Ceci

Hi All! I was wondering what your experience / advice is for completing a Masters program in hopes to be accepted to a doctoral program (either PsyD or PhD) after. I am reading that it isn't as important to complete a thesis, that some admissions committees don't even look at it or use it as a ruling out. My dilemma is that my GRE's were a cumulative score of 298 (very low) and my undergrad GPA was a 3.46. If I stay in my thesis program I feel my GPA will suffer... as it is already very low (expected to be a 3.25) my first semester. I am afraid that I will not be able to have the best possible GPA if I am working on a thesis and that to better equip myself for applying into a doctoral program to perhaps focus on grades and less on a thesis. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Hi All, Is anyone familiar with what the country of India utilizes in their mental health diagnosing? Do you know if they are one of the countries that utilizes the DSM? Thanks for your help, I have been having lots of issues trying to track down this information.

If your GRE's are low then the rest of your package needs to be SUPER STRONG. Excellent letters of recommendation, strong personal statement, research experience, clinical experience, and excellent undergraduate records. It depends too if you're looking into masters, Ph.D., or Psy.D. programs. For Masters level your current GRE scores may be okay, but for doctoral… you may want to re-take them.

Adela, That would be amazing! Thank you so much!! I know MSW candidates are offered many supervision options with the VA and military, but I have not heard of many for MS Psyc candidates. I really appreciate your assistance!

Hi All! I really would appreciate some advice / guidance. I am currently enrolled in a clinical psychology masters program. I really want to perform my externship in relation to working with military families, etc. However, the VA does not allow masters students to perform supervision, only doctoral candidates. Does anyone have any recommendations on places I can search that will supervise me? My school has no approved externship sites for the military, so I am completely on my own… Thank you so much for any and all of your assistance!

Hi All! I was wondering if I could have some opinions as far as proper updates for advisors that had assisted you during your graduate school application process? I have had one particular advisor that helped me out tremendously, but I am unsure as to how often I should update her? Would you recommend an email every couple months, or so? What recommendations would there be for advisors that you aren't AS close to, but still are very grateful for assisting you during your graduate school admissions process? Thank you very much for your suggesions!

I'd love to be bored... instead I'm running around trying to get everything done and ready for classes... I had to push my move-in date back so I'll be there like a week before classes start. Enjoy your free time!

I have worked for a credit card company for almost three years... I recommend considering how often you actually shop at Target. I toyed around with the idea of opening one, but changed my mind. It depends on how many other cards you have... and always keep in mind when opening new lines of credit it can drop your FICO score when pulled. Another option is their debit card with also gives you % back.

I moved from NV after living there for 15 years. I moved to VA where thing's are much more different than what I ever expected. My recommendation, after living here for a stint of time, is to find group activities that you share a similar interest and participate. For example, if you're really into yoga or other activities try different groups in and around campus.

I also will be a first year grad student and asked myself the same question. It really depends on a lot of different variables. How much did you work during your undergrad? If so, how many credits did you also take during the semester? What were your grades like? Did you feel comfortable with that load? I looked at 20 hour GA's because they usually offer the best benefits as far as tuition reimbursement, etc. But, fortunately I was offered a GA that required less hours because I really want my GPA during my M.S. program to be as high as it can be. Just take into account as many variables as you can and go from there, good luck!

It is super nice they offered some sort of compensation. I flew out to IL for an interview spent over $500 just on the flight and hotel to interview and be declined. What a waste of $.

Thank you! Unfortunately, I think Yale is a bit out of my reach. Along with Vanderbilt and Rice.

I am just trying to remain persistent and see what happens Thanks for the info, guys.

I think it's a super good idea to do, if they're supportive they'll help you out! Unfortunately for me I don't have that option.

I recently emailed the admissions POC and found out I will be automatically placed with someone. I won't have a choice nor will it be based off of research or shared interests... So, I guess my new question is: What to do when you your advisor is placed with you permanently and without the above mentioned?

Wow, thank you all so much for the wonderful information!!

Hi there, Is there anyone with an advice or feedback when it comes time to be paired up with or to select a future advisor? Thank you!

Question about storage units... I'll be going to Loyola University near JHU. Are there any safe areas around Baltimore to store items safely? Perhaps Anapolis?

Since we are familiar with our own locations I thought that we could maybe post safe places near by to consider for storage unit purchasing. Perhaps it will help out anyone moving near by that needs a safe place to store items. Personally, could anyone recommend some super safe storage unit's in / around Baltimore? Is anyone familiar with Cubesmart in Annapolis, MD? Maybe some safe places in Alexandria, VA?

I am super excited, but also nervous. I will be moving out of the house I've lived in for 8 years so there is TONS of junk that I need to get rid of, pack up, and toss out. I also need to obtain an assistantship stat, which has been super challenging. I need to save up as much money as possible, but finding it difficult to take up extra hours when I have a ton of other things that need to be accomplished prior to my move in August. So, I feel you.

Me too!! I wish I could start looking over things right now while I have the time.

Wayfarer, Why don't you, instead, ask your boss about possible transfer opportunities? Questions like... "is it pretty common for an associate to be transferred to another location succesfully?" Depending on that response a follow-up would be like "How would an associate go about that process?" After you dig around and get more information just request a transfer rather than anything else. Typically, if it's a nice manager, he or she will communicate with the store manager in that area and figure something out for you to help ease your transition.

Firstly, I hope a topic like this doesn't exist yet. I was just curious if assistantships for first year graduate students, aside from Ph.D., are typically not awarded? Perhaps do many universities feel that a first year graduate student should focus solely on studies? My department doesn't offer first year's assistantship opportunities, but that we are more than welcome to apply within other departments with vacancies. While I attempt to do this I'm seeing, even though it is only April, that they have been filled. Which leads me to my next question, is networking a key component to obtaining an assistantship? Any advice on assistantship obtainment would be very much appreciated. Thank you all for your time.

I think it really depends on the type of relationship you have with your manager. I told my manager a long time ago that Grad school has always been my goal. So he knew from the day he became my manager, (we have a bit of manager movement here). When I got in I made it clear to him that I would be putting in two week's notice in August. He seemed a bit peeved about it since he was aiding me in job advancement. All in all, I feel it should be understood that when an employee gets into a graduate program the employer should make more of an effort to understand. It's not as if you're leaving for a new employer, this is an honor and very rare. I would just explain those things to your boss, that you're going to be fully committed while still employed. Although, you'll be leaving on X months and handing in your letter of resignation two weeks prior.

Thank you all for the recommendations!!