How do I become competitive for a doctoral program?

6 students a year sounds about right. The good doctoral programs only admit 4-10 students per year. Many suggestions will depend on the type of doctoral program- based on your plan to get a PsyD I would assume you want to be a clinician (though a PhD can go that route too).

Keep up the great GPA! If you haven't taken the GRE yet, do that. I'd definitely suggest buying a GRE study guide.

Building a good relationship with the people at Autism Speaks can be helpful, especially if it can result in a good recommendation letter that speaks to your character, interests, and work ethic.

Build a relationship with at least one professor at your university. Recommendation letters from professors are quite important. Consider joining a lab- even if you don't want research as a career, research is an essential part of psychology and this will be a great experience (and a great source of recommendations).

Look to apply to programs that fit your personal interests. Doctoral programs typically like to admit people interested in their direction/focus. If you apply for PhD programs (which typically have a mentor model) find schools with faculty with the same interests. If you're applying to PsyD programs, still check with faculty interest or if there is a focus of the program (not just generalist- unless that's what you want).

Finally- you need to have a long hard look at your financial possibilities. Odds are, you will likely have to move. If you are ok with that, start saving now. My husband and I moved across the country for me to start my PhD program (which is ok because: we hated where we lived, we didn't have kids, we had decent paying jobs). What can you afford? ESPECIALLY if you are considering PsyD programs which are very, very expensive (similar to med school prices). You will likely come out $80-100k in debt; can you afford that? Keep in mind a doctoral program is a full time job- you will not have time to work. One option is a PhD program (in Clinical or Counseling Psychology) which are typically more intense, may (not always) take longer, and are harder to get into. However, they are often funded which means they pay your tuition and you get a small stipend (mine is $13k/a year for example).

/r/AcademicPsychology Thread