Domino

I'm flying out for an interview (and staying in a hotel for 2 nights) and unfortunately the cost is on me- booo. But I saved up some moolah for this reason ahead of time knowing that not all programs offer reimbursement. Anyway, I think it's important to visit a place I might move to for the next 5 years and make sure it's a good fit... and if it helps with my chances of acceptance, it'll be worth it!

A huge congrats to you!! I know how you feel as this is my third attempt as well... no acceptances yet, but I have been invited for an interview

I would call or email the program coordinator rather than the POI and explain your situation. They're supposed to help work out issues like this.

I too have heard that most programs prefer NOT to admit their own students for the reasons listed above. That being said, I know multiple students who did get accepted to their alma maters, so obviously it's not set in stone.

I'm loving this plan. Need a road trip buddy?

I've gone through two rounds of rejections now (third year applying... ugh) and in general the rejection notifications I received came so late that it was already obvious I had been rejected. Some of the programs updated my online application with a generic "We're sorry to inform you that we cannot offer you admission at this time..." (and I received an email to notify me when that happened) but even those came in March/April. I received a lot of single-page rejection letters in the mail as well, but those trickled in throughout the late Spring and some even in Summer. In my field, I know that if I haven't been asked to interview by mid-Feb it's pretty much a rejection.

Glad to hear so many of you are planning to reapply if nothing happens this year! This is already my third attempt at getting into graduate school so I think if I don't get in this round, it's time to face facts and come up with a whole new life plan. I have no idea what else I could do since I've been focused on a career in academia and research for so long... it's scary to think about.

I keep having two daydreams about the Committee... in one, a professor runs in with my application, and as he bursts through the doors exclaiming "this is the one!" a shower of confetti explodes from the ceiling and a curtain pulls back to reveal a choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus as the dean wipes a tear from his eye. In the other, the Committee has my application pinned to a wall and are throwing darts at it while laughing.

Oh my goodness I can't tell you how reassuring it is to hear that they haven't made their decisions yet. Thank you for posting this!

Hopefully most of you are receiving interview invitations and acceptances, but for those of you in my boat (no word yet from any program), maybe having an exciting contingency plan could make the sting of potential rejection a little easier. If I don't get accepted anywhere, I think I'll spend the next few months learning Italian and take a trip to Italy. Then I suppose I'll start looking for a new job. Not exactly a long-term solution, but at least it will give me a little something to look forward to What about you?

Many of my applications required that I list at least 3-4 faculty members that I would be interested in working with. I think it's a benefit to match with multiple faculty members, as you may be able to shift around within the program should your research interests/financial support change. If your research interests only match with one professor, the overall program might not be such a good fit. Best of luck with your applications!

Well, I think it's safe to say I'll be checking this thread as compulsively as the Results Search. Oy.

...You keep checking the status of a program's admission decisions only to realize you didn't actually apply to that school this year.

As of now... over $3,000 But that's because I've applied for 3 years in a row, and it's been about $1,000 a year. Makes me sick to think about it...

UNC Charlotte But shhh don't tell the other schools that!

I've been told by my top choice program that they don't even begin the application review process until after winter break. I think that might be true for a lot of Psych programs.

As a third-time applicant (ugh) I'd suggest waiting until February. At least then they can tell you if the first round of interview invitations have gone out. At the end of the day, you're either going to be admitted or not, and you'll find out when and only when they decide to tell you, and calling to ask (especially at this time of year- crazy for most universities) won't help you or them. Just breathe and relax and be patient

I know this isn't the answer you were hoping for, but to be honest it's probably not a good sign if you're already losing motivation after only 3 applications. Graduate school is all about self-motivation, nobody is going to be there to cheer you on. If you're having trouble just motivating yourself to get through the applications, you might want to reconsider getting involved with a graduate program. I know the application process is difficult (I've applied 3 years in a row now) but it's nothing compared to the work that will be required in a program.

I'm on my third attempt as well! As an undergraduate I figured I'd go on to graduate school, but I decided to enter the "real world" after graduating from college to get some experience first. By 2011 I had two years of professional research experience, was published, was resolved in my decision to pursue a graduate education, and decided to apply for PhD programs (Fall 2012 start). I applied to 5 schools... and was rejected from all. I was disappointed, but looking back (of course hindsight is 20/20) my research interests weren't as solidly developed as they should have been, and the schools I chose weren't perfect fits. Lesson learned. I figured another year of professional experience wouldn't hurt, so I reevaluated my research goals and applied again for Fall 2013. 8 schools this time... once again, rejected from all. As you can imagine, by this time I was feeling pretty dejected. The application process was both mentally and financially draining, and it didn't help that as soon as the rejections came through, it was time to start up applications again for the next year. However, as I stepped up to bat for the third year in a row, I decided that I was no longer going to take a hit-the-submit-button-and-wait-for-things-to-happen approach. My third attempt would be my final attempt. It was time to go all in. I had always read up on publications and emailed professors before applying to programs, but this time I decided to go above and beyond. I read books and journal articles and volunteered at a program related to my research interests. I really honed in on exactly what I plan to pursue in graduate school. I "linked" with professors on LinkedIn. I emailed program directors, graduate counselors, graduate students, and professors. And I began to get responses. And then... (and this is where my plan really goes off the road)... I invited myself for an interview. Yes, I invited myself for an interview. I asked a professor if it would be okay to swing by to discuss his work while I was in the area, and he agreed. Unfortunately "in the area" meant buying a plane ticket and flying across the country. But he didnt' need to know that, and I was determined to do anything within my power to get my name out there. Our informal interview turned into an entire afternoon of chatting and touring his lab, and by the end I knew that his program was the perfect place to pursue my graduate application. I was so determined to get involved with this program that I invited myself out once more to meet additional members of the program. Was this an unorthodox approach? Yes. I know that. Was it crazy? Maybe. Was it worth it? I have no idea. I'm still waiting. It was a bold approach born out of a desperate situation, but it was also an incredibly valuable experience. I've learned just how badly I want this. I've learned how to network. And, above all, I have discovered a determination and a confidence I didn't know I possessed. I still have no idea if it will pay off in the end, but at least I know I have tried my hardest and can live with this being my third and final attempt, no matter how things work out