SchoolPsych_NYC

In the end, after reading a lot about how this is a cliche, unoriginal "kiss of death", I decided not to include the quote. At the last minute prior to uploading and submitting, I reworded things. Thanks for the advice, StudyStar!

JUST SUBMITTED MY LAST APPLICATION!!!!!! What a relief! This has been one of the most stressful experiences.. and now I shall wait........ but at least I can enjoy the holidays! I'm sure I won't hear anything until late January or February. Plenty of time to catch up on life Best of luck to all who are waiting on LORs, editing their SOP, or are just about ready to apply!

I was also thinking about this.. besides reapplying, I would probably study harder for the GRE and keep on working full time to save some money. Maybe take on a part time internship or volunteer position.

so...... I wrote to admissions last week as I was uncomfortable about how the letter was submitted and admissions allowed me to have my recommender re-upload the letter on letterhead. Just got the email confirmation that the letter was successfully re-uploaded! Guess letterhead is the preferred way to go! So glad to be able to move on from this and breathe a little bit easier

is there any wiggle room or is this a strict word limit? I inquired with all of the programs I am applying to if they didn't specify a word limit or if the application didn't cut off after a certain amount of words/characters. I know how you feel though, I was informed by St. John's University admissions that statements should be within 300-350 words and the program director wasn't even aware of this and had recalled reading longer ones so if it was a bit more, that was fine. I would say as long as its not longer than a page, you're safe. Unless their apps are strict. I think if you could tie in the 6th and 7th paragraphs, since part of the reason this specific university would suit you is because of the match between you and the faculty (just an assumption here) also, you could choose to highlight only one of your experiences, since your resume can speak for itself, though you did mention you were doing that. Also, weave your background and your bachelors together, unless your background in your prospective masters field began prior to your bachelors, so the first and second paragraph can also be combined and shortened. I started with a statement of 1250 words and am submitting a 615 word exact page essay. A lot can be saved for the interview (as many have advised me) though I can relate to the anxiety of "but what if I don;t even get an interview?!" Best of luck

Hmm... My SOP actually begins with a quote from Dr. Seuss, but not from his books.. something he noted on how children view the world. So funny you should cite Seuss as a cliche intro-- from all the feedback I've received, the use of that quote really captures the readers attention and is very relevant to my desire to pursue a career in school psychology. I think if a quote is used properly, it can really add something to the statement.

This is true, and sad... guess I'm over it at this point.

Yes, its one of those. Guess I justify his having a university email and that speaking for itself.. Just so crazy to witness the evolution of technology replacing snail mail with digital correspondence. An email domain and "signature" is the new letterhead.. call me old fashioned, but the times are changing!

So funny how quickly things are becoming outdated! I am finding it very hard to agree here that letterhead means nothing in this context, or altogether. University email address or not, I still think that the letterhead makes the letter appear more professional. Anyone could forge a signature and submit a form! The thread on here about a student who was asked to create an email in his profs name and upload it himself-- its stuff like this that only reassures me the letterhead is what sets apart my layman document from an official letter. Moving on from all this... I am hoping for the best.

Thanks, iphi, for the suggestion. I did make a new thread there and was pretty much told to just let it go... I don't think I am overreacting here but maybe the anxiety of the application process is getting to me and I am starting to nitpick..

Trying to breathe! applying to grad school has been extremely stressful so I'll breathe when this is all over.. I'm sure most of TGC community will agree about the high anxiety of this process. Maybe its a molehill to you, but to me its my future and chance at a career. Really don't want to apply all over again... especially for situations out of my hands!

I'm sure there are ways to legitimize a letter if they are unsure of its authenticity, but I do not want to be in that kind of situation! I don't want my application red flagged because my internship supervisor thinks letterhead is just for aesthetic purposes! What a LAME excuse! I guess at this point, I just have to trust that it wont be an issue, but you would think it's common sense to put a recommendation letter on letterhead! A document is not official unless its on letterhead! Imagine having your doctor write you a prescription on a piece of loose leaf paper and you hand it to your pharmacist... oh but it has their signature so its legit, right?! WRONG. without the script including their license # and letterhead, I highly doubt the pharmacy would fill it. SAME GOES FOR MY LETTER. Sorry for the caps lol I am just very insulted by his defense.

I posted this in a psychology thread, but maybe you guys can help me better here! I had assisted in developing a letter for one of my recommenders and was provided with an unofficial copy prior to his uploading. However, something told me that this person would just be uploading directly from microsoft word, no university letterhead or anything, just his signature. I emailed to thank him for uploading but also casually asked if it was printed on letterhead. This was his reply: "Frankly letterheads are mostly a cosmetic element. We have provided numerous recommendation letters to other individuals who have been part of our project in the past and have not received any negative feedback about this. There is a process for authenticating your references which is very thorough. In the end, you will be judged on substance so I would not dwell on it too much." I am uncomfortable with all of this, given that I know from experience and common sense, a letter of recommendation is only considered valid with a signature on official university, organization, or company letterhead. So I have emailed admissions to clarify, but just wanted to gauge an opinion on here, if anyone has also been in this kind of situation. I know some of you may say you didn't even get to see your letters and some things are better left unknown... sigh

thank you for this link!!

I see your point, however not waiving is only useful if you've been accepted to the school and as a student will have access to your personal file which will include your application and letters. I mentioned I didn't waive but adcomms don't know I helped to write the letters-- I only chose not to waive so that my recommenders would feel comfortable sharing a copy of their letter post upload for my own records. Also, you said it doesn't technically reflect upon my app.. I may be naive here but I am taking what the app says sincerely: "You may waive your right of access to this specific report if you so choose. Your decision to waive or not to waive your right of access will have no bearing on the handling of your application." Regardless, my recommender is being stubborn and it's getting a little ridiculous. It's obvious to him now my trust in his reference is broken.. :/

Actually, whether you waive or not, it has no reflection upon your application (or at least thats what the application says when you choose to either waive or not to waive) But I hear you, I'm sure they will reach out if they are unsure of the authenticity. I am also surprised by my recommender's defense, citing that the letterhead is for aesthetic purposes?! if that was the case, a signature is just for show too and any lamen could upload! wtf...

I posted this in the School Psych thread, but also gonna post here.. So I did not waive my right to access any of my applications. I had assisted in developing a letter for one of my recommenders and was provided with an unofficial copy prior to his uploading. However, something told me that this person would just be uploading directly from microsoft word, no university letterhead or anything, just his signature. I emailed to thank him for uploading but also casually asked if it was printed on letterhead. This was his reply: "Frankly letterheads are mostly a cosmetic element. We have provided numerous recommendation letters to other individuals who have been part of our project in the past and have not received any negative feedback about this. There is a process for authenticating your references which is very thorough. In the end, you will be judged on substance so I would not dwell on it too much." I am uncomfortable with all of this, given that I know from experience and common sense, a letter of recommendation is only considered official with a signature on university, organization, or company letterhead. So I have emailed admissions to clarify, but just wanted to gauge an opinion on here, if anyone has also been in this kind of situation. I know some of you may say you didn't even get to see your letters and some things are better left unknown... sigh

So I did not waive my right to access any of my applications. I had assisted in developing a letter for one of my recommenders and was provided with an unofficial copy prior to his uploading. However, something told me that this person would just be uploading directly from microsoft word, no university letterhead or anything, just his signature. I emailed to thank him for uploading but also casually asked if it was printed on letterhead. This was his reply: "Frankly letterheads are mostly a cosmetic element. We have provided numerous recommendation letters to other individuals who have been part of our project in the past and have not received any negative feedback about this. There is a process for authenticating your references which is very thorough. In the end, you will be judged on substance so I would not dwell on it too much." I am uncomfortable with all of this, given that I know from experience and common sense, a letter of recommendation is only considered official with a signature on university, organization, or company letterhead. So I have emailed admissions to clarify, but just wanted to gauge an opinion on here, if anyone has also been in this kind of situation. I know some of you may say you didn't even get to see your letters and some things are better left unknown... sigh

Anyone out there writing their SOP? St. John's University expects personal statements to be around 350 words. They don't disclose this online, but I was informed by the director of admissions. I'm curious to know if anyone else is in the same boat. 350 words seems like barely two paragraphs..

ugh sad but true. We have a long way to go... but at least we're on our way!

just submitted one of my apps! the rest are on hold as I am waiting on my LORs to be uploaded by my recommenders. The app I just submitted requires letters to be mailed, so my job was done there. Feels good to be a quarter of the way done with the app process! Just 3 more apps to submit by next month. Who else cant wait until this process is over with?!

Hey guys! I started a thread for 2014 applicants! this one is from 2013-2014..

AMEN!!!! This is like my mantra! I am constantly convincing myself that my GPA, field/intern/volunteer/research/clinical experience, LORs and SOP are all strong enough to overthrow my low GRE score.. Good to know there are more of us out there that shine in other ways than on standardized tests! cheers to us, the little guys

Thanks! I did do that two weeks ago.. I mentioned I would be happy to draft something since it had been a few years since we worked together. You're LOR writer seems more reachable than mine. I will give it another two weeks...

Hey guys-- I posted this in the forum for LORs, but haven't received any replies.. maybe someone is alive in this group lol To quote myself: I interned under the supervision of a clinical psychologist almost 2 and a half years ago. When finishing up my internship, we discussed the topic of a LOR. I have since stayed in touch with him via email, sending him a few updates here and there about where I am currently working, my graduate school plans etc. Last Christmas, I wished him a happy holiday and reminded him I would be reaching out in the coming fall for some LORs, so he should expect to hear from me then. He acknowledged with a reply, and thats the last I have heard from him! I sent out my first round of emails to my LOR writers in late September. It has now been four weeks and all have replied except for him. However, the online application generated an automatic email alerting him of the request for a LOR with a confirmation link to access the application site. On my end, I am able to see that he has accessed at least one of these links. I guess its safe to assume he received the emails and is still able to commit to writing these letters, but a simple reply to my email would also be nice! I understand his schedule may be too hectic to reply, but it also makes me wonder if he still has the time to even write a LOR... I sent him a followup email two weeks ago while I was editing my SOP and mentioned I was including a paragraph on my internship experience. I asked if he needed any assistance in developing the letters since it has been some time since we worked together.. no reply... he had previously given me his cell # one day when I was going to be in his office while he was not in, but we have never corresponded via cell. I don't feel comfortable leaving him a voice mail on his office line, which is really for prospective patients and current patients. I think as of mid November, if I still haven't heard, I will give him a call. I gave all my LOR writers a deadline of mid December, prior to the holidays. I don't really have a back up person to ask. I mean I do, but if I ask another person, their letter wont be as compelling, given my experience with the person described above. What should I do?