ck926

Do you have any publications? How is your GRE? GPA is important, but if you have published research (especially combined with high GRE scores) I think that could offset the GPA.

Hi everyone, I recently came across the Global Clinical Practice Network, which is part of the World Health Organization. The purpose of the site is to recruit mental health professionals to participate in survey-based internet field studies regarding the next ICD-11. I really love the idea behind this site, but it is very restricted to that particular topic. I am wondering if anyone knows of a similar site/resource that has a less specific focus? If it helps, I'm looking to do a study on mental health professionals' attitudes toward integrating technology into therapy. I could default to using the faculty at my university, but am hoping for a larger and more diverse sample. Thanks in advance!!

Hi everyone, I'm having some trouble figuring out the right analysis to use for a measure validation project. I've gotten a few different answers among faculty members, so I just wanted to get some more opinions. Basically, the measure consists of five different vignettes or "scenarios". The same 9 items are used to respond to each of the scenarios. In other words, participants answer the same set of questions five different times. I've been told to do a factor analysis; would I do five different ones for each vignette? Or should I be taking a totally different approach? Thanks in advance!

I would suggest looking into measures of flow; look into the work of Csikszentmihalyi. Lots of work has been done in this area by others as well, so flow measures are typically easy to find.

I know this may not be extremely helpful as it isn't a specific source, and I'm sure it's something you're already doing for other purposes, but what I found to be most helpful was just reading tons of journal articles. Paying close attention to the structure and flow of these papers helped me to understand what is expected as far as academic writing goes.

Not a question....but I just have to say how incredibly jealous I am that you work with Andrew Hayes! That is AWESOME!

I know it's easy to become discouraged at higher p-values, and sometimes they are meaningful, but they are not the "end all be all", so try not to get too caught up in it. Here is an article that does a great job of explaining why: http://www.nature.com/news/scientific-method-statistical-errors-1.14700?WT.mc_id=FBK_NPG_1402_NatureNews Also keep in mind there is a difference between practical significance and statistical significance!

Yes I would certainly retract if it came down to it, I'm just not sure if it should be done in the first place. They have a nearly equivalent reputation (decent but not top tier). I think his issue is that the first journal is taking a little longer to give a decision than he would like. I emailed the editor today to check on the status since the professor keeps asking me about it and it's normal for them to take up to 6 months (we just submitted 2 months ago). This is what prompted him to encourage me to submit elsewhere while we wait. I'm a bit surprised as well since waiting several months for a decision in our discipline isn't uncommon, so this shouldn't be a new experience for him. As someone who is just starting out, I'm very concerned about doing something that could hinder me from building a good reputation. Thank you for your reply!

Hi all, I have always been under the impression that it is unethical, or frowned upon (at the very least), to submit the same paper to more than one journal simultaneously. However, a professor I co-authored a paper with is encouraging me to submit it to a second journal while we wait for a decision from the first journal. This professor is very experienced and well respected so I don't want to question him, but like I said, I have always been under the impression that this is bad practice, so I was caught off guard. Is it acceptable to do this? Thanks in advance for any input!

Congrats! I'm already attending there (for a different field- went there for my undergrad as well) but would be happy to answer any questions about the school/area you may have!

I am not in your field so this may not be especially pertinent, but I can tell you that I graduated with a 3.0 overall GPA from undergrad in December and just started my PhD this semester. My overall GPA was pretty low at 3.0, mainly because I was stupid/immature my first two years. Something snapped and I woke up at the start of my junior year, so my upper level and major GPAs were very high. When I applied, most of my programs told me that they consider the highest GPA (e.g. either last two years or overall). Again, not sure if programs in your field will do this, but it may be something to look into. During my junior year, I got involved in research. I got very involved very quickly, and was given opportunities to present and publish work, so that helped to buffer my low GPA as well, since research experience is the most important aspect of your application (so long as you don't have horrid GRE or GPA scores, etc., of course). Getting involved in research and building relationships with advising professors is key as well in order to secure glowing letters of recommendation. Generally, you want at least 2 out of your 3 letters to come from professors who know your propensity for research. As for explaining your shortcomings, there is mixed advice on this. Many will tell you that you can have a professor explain it for you in their letter of recommendation. Others will tell you not to mention it- just let your achievements speak for themselves. I chose the latter option, and it worked out for me. I think this is because there was such a drastic, obvious divide between my work in my first two and last two years- I think the committee could see that and it spoke for itself. If this is truly what you want to do and you work hard, I'm sure things will work out for you as well.

Right now it is guaranteed for two semesters, for a total of $10k for this academic year (meaning fall/spring- I'm not sure about the summer of 2015, as of yet). Apartments here aren't too awful...I have one roommate and rent is $550 for each of us. But I live in an area where a car is a necessity, which is definitely a huge expense, not to mention other basic living expenses. I am considering taking on a TAship as well for additional funding, but am hesitant to take on too much my first year...I expect it to be a huge transition (I'm straight out of undergrad). I might just have to suck it up, though, not sure if living on $10k is feasible. Thanks for the feedback!

Hi all, I'm a first year PhD student, and have an RA position (20 hr/week). The stipend is for approximately $5000/semester, plus tuition (which is about $2,700...I qualify for in-state). Do these numbers sound correct? I'm sure a lot of things could factor in, but it just sounds a bit low to me. Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to have any funding at all and don't mean to be a brat..these numbers just sound significantly lower than what I've heard from others on here. Thanks in advance!

My advisor and I recently submitted a paper to be considered for publication in a journal; the VERY next day, we got a rejection. However, there were was no feedback from the reviewers or editor as to why; just a one line general statement from the editor saying they must be selective due to the number of submissions they receive. I am not very experienced when it comes to publishing, but is this acceptable? I'm not complaining that it was rejected, but I was a bit taken aback by the nonexistent feedback. I haven't had a chance to talk to my professor yet, so I just wanted to get some opinions in the meantime. Thank you in advance!

Hi all, From what I understand, Clinical Psychology PhD interviewees are expected to wear suits; does this hold true for those interviewing for Clinical MA programs as well (for females)? Also, I'm not sure if I should bring anything...would it be a good idea to bring a portfolio bag with copies of my CV and writing sample? Thanks for any advice!

Hi all, So I am in sort of a weird situation. I had a phone interview, as well as multiple conversations with a professor that I really wanted to work with- he wanted to give me an offer and said he was very interested in working with me, but one of the committee members was hesitant due to my lack of clinical experience, so I did not get an offer. At this point, I am most likely just going to compete the clinical psych MA program at my undergrad institution, and continue working in the lab I am still working in as a post-bac (the research here is exactly what that professor does). Ultimately, I would like to reapply to this school in two years once I finish my MA, with the hopes that the clinical experience and additional research experience (as well as graduate level course work, obviously) would strengthen my application enough to be considered more seriously. Would it be a bad idea to shoot him an email and let him in on these plans? I feel as though it may be weird to just suddenly reapply in two years without any conversation about it, especially since we have already spoken quite a bit. I would think it could only help to keep some sort of dialogue going (at least for a bit), but I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Thanks in advance for any input!

Mine was pretty casual and unstructured, but there were definitely a few standard questions he asked: -He asked me to expand on my research interests based on what I said in my SOP -If I've had any experience in an applied clinical setting/how that influenced me -What I ultimately want to do with my PhD The interview lasted about 30 minutes. The questions above were structured, but it became very conversational as I would answer those questions. To be honest, it didn't even feel like much of an interview, just more like a conversation!

I really hope that is the case, but I honestly don't think so :/ As far as I know, he would still have to interview me as a "formality". Also, I assume there would be other faculty members I would have to interview with aside from him. When I called to ask about interview invitations, I was told that if he doesn't like anyone he interviews this time around, he can contact me later for a Skype interview. She didn't know my personal situation with him, but it just does not look good :/ I will see him at our lab meeting next week, so hopefully I will get some answers then. Thank you for your input

I think a letter coming from your cousin would be fine; it sounds like your experience in her clinic is extremely relevant, and I'm sure you learned a lot that will only help your graduate career. However, it might be best if she leaves out the part about being your cousin.

Yes, it was my top choice. I applied to work with the professor I've been closely working with for the last two years (still to this day as a post-bac). I've been in his lab for two years, his TA, he was my thesis chair, and we've published together twice. He told me numerous times that my work was better than that of some of his PhD students, and that I'm more reliable, responsible, etc. I've been talking to him about working with him for my PhD for about a year now. I called the administrative assistant a few days ago to find out that everyone he is interviewing has already been contacted. I wasn't expecting anything, but it definitely hurts worse than all other rejections combined...not exactly sure what went wrong

Wow, great advice...thank you all for such thoughtful responses. Definitely A LOT to think about...

I don't think it's a big deal at all...I doubt they will notice, and even if they do, I honestly don't think they would care too much

Hey all, I recently received an interview for a PhD program, which I am of course thankful for. My POI is a first year professor, meaning I would be his first and only graduate student this year if I receive an offer (I realize it's a big "if"). It's not that I am doubting his abilities by any means, but the thought of being the only graduate student in the lab as a first year student makes me a bit uneasy. Has anyone had any experience with this or a similar situation that can provide some insight? Thanks in advance!

A former professor I have been a TA for has kindly agreed to write me a LOR. Since agreeing do so about a month ago, I have tried asking him twice through email when it would be convenient to drop off the pre-addressed envelopes. I have not heard from him and his office hours are by appointment only. I am beginning to freak out as several of the schools wanting these paper LORs have deadlines of December 1st. Would it be really rude to leave them in his mailbox with a note of thanks? Any input/advice would be much appreciated!

This thread has been extremely helpful! The one thing I am struggling with is whether or not to include an explanation for some bad grades during my first two years, which has caused my overall GPA to be a low 3.1 (although my last two years GPA and major GPA are both 3.8). The thing is, though, I don't have a sob story or anything of the sort....I was simply unmotivated because I was in what I now realize was the wrong major for me- I often felt unchallenged, and unfortunately, being an immature 18/19 year old, let this hurt my grades. As corny as it sounds, I didn't truly understand the value of education until I changed to my current major. Would it be a bad move to include this in my SOP? I know it's not a legitimate excuse like having health problems, taking care of an ill family member, etc., but it's honest.