Psychperson

Does anyone know if Idaho State is finished? I saw that some people were emailed to check their status and received rejections. I checked mine... still nothing!

I know this has been asked a million times, so I hope it isn't too annoying, but could those of you who have an interview at FSU please email me the name of your POI? It's one of my top two, but I realize it is a long shot! I haven't heard anything from any of my schools yet. I just submitted my last four apps on Thursday. Congrats on the interviews, everyone!

Thanks for the reply! Good advice... IIn the morning, I really thought I would choose Villanova. I ended up going with American though! After a few really helpful conversations, like the one I had with the director of the lab in which I do part-time research assistance, I realized that a good research fit could make a huge difference in making sure I get the strong training and a solid background that is most relevant to what I intend to pursue beyond the master's degree. I will likely make more important connections because of this, too. Villanova is a good program, but it seems to be light on clinical psychology. American seems to have a better platform for studying clinical psychology and for my specific interests suicide/self-destructive behaviors and, more broadly, emotion regulation. I am a little queasy about the money, but I feel like it is a good decision. I want to put myself in the best possible position to get into a strong PhD program which fits my interests. I think I will find that path through American more likely than through Villanova. I feel much more enthusiastic about the research at American, and I am already relieved to not have to be forcing myself into a different box.

Does anyone have any perspective or thoughts on this? I am giving my decision today, but I am really torn between the two. My sole purpose for getting a master's is to enhance my application to clinical PhD programs. My undergraduate GPA is strong in the last two years but just okay overall, so I want the opportunity to get a higher graduate GPA (I am confident that I can do this). I also need more research experience and have had difficulty in obtaining a full-time RA position. Both are two-year programs with a research/thesis component. I would be working in faculty labs in both and doing independent research in both. Villanova is less expensive, but I am more drawn to American's program and researchers. American is a better "fit," but maybe that isn't as important for master's programs as it is for PhD... I'm not sure. I don't know which one would give the advantage for getting in PhD programs. I know that Villanova has a solid record of students earning PhD admission, but I don't know how that breaks down by subcategory. I know people have gotten into clinical PhD programs, but I don't know that rate, and there aren't many clinical faculty members. Again, that might not be incredibly important for what I need right now. I would certainly prefer a better fit, but I would also like to minimize my debt. I have heard less about American, so I would really like to hear anything about that program. I met with both schools, and I really liked my potential mentor at American, but he was not one of my first choices, and my interests are somewhat distantly related to his. I do not yet know who would be my mentor at Villanova, and there is not really an obvious choice. I don't even know which program is considered "better"-- maybe neither is? Yikes. I have considered this every which way, but I feel like (besides money), I don't even have the info to compare the same variables. I cannot believe that I am still undecided. Any help, advice, interrogation, or moderate shaking would be appreciated!