honeyrue

Mirroring @honeyrue's comments, it's extremely variable between universities. Some tell you really early, and a small minority of others don't even interview. Hold tight and good luck!!

I keep fantasizing that maybe they will start looking at applications on Monday and I will get a call by Friday *wishful thinking*.

I just got my first interview invitation today!! so excited

Hi there! Though I am not super familiar with school psych PhD preferences in particular, I'd say definitely try to gain some research experience in the next year or two. While a paid research experience would be preferable for your quality of life, you could also reach out to professors at universities with similar interests to yours and seeing if they need any volunteer RAs. Sometimes professors will allow non-students to enter their labs if the individual is highly motivated and has academic goals for the future. For your interests specifically, maybe look into volunteering/applying at some children's research centers? Utilize your experiences as a teacher's aide and mentor to show them your strengths in working with kiddos! 

Hi, all! Super late to the game and definitely should be working on my actual applications right now instead of posting here but... ?‍♀️ Ya'll are intimidating with all of your great applications! I am currently applying for clinical PhD programs (with the exceptions of one general psychology PhD program and one clinical PsyD program - both have PIs who fit my interests pretty well, though), with a focus on child trauma/maltreatment/early adversity.
Applying to: BU, Emory, Harvard, LSU, UC Berkley, UCF, Hartford, UMASS Boston, Memphis, UMKC, Chapel Hill, UNCG, Notre Dame, UPenn, Knoxville, UT Austin, and Vanderbilt (phew - what a list!)
As for my experiences... I'm currently in a clinical master's program (with a 4.0) and have decent undergraduate GPAs (3.88 overall, and 4.0s for both of my majors). I have 2 years of full-time post-bacc research experience at a prestigious university, an additional year of per diem work for that same lab, and currently am involved in three research labs within my MA program. I have one peer-reviewed pub (though I am only 5th author on it), am currently writing a book chapter for a text book, have 8 manuscripts in various stages (some are under review, while others are still in the baby stages), and 20+ conference posters/paper presentations. I am also currently working at four different psychological clinics and have some teaching experience (as a GA, TA, and adjunct). 
I'm a little worried about GRE cut offs and algorithms keeping my application from getting into the right hands (a little above average with 159V, 154Q, and 4.5W), but have reached out to most of my POIs and have had generally positive and encouraging responses. Fingers crossed!
Side note - this is my second application season! I applied to 6 clinical PhD programs in 2016 and was rejected across the board. Hopefully the last two years of kicking my own booty to gain research/clinical experiences and products will be worth it!