What's the psychiatric test like for potential seminarians?

[John_Monaco]

I called the vocation office, and it brought me to the director, who was extremely nice and friendly. I was told, before being admitted into St. Charles Borromeo minor seminary, I need to undergo a physical examination (ex-football player here, I’ll most likely do well lol) and then a psychiatric test. Can anyone tell me what they look for in that? the fact that i’m not crazy? thanks

 

[OKCatholic]

The psych eval isn’t bad. I did mine this past Spring. It consisted of three parts over two sessions. My archdiocese has a psychiatrist we send all of our potential seminarians to (who also evaluates applicants to the police academy, highway patrol, firefighters, etc.). We met in his office and he asked very simple questions about my life, interests, hobbies, activities, childhood. He asked about my family, friends, relationships and all that jazz. Some of the questions were very personal, but he didn’t dwell on them. It really was just straight forward stuff one would expect. There were no curve balls.

After the initial interview was completed (it took about an hour) I was taken into a separate room where I did several personality tests both in written form and on the computer. There were hundreds of short answers questions, complete the sentences, describe my favorite this, what was my worst that. That took about two hours to complete and was kind of taxing. Of course, when I did this part I was working the 6pm to 6am shift so I was used to being asleep when I was doing all of this. That made it kind of exhausting mentally, but it’s not traumatic or anything.

Once this was over I was told it would be a couple of weeks to be evaluated. So, I scheduled another appointment and came back a few weeks later. This interview centered mostly on what my personality tests revealed. Then the psychiatrist and I just talked about the Church and about seminary and priestly life. The doctor wished me luck in my continued discernment and I left his office.

That was pretty much it. My final evaluation was formulated by the psychiatrist and sent to the vocations office. I was given the opportunity to read the report and it was interesting. It listed my personality type based on the psychological method he used. It had my strengths, weaknesses, and a few other things. It also mentioned the intimate details brought up in my interview. But, it’s important to remember that to be properly evaluated you need to be as open as possible.

So, don’t worry. It’s actually kind of fun. Better than the physical exam. That I didn’t care for.

 

[Provigil]

I called the vocation office, and it brought me to the director, who was extremely nice and friendly. I was told, before being admitted into St. Charles Borromeo minor seminary, I need to undergo a physical examination (ex-football player here, I’ll most likely do well lol) and then a psychiatric test. Can anyone tell me what they look for in that? the fact that i’m not crazy? thanks

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
John,
When I was in the seminary they had what was caled a PRIEST-PERCEPTION tool. They would put on a tape recorder and they will tell you, I am only going to repeat the question once and your answer will be recorded. Now this was in the DIocese of YOungstown, Ohio.
Each Diocese differs.
Some way ask why do you want to enter a seminary, There will be some trickt question and you might be timed.
I wish you all the lud=ck, but pray before you take it because in their questioning they are looking for specifics.
God bless you. If you need more help, send me a private message.
PROVIGIL, PhD

 

[OKCatholic]

I realized I didn’t answer your last question. They’re looking for maturity, stability and ability to cope with issues properly. One line from my final report mentioned me being secure in my masculinity. No big surprise there.

The psych evaluation is just one of the tools used to determine what kind of guy your are and how well you’ll deal with seminary life. Notice I didn’t say priestly life. That’s an evaluation you’ll undergo throughout seminary.

 

[withwind]

Don’t worry so much what the test is all about. Pray, be opened, and be honest during the test - be who you are.

One advice - at the end of test, ask your psychologist if s/he has any advice for you.

The test is long, but I thought it was a blessing for me to take it.

 

[John_Monaco]

Thank you OKCatholic and other posters in this topic, that helps a lot. I’m glad your tests resulted in sucess. I’m just somewhat nervous, I’m well-mannered socially, and extremely outgoing, but my fear is that my answers to questions might not be what they’re looking for within a priest.

 

[withwind]

but my fear is that my answers to questions might not be what they’re looking for within a priest.

It is good to recognize good qualities of a priest and try to have those qualities with God’s help.

You are discerning to enter seminary - to be a seminarian …not a priest yet. Wait til you enter seminary and see all sort of personalities there.

It is natural to be worried of sharing with others about your life. However, be who you are, not who you think they want you to be. Don’t try to make your answer look better either. Therefore, do not answer anything that is not true about yourself. At the same time, don’t worry if your answer is right or wrong. Pray and answer the best you could with your knowledge.

If God calls you to enter seminary, you will enter seminary … not to become a priest overnight but to be transformed. My spiritual director said “be transparent” - what they see you is what they get and they will help you grow and by grace of God, you will grow in virtues and become a better Christian. (note: I didn’t mention about becoming a priest).
*
John 15: 16
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.*

 

[John_Monaco]

It is good to recognize good qualities of a priest and try to have those qualities with God’s help.

You are discerning to enter seminary - to be a seminarian …not a priest yet. Wait til you enter seminary and see all sort of personalities there.

It is natural to be worried of sharing with others about your life. However, be who you are, not who you think they want you to be. Don’t try to make your answer look better either. Therefore, do not answer anything that is not true about yourself. At the same time, don’t worry if your answer is right or wrong. Pray and answer the best you could with your knowledge.

If God calls you to enter seminary, you will enter seminary … not to become a priest overnight but to be transformed. My spiritual director said “be transparent” - what they see you is what they get and they will help you grow and by grace of God, you will grow in virtues and become a better Christian. (note: I didn’t mention about becoming a priest).
*
John 15: 16
It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.*

That’s truly inspiring. That is so true, now that I think about it.

 

[thelordssheep]

They are basically looking for any deep-seeded pathological issues. Beyond that, all the testing is to further help you: they can identify (by interpreting what you tell them) areas where you may need to work hard or which may be of potential struggle for you.
You’ll be fine. When I was worrying about my upcoming psych eval, one of my seminarian friends said “Dear, if they let ME in, you’re going to be just fine.”

God’s will be done!