Psychoplasmics

I just got off the waitlist at a program where I was #12 on the list to start! So there is hope

Congratulations! It's heartening to see these offers finally begin to come. It's also pretty amazing having communities of support like these forums as we go through the process.

Congratulations! It's heartening to see these offers finally begin to come. It's also pretty amazing having communities of support like these forums as we go through the process.

Congratulations! Baylor has a great program.

Congratulations!

Congratulations! It's heartening to see these offers finally begin to come. It's also pretty amazing having communities of support like these forums as we go through the process.

This was my third cycle. I got in to doc programs in previous cycles, but they were either not funded or not yet accredited. After undergrad I completed a research-oriented masters. Unfortunately, it wasn't funded so I had to work full time while attending school. My grades suffered, I wound up with a 3.5. As a result, I did second masters degree (counseling psych) with additional research experiences. I was lucky to find a funded program. 

Every cycle of applications is different. You may get invites from a program one year and not the next. There are so many factors outside of our control as applicants. You could guess about about why you were attractive last go around and not this time until the cows come home and never hit on the real reason (and even if you were correct you would never know it). The same professors may or may not be a priority for taking new students. Funding may be scarce. Other applicants may be more attractive for any number of reasons. Departments may be shifting focus to new areas of research. In short, a million things that happen behind the scenes of a university that people outside of the faculty will never be privy to.

What I really focused on this last time around was being strategic about the POIs and programs to which I applied, contacting POIs sometimes a year before applying (I was able to exchange emails, have phone calls, Skype calls, and in-person meetings with many), obtaining bullet-proof recommendations from professors that know me well and can speak to my strengths at length, and crafting the best SOP/PS that accurately reflected my interests and career aspirations. Basically, I have devoted myself to being the best candidate I can be and recognizing that the rest is totally up to chance.

Thank you so much for posting this and congratulations on your top choice acceptance!  I am so happy for you.  I was starting to feel like waitlist acceptances never happen.  Even if it is not the case for me, it is just nice to hear it worked out for someone on a waitlist.

I was under the impression that April 15th is the decision date and programs are not allowed to push you for a decision until that date. I'd be a little miffed if a program said I had to decide 2 weeks before the official deadline.

This is really going to come down to personal preference and circumstance. I had 11 interviews scheduled this cycle and was prepared to attend all but two because of conflicting dates. I only stopped attending interviews when I received an offer from my top choice. This was my third cycle and I had decided it would be my last. I thought it was important to cast as wide a net as I could to ensure a spot in a program in which I felt I could prosper. For me, that meant 16 applications. I never dreamed I would get so many invites, but I was ready to capitalize on the opportunity. In previous cycles I got offers from programs that were not fully funded or were not yet APA-accredited. I decided I wanted to give myself every advantage over the long term so I declined those offers.

For me, looking for ways to collect clinical experiences and coursework that qualify me for neuropsych pre- and post-docs is high on my list. I'm also planning on attending area-specific conventions much more frequently than before for networking.

This was my third cycle. I got in to doc programs in previous cycles, but they were either not funded or not yet accredited. After undergrad I completed a research-oriented masters. Unfortunately, it wasn't funded so I had to work full time while attending school. My grades suffered, I wound up with a 3.5. As a result, I did second masters degree (counseling psych) with additional research experiences. I was lucky to find a funded program. 

Every cycle of applications is different. You may get invites from a program one year and not the next. There are so many factors outside of our control as applicants. You could guess about about why you were attractive last go around and not this time until the cows come home and never hit on the real reason (and even if you were correct you would never know it). The same professors may or may not be a priority for taking new students. Funding may be scarce. Other applicants may be more attractive for any number of reasons. Departments may be shifting focus to new areas of research. In short, a million things that happen behind the scenes of a university that people outside of the faculty will never be privy to.

What I really focused on this last time around was being strategic about the POIs and programs to which I applied, contacting POIs sometimes a year before applying (I was able to exchange emails, have phone calls, Skype calls, and in-person meetings with many), obtaining bullet-proof recommendations from professors that know me well and can speak to my strengths at length, and crafting the best SOP/PS that accurately reflected my interests and career aspirations. Basically, I have devoted myself to being the best candidate I can be and recognizing that the rest is totally up to chance.

For me, looking for ways to collect clinical experiences and coursework that qualify me for neuropsych pre- and post-docs is high on my list. I'm also planning on attending area-specific conventions much more frequently than before for networking.

Congratulations!

I just officially accepted an offer at Texas A&M's Clinical Psych after receiving an official Fellowship offer, I'm so excited!

CP fun,
I'm from Michigan...Although I'm from West Michigan so I can't give you much info about Ann Arbor specifically. Here is some information about Michigan in general.
1. Summer and fall are gorgeous here
2. Winter drags on for a long time here...It's rough (especially jan-march) but the summer and fall make it bearable again.
3. The Lakes...Visit the Great Lakes especially Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. They are the most clean and beautiful 
4. Go on a fall color tour...Especially further up north 
5. Visit the great tourist sites and cities over the summer: tahquemenon falls, Mackinac island, mackinaw bridge, traverse city, Ludington, south haven, Grand Haven etc, tall ships festival in bay city, frankenmuth
5. If you like craft beer you are in for a treat...Microbreweries are exploding all over the state
6. Spring tends to be pretty soggy...Everything is thawing out
7. People aren't as nice and hospitable as the south but are nicer than other states
8. Michiganders are serious about their apple cider...And donuts. October is the time when everyone goes to a cider mill and gets fresh cider, yummy donuts and buys some pumpkins for Halloween.
9. Unlike the south and some states in the Midwest (KS, OK) they actually know how to put down salt on the roads and plow the roads so you can get out and about during the 5 months of winter.
10. Try a pastie at least once- they sell them all over in northern Michigan- it's like a meat pie.
11. Every tourist town in MI has a fudge shop...Absolutely delicious
12. Ice cream is usually seasonal here - especially in small towns...So get your fill in the summer. Most of the businesses in the beach tourist towns are seasonal and are only open from memorial day to labor day.
13. Meijer is awesome! It's a like a Walmart but a million times better.
14. Bottle/can returns....You get 10 cents back on each return. Meijer and Walmart have exchange machines.
15. "Party stores" are basically liquor stores on steroids since everywhere from Walgreens to Walmart can sell refrigerated wine, beer and liquor. 
16. Don't let the cold scare you off..It's a great state and I miss it everyday ?
 
 

Thanks Schizometric! I wish you the best of Luck down at Arizona State.
 

GEM Fellowship & APA Minority Fellowship applicants are welcome to stress out here as well.

That UConn post was out of hand. Just incredibly inconsiderate.

What I have heard from many professors is that there is a particularly good crop of applicants this year. Clearly you are among them.

That UConn post was out of hand. Just incredibly inconsiderate.

Agreed. Let's hope the nerves calm down and everyone can be respectful and encouraging. I know I am so pumped every time I see someone get accepted!

Is it just me or is the results thread particularly nasty today? Why do people feel the need to put others down? ?

What I have heard from many professors is that there is a particularly good crop of applicants this year. Clearly you are among them.

Congratulations!