522]

Hey Thank for your videos Luv them They are really useful for the future psychologists including me❤

[@meganborland7866]

Bookmarking this for when I apply to my Masters/PhD! :)

[@geraldrexword783]

Same here!

[@2oldforthisshit]

Update pls

[@vanshi_music_dance_art]

Your videos help me a lot to figure out my future career path, Thanks!😊

[@akhilag.r6300]

Thank you for the information and the video. It has provided me with a great insight about what uni is all about and what I can expect in the process. Also, I can see how your emphasis on the presentation being a crucial aspect of how it impacts the the interviewer just by listening to you speak here. Very coherent, relevant, thorough, calm and organised. Noted all the pointers. 😊

[@loveamy2332]

Thank you so much for your video it helped me a lot!

[@farrahwahida1352]

This is really good,you make me feel calmer about the incoming interview.My IV will be on next week,wish me well everyone ☺️

[@angiestic]

Hi Ro! This video was sooo helpful even though im still in high school, I 100% gained a better insight into clincal psych! Its nice to hear your experience as someone from Sydney, I'm hoping to get into UNSW as it is my dream uni. Appreciate the time and effort you put into your videos :)

[@nikkihuang7635]

Thanks so much Roanna, this was so helpful and your videos always make me so excited about the journey ahead of me 😊

[@thepsychdiaries]

Love hearing from you Nikki, thanks for being such a big support ^^

[@thefixer2582]

Well done & thank you for sharing.

[@gfitz91]

Hey Ro, thanks for this channel, super informative and helpful as a student! I'm commencing a master of clinical psych this year and would love to see a vid from you on how to prepare for a masters - is there anything you wish you'd known before starting the course/or wished you'd brushed up on? Tips for success, etc. :)

[@thepsychdiaries]

My gosh congratulations!! 😊 To be honest I'd say work on your self care routine, fill your cup up and relax! Masters will give you more than enough work to do

[@angelsdiary3541]

Manifesting I'll be getting my Ph.D in Clinical Psychology soon ❤✨️🎉

[@ranim2223]

Thanks for the video💕

[@bandanakaur6547]

Super helpful video, thanks for sharing! Would be great if you could also share any tips on how to do well for honours year :)

[@thepsychdiaries]

Thanks for the idea Bandana! will put it on my list :)

[@alexiskate2237]

great video! I really enjoyed it :)) I just didn’t quite catch what you said at 7:29 sounds like something I’d be interested in!

[@aminag9200]

I was able to find the organisation, they're called Batyr :) This is their website link: www.batyr.com.au/

[@thepsychdiaries]

fabulous digging and yes its batyr!

[@sincereboy7992]

Thank you so much :D

[@jacintarobison4352]

I'm currently in my third year psych in Melbourne. My uni doesn't have an automatic honors fourth year, so I'm getting ready to apply to a bunch of uni's and I'm so nervous. haha Can't wait to apply for masters/doctorate, although again so nerve-racking

[@thepsychdiaries]

eee good luck!!

[@kalistaputri491]

Hi Ro, this was so helpful! I was curious, though, what makes you want to be a psychologist?

[@MadCoolHabibi]

Sometimes I think to myself if iam studying psychology for myself keeping my sane or for helping others around me

[@fredericksamson9430]

Greatttt video thankyou for the insight, could you make a video about units to enrol in for someone who wants to do climical psychology?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Oh great q! To be honest as long as you have an undergrad degree majoring in psychology + done psychology honours (at least in NSW, Australia_, thats enough! Doesnt matter about exact units.

[@fredericksamson9430]

@@thepsychdiaries ohh gotcha thanks youu! Ive sone all my units now.

[@kuro2797]

@@fredericksamson9430 what she said is very true, but surprisingly enough the unit on psychopathology is an elective so if you want to be a clinician it’s probably not a bad thing to start wrapping your head around that in your undergrad (but it will be introduced in honours and reintroduced in Masters from my understanding.).

[@umrankarakoc2439]

Thank you )

[@blanchel6199]

Thank you so much for your sharing. I had a master in law degree but did not have any degree related to Psychology. What are my options in Australia to become a Clinical Psychologist? Thank you:)

[@oliviawyndow]

Hi Roanna, love your videos!! I'm interested in doing ABA therapy too and was just wondering how you got into it? Do you have to be an accredited psych first or can you do it before you graduate?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Nope! It's one of the few therapy type jobs which you can do as a student :) you can either contact a bigger ABA company (just Google the ones near you) or like me- I searched online for job ads for families who were looking for a private ABA therapist and they paid for my training with a centre :)

[@nicholasl3179]

Hey Roanna! I'm a first-year undergraduate psychology student studying in Sydney 😊 I recently transferred from second-year nursing into psychology after falling in love with the research and psychology units of the degree and wanted to ask a quick question in regards to volunteering and extracurriculars as you mentioned in the video. As a student who works part-time (20-30 hours per week) on top of full time study, I only found that I was able to volunteer through different agencies and organisations in my own local community close to home when studying nursing. These opportunities eventually helped me land my job as a student nurse when I was studying the degree before Psychology but now that i'm studying psychology I was wondering if not volunteering or being a part of clubs, societies or being a part of extracurriculars at my own university will impact my future chances of applying for honours / masters afterward at my home university where i'm currently studying my undergrad. I am nervous the extracurriculars and volunteering work I'm already involved in in my local community won't hold as much value as being involved directly with the university I currently study at. Also do you have any insight as to whether or not you can be a practicing counsellor here in Sydney after doing just an undergrad with honours? Thank you so much I apologise for the long post / question and I appreciate all the helpful content you produce while also working full time 😇

[@thepsychdiaries]

Hey Nicholas, great to hear from you! Unfortunatley not sure about how to become a counsellor- however if its to become a psychologist you could go straight into a 4+2 or 5+1 or masters (feel free to see my pathways video). In reard to volunteering I think there is absolutely no preference for extracurriculars being at the uni- in fact working in the community is probably viewed as being more valuable! Best of luck :)

[@michaelwaring8058]

@@thepsychdiaries its worth noting that the 4+2 pathway has been retired and the final application deadline is june 2022 :) so you have to have finished 4th year by june 2022.

[@harshdeepknayyer6656]

Hi, I am starting my second year this year in South Australia and I'm doing Bachelor of Behavioural Science (psychology). I was wondering if you could kind of tell about what your schedule looked like in uni like early years. And your videos have already helped me soooooo much. I knew I was doing and I was to be psychologist but I had no idea what to do in the middle. thank you heaps xx

[@thepsychdiaries]

So glad to hear! And great idea for a video- I'll put it on the list! :)

[@td7116]

@@thepsychdiaries Hi thankss for the info:) is it true that it's hard getting into psychology masters in Australia? And getting registered?

[@asterios1928]

How did you like studying in UNSW? What was the environment like? Did you manage to make friends easily? How was your overall experience?

[@thepsychdiaries]

I loved it! It's a super fun uni if you actively try to get involved with clubs and socieities (and friends are easier to make if you do more acitvities).

[@asterios1928]

@@thepsychdiaries What type of clubs and societies did you get get involved in and how did you join and discover them??

[@annymo6331]

Hi Roanna, Thank you for the info. I'm getting close finish the BS in Psychology and thinking of moving forward to a master/graduate degree. So, you do not need to be finish the doctorate to become a psychologist? I am gearing towards becoming a psychologist but going through the doctorate or PHD will be tough.

[@parad0x.76]

did u continue? How was it?

[@maishapwdvlog7429]

I wish i could today im planning to apply scholarship for that course

[@thepsychdiaries]

Woo good luck!

[@Mary-ss1ob]

I have just completed my Honour's Psychology degree and am deciding which postgraduate degree to complete- I was just wondering what made you choose Clinical Psychology over the Professional Psychology program? And from your experience working, what would you say are the main differences between graduates from either program? Thankyou :))

[@thepsychdiaries]

I actually didn't have access to the professional psych program! I have a weird feeling it's not offered by too many unis.. I've definitely heard of it beofre though

[@caffemocca8855]

How to decide which university to choose (is best for me) for clinical psychology master's program in Australia?

[@victoriapavkovic6186]

Do you think having a part time job during uni is a good idea?

[@dominicrussell6946]

Amazing video! So very helpful! I am ready to start my journey to becoming a psychologist and wondering if it matters where I do my honours at in order to get into the masters program? Like is it better to do it at the same uni or different? Thanks

[@thepsychdiaries]

I think at UNSW they do prefer taking people from their own honours cohort, however the large majority of the masters group are from other unis so I think it's a tiny edge (but I wouldn't care too much- I also changed uni between hons and masters) :)

[@aashichhatiawala6968]

Only if there were multiple like buttons, I would have hit them all.

[@karimhajama7276]

Hey there I am starting my undergrad in psychology this year, as i have developed a really strong interest in it and find it a very fasciniating subject, as well as a versatile skillset for many great careers! How did you go when you went out on placements in your masters year? Do all the years of theoretical study prepare you well for placement or is it a totally different thing once you are doing job?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Great q! To be honest I dont think anything properly prepares you because I found therapy was so much more than just learning what type of therapy is good for what type of diagnosis. However individual weekly supervision was super helpful for all those things you dont learn in a textbook :)

[@CollinsEjike-sr6zo]

Thanks for the information, very helpful. Pls I have BA in philosophy.. can I do masters in clinical psychology with philosophy degree.. your advice will be highly appreciated.

[@jaybaci]

What money assistance is given to students in honours and masters years if any?

[@risharathi9858]

hi! didnt you have to give APS assessment test?

[@mrghost6168]

Hello,I've completed my second year this year and I want to get admission in the. University of Australia so could I be able to apply for clinical psychology?

[@TheTashaVlogs]

Hey Ro, I’ve just stumbled across your channel and I’m loving it! I’m a psych student in Melbourne at Deakin Uni in my second year and I’m hoping to get into my honours and then masters ! I’m a mature aged student now 22 and would be starting in the field at 27-28 and I feel kind of late into the career path… so you have any advice for that side of things?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Hey Natasha! Congratulations, I've heard Deakin is great :) Tbh I think you're actually more the typical age as most of the people I graduated with in my masters cohort were around late 20's-early 30s as they typically work a few years before trying for clin masters. I'd probably say you have a bit of an advantage with experience on your side and my advice to everyone is just try to get as much clinical experience as possible! (ABA therapy/ lifeline/ working in a refuge etc)!

[@TheTashaVlogs]

@@thepsychdiaries thank you for replying !! Honestly that’s so nice to hear about the ages 😅 So would you recommend working a few more years and gain more clinical experience as a provisional psychologist after my honours before going into a masters? Rather than going straight from honours into masters like I was originally planning? (I’d like to specialise in clinical psych :)) Sorry for all the questions! I’ve just started researching the pathways !

[@thepsychdiaries]

@@TheTashaVlogs not at all! ☺️ I'd recommend trying anyway, it's super competitive so get an idea of what the interview process is like etc if you can! And then if you get a better work offer at the same time at least you've been through the application process!

[@TheTashaVlogs]

@@thepsychdiaries amazing!! Thank you so much for the advice ☺️

[@World-vi1vd]

Mam can you tell about Neuropsychologist?

[@jaybaci]

How can we get exchange programs to study abroad?

[@peterjohnespelita2089]

Hello I am PJ Im from the Philippines studying BS Psychology, my aunt is currently living at NSW together with her son. I would like to ask how can I get a master’s degree there as an International stud hehe thank youuu!

[@anshulghodpage7856]

I want to know how an international student who has done a Master's in Applied Psychology can get admission in a master's of clinical psychology in Australia

[@neelamsuryawanshi4348]

Whats the process to get a masters in psychology if some is from non- psychology field

[@johndoe-jv8qe]

great video, would you mention being an INFJ in an interview?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Heya! Hmm probs not- mostly because it's not very empirically supported in regard to correlations with work/ study outcomes etc. I would however use it personally as a way to think about my strengths/ weaknesses/ interests and reflect those thoughts to interviewers!

[@arushisinghc29]

Is honours important to pursue clinical psychology?

[@jinalshah1105]

Hello. I am currently pursuing my BA Hons in Psychology in India (3-year course). I am planning to pursue my further studies in Australia and planning to become a clinical psychologist. Could you help me out with the process?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Yes! check out my pathways video :)

[@sofiavalenzuelahudson4029]

hi Roanna! do you think that there is time for work and earn money during de master ? in nsw or univ syd ? and have you seen people who speak Spanish as their first language?

[@thepsychdiaries]

hey! yep most people had part time (1-2 days) jobs for both. And yes I have, though it is a bit rarer in Sydney (but that's probably because we're in the asia-pacific region)

[@sheebashaheer2931]

Criminology undergraduates in india with one major subject is psychology can apply for masters In psychology? Can u advice in which country easy to get admission

[@kommunagalakshmi3013]

Can you say me after my 10 th class which course I have to take to become a clinical psychologist

[@thepsychdiaries]

I actually didn't do anything in high school psychology related! But maybe a science? And sometimes universities tell you if you need certain subjects :)

[@Sportyguyhahaha1234]

I'm just a bit worried about my extracurriculars, some of it is political in nature and im not sure if the uni will like that : ( . I just love politics, like conservative right wing politics and psychology as well.

[@prawingurung]

Hi I am a MBBS graduate from Nepal..can i Apply for the masters program?

[@jasperzhao3739]

Hi Roanna, I'm an international student studying Psychology at UNSW, wanted to ask you what the first class in honours is (HD or something also, just for the honours year or all the bachelor courses as a whole), and because of COVID, I applied for a reduction in study load. If I can finish all the pre-honours courses by term 3, can I still do honours next year? (With a Psych WAM of 75+)

[@thepsychdiaries]

Oh yes for UNSW first class honours = WAM above 85 (so a HD) in just the honours year :) also entry to honours was 75 or above the year I was studying. Best of luck!

[@thepsychdiaries]

Also I'd recommend asking the faculty (not sure about the thing about course load) :)

[@jasperzhao3739]

@@thepsychdiaries Thanks. It's still 75+ for internal students. Is getting a HD in honours hard, comparing to the first three years? What's the proportion of students getting first class honours in psychology? I've found getting a HD in third-year courses hard. Is it possible to get into master of clinical psychology without a first class honours at UNSW?

[@teeI0ck]

you look pretty in this dress

[@AMNIHAWA]

Hello! Can you tell me how to be an ecopsychologist-nature therapist? Thank you so much.

[@thepsychdiaries]

Heya! Apologies I've actually never heard of those! This is a website wiht all the psychologist types in Australia- psychology.org.au/for-the-public/about-psychology/types-of-psychologists

[@AMNIHAWA]

@@thepsychdiaries Alright, Thank you.

[@srayondatta4399]

Hey roanna!. I have my bachelors in sociology and i want to take up masters in psychology as an immigrant in Australia. Would i be able to land a job of a psychologist with that in Australia?. Thanks!

[@thepsychdiaries]

Hey Srayon thanks for your question, I'm not 100% sure about immigration employment, a great place to ask wuold be the psychology faculty of the uni you want to go to!

[@srayondatta4399]

@@thepsychdiaries that was very informative!

[@aksharagupta3367]

hey roanna what is your age

[@parad0x.76]

How do u search for volunteer opportunities? I wanted to volunteer for positions that involves mental health or children but I need to get specific certificates :(

[@thepsychdiaries]

Yea so many do require prior training! My uni told us about Lifeline (which is our suicide hotline) but aside from that I just kept googling! Take a look at your local area support groups (e.g. for anxiety or low mood) or ask a lecturer

[@parad0x.76]

@@thepsychdiaries thank u sm! I’ve been searching non stop for days, even before I commented my original post, and I think I managed to land an interview for caretaking but with children! I’m currently starting my first year bachelor of psych and I hope one day I’m able to be as successful as u❤️

[@famnfren]

Hi! wondering what is your country of origin? Or your parents... Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Parents are from China/ HK! :)

[@chloezhu4682]

Hi Ro, just wondering how did you research if a uni program is highly rated or not. Im in Melbourne and struggling of which uni should I pick for my psychology study. Many thanks!😊

[@naomicooper1882]

Heyy 🙂 Are you able to become a general psychologist if you have studied a Bachelor or Arts, majoring in applied Psychology?

[@thepsychdiaries]

I think it really depends! At UNSW as long as you got into the honours year in psychology you were good to bcome a psychologist. I know getting into hons depended on your specific units- perhaps reach out to the psychology faculty at your uni to double check! :)

[@kanikamalik2142]

Hi ma'am I want to pursue masters in clinical psychology from Australia and i have completed my 3 years of bachelor's in psychology from india Am i eligible to apply for masters ?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Hey! Thanks for tuning in :) Hmm unfortunately I'm not sure- the requirements differ quite a lot between different countries and unis. I think my advice would be to reach out to your uni's psychology faculty/ the uni you would like to get into and ask their individual requirements. Good luck!

[@maylaadriano677]

Hello Kanika, based on my experience you will need your bachelors assessed by APS (Australian Psychological Society). Check their website and you’ll find lots of information or you can also ring them :) Hope that helps

[@World-vi1vd]

Salary of Clinical Psychologist In Foreign Country's?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Hi! Salaries are the same doesn't matter which country you are from just depends which job you find :)

[@classroomgerman4893]

Do you have instagram link?

[@thepsychdiaries]

Unfortunatly not yet! Hoping to make one soon when I have a little more room in my schedule so I can keep up with it!

[@classroomgerman4893]

@@thepsychdiaries thank you. Could I request you to talk a little bit about the research and testing in psychology? I am doing my Masters in Psychology right now and your experience will help me understand it better, as all of your videos give me more insight into my field... our field! Also, i love your voice and the manner of speaking. Keep up the good work and I wish you best of best for your future.