MarineBluePsy

I agree that there is no right answer.  Your first priority should be your health regardless of what you decide.  Depending on how many programs you plan to apply to (12-15 is common because its competitive) and where they are located (geographically open is strongly recommended) keep in mind that interviews can be anywhere from late November to mid February, which would overlap the last semester of your MS.  Finishing your program, going on interviews, and whatever other responsibilities you have is a lot to manage on top of a chronic illness.  I also would tell anyone applying to Clinical Psych PhD's to have a backup plan regardless of what their application looks like because there's just no way to predict how the application cycle will go.  I'm sure you've seen the threads on here about people applying multiple times despite having publications, years of research experience, and great LORs.  

My research interests don't perfectly align with my advisors and during my application cycle we discussed this.  Essentially we're both interested in the same  broad population, lets suppose that's adolescents.  Their specific focus is therapeutic interventions for adolescents (mostly anxiety and depression) in the community, whereas I am interested in adolescents with severe mental illnesses (mostly assessment and quality of life).  I also made it clear in my application materials and during interviews that I didn't want to just focus on my own thing, but wanted to contribute to their studies as well as those of other lab members and have broad adolescent knowledge and experience as well.  My advisor has successfully mentored a variety of students in the past with adolescent interests that were not a perfect match to theirs and assured me that I could be supported as well.  That has been so far from the truth that my research experience has been miserable.  So ultimately there is no guarantee that everything will end up great regardless of how much fit is discussed.

The job you're describing would be considered clinical experience and would provide you with a lot of general knowledge if you decide you want to work with youth.  Have you already applied for the job and been offered the position?  If not then that would be your first step.  If you're selected for an interview then make it clear that you're a student that is committed to their studies and find out their expectations.  Perhaps they have students work full time in the summer and part time the rest of the year, perhaps its part time all year,  perhaps its only a summer job, etc.  If you're not selected for an interview then it won't matter.  

Assuming this is a stepping stone to a doctoral program, I would also consider research match and opportunities for products (posters and publications).

I don't know anything about the specific programs, but I would take into account cost of living for the area. Living in Muncie is going to be way less expensive than living in DC or Chicago, so that would be a big factor to consider for me !   

Hello,
so I have met with my supervisor. It went pretty well. We've decided together that I'd keep the same research project but that I would broaden the population that I wanted to study. So my target population are women in general, instead of women of a marginalized community. And instead of doing multiple interviews, I'm going to conduct two to three focus groups with workers who intervene with survivors of sexual assault. We believe I should be able to finish it all within a year. It sounds like a good plan to me! 
 
 

You absolutely should! I'm a Latino in the US who majored in French, and the number of times I've been told that I should've majored in Spanish instead is irritating. It's necessary and good to know one's community, but it also broadens one's mind to study other cultures, communities and languages. The background of a researcher should not matter as long as they are acquainted with a subject or field.
It's also sort of a microaggression that you are expected to represent just your community. Other people are never questioned when they decide to study communities other than their own, yet for some, minority students are supposed to just study their own communities? It makes no sense! We all have a right to express our intellectual curiosity in any way we like.
That specific 'criticism' is shallow, and you should not pay much attention to it.

So, I've been thinking on this since I first read your original post. I'm wondering why, if you're so invested in this topic and have gotten grant money for it, you aren't trying to think about ways to address the critiques of your committee to build a stronger, feasible project. If I were you, I would meet with the two representatives of the community (the one who was at the meeting and the one who wasn't) and talk to them about how you can do your project in such a way that it addresses their concerns and (ideally) meets some of their needs as well. That is, what do they think you would need to do to have closer ties with the community? Could you volunteer alongside the workers and incorporate that into your research design in some way, for example? 
Second, you need to speak to your committee rather directly about why they think the only appropriate community for you to study is one you are already a part of. I'm not sure about your field but there is tons of scholarship where people write about communities they aren't a part of. I mean, that's the foundation of anthropology to some degree. There has been a great deal of pushback against that more recently but, that also doesn't mean people have to exclusively study those of the same ethnicity as them. Or, to be more blunt, if that were the case, a whole lot of white academics would have to stop what they're doing immediately and start studying white people instead of all the other things they study. I highly recommend that you read up on this and prepare them a short memo explaining why you chose this community to study and why it is perfectly valid to study a community besides the black one. Be prepared, have references, etc. This goes for the question of why you'd study sexual violence when you haven't experienced it too.
Third, go back to what it is that you got you interested in this topic in the first place. What are the questions that you wanted to know? Is there another way to approach answering these such that you meet your own intellectual curiosity while also addressing the concerns of your committee? 
Good luck!

This is disgusting.
My normal position is that I usually advocate for the freedom for people to make their own choices and decisions that reflect their priorities and goals. The main reason I would stray from this position is if doing so would cause more harm than good. This is a case where I would make an exception to my normal position.
I would never accept these ridiculously exploitative labour conditions. Furthermore, I would not only make this choice for myself, but I would actively discourage anyone I knew from making such a decision. Doing so harms the entire academic labour workforce, in my opinion. 
The fact that this school has already put out this "job" ad only further strengthens my resolve that all academic labour should be unionized and protected. With a proper collective agreement, it should not be possible for the University to hire someone outside of the union to do union-protected work (i.e. if the school wants a worker to do faculty-like work, then they must confer the same benefits and protections to the worker as they would a faculty member, even if it's temporary). 

There is no pleasing people like that and in my experience it is better to direct your attention elsewhere.  Every group needs allies and every group needs to be studied.  The more willing everyone is to learn about those who are different the more inclusive our world will become.  Idealistic I know....but a girl can dream.....

There is no pleasing people like that and in my experience it is better to direct your attention elsewhere.  Every group needs allies and every group needs to be studied.  The more willing everyone is to learn about those who are different the more inclusive our world will become.  Idealistic I know....but a girl can dream.....

Congrats on your acceptance!  The experience of moving alone and then living alone will be whatever you make of it.  I decided it would be an adventure and so far it still is.  For the actual move I would say safety first.  Do not have your car packed to the brim as you drive and stop to gas up or for the night.  I packed my trunk before I left and didn't open it again until I arrived at my final destination and kept the interior of my car empty.  Everything I could possible need for the trip fit into my large purse or I just went without it.  I only stopped for gas/food at well lit places with lots of foot traffic and overnight stays were in well known cities (nothing off the beaten path) and in busy neighborhoods.  I strongly suggest a separate navigation system because some parts of our country still don't have great cell reception and you won't know that until you're there.  Satellites don't seem to have that problem.  Also have music, road trip snacks, and wear compression socks.
I have enjoyed living alone because my space is how I want it at all times.  I don't have to bother with anyone else's mood, stuff, or irritating habits.  I work from home most days, can easily unwind here, and if I don't feel like cleaning up (I'm not a slob or anything lol) then no one is here to complain about it.  I am very outgoing so I just go out to socialize regularly.  It is really easy to get overwhelmed by all of the school stuff there is to do and feel like there isn't time to have fun, but when you combine that with spending a ton of time home alone its a recipe for disaster.  I have found it really helpful to plan social outings in advance.  For example I'll buy a ticket to an event 3 months away or book a trip for spring break months in advance.  This way every month there is something fun happening and even if day of I'm tired and have a zillion things to do I'm going because I committed and can't stand to waste money.

@Adelaide9216 I read that thread, and I thought that comment to you was somewhere between microaggression and straight-up aggression. No matter the identity of the person saying it, I think "you should just study your own [not straight-white-cis-male] community"* is wrong and essentializing to scholars of color, female scholars, etc.
*I have heard of communities that cannot be ethically studied by outsiders, or certain kinds of outsiders. Sure. However, that only requires saying, "you can't study us, I would suggest you find some other topic." And that is a VERY different statement than, "you can't study us, you should just go study other black people because you're black."
Although I am white, this 'mining your trauma' is something I have been very angry about as it pertains to me as a queer, disabled woman. Most of the time, I would prefer my work just stood on its own, you know? I don't want to have to talk about just the degree of trauma being queer caused in my family relationships or whatever to get into graduate school. It often feels like, or is actually, required, however.

I'd recommend getting a parent or another reliable adult to co-sign. It's stupid because you clearly have enough money, but the semester-to-semester basis of most grad stipends is not "stable" enough for banks to consider it income. Although, they can't protect against someone buying a house and then both people getting fired from their job the day after they close. I've heard it is recommended you stay in a house for at least 5 years for it to be a worthwhile investment. Also...be prepared for EVERYTHING to break in your first year! Have a nest egg of at least $10,000 left for unexpected repairs.

I'm not sure I can offer any advice, but just wanted to say you're not alone.  I'm still at the master's thesis stage in my program, but I too have an unsupportive advisor and it isn't getting better.  I've gotten advice for several others and unfortunately I'm just stuck.  Perhaps because you're so close to the end your department will be more willing to assist you.  I also think you can take some solace in that this is almost over.  I know that's easier said than done, but its still true.  

Quite true! I'll also note that if you plan on going into academia, you may find yourself living in a city/town you don't like early in your career. It definitely gives one motivation to publish, get grants, etc., in an effort to obtain a new job in a location you find more desirable. Traveling out of the area on a regular basis (whether that's once a month, once every 8 weeks, etc.) can also be a way to make a location you don't like more tolerable.

Just because you're at a bar doesn't mean you have to drink. Similarly, just because something is happening at a bar, doesn't mean you should skip it.* A couple of my close friends in grad school are non-drinkers. They would come to departmental happy hours and other events in bars but drink club soda, Shirley Temples, juice, or soda. 
FWIW, in my experience, you go through this same struggle to find friends every time you move, whether you're in graduate school or not. So developing ways to deal with it now will serve you well throughout the rest of your life.
*Caveat: If you have a history of alcohol abuse, consult with a professional before putting yourself into that environment.

Yes- I'm planning on doing some solo travel during the summer. I think it just comes down to doing the social things I want and hoping to meet people along the way
I have a few people in mind that I'll reach out to. 
 
I'm feeling better about this. thanks.

I also echo the suggestion of taking your social life off campus.  I'm also an ethnic minority in a department and town that lack diversity.  Campus life isn't my thing so I do things off campus all the time.  Meetup, going to the gym, scouring local event sites and papers, and volunteering have all been helpful.  I don't have a tight crew, but there are people who notice if they haven't heard from me in awhile, will reach out if there's a blizzard, and are up for the occasional outing.  If you want to go on a trip, then go.  I have done more solo travel since starting my program than I ever did before and I've learned I really enjoy it.  I wind up going wherever I want, staying within my budget, and doing whatever interests me on whatever timetable I desire.

I didn't drink alcohol at any of the socials during my application season and no one said anything.  If someone had asked I wouldn't have felt the need to explain myself either.  I'll drink what I want, end of story.

Do be friendly, yet professional and polite.  Don't do or say anything that you wouldn't want getting back to your POI.  Every field, department, and advisor will value lab input differently but expect them to be asked their opinion of applicants.  The POI has the final say, but if the lab is in agreement that a particular candidate isn't a good fit I bet that would make a difference in who is made an offer.

In addition to the great advice above senior students have told me to learn to say no and don't feel bad about saying it as often as you need to.  There are always more things you can be doing in grad school, but there aren't enough hours in the day.  Once you decide what your priority is then decide if its worth your time to take an extra elective class, be part of an academic committee, add a community service project, or insert whatever other field specific thing comes your way.  All of those are great experiences that could look good on your CV and lead to networking opportunities, but if you don't really have the time for those things and whatever your priority is then you have to start saying no.  Sometimes this will mean telling your advisor no, but with solid reasoning they should be willing to support you.

OP, in addition to what everyone else has said unless you are the accountants for your classmates you really don't know what their finances are like.  They could be running up thousands of dollars in credit card debt or their parents might be on their behalf.  I also think its important to point out that you're choosing to live solely on your stipend even though it is extremely difficult.  I don't know your financial situation, but student loans could be an option for you and could be worth considering if they would improve your standard of living enough to prevent suffering (which it sounds you are from what you've said).  I'm not saying use them irresponsibly by getting a luxury car or vacationing in Europe.  However, there is nothing wrong with borrowing enough to make sure you have clothing, food, housing, and transportation.  Yes you have to pay them back, we all do, but that is all the more reason to handle them wisely.  As far as I know there aren't any awards for lived most frugally in grad school and if there is an option for you to improve your standard of living that you are refusing to consider then it is unfair to blame your classmates for having different circumstances and choosing not to live as frugally.

Anecdotally, I was able to afford ONE application. $300 with the GRE is a lot when you are supporting yourself and a family.  That's a car payment and insurance, 1/3 of my rent, or groceries and gas for the month. I went without sending anyone Christmas presents this past year because Christmas money became GRE/App money. Thankfully, my family understood.

You do realize that many American and Canadian students also struggle to pay for the GRE and to pay application fees, right? If not, you may want to check out some of the literature on poverty in America and/or on low-income college students. It is flat wrong to say "an American or Canadian student doesn't have much of a problem paying for GRE exam in US dollars". There are plenty of posts on this website to the contrary.