SchoolPsych_NYC

I am in the exact same situation! 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 more than three 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 confirmed and has access to the site. 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 last week 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 November, if I still haven't heard, I will have to 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?

For anyone who will be applying to the PD (Professional Diploma/Advanced Certificate) in School Psychology at Fordham University, I just found out as of last year, they no longer offer the MSEd in Preschool Psychology, as the faculty member who ran the program is also no longer with Fordham. Instead, students are required to earn an MSEd in either Therapeutic Interventions, Educational Evaluation and Intervention, or The Psychology of Bilingual Students (separate from the Bilingual extension for the PD, and bilingualism is not a requirement of the MSEd in bilingual students). Handbooks, department bulletins, and the programs information and webpage do not disclose the information about the obsolete program and still lists it as an MSEd option. I just had to revise the focus of my SOP because I was set on applying to the PD program and specializing in preschool assessment and intervention. Just wanted to put the word out there for anyone who was not aware.. I was at their open house earlier this year and no mention of this was ever made, even after I expressed interest in the preschool MSEd..

taken from the application: "Please submit a statement of approximately 500 to 1000 words..." I interpreted "approximate" as a ballpark #. I am only over 1000 words by a paragraph of 200 words, and with the program coordinator's permission, this is just fine. I doubt I would have inquired if it was worded as "maximum".

you bring up a good point about IRB protocol.. this is very true. However, just received a phone call from the coordinator who reassured me that submitting my PS as is will be just fine. Thank goodness I don't have to edit anymore! I understand what you are saying though regarding following directions and how this makes me look to adcoms.. definitely need to work on being a less thorough writer!

Anybody have any advice on personal statement word count maximums? I wanted to know if anyone has any experience with strict or flexible adcom requirements.. I am applying to a program where the approximate word count is specified to be between 500-1000 words. I have edited over and over again, eventually reducing by 80 words, but I am at 1,196 right now and am very happy with this version. I have emailed/left a voice mail with the coordinator of the program since admissions couldn't answer my question. I know some programs won't even look at your SOP/PS if it is beyond their word limit. Just wondering if I should chance it and submit anyway, given that it is almost 200 words over the limit or keep editing ( ) until I am within the 950-1000 range? I should mention out of the programs I am applying to, this is my last choice..

This is true. I am very punctual lol only one of the Eds/MA/MS.MSEd programs I am applying to has a deadline of January 15. Everything else is either March, May or rolling. However, all schools interview between February-March, with an April 15 decision day so I wanted to get my stuff in before Christmas so I could rest easy and enjoy the holidays. Hope this thread doesn't get lost in cyberspace. But you are probably right, iphi, things should pick up in a few months. We shall see!

I hope this thread takes off too! I wonder where all my fellow applicants are?? Maybe towards the end of this month after the Psych GRE, more people will post. Back to editing my SOP.... :/

I am also interested in pediatric neuropsychology! school neuropsychology overlaps a bit, but I never see myself going towards the clinical direction.. However, I have heard that more and more specialist/masters level programs are pushing for additional training in neuropsych.

Hey guys! I have been following these forums since undergrad and now it's my turn to apply after a few gap years. All of you Fall 2015 School Psychology (Masters/Doctoral) applicants, curious to hear where you are applying! I am applying to four masters/specialist programs in NYC: St. John's University (only program requiring the GRE) Fordham University Adelphi University Long Island University: Brooklyn Very excited about submitting my apps! Currently working on my SOP. Anyone ever been asked to draft their own LOR? This is something I am facing at the request of one of my professors..