Psychiatry... Is it too late for me to change my educational path?

I have a BA in Honours Psychology and managed to pull through with Distinction. I have been applying to clinical psychology, becuase I am really interested in the neuropsychological process in developmental psychology. However, I feel that my distinction is not enough for clinical psychology (Who am I kidding?). I have also applied for programs in School psychology and Counselling psychology, however I'm not sure if that's where my heart is at.

In the back of my mind I really want to study neurology and I feel like getting my PhD is not enough. I know I'm sincerely interested in the medical end of psychology; however, the job security and salary of psychiatry is really motivating me as well. Any advice? Is it too late for me to go back and do pre-med classes and apply to med school?

Psychiatry... Is it too late for me to change my educational path?headache

Wow. Sounds like you are struggling with a lot of indecision and different directions, so it is difficult to answer your question(s).

So, one thing at a time....Clinical psychology should be within your reach, considering your good grades. Within Clin Psych, with a PhD you have a variety of career options. You could be psychologist doing psychotherapy and psych. testing, but that does not sound like your interest. You seem to be more interested in psychological research or teaching, in the area of neuropsychology involving the developing brain (developmental area). So you could become a Clin. Psychologist with an emphasis on neuropsych. research. Generally, then you would work in a university research dept., and do some teaching as well.

Becoming a psychiatrist is quite different. A psychiatrist mainly sees lots of patients and does a ton of medication checks. Some also do psychotherapy, but most of their work involves evaluating the mentally ill, doing mental status exams, and especially dispensing psychoactive medications. This does not sound like where your heart is, except for the good income.

So...no, it is not too late to alter your educational course, but it would be a long and expensive haul. You probably would be deeply in debt by the time you became a psychiatrist, and then it might not be what you want to do.

Clinical psychology with an emphasis on neuropsychological research sounds like it would fit your interests a lot better, and be a shorter, less expensive education, with an opportunity to make an excellent salary. Of course it would still involve plenty of education--about 6 years of graduate school.

But before you make a decision, be as sure as possible on your direction. Otherwise, you might change your mind or you might not be commited once you are accepted into a program. I suggest you read a lot on these different professions, by doing web searches. If possible, you might interview some people in these professions, especially in university settings. That should be possible, at least by phone and email, at universities where you are applying.

Good luck to in your decision-making.

Psychiatry... Is it too late for me to change my educational path?paramount theater opera theater

research facilities may have a place for you still. remember you can also try to create a job in a company. i participate in research studies and i think they could use someone there who talks to pateints on theside to chck their mental health during a rigorous study
It's never too late to apply to med school, and that is definitely the path you would have to take for Neurology. Good luck to you!
I am a psychologist and i have seizures so I also carry n intrest believe u can talk to ur counselour n see where to go from here science n psychology has to do with the brains function so does neurology .good luck