ThePsychStudent

I needed to get into Canada before on a day where the bank was closed (I hadn't realized until the weekend that my passport was moved into the safety deposit box!). I was driving across the border and used my birth certificate and license to get through (as well as a photocopy of my passport). I explained the reason I didn't have my passport. From what I understand, that isn't always going to get you across the border, but it seemed to work for me. If you are flying, I'm not sure if/how that would work. You might have the option to do Skype interview instead, but if you really want or need to interview in person, you can always get a passport quickly. (You'll pay a lot for it, though.) You will need a passport if you go to school in Canada anyway, so maybe it's worth it in the long run. Good luck!

Still waiting to hear from UVic. Can't figure out what that means at this point... Charlize, did you hear back yet?

I'm waiting for Berkeley, too! I hate my decision every time I go look at the Results Search. My heart drops just a little bit more... Let's hope that the chances are slim that all three of us who have posted about Berkeley wouldn't get an interview. Glad to know I'm not alone in waiting! Some of these schools seem to be taking their time! EEK! My sanity can't take much more of this!

@Sevenoffs I think they are still sending out the interviews. Keep holding out hope! Crossing my fingers for you!

Finally heard back from SFU (the first school I've heard back from!). I know a lot of schools will fly applicants out for the interview, but it didn't say anything about that in the email--just to let them know what interview form (phone, skype, in-person) I would prefer. Does anyone have any more information about this? Maybe it's not standard practice in Canada to fly applicants out...? It looks like a couple of clinical people have already heard back from UVic about interviews. I'm glad to know their official day isn't until the 14th, because I haven't heard from them at all!! Fingers crossed!!

CharlizeRai, Thanks for that information! Those are the two Canadian schools I applied to, and didn't know what to expect in terms of hearing back. Simon Fraser's interview date is Jan 31st, so I'm eager to know whether or not I got an interview. Do you know when UVic's interview date is? I couldn't find it anywhere!

I haven't heard from any of my schools yet. I imagine I won't hear until early January, but I can't help but worry interviews are already going out! The results board is reassuring that that isn't the case, though. NYtoDMV, you should post what schools you applied to in your signature, as well as how many interviews you've gotten. I've found that's helpful when you see someone who applied to the same school, but still has a '?' in the interview portion of their signature. I'm just trying not to check my email all day, every day! Doing activities with friends, trying not to think about it. This part is almost as stressful as the applications! Hope you both enjoy a wonderful, stress-free holiday!

For those of you that haven't finished your SOPs yet--don't worry! It will go more quickly than you think, especially if you give it to a bunch of people to edit. Mine went muchhhhh faster than I thought it would. I am working on my applications, and one of the schools I am applying to is Simon Fraser. In their application, it asks about awards and distinctions. I have a couple of Psi Chi awards I will be including, but I was wondering what other types of awards they might be looking for in this section. Would this include financial aid awards in college, honors distinctions, etc.? It has a section for amounts, which makes me think that they are looking for monetary awards and distinctions, but I might just be reading into it too much...

PS related to the comments about the email to send out. I pretty much sent out the same email, but made some changes to the title of the program and to the area of research that particular professor was doing. It seemed to work out for me! I also included my CV. Can't recommend that enough, especially if yours is really good. You want them to want to email you back, and if they think your CV shows you'll be a great fit for the program, they are much more likely to take you seriously and take the time to email you back.

I emailed, waited about 2 weeks, and then emailed back those that didn't respond. Some responded after a second email, but it still took time. Make sure you look carefully on their websites, because sometimes whether or not they are accepting students can be hidden in obscure locations! Then, although it't always reassuring to hear back from a professor, you will have a better idea about whether or not you want to take the time to apply. Nothing worse than applying without knowing if a professor is taking on students! I pretty much just sent the same email that I sent the first time around, but included a sentence that I had emailed them a couple of weeks ago. I think it's a nice little reminder that they didn't email me back (but in a very polite way), and also shows you are very interested in applying to their program. I emailed quite a few professors, and eventually heard back from all but one.

I'm in the second year of my gap (and in the process of applying for grad schools now), and I am so happy I took time off. I never really planned to do that, but I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do in grad school when I was a senior in college. I ended up working as a research assistant for two different PIs for a year, and now I am doing some more clinical work (as I have moved), both in terms of employment and in terms of volunteering. I'm even about to start some grant writing for a non-profit. Some people want to go straight in to graduate school, and others don't. But if you are not ENTIRELY sure what you want to do in graduate school, I would recommend to take some time off. Plus it's just such a change to live like an adult. I feel much more prepared academically, emotionally, and mentally to go back to school now. And with my jobs, I don't feel like I'm rusty in any way. In fact, I think I will make a much better student!