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What was the hardest part about getting into grad school for counseling? Did you have to have the best grades?

I'm about to graduate high school and I'm majoring in psychology next year with plans of getting my masters in counseling.

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Annah’s Answer

Chloe, I hate to admit this, but my grades were not great. I also have two graduate degrees and had no problem being accepted into my schools. As an undergrad I was doing a lot of growing up; I had my own mental health struggles, and there was a sudden death in my family. I also lived with undiagnosed ADHD which I found out much later likely contributed to my inability to focus on academics. But enough about me! Yes, grades can be important- it also depends on the school you plan to apply to. Some graduate programs will give your grade point more weight than others. Some will require an entry exam, and others will not. It will depend upon the values of the program- what aspects are deemed most useful and most valued. To be safe, do your best and take classes that interest you. This way you will be naturally invested. A good grade will never hold you back, but a poor grade just might. A person planning on pursuing graduate work should be working on their own personal growth and have a strong interest in understanding people- a genuine curiosity. If you can, start your own counseling journey as a client. Most colleges have counseling services included with tuition. Explore blogs and podcasts on mental health/psychology related topics. Consider volunteer work in the social services realm- any nonprofit that serves children, youth, families, and adults. This will give you a taste regarding local resources and the kinds of challenges people might be facing/the barriers to care that exist. Learn about the types of counseling you want to pursue- whether psychology, social work, child/family counseling, marriage/family counseling, mental health counseling, school counseling, or addictions studies. Not to mention expressive arts programs- art therapy, drama, yoga, music, and dance therapy. There is a lot of variety, and each program will be a bit different (curriculum) with a mixture of potential career outcomes. The more you know about yourself- your own values, interests, strengths, weaknesses, etc the better you will be set up to work with others. This is a lifelong pursuit, so it is okay to be a work in progress- we all are! I wish you the best. You are already steps ahead knowing psychology is a passion.
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Nija’s Answer

Hi Chloe,

I went to grad school for social work, which is a lot like counseling in many ways. The toughest part for me wasn’t just keeping up good grades, it was managing everything else in my life at the same time. I did well in my classes, but it was a challenging journey. There were moments when I really had to dig deep and stay determined.

You don’t need perfect grades to get into grad school. What truly counts is showing your commitment to the work. Schools consider everything , your personal statement, your experiences, your recommendations, and your passion for helping others. If you stay focused and stick to your goals, you can definitely achieve it. I’m proof that it’s possible, even when the path is tough.
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