When Chance Meets Preparation: Hemanshi’s Journey into Clinical Psychology
Aug 11
7 min read
Meet Hemanshi
Our latest guest in the Inside Clinical blog series is Hemanshi Bhandari, a first-year Master’s student in the Clinical Psychology (Child Track) program at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, Hemanshi completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) at McMaster University before moving across the country to begin graduate training.
Throughout our conversation, Hemanshi shared an honest and encouraging perspective on navigating the highly competitive world of clinical psychology admissions, emphasizing that success is not always about having the longest CV. Sometimes, preparation, mentorship, resilience, and a little bit of chance can make all the difference.
Discovering Psychology Through Personal Experience
Hemanshi’s interest in psychology began long before university. As a child, she witnessed her grandfather’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease and saw firsthand how neurological conditions affect not only individuals but entire families.
“I had firsthand seen my grandfather go through Alzheimer’s and the effect that had not just on him, but on our family as a whole.”
Initially fascinated by the brain and neuroscience, her interests gradually shifted toward mental health during high school. As she learned more about the challenges children and youth face in accessing mental health services, she became increasingly motivated to pursue a career where she could make a meaningful difference.
What ultimately drew her toward clinical psychology was the profession’s versatility.
“I was really interested in how clinical psychologists wear a lot of different hats.”
The ability to combine research, assessment, clinical work, teaching, and advocacy within a single career path appealed to her naturally curious personality.
Finding Her Community at McMaster
After entering McMaster University through the Life Sciences Gateway program, Hemanshi quickly realized that her passion lay not in traditional biology or chemistry, but in understanding human behaviour and the brain.
She joined McMaster’s renowned Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour (PNB) program and later pursued the Mental Health specialization. Looking back, she credits much of her undergraduate growth to finding both a supportive community and exceptional mentors.
Among those mentors, two individuals played particularly influential roles:
Dr. Megan McKenzie, who provided guidance, opportunities, and confidence throughout the graduate application process.
Dr. Karen Rowa, a guest we have invited on the Enriched Mindset Podcast, who introduced Hemanshi to hands-on clinical research and demonstrated the many different roles clinical psychologists can occupy.
Reflecting on Dr. McKenzie’s mentorship, Hemanshi emphasized the importance of having someone who genuinely believes in you.
“Having a professor who really believes in you is so, so important.”
Beyond academics, she also found a close-knit group of peers pursuing similar goals, creating a support system that helped her navigate the challenges of graduate school applications.
Building Experience Without Publications
One of the most refreshing aspects of Hemanshi’s story is that she did not enter the application cycle with a lengthy publication record or multiple conference presentations. Like many aspiring clinical psychologists, she initially felt discouraged after reviewing admission statistics and seeing the accomplishments of successful applicants.
“As someone who was sitting at zero for both publications and conferences, I was like, ‘God, this is not going to happen.’”
However, instead of focusing on what she lacked, Hemanshi focused on areas where she could build meaningful experience. Throughout undergrad, she accumulated substantial clinical and research experience through:
Volunteering in a hospital for five years
Working in a family medicine clinic
Conducting research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Administering neuropsychological tasks and structured interviews
Completing research projects and an honours thesis
While she did not have publications at the time she applied, she developed practical clinical skills that strengthened her application and helped distinguish her from other candidates.
The Reality of Conferences and Accessibility
Hemanshi also highlighted an issue that many students quietly face: finances. Conference attendance is often viewed as an important milestone for aspiring graduate students, yet the costs can be substantial.
“I just could not justify spending fifteen hundred dollars on a conference when I was saving up to move.”
She explained that financial barriers often limit access to opportunities that admissions committees sometimes value, and she hopes programs continue recognizing that not all students have equal access to these experiences. Her story serves as an important reminder that conference presentations and publications are not the only ways to demonstrate commitment and potential.
The Application Process: Organization, Networking, and Fit
Hemanshi began seriously preparing for graduate applications during third year. One of her most effective strategies was creating an extensive spreadsheet tracking:
Universities
Potential supervisors
Research interests
Application requirements
Deadlines
She spent the summer before applications carefully researching faculty members and sending thoughtful, personalized emails. However, one lesson stood above all others: Supervisor Fit Matters
Hemanshi strongly advises students not to apply solely for the sake of increasing their odds.
“If you don’t genuinely see yourself doing that research, don’t apply there.”
Throughout her first year of graduate school, she has observed how critical interpersonal fit is between students and supervisors. Differences in communication styles, publication expectations, and mentorship approaches can significantly impact a student’s experience.
Her recommendation is simple:
Research fit matters.
Personality fit matters.
And both deserve equal attention.
The Unexpected Email That Changed Everything
Perhaps the most surprising part of Hemanshi’s story occurred during the application cycle itself. After applying to several clinical psychology programs, she received an unexpected email from a faculty member she had never contacted directly.
The professor had encountered her application during the admissions review process and noticed a strong alignment in research interests.
“I didn’t even know professors could do that.”
Following several conversations, that professor ultimately became her primary supervisor, while a clinical faculty member joined as a co-supervisor. The experience reinforced one of Hemanshi’s strongest beliefs about admissions:
“Chance really plays a role in graduate school admissions.”
While hard work and preparation are essential, she recognizes that many factors remain outside applicants’ control.
This leads to the topic of why students should apply anyway. Because of her own experience, Hemanshi encourages students not to disqualify themselves before admissions committees have the opportunity to evaluate them. She nearly decided not to apply to SFU because of burnout and self-doubt. Today, she is grateful she submitted the application.
“I would definitely feel regretful if I didn’t apply and always wonder, what if?”
Even if an application cycle does not lead to admission, she believes the experience itself provides valuable practice through:
Writing application materials
Contacting supervisors
Participating in interviews
Identifying areas for future growth
Standing Out Beyond the CV
When asked what helps applicants stand out, Hemanshi emphasized three areas:
1. Interpersonal Fit
Admissions committees are not only evaluating accomplishments. They are trying to determine whether they can successfully work with someone for many years.
2. Clinical Experience
For students without publications or conference presentations, meaningful clinical experiences can demonstrate valuable skills and commitment to the field.
3. Strong Reference Letters
Hemanshi carefully selected individuals who could collectively speak to different aspects of her abilities. One mentor highlighted her research skills. Another emphasized her clinical competencies. Together, they created a more complete picture of who she was as a future graduate student.
Hemanshi's Top 3s
As part of our interview, Hemanshi played the "Top 3" rapid-fire game, sharing some of her favourite courses, self-care strategies, and advice for future applicants.
Top 3 Favourite Undergraduate Courses
1. Abnormal Psychology
Hemanshi described this course as her introduction to understanding mental health conditions through the DSM framework.
2. Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
Although challenging, she loved learning about the brain and appreciated having a professor who made complex concepts engaging and rewarding.
3. American Sign Language (ASL)
One of her most memorable electives, ASL gave her the opportunity to learn a new form of communication and sparked her interest in making mental health services more accessible.
Top 3 Ways to Enhance Your CV
1. Connect with Professors and Graduate Students
Don't be afraid to reach out, ask questions, and seek feedback on your CV.
2. Work with Friends
Having trusted peers review application materials can provide fresh perspectives and help catch mistakes you may overlook.
3. Start Fresh
Rather than endlessly editing an old document, sometimes creating a new version from scratch can reveal formatting issues and help you better organize your experiences.
Top 3 Ways to Stand Out as an Applicant
1. Demonstrate Strong Interpersonal Fit
Programs are looking for people they can work with for years, not just impressive CVs.
2. Seek Clinical Experience
Meaningful client-facing experiences can strengthen applications, especially when publications or conference presentations are limited.
3. Build Strong Reference Letters
Choose referees who know you well and can speak to different aspects of your abilities, from research skills to interpersonal strengths.
Top 3 Self-Care Strategies
1. Stay Connected with Friends and Family
As a self-described extrovert, Hemanshi values regular conversations with loved ones.
2. Practice Everyday Mindfulness
Whether grocery shopping, walking, or doing chores, being present in the moment helps manage stress and anxiety.
3. Explore New Cafés and Coffee Shops
Finding a cozy café and enjoying a small treat has become one of her favourite ways to recharge.
Top 3 Study Snacks
1. Crisp Apple Slices
Simple, refreshing, and her go-to study snack.
2. Tim Hortons Old Fashioned Donuts
A personal favourite, even if she admits they're not everyone's first choice.
3. Matcha or Chai
A warm caffeinated drink is often essential for powering through research papers and assignments.
Top 3 Things That Make or Break a Supervisor Relationship
1. Clear Expectations
Understanding how often you'll meet and communicate can significantly impact your graduate school experience.
2. Compatible Communication Styles
Honest and constructive feedback is important, but finding a communication style that works for both student and supervisor matters just as much.
3. Advocacy
Great supervisors support students not only in research, but also in navigating the broader challenges of graduate school.
Top 3 Things Nobody Warns You About Before Starting Graduate School
1. Imposter Syndrome Is Extremely Common
Many graduate students struggle with wondering whether they are doing enough.
2. Research Is Rarely Linear
Projects, ethics approvals, and publications often take longer than expected.
3. Learning to Juggle Everything
Graduate school requires balancing research, coursework, clinical training, professional development, and personal life all at once.
Looking Ahead
Today, Hemanshi’s research focuses on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and how childhood adversity shapes development across different cultural contexts.
For her master’s research, she is examining how Canadian and Oceanic participants perceive childhood experiences as being adverse. Long term, she hopes to combine clinical practice with research, potentially working in a hospital setting, research institute, or private practice focused on children and youth. Her ultimate goal is to return to Ontario and continue supporting young people through evidence-based mental health care.
