MyDogHasAPhD

I asked Dr. Norcross this question at the EPA conference last year (Dude who wrote all the "getting into x psychology program handbooks") and he said your older age is actually viewed as GOOD thing. More maturity, history of demonstrated professional work ethic, more serious about your career goals, etc. etc. I also worry about this. I am 28, seems pretty hopeless I'll be getting into a program this time around. For me, it's more of a personal thing for not wanting to get my PhD started after 30. I'd like to have kids and think it will be quite difficult to do so if I am in a program, although I know many have done it.

I also believe that the rep of your undergrad university does hold some weight. I had a professor basically tell me that because I go to a relatively unheard of state school, that I'd really need to stand out to even make it through the first round of cuts at some of the more prestigious programs. A friend of mine with lower GREs, GPA, and far less research experience went to Yale for his undergraduate degree and ended up with three interviews and an acceptance into three PhD programs for Clinical, one of which was Arizona State, because one of his letter writers was an ASU Psych PhD grad. This is all one big game, I am starting to realize.

Thank you guys. This whole forum has really helped me through this whole process and it also makes me feel better to know I am not alone. Other than re-taking my GRE, I have no idea what else I could possibly do differently and I can't stomach the thought of going deeper into debt for a Master's tuition. I have cried more than I want to admit today.. thank goodness for good friends and good support and fellow applicants like yourselves.

And...another rejection. This time at my top school that I interviewed with. This seriously is the worst thing I have ever gone through. Gonna have to dust myself off and keep trying I guess. One more school to hear from... damn GREs. DAMN YOU.

For Clinical. Not Social. I applied to their prevention track. It was on my "My ASU" account today. Bummed.

My back up plan is to get my Masters in Public Health, IF i decide to get my masters. It's a big IF because I'm not getting any younger (almost 28) and I'd like to eventually have a life someday.

LOL I know. I don't want to come across as grasping at straws. I just know that IF I were to be accepted at the one particular program, being a TA would be a big part of my job and I previously had no TA experience.

Hey all. I just got offered a TA position for Psych 101 at my undergrad institution. Would this be something that I should let the two POIs that I have been in contact with who have shown significant interest in me know about? I am not sure if it matters since it is presently occurring and not something I've completed quite yet. I've heard mixed feedback on this so I wanted to hear your thoughts. Thanks!

Oh! I also applied to Comm-Clinical at University of South Carolina. I am assuming rejection. Haven't heard anything and apparently interview invites have already gone out.

Not sure it's *technically* community, but there's a pretty big emphasis on community psychology within the curriculum.. Applied to the PhD Psychology in the Public Interest at NC State, which you knew already, Journey! Still impatiently awaiting a word of some kind.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fWyzwo1xg0 This song just keeps playing my mind....

I can totally relate to the posts about the financial burden of applying. I actually had a lengthy conversation with my letter writers about this and his view was that it is actually a way to keep those in lower SES out of the application pool. Granted, he's a social psychologist! So take that for what it is. But I will say that just the financial nightmare that applying put me through alone was enough to deter me from doing this again. I am still recovering and will be for quite sometime. Between taking my GRE FOUR TIMES in the span of 5 months, sending the scores, sending the fees, GRE tutoring and prep courses, it killed any savings I remotely had. I guess it's the game we have to play though. I hope to whatever higher power that I do not have to go through this again but I am starting to realize if that's the case, I wouldn't be alone. Seems it does take a few application seasons to get it right. I have two schools left, one I had an unofficial interview with nearly two weeks ago and haven't heard anything, and one that the application was due last week so I will be waiting a while there. My poor nerves are shot, as I am sure everyone else's are as well. This whole process is a true test of tenacity and I commend all of us for going through it. Not only is the process it's self tedious, but getting to the point where you're a viable applicant is no easy feat. Rejections or not, we still all should be proud.

Over 600 applicants... sheesh.

Just got a rejection from University of Michigan P&SC. Sad but it was expected. Sigh....

Up my research alley! I'm interested in how risky sexual behaviors are used as maladaptive coping mechanisms in minority adolescents. I'm particularly interested at developing intervention and prevention programs geared toward adolescent minority populations with historically higher HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy rates. Secondary interests include how social cognition and implicit bias influence intergroup relations and also how stigma infiltrates into structural institutions.

Last week it was excited anxiousness. This week it's worrisome anxiousness. However, hearing that everyone seems to be aboard the waiting ship along with me doesn't make me feel as much existential dread. No, but really. This is getting ridiculous...

I also applied to two clinical. I've assumed they're rejections at this point. I am still holding on to hope for my social programs. According to history, I should hear a definitive something this week. I start classes again next week. It will be a welcomed distraction at this point.

Ugh. Life is hard.

I would totally be okay with even a rejection at this point from SOMEWHERE just so I can stop obsessively checking my application status and my emails. I think the problem is we are on a forum surrounded by clinical people who are interviewing now and have heard something. Seems like social psych takes their precious time...Maybe this whole thing is one giant test!! Darn psychologists....

That does make sense in this situation too, now that I think about it. I suppose it also means we are still in the running for a spot? I sure hope so. I am slowly beginning to lose hope. I haven't heard an official peep from any of my programs yet. I am starting to feel uneasy...

Hey! Can the person who got accepted into social psych at University of Michigan message me their POI and let me know if the letter came from their POI or someone else? Thanks!!! And Congrats!

Potential POI who I had a prelim phone interview with last week asked me to send extra materials, which I did and received a reply that she would be back in touch when she knows more about the timeline on her end. Anyone know what in the heck that means??

I saw that too! I didn't apply there but thought it was odd. Perhaps it has something to do with funding availability?

Ain't that the truth? I think I'll just stick with letting the POI that I've been in pretty regular communication with know. She's pretty receptive to email communication and has actually checked in with me a few times so I'm hoping that it will be received well. Maybe I'll skip on the others. Thanks for your input guys!

I swear after this process I'm going to write the unspoken rules for applying to Psych PhD programs. So much uncertainty!