lindzardz

Gotcha. This was what I was planning to do myself but I just wan't entirely sure if others did it this way. Thanks so much for you input! I would be curious what others have to say about this topic, maybe from experience also?

Thanks for you response! To what extent should the personal statement expand on my research interests? I guess I'm asking, should I be laying out the quick version of a research proposal for my dissertation? Or a general overview of my interests?

Hi all, I am a current MA student in clinical psych planning to apply to clinical psych PhD programs in the Fall. My question is how much information is appropriate to include regarding specific research interests? I know what I am interested in studying (resettled refugee populations, specifically female, highly interested in refugees resettling from Syria in the States or Germany, survivors of sexual assault, PTSD or depressive or anxious symptomatology) but I am not entirely sure WHAT exactly I want to study just yet (thinking about exploring the differences of symptomatology between resettled refugees and refugees in host countries closer to their home country or internally displaced individuals). I am worried that if I get too specific, I will turn professors off. I worry if I am too vague, I will also turn professors off. I also am still mentally developing the ins and outs of what I want my dissertation to be on and I don't know if I need to have it entirely figured out by the time I enter into a PhD program. But maybe I am totally wrong. That's why I need you guys! Thoughts? Ideas? How much should I have figured out with my current research interests before I start contacting professors and writing my personal statement?? All the best and thanks in advance!

Well, I'm happy to hear you got another offer! But I'm with you, I would really like to move on if I did not get accepted...Good luck to you!

Hi there, I am hoping to hear from people who have graduated/are currently attending either the applied or general MA of psychology tracks at Teacher's College Columbia. I applied to the clinical psych PhD program but was accepted to the general psych Masters program. What are your opinions on either of these programs (general or applied)? What are the main differences between the general and applied tracks? I hear the applied is better for those hoping to do a PhD in clinical psychology, but the general is more flexible. Pros and cons for both? Do you feel you have the opportunity to collaborate with professors on their research? I already have lots and lots of research experience but really need more opportunities for publishing, conducting research of my own and I'm wondering if that's really possible here as a Masters student. Do you feel it was worth it to get your MA here before going to a PhD program? I ask because my goal was to go straight into a PhD...I'm finding my GPA (3.18 due to caring for a terminally ill father while in school) might be one of the main things holding me back (received multiple PhD rejections but also received many MA offers instead). I'm feeling I need to prove that I can hack it in a graduate program. I know going to Columbia and doing well will definitely prove this and give me more opportunity to apply where I want for a PhD but yikes, the lack of funding for MA is killing me! I also am not excited to repeat courses once in a PhD program... Did you receive any funding? Any other info you find helpful would be great! Thanks!

Thanks for the info! Will you be accepting? I'm still very curious why my status hasn't said anything new since December!? This is so strange...either it's possibly good (on the waitlist?) or I didn't get admitted to either and they just haven't done rejections? Yikes- speed it up LIU!

Has anyone hear from University of British Columbia, Vancouver, specifically the psychology MA program???? I haven't read anything on this thread about this program...

I called the school again because my online application still says "defer decision" (has said this since mid-december before I interviewed)...they informed me they are "still making decisions" and offers...has anyone that interviewed for the PhD program been offered a spot in the MA program? Just curious what's happening with LIU. Sounds like they still have openings for the PhD program but not sure what's going on with the MA program; I know people are often offered spots in that if denied the PhD. I just want to go to school!!!!

Hey OP- I totally understand your frustration. This waiting game is nonsense and I'm really hating this part of the application process. Question though- did you get rejection through the online portal? I'm trying to check my status but I'm just not seeing anything. Do you have a link?

Sounds like there is at least one acceptance- just saw it on the results search =/

Has anyone heard from UBC Vancouver for the Clinical Psych MA program? Do you know if they had an "interview weekend" for that program? I am dying here!

I interviewed too and haven't heard a peep. I called on Monday and they said "they are still making decisions" and the woman I spoke to doesn't know when they will send out notifications....ugh!!!

Hi there! Just curious if anyone on this forum interviewed for the clinical psych phd program at Long Island University this past saturday? I was supposed to come but all flights into NYC were canceled (I will be coming from San Francisco) so I will be going next weekend. I didn't get much of a feel of what it would be like when I spoke with a grad student that scheduled me; I only really know I will have an interview with one random faculty member and one grad student. This will be my very first interview and it would GREATLY calm my nerves if I know what to expect. What was the interview process like? How long? What kinds of questions did they ask? What happened after the interview? Answers to these questions would be AWESOME! And maybe we'll end up in the same cohort! Thanks a ton in advance! and good luck if you already interviewed =)

Thanks 42ed and Linelei for the wonderful advice! I have definitely done some reading of articles and abstracts and will continue to do so until interview time just to get the "WHY" of why I want to study what I want to study figured out...It's surprisingly harder to answer this question than I thought! For so long, I knew what I wanted to do (go to grad school for a phd in clinical psych) and have been doing everyting to prepare myself to apply but found I have in some ways lost touch of the "WHY"!? But I'm back on track and have really started to prepare some insightful responses that really get to the core of what I want to study and why...thanks for the well wishes! Best of luck to you both!

Thank you so much Linelei! I really appreciate your thoughtful answers! They truly helped put me at ease and have given me some great ideas of preparing for this weekend! All the best!

Hey guys! So, I'm a newbie (I'm sure lots of us are but I must stress I'm like realllllyyy new to all of this). Anyways, I have an interview coming p next Saturday and I need some general advice about the whole interview process. 1) When everyone says "Wear what makes you feel comfortable" I immediately think I want to wear some sort of fashionable (don't laugh) pant suit. Blazer, slacks, maybe not a button up but still a nice blouse under the blazer, possible flat, possibly a very toned down low heal. Am I going to be the only one in a freakin' pant suit??? 2) I was informed that my interview will be with one faculty member (chosen at random, may or may not be my POI) and a grad student. I Was also informed not to memorize every faculty's bio and research (but I'm assuming definitely memorize my POI's info) because they just want to hear about "me." I know my area of interests (in short: trauma, community violence, resilience), but I don't necessarily have a whole bunch of research ideas up my sleeve because, ya know, I'm not in grad school yet and I'm still working out the nuts and bolts. How important is it to have your own "research ideas" figured out for interview day? Do you recommend thinking of a few in case they ask? I'm assuming yes, but I also don't want to just make things up... 3) I'm 1/4 Mexican...technically minority status and this program offers 3 full tuition remissions for minorities...Unfortunately, I have a complicated relationship with this status because my grandmother immigrated into the US from Mexico during world war II and basically was ashamed of being Mexican and essentially pretended to have zero connection to her culture. It's complicated- we would often go to Mexican markets where she would speak Spanish with all her friends, go home and whip up some awesome chilaquiles, then when I needed help with my Spanish homework she would literally PRETEND to not know how to speak Spanish...lots of secrecy, a lot of lying, and a lot of shame in my family because of my grandmother's background (which clearly, I'm not ashamed of). The point of this way to long story: the program really wants a truly culturally diverse program. I appear very caucasian, I have a complicated history with my culture and haven't truly been allowed to embrace this side of me...however, I am committed to working with cultural and ethnic minorities. I want to prove this with my own connections and experiences but can't seem to create a good narrative around it...any ideas???? 4) OMG I'm freaking out about this interview....tips for that too??? THANKS!