xChrisx

Yay! This helps a bit. Maybe put your SOP on google docs and put it up in this chat so folks can add comments as well? If you're not comfy with that, PM me yours and I'll send mines as soon as it's finalised.

LIU Post sent out an invite to applicants saying there would be an information session for the University and that everyone should RSVP. I RSVP'd and still haven't gotten a response till now. The session will hold at 8:30pm est (2:30am my time) but I don't mind and I really want to show up for it. Is anyone else having this challenge?

Oh My Geeeeeee. Thank you so much! I'll PM it over as soon as I've finalised it. You don't know how much I appreciate this. We can exchange SOPs.

This is quite helpful

This is till useful. Thanks

Hi guys, I have been following this thread and others and trying to catch up to everything that has been said. I have a Bachelors in Social work (2011) and have a masters in Psychology (conversion). Switched to Psychology to study how to provide counselling/support to women who have experienced traumatic events. As an International student, American programs appeal to me because of the scientist-practitioner model. I enjoy research (not the grueling annoying parts but finding beautiful things during data analysis) as much as clinical experience. Programs of Interest: Clinical/Counselling Psychology (M.A/Ph.d/PsyD.) Research Interests: Trauma, PTSD, coping in African cultures, Violence against women, CBT, DBT School List (M.A): LIU, Towson, University of Houston Victoria School List (Good chances): Laverne (PsyD), LIU Post (PsyD) Love this program, University of Tulsa Oklahoma (Ph.d), University of Tennessee (Ph.d), Case Western University (Ph.d), University of Memphis (Ph.d), SIU (Ph.d) - Still considering School List (Reeeeaaach): University of Nevada, Reno (Ph.d) - Still considering, University of Missouri St. Louis (Ph.d), University of Houston (Ph.d), Northern Illinois University (Ph.d) - a fave Things I'm Not Worried About: Nothing Things I'm Worried About: Everything. My GPA for undergrad wasn't that great. It's above a 3.0 but not by very much. My GPA for postgrad is 3.5 with a distinction in my dissertation. I'm worried schools won't want an International Social Work undergrad who doesn't have a 3.8 and above GPA (I do have 2 disserations). My GRE scores need Jesus. Really... they do. I have 150Q(39%), 159V (82%), 4.5AW(82%). I've written the GRE twice now so I know more study isn't my problem, I'm just terrible at timed math. I never managed to finish the quants both times. However, I've never scored below an A- in all stats courses and have excellent SPSS skills (pats back). I haven't had much clinical research/clinical experience. I've written 2 individual disseratation, one of which is being edited for publishing, and have had one 6 month clinical research internship. That's all. Most of my work experience has been in public health, although I have spent much time collating and analysing data as a Monitoring and Evaluation personnel. Finally, I'm scared. About everything. It's my first time, I've done so much research, whittled down a lot of things and I don't know if it's good enough. There just seems to be a lot of 'buts' involved. Can any current Ph.d Student relate? What did you do present yourself better even when your grades appears average at best? P.S: Can anyone help me look through my SOP and provide a review? I created 2 SOPs: one for Ph.d (a bit focused on my research capacities), one for PsyD./Counselling Psych and Masters (More integrated. Merges experience and research). Anyone you can help with is fine. - Christabel