Clinical Psychology Impact Fellowship
Check back for fellowship updates and the reveal of our fellows.
Ready to Apply?
Applications accepted: February 9 – March 20
Decision Day: April 15
For questions, contact [email protected].
The Fellowship’s Impact
The Clinical Psychology Impact Fellowship awards five full-tuition fellowships to new, incoming Psy.D. Clinical Psychology students each year.
Why call it the Impact Fellowship? Because that’s what it generates: a positive impact.
Student Impact
The benefit of a full-tuition fellowship cannot be overstated. Even more important than simple relief, this fellowship offers talented, intelligent, and passionate students the opportunity to pursue advanced training they may not have otherwise pursued due to financial constraints.
Community Impact
Fellows are selected, in part, based on their commitment to applying clinical psychology to the greater good. The impact is especially important in underserved communities, public sector settings, and other areas with limited or no mental health services available.
Clinical Psychology Impact
In addition to addressing the national shortage of mental health professionals, this award empowers fellows to engage in innovative, evidence-based, and community-oriented practices that impact the field through scholarship, service, and leadership.
The Impact of Our Fellows
This highly competitive opportunity is awarded to fellows who are prepared to demonstrate their commitment to the advancement of clinical psychology. Fellows have ongoing responsibilities for the duration of their education and are expected to complete specific deliverables to maintain fellowship status, including:
- Scholarly Contribution: Present a poster, paper, or workshop at a professional conference or university event each year.
- Community Impact Project: Design and implement a community-based initiative or service activity to run during the period of enrollment.
- Leadership Engagement: Serve on student leadership committees or participate in advocacy activities associated with a professional organization in the clinical psychology field.
- Public Communication: Publish annually at least one annual blog, article, or media feature in association with The Chicago School to advance public understanding of mental health.
- Fellowship Ambassadorship: Represent the institution at university-sponsored events, speak at professional or community gatherings, share experiences through institutional publications, and promote the values of service, leadership, and innovation in mental health.
- Annual Report and Presentation: Submit a written summary documenting activities, outcomes, and impact; present fellowship highlights and accomplishments to The Chicago School’s clinical psychology community.
Mentorship and Support
Each fellow is matched with an experienced faculty mentor who provides scholarly, professional, and deliverable-related guidance throughout the fellowship’s duration. Fellows are also paired with a student support mentor for ongoing academic monitoring and resource coordination.
Fellowship Details
Number of Fellowships: Five each year, one awarded to a new, incoming student at each Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program location.
Eligibility:
- Acceptance into a Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program with a Fall 2026 start date.
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.8 or above*
- Demonstrated commitment to contributing to the field of clinical psychology in service to the public good
*Applicants below the 3.8 GPA threshold may still apply and will be considered holistically by the fellowship review committee.
Application Requirements:
- Official academic transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation from psychology faculty and/or licensed clinical psychologists familiar with the applicant’s work
- Personal statement (1,000 words max.) describing professional goals, engagement in scholarly activity or advocacy, and rationale for pursuing a clinical psychology career
- 3-5 minute video testimonial highlighting engagement in psychology, career aspirations, and goals for the Psy.D. program
- If selected, interview with faculty fellowship committee
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a 3.8 GPA to apply?
While a 3.8 is the standard requirement, the Fellowship Committee considers the entire application. You are encouraged to apply even if you fall slightly below this threshold, as additional materials will be considered. - If I have both undergraduate and graduate degrees, do both GPAs need to be 3.8?
A 3.8 GPA is required, and the committee will review both transcripts collectively during the selection process.
- Can I reuse my Psy.D. program recommendation letters?
Yes, provided they meet fellowship criteria. Letters must be from clinical psychologists or psychology faculty. If your original letters do not highlight your fellowship-specific goals or meet fellowship requirements, we recommend seeking new letters or asking recent writers to adjust their recent letters. If you would like to use your Psy.D. program recommendation letters but do not have access to them, you can request them to be included in your fellowship application by emailing your request to [email protected]. - Can my letters be transferred automatically from my Psy.D. application?
No. You must upload your letters via the link provided in the fellowship application. - Can my recommenders submit their letters directly?
Yes. If preferred, they may email their letters to [email protected].
- Can I reuse my Psy.D. personal statement?
You may use a similar statement, but ensure it aligns with the fellowship’s specific goals and follows the fellowship’s instructions (e.g., describe your professional goals, engagement in scholarly activity or advocacy, and rationale for pursuing a career in clinical psychology)
- Do I need to submit official or unofficial transcripts?
Please provide all previous transcripts used for your Psy.D. program application. Transcripts should be official copies and updated for the current semester.
- Do I need to submit my “Intent to Enroll” before applying?
No. You may complete your fellowship application before submitting your formal intent to enroll in the program. - Will I receive a fellowship decision before the April 15 deadline?
No. All fellowship award notifications will be released on the April 15 deadline.
Accredited by the APA
Each Psy.D. Clinical Psychology program at The Chicago School is accredited* by the American Psychological Association. This distinction represents our commitment to high academic and professional standards and ensures our programs meet rigorous national benchmarks for curriculum, faculty, and clinical training.
*Dallas program is currently accredited, on contingency. Learn more.
Clinical Psychology at The Chicago School
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology is The Chicago School’s founding and flagship academic program. Offered in five locations around the U.S., each Psy.D. program offers a rigorous exploration of evidence-based models of psychotherapy, while also providing certain learning and training philosophies specific to that campus.
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association
- Training Philosophy: Individualized support, professional standards
- Major Areas of Study: Clinical Neuropsychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Forensic Psychology
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association
- Training Philosophy: Psychology in context
- Major Areas of Study: Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology
- Accredited, on contingency, by the American Psychological Association
- Training Philosophy: Integrated and applied clinical practice
- Major Areas of Study: Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association
- Training Philosophy: Clinical psychology in community
- Major Areas of Study: Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology
- Accredited by the American Psychological Association
- Training Philosophy: Psychology in action
- Major Areas of Study: Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology