schoolpsycher

Congrats!! I just had my first EdS interview today (eeeek), and they asked why you want to be a school psychologist, what you would bring to the field, your strengths, weaknesses, why you like their specific program, etc. I had also prepared for more specific questions about the field and current issues in school psych, but they really only wanted to know that you had a solid general understanding of a school psychologist's role, what you are like, and whether you are a fit for the program. There were no questions about research at all. Hope this helps!

I only applied to EdS programs this year, so I can try to answer this a bit. The EdS degree is in between a masters and PhD. From what I've heard about school psych programs, if you want to go the PhD route, it's better to apply directly to PhD programs because it's very difficult to transfer credits from MA/EdS programs. However, I did find a school (University of Florida) that has both a EdS and PhD program, and they said every year 1-3 students switch from their EdS program into the PhD one, and since it's within the same school the credits easily transfer. So maybe in cases where a school has both programs, it's easier to continue on. I would just email schools that have both to ask. You're right about funding. PhD's are almost always funded, but EdS programs are rarely. I've found 2 EdS programs that have been fully funded in the past, but I think they might be the only couple that are. There does seem to be the opportunity for assistantships for EdS students everywhere I applied though! And I had actually inquired about Columbia, and they said they hardly ever offer funding to EdS students, but their PhD's are generally 50% funded. Let me know if you have more questions!

AHHH CONGRATS!!!! Since some of you have started interviews, any more advice? I know PhD's are a little different that EdS interviews, but my first one is approaching in a week-ish and I'm pretty nervous! I just ordered Dr. Branstetter's book.. but I'm just wondering what kind of questions they ask or if anyone has any overall tips?

I'm also starting to get stressed about scheduling interviews and missing work! One of my interviews offered a Monday or a Thursday, and I picked Monday so that I'd only have to miss 2 days of work, but they responded saying there's an overabundance of people that day and asked if it's possible for me to come on Thursday instead. I'd have to miss 2.5 or 3 days of work if I go then (factoring in travel time), so do you think it's okay to respond and say I really need Monday? Or should I just say okay? I don't want to hurt my chances, but I'm a preschool teacher and only get sick days off, so I don't want to use that many days on my first interview. :/

Congrats!! I applied for the EdS program there, but didn't hear back yet. But I did get an interview at University of Delaware today (super surprised because it's only 2 days after I submitted my app)!

Just got an interview at Lehigh too!! So relieved after a stressful day finishing my apps! Congrats to everyone too

I just submitted an application and under my employment history, I put that I worked at my current job from 9/2012 to 1/2013 (when I meant 2014). I even checked a box that I still currently work there, so hopefully they'll figure it out, but I just wanted to know if I should email admissions to correct it?

Same here - decided not to answer that question!

So my last few applications due this week require that you upload official copies of your transcripts instead of mailing them. I don't have a scanner so I tried going to Staples (who told me they can't scan official transcripts) and Kinkos (where I used a self-service scanner). I spent $10 at Kinkos trying to scan my transcripts over and over because none of them were legible! In most cases, the titles of the transcript were perfectly clear, but my grades and everything were really blurry in random spots. On one of my actual transcripts, the grades are so small and unclear even before I scan it. I have no idea if I just didn't try the right settings or resolution, but any help would be really appreciated!

I'm applying to School Psychology EdS programs, and one of my schools asks for "Professional Certifications" on the application. This might be a dumb question, but what kinds of certifications are they looking for? It's on a supplementary form for all of their Health Sciences programs. I'm a certified preschool teacher by Massachusetts Early Education and Care, but I have no idea if I can include that there. Thanks!

That's awesome, congrats!! I just got an email inviting me to register for an "Open House" at one of the schools, but I haven't heard back about interviews or anything. But the date of the Open House is after their application deadline, so that seems a little weird. Seriously hoping for good news!

I'm glad I'm not the only one!! It's so ridiculous. I've only had one deadline so far (Dec 15th), and I actually think I probably won't get in because 2 of my recommendations were late and my transcripts were floating around in the main admissions office (although those did get to the school on time). They also magically found everything while I was on the phone with them after me calling back and forth between admissions and the department every day for DAYS. It seems like, especially at huge schools, they're pretty disorganized this time of year and things get lost on the way from admissions to the actual department. I'm nervous about the same thing happening at the rest of my schools too. I submitted another application last week, and they actually sent me an email the next day that my application was complete, and I was basically in disbelief that it was so simple that time haha. I'm so sorry this is happening to you too and that your recommender sent the letters late It's so unfair if the schools penalize you for something that's completely out of our control. We can be on top of our recommenders, but we can't literally send it for them! I really hope it doesn't end up affecting you!

I second mcvcm92's question! Also, I've found differing info on this, but how did you guys format your SOPs? Single or double-spaced? The ones I submitted so far were single-spaced, but none of my schools seem to specify (although they have page-limits, so I'm not sure how to interpret that..)

Thanks so much for the information! I had been looking for the UMass residency policy and couldn't find it. I just submitted the application but will email them as well!

Yeah I knew college doesn't count, but since I've been in MA and working there for 2 years post-college, it seems like I fit the description they have? I also did pay Massachusetts Income Tax last year. It's tricky though because I'm applying to Florida grad schools as well and trying to claim residency there at the same time (which I can do since I'm still a dependent and my parents live in Florida).

I wasn't sure where to post this, but I'm currently applying to UMass-Boston for grad school and trying to figure out if I can claim residency for in-state tuition purposes. I am from Florida and lived here my whole life before moving to Massachusetts for college 6 years ago, and I've been there ever since (2 years post-college). On the application, one choice is: "I am at least 18 years of age and have continuously resided in Massachusetts for 12 consecutive months prior to the start of enrollment" which it seems like I fit, but I still have a Florida license, voters ID, etc. However, I have a lease in Boston and filed a Massachustts resident income tax form this year, so I'm unsure what to do.

This might be a stupid question, but I'm just wondering if you should always include why you want to attend that specific school/program in your SOP. One school's question is "A letter of intent describing an understanding of school psychology practice and detailing personal career objectives." Should I include what I like specifically about their program, or only answer what it asks? Also, any ideas on how long an SOP should be if there is no word limit given?

I'm having the same problem. Was emailed the day after the deadline that all 3 recommendations were missing and my transcripts (that I sent a month ago). Called them and they still said all of that stuff was missing, but after 5 CALLS to different offices that same day, they magically found both transcripts and 2 of the recommendations. Seriously so fed up and hoping this doesn't affect my application getting reviewed.

I'm definitely behind most of you, I just submitted my first application tonight! So scary to click submit haha. Only had 1 Dec. deadline though and the rest of mine are January 15th, so the next month isn't gonna be too fun. Good luck everyone

I'm having the same problem on mine that has to be 400-500! I was originally more than 100 words over, but got it down to 562. The guideline says: Submit a 400-500 word essay. The text box accommodates one-and-a-half pages of single-spaced text, so please be mindful of the space remaining in the character counter. The essay cannot exceed the space available in the text box. Mine easily fits in the text box with 1508 characters left, so how focused on the word count do you think they are? Should I still try to cut mine down more? I've heard going over by 10% is the most you should do.

Is the number of core faculty members in a program a sign of how good/bad the program is? I'm applying to EdS degrees in School Psychology and trying to remove a couple schools from my list. One school has 3 core faculty members and one affiliated faculty member vs. another school I was thinking of eliminating that has 7 core faculty and 2 affiliated faculty.

What do you guys think about talking about a professor I would like to do research with in my SOP (under reasons I want to attend this specific school) for the EdS degree? I know that in EdS programs you don't have to do research, but working in a lab is a possibility for a graduate assistantship and I'm very interested in the topics one of the professors in the program works on.

Haha I'm applying to EdS programs and a couple PhDs and I'm also debating eliminating a few.. but I have the same worry! We're probably fine though. Does anyone know anything about William and Mary's EdS program? I recently discovered it and was thinking about applying, but it shows all their admissions statistics on the website and the yield rate isn't that high (they admitted 20 last year and 10 attended, and the year before they admitted 38 and 12 attended).. I'm not sure what's a typical yield rate for these programs but it seems low? Is that a bad sign?

Is research necessary for the EdS? I actually don't have any psychology research experience, but I thought that really only mattered for PhD programs and that the EdS programs care more about applied experience working with kids. I'm sure you have a good chance!

Not really, I'm in MA now so mostly applying to schools here and Florida (where I'm from). UMass Boston is already on my list so that would be awesome if it's funded Thanks!