dancedementia

I'm assuming if you're going PsyD that you're interested in primarily clinical work. In that case, the minuscule difference in "prestige" between two programs won't be a big deal. You'll have access to the same prac sites, and both programs are highly respected in the area. You can't go wrong with either! I remember we talked about Post being your top choice - if you liked the program, go for it! Don't let ideas of "prestige" get into your head

Hey folks. Has anyone volunteered or worked for a POI's lab for a period of time BEFORE applying to their PhD program? Do you think this experience has significantly helped you in any way? Of course it helps because the POI knows you and your work ethic, but is that enough to overcome another candidate that may be stronger? I've heard some horror stories of folks applying to their own labs and getting rejected because their POI wants them to "explore other programs"...

Places I like to check are:
http://post-bacc-ra-opportunities.1115000.n5.nabble.com/
https://undergrad.psychology.fas.harvard.edu/post-graduate-research-jobs

YES, so much this. My parents have been giving me the "I told you so" for the past year and have been horrified to see how much I've been spending to fly to interviews (they thought that the schools would pay for transportation hahaha what a funny joke). Everyone has been anxiously asking me if I've gotten good news and I'm just like, "Ehhhhh we'll see?" .____.
Also realized we have very similar research interests (eating disorders, adolescent anxiety). Wishing you good luck in your career, let's definitely keep in contact - maybe we'll collaborate years down the line haha.

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Oh yes! I'm feeling that now. I had one interview, haven't heard back but I saw one post of someone receiving acceptance. I'm also in my mid-30s with a 9year old child, I was hoping to be done by the time she was in high school to give me the chance to save $$ to help her financially through her college career. 
Feeling like a dope for even telling people that I was applying, I have had a lot of support from other graduate students and professors, as well as friends and some family. I know I'll also get the "I told you so" from my father-in-law who has been less than supportive due to the financial burden. 
I will be applying to a couple of PsyD programs that have rolling admissions, and seeing if one of the Universities that I have a part-time RA position with has any full-time openings. 

Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I will most likely go for the research coordinator track, as I think that was the most lacking part of my application, and reapply in 2 years. It's honestly a huge blow for me, especially since I had excitedly told so many people that I was looking forward to beginning doctoral studies in the fall. Almost like a walk of shame to have to give the, "Well actually...." speech. My consolidation is that I'll finally be earning steady money (even if it isn't a lot) for 2 years. I haven't had that experience in a long time (since I was in a masters program the most recent 2 years and was doing prereqs prior to that).

recently heard (on twitter) that david badre, yael niv, ken norman, russel epstein are all newly looking for research help; ill post more names as intel comes in

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Like @EileanDonan said, graduate school loans are no joke, and the debt accumulated from those PsyD programs honestly isn’t worth the pay potential you’ll have as a doctorate psychologist. If you still have your heart set on a doctorate, saving up money by working in a full-time position for a few years (whether it’s research or clinical) is your best bet.

First of all, I’m sorry this is how it’s going for you! This whole process is so stressful and feels so much more momentous than it probably is. You are more than your acceptance rate and funding levels! 
I think that if you know you want to do research, even if it turns out to be only a partial interest and you do counseling, I think you will be very unhappy in an unfunded PsyD program. And with your fiancé in med school, that is a TON of debt to take on. If you’re already able to do counseling, have you considered looking into other areas of psychology that are doing research in your area of interest? With your background and experience, you could probably apply to non-clinical phd programs after a year as a research coordinator and do really well with a focused and well written statement and contact prior to application season. 
Also, I really love research, so in my case, if I knew I was going to die I would be happy careerwise, spending that time doing it, and making a lasting mark on academia. If you are more interested in what you get to do after you finish the research portion of your career path and get your PhD, then that’s something to think about too. Maybe you don’t want to do research after all. 

I will be older than both of you when I finish! But to me, that’s kind of a bonus, because now that I’m a mom, the idea of settling down in some nice college town and doing research that I love sounds good. It didn’t at all when I was younger. I actually met a professor at my last interview who didn’t start her master’s until she was 37 and then didn’t go for her doctorate until later. I found her inspiring. 

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

Soooo.
I got rejected from my top choice (NEU) and am pretty sure I'm not getting into my second choice (Suffolk). I've either been rejected, declined interviews, or waitlisted all other funded programs on my application list. I am holding two offers from Antioch University and William James, both PsyD programs with a large price tag.
I'm an older applicant, so emotionally I want to just take one of those offers and get going with my life. I went into this application cycle thinking I wanted to do primarily clinical work, which is why most of my programs are PsyD or balanced PhD programs. But as I've gone to these schools and spoken with POIs, I'm realizing that hey - I actually want to do research.
I have several years of research experience, but not in one lab (just lots of small projects with multiple PIs), so I know what I'm getting into and I know I enjoy it. I think I got a little jaded this past year because I was running a study that was going NOWHERE and I said "screw research". But talking with POIs about their projects, brainstorming ideas, etc... it made me want to go back to that.
So current options are...
Say screw research, take one of my PsyD offers, and get on with life. Look for full time research coordinator positions, work for 1-2 years, and reapply Work a full time clinical job (I have my masters degree so I can provide therapy) and volunteer for research on the side The biggest considerations are:
My PsyD offers have very little funding (I've gotten scholarships from both but they're like... 20% of my tuition lol) If I work as a research coordinator for 1-2 years and then apply, I'm going to be 40 when I graduate with my PhD. Ehhhhhhh. Part of counseling and therapy is helping your patients understand limits and check their realities. I know we often tell folks, "You should go for your dream! You'll regret it if you don't! You're never too old for anything!" But the truth is, for the majority of us, we don't have that luxury. I do come from a lower SES background. I do want to finish my studies as soon as I can (my fiance is in med school and we'd like to sync up timelines as much as we can, because honestly, when you're in your 30's and MARRIED, long distance relationships are REALLY not cool anymore). I have chronic health problems that may very well mean that I will croak at age 55 (morbid, but hey, reality). Do I really want to spend my 30s in a lab, finally get to practicing at 40, and then not be able to have a fulfilling career before I go?
For that matter, there is NO guarantee that working as a full time research coordinator for 2 years will guarantee me ANYTHING. I could very well apply to these same PhD programs and get rejected across the board again. I'm risk averse by nature, and this thought sends shivers up my spine.
Thoughts? (Sorry for wall of text!)

Just applied to 25 research coordinator positions, with more to come. Let's dooooo thissss.

I was 38 when I graduated with my master's and I'll be 44 when I'm done with the PhD, but it's worth it. One thing you don't want to be is old and in debt because there's really no way to recover from that.  Best of luck in whatever you decide!

Just got rejected from my top choice (Northeastern). I got the news at my job, in-between counseling appointments. I had to excuse myself to go ugly cry in the bathroom. 
This sucks. 

I don't have any clear-cut answers for you, but I did want to offer some support/thoughts. You're clearly in a tough position, and I can relate to that as I'm figuring out my plan-B as well. I'm also married, to a spouse who wants to attend a PhD program, so I'm totally with you on that one - it's not just your own desires that matter anymore! Balancing goals is complex, and sacrifice is virtually inevitable on both ends.
Speaking from personal experience, I can say that huge student debt is rough, especially if your spouse has some as well. That fear is no joke, and you're right to take it seriously.
If there is anything useful I can offer, it is this: you will (ideally!) be age 40 either way. Which version of yourself do you want to be then?

I can definitely relate!  This is my third round applying and I am quite a few years older than you.  If I start NOW I will finish when I am 45.  I have been accepted to 2 partially-funded PhD programs so far and can't decide what to do.  Do I give up 4 years of income and spend an extra $100k+ on top of my already large student loan debt to... make basically the same money I can in my current situation?  Sure, I'd be "following my dream," but is my dream worth that much money, really?  I've been going back-and-forth all over the place. I also applied to MSW programs because I moved to NYC after my master's that leads to an MFT.  MFTs don't have anywhere near the same number of opportunities in NY as in CA, they love MSWs here.  So I could do that and just work clinically.  Or I could pursue a career in research, which is what I am doing now.  Anyway, this isn't helping you, but know you are not alone.
I have started going through the things that matter to me: money spent, income lost, expected salary, location, research opportunity, job opportunities, match with students, career goals, etc. and weighing each item.  What things are MOST important to me?  Once I have finished, I will add everything up and hope it helps me make a decision. 
Good luck figuring it out and let us know what you decide!
 

I meant 70 research/30 clinical hah. Sorry, I misinterpreted your original comment in the opposite direction of what you meant!

Not necessarily. See: Harvard, Temple, Yale. Basically, all the original APCS programs haha. You are definitely much more engaged in research, with clinicals almost as an afterthought. Granted, these programs have connections to great clinical placements so the caliber of training is not deficient in any way. You just won't be engaged in clinical training until later, and your research commitments come first. I'd say more like 70/30 split.