schoolpsycher

So I may be the only one on this thread still deciding at this point haha, but I'm kinda being hounded by a school I was accepted to about if I will accept the offer. I've probably been emailed 5 times since I was accepted in February asking where I am in the decision-making process. Even though I emailed the professor about a week ago, I was just emailed again today and am not sure how to respond. It's one of my top choices, but I've been wait-listed at 2 schools and am trying to wait those out. Should I be honest and tell them they're my top choice out of where I've been accepted, but I'm wait-listed at a program where I currently live and that is a good option financially, so I'm waiting to see how that plays out? I know they just keep asking because they want to know what to tell the people on their wait-list, but I feel like I'm in an awkward place. If I do end up attending their program, I don't want them to think I didn't really want to go there.

They don't have assistantships, but are known for giving great scholarships. All the current students I met at the interview told me they chose the school because of the financial help and that almost everyone has a 40-50 percent scholarship (mine is more like 30%). I'm not entirely sure if it's based on merit or need, so I also want to ask that. Just not sure when it's appropriate to ask for more money and how you go about that.

So I'm wait listed at my first choice program and they've been really great about keeping me posted/said they should have a better idea of my chances by Monday. When I got wait listed, they told me if I was accepted I would be offered a $12,000 scholarship.. Which sounds good except their tuition is crazy and even with that scholarship I'd be paying the same for another private school that's offering me no funding. I've heard of some people doing this, but is it possible to ask for more money? I feel even weirder for asking because I'm on the wait list, but this really is my first choice program and that's not enough money for me to be able to attend.

I'm from Florida and had also researched those programs when I was applying. I think I would personally choose UF. It's a really great school, Gainesville is a cute college town, and from what I've heard, the program is extremely competitive to get into (so congrats!!!) Nova seems like a great program too, but it's definitely a lot more expensive and I've heard a lot of complaints about that from people I know who go there for grad school. Cost of living will also be much higher since it's in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. When I was researching Nova, it also seemed like their program is a year longer than other specialist programs, if that matters to you. They're definitely both good choices though, so good luck!!!

I'm having such a hard time deciding which School Psychology EdS program to attend. I've lived in Boston for the past 6 years and loved Northeastern's program on the interview day/could really see myself there, but they have zero assistantships or scholarships--so I'd likely have to take out at least $40,000 in loans over the 2 years (in addition to $22,000 in loans I already have from undergrad). I recently found out school psychologists qualify for a government loan forgiveness program after 10 years, so maybe this wouldn't be as terrible as I'm thinking, although I REALLY don't want anymore loans. Not to mention the price of living in Boston. I loved University of Delaware when I visited as well, but it's very far from where I'm from and my family (and friends), so I'm mostly hesitant about the location. But this program does seem to have a VERY good reputation in the field, and I'm confident it would prepare me really well. They're also great about funding, and even though I haven't gotten an assistantship yet, everyone has in the past for about a 50% tuition waiver and a stipend of ~ $16,000 a year. I wish I could just transplant this program in Boston. I'm also nervous because I currently don't drive/have my license (although I know how to drive), but I would definitely have to buy a car/insurance to go there, which is an extra expense to think about there. Don't really know much about William and Mary's reputation in the field, but I also liked it. They are also good about funding as well, but the same car situation would apply there too. Curious if anyone knows anything about these programs! Or if anyone has any advice in general. I don't want to pick a program largely for its location (but it would be nice to be where I already have a support system), and I'm also wondering if the debt is doable for this field.

Hey guys, I need some help deciding between EdS programs! My first choice is likely too expensive, but I was wondering if anyone knows anything about William and Mary and University of Delaware. I know people made some comments earlier on this forum that Delaware is a really great specialist program, and I got that vibe as well from my interview, but I was wondering how people know that (since the programs don't rank). Is there a difference in reputation/is it that important? They're both accredited so they are probably similar, but it's hard to tell. 2 weeks till decision time--eek!

I did contact the school-- I said they were my first choice, asked if students had been accepted off the wait-list in the past, and let him know I did have other schools to decide on by April 15th. I got a very nice email back from the director saying people had definitely been accepted off the wait-list in the past and that he hoped it would work out, and that he would keep in the loop as they got more of an idea without jeopardizing my acceptances at other schools. I was hoping I'd find out exactly where I was on the wait list, but I didn't directly ask that. I still think it's worth contacting them for sure though, especially if the school is one of your top choices! Exactly Why can't more schools be good about funding at the specialist level?!

I've also been wondering if any schools are better than others (besides being NASP accredited, since I only applied to schools that are). I got into Northeastern as well and think that's where I'd be happiest.. partly because I live in Boston now and want to stay here. But money is a huge factor for me, and I'm not happy they offer no assistantships to their specialist students. I hate this happiness vs. cheap debate going on in my head haha.

If you're wait-listed somewhere, is it appropriate to ask your position on the wait list? Or how many people if any have gotten off the wait list in the past? I have no idea how this works, but I'm now wait-listed at 2 places and in their email they said they would know by the end of the day on April 15th or the 16th (what?!), so I want to know if I have any chance of getting in. I don't know if I should decide now between my 2 current acceptances and let one of those schools know, or wait until that last day and hold out. One of the wait-list schools is my top choice.

I don't know if anyone applied/interviewed at Tufts, but does anyone know the chances of getting off the waitlist there?! It was my favorite after interviewing so I'm pretty bummed :/

I'm actually in a similar boat (for EdS programs). I'm still waiting to hear back from half of my schools, but with my 2 choices right now.. one of them is where I currently live and was my favorite program after interviewing, but they offer NO funding/assistantships and it's in an expensive city already. The other one is a really great program and everyone gets an awesome assistantship, but I'm hesitant about its location and moving my life. MEHHH I wish money wasn't a factor, but it unfortunately is probably one of the biggest for me.

I had my last interview yesterday (woohoo, finally)! At the interview, I had an individual interview with someone who attended the program 7 years ago (she isn't a part of the faculty, but apparently has been doing interviews for the last few years since I guess they don't have enough faculty to individually interview everyone). I wanted to send her a thank you email but can't locate her email since she isn't a part of the faculty. Should I just email the director of the program, even though I didn't get a chance to meet with him individually? Or should I ask him/someone for her email? This is my first choice program right now, so I want to leave the best impression!

I interviewed at a program on Friday (so 5 days ago). Do you think it's too late to send a thank you email? I'm not sure if it's worse to send one so long after or to not send one at all? Thoughts?

Yep the three schools I have one at all told me a writing exercise would be included, but I still don't like it haha.. isn't that what the GRE AND your personal statement are for?! The one I already had did have a writing prompt (sorry if I wasn't clear in my last post), but I think the one I have today is going to be a response to an article.

For those of you that had a writing test as part of your interviews, do you have any tips or topic ideas? I've had one interview with a writing prompt so far and spent so much time trying to think of a good idea that I kinda messed it up. Writing is one of my strengths, but I HATE timed writings haha. And I'm getting nervous cause my last 2 interviews have them too!

I got invited for an interview at University of Central Florida in a couple weeks, but I know someone that got an interview there almost 2 months before me so it does seem like they're doing it on a rolling basis since their final app deadline isn't until March. I'm also probably not attending the interview since (as I mentioned earlier in this forum) the interview is only 15 minutes and flights are very expensive, and the program won't do a phone or Skype interview. Good luck with your other schools!

For my EdS interviews so far, I wore a black pencil skirt, blouse, gray blazer, tights, and flats, and I felt like I was appropriate compared to everyone else! One of my interview days was almost all EdS applicants, and everyone was dressed similar to me (some less so, with a cardigan instead of a blazer, etc.), but my other interview day had mostly PhD applicants and I did notice they were dressed slightly more formally- almost all matching black pants/skirt suits.

Who also applied to University of Central Florida that posted on the results search?! I'm deciding whether to go to this interview because it's only 15 mins with no opportunity to meet current grad students/tour and I'm coming from Boston with very expensive flights.. They don't seem to offer a skype or phone interview either. Ugh.

Yep I've had 2 so far! I think I posted on page 7ish of this thread with some of the questions they asked, but it's somewhat the same as PhD questions except that there's no questions about research. They asked about strengths, weaknesses, how you handle stress/conflict/working with others (with specific examples).. and I did get one scenario question about what I would do in a certain situation as a school psychologist. But the main questions are of course "Why school psych?" and why their program is a good fit for you and vice versa. Good luck!!

I just got accepted to the University of Delaware!!! Wasn't expecting that and was honestly thinking I'd be happy with a waitlist but AHHH so so relieved!

Just got a Tufts invite too! Woohoo!

Also applied to Tufts and haven't heard back yet!

Does anyone know if UMass Boston offered interviews for their EdS program yet? I know they had PhD interviews, so getting nervous that I haven't heard back!

What are your thoughts on sending thank you emails after an interview? My interview was on Friday, so I'm not sure if it's too late now either :/