kitcassidance

Happy news to share on my end...I got off the waitlist!! Official offer came through today and I am over the moon with excitement and relief and disbelief. There were many times I thought it wouldn't pan out, and I was mentally preparing to put myself through a second attempt, but it all did work out with time! 
Thanks to everyone here for all of the camaraderie and peer support on this crazy heck of a ride.  You all are amazing, and I know everyone here will go out and do so much good for the world. For those on the wait-list: hang in there!! Nothing makes the waiting easier or any less agonizing, but I can now say from experience that people really do get off the wait-list, so just know that not all is over yet!  The finish line is near - as April 15th inches closer, I hope everyone hears back good news soon and that we all end up in the right place. ?
 
 

I feel like I could pay off my undergrad loans with those application fees alone. 

I was at work, on the phone with a participant, when my Inbox changed from "Inbox" to "(1) Inbox."  I opened it -- because I can multitask, alright? That's why you hired me, remember, *boss*?  I was still actively engaging in this phone conversation -- and saw an e-mail saying "Your Admission Decision is Available."  My heart dropped.  I thought for sure this meant rejection.  Even the place I am currently waitlisted gave me a courtesy telephone call.  Decision via portal clearly meant rejection.  I immediately closed my inbox, and tried to keep from crying while I spoke to my participant for another thirty-four agonizing minutes.  When she hung up, I took a deep breath, let myself cry a little, and opened the portal.  Skimmed for words, shortish letter, skimmed some more -- "CONGRATULATIONS!"  Cried some more, happy tears this time.  As it was already 4:30, I checked in with my coworker, cried even more, hugged, and we each clocked out a few minutes early to celebrate with mimosas (hold the OJ. I guess that's just called champagne everywhere else in the country).  

I was at work, on the phone with a participant, when my Inbox changed from "Inbox" to "(1) Inbox."  I opened it -- because I can multitask, alright? That's why you hired me, remember, *boss*?  I was still actively engaging in this phone conversation -- and saw an e-mail saying "Your Admission Decision is Available."  My heart dropped.  I thought for sure this meant rejection.  Even the place I am currently waitlisted gave me a courtesy telephone call.  Decision via portal clearly meant rejection.  I immediately closed my inbox, and tried to keep from crying while I spoke to my participant for another thirty-four agonizing minutes.  When she hung up, I took a deep breath, let myself cry a little, and opened the portal.  Skimmed for words, shortish letter, skimmed some more -- "CONGRATULATIONS!"  Cried some more, happy tears this time.  As it was already 4:30, I checked in with my coworker, cried even more, hugged, and we each clocked out a few minutes early to celebrate with mimosas (hold the OJ. I guess that's just called champagne everywhere else in the country).  

I was at work, on the phone with a participant, when my Inbox changed from "Inbox" to "(1) Inbox."  I opened it -- because I can multitask, alright? That's why you hired me, remember, *boss*?  I was still actively engaging in this phone conversation -- and saw an e-mail saying "Your Admission Decision is Available."  My heart dropped.  I thought for sure this meant rejection.  Even the place I am currently waitlisted gave me a courtesy telephone call.  Decision via portal clearly meant rejection.  I immediately closed my inbox, and tried to keep from crying while I spoke to my participant for another thirty-four agonizing minutes.  When she hung up, I took a deep breath, let myself cry a little, and opened the portal.  Skimmed for words, shortish letter, skimmed some more -- "CONGRATULATIONS!"  Cried some more, happy tears this time.  As it was already 4:30, I checked in with my coworker, cried even more, hugged, and we each clocked out a few minutes early to celebrate with mimosas (hold the OJ. I guess that's just called champagne everywhere else in the country).  

Hi all!  I've spent the last two years traveling monthly for work, and spent the first year forgetting at least one essential item.  I created a super generic packing list.  Most of these items are pretty obvious, but I know especially in high anxiety situations, I'm more likely to overlook things.  Anyway, thought I would share the list I've been using for interviews in case someone else would find it useful!

Electronics: 
- Laptop
- Laptop Charger
- Headphones 
- Cell phone charger

Clothing: 
- Suit 
- Blouse
- Back up interview outfit
- X outfits for X days away
- Pajamas (Especially if you're staying with grad students or sharing a room!) 
- Undergarments 
- Socks 
- Professional shoes 

Basics: 
- Toothbrush 
- Toothpaste 
- Floss 
- Deodorant 
- Makeup bag 

Travel Size Versions of:
- Shampoo
- Facewash 
- Moisturizer
- Lotion

In my purse: 
- Wallet
- Passport 
- Driver's License
- Emergency Cash
- Travel Binder including Plane/Train Ticket Printed, Hotel information, Itinerary
- Padfolio with Resume/CV, recent abstracts of POIs work (as well as notepad for list of questions to ask at interview, write notes about program, etc.)
- Lint roller 
- Tide Pen 
- Nail File/Polish 
- Granola Bar 
The last step is remembering to grab my suitcase on the way to the airport!

Hi all!  I've spent the last two years traveling monthly for work, and spent the first year forgetting at least one essential item.  I created a super generic packing list.  Most of these items are pretty obvious, but I know especially in high anxiety situations, I'm more likely to overlook things.  Anyway, thought I would share the list I've been using for interviews in case someone else would find it useful!

Electronics: 
- Laptop
- Laptop Charger
- Headphones 
- Cell phone charger

Clothing: 
- Suit 
- Blouse
- Back up interview outfit
- X outfits for X days away
- Pajamas (Especially if you're staying with grad students or sharing a room!) 
- Undergarments 
- Socks 
- Professional shoes 

Basics: 
- Toothbrush 
- Toothpaste 
- Floss 
- Deodorant 
- Makeup bag 

Travel Size Versions of:
- Shampoo
- Facewash 
- Moisturizer
- Lotion

In my purse: 
- Wallet
- Passport 
- Driver's License
- Emergency Cash
- Travel Binder including Plane/Train Ticket Printed, Hotel information, Itinerary
- Padfolio with Resume/CV, recent abstracts of POIs work (as well as notepad for list of questions to ask at interview, write notes about program, etc.)
- Lint roller 
- Tide Pen 
- Nail File/Polish 
- Granola Bar 
The last step is remembering to grab my suitcase on the way to the airport!

I feel like I could pay off my undergrad loans with those application fees alone. 

Also this.  Academia is elitism.  Money to apply, money to take the tests, money to travel, money for accommodations, money to appropriately present yourself.  I truly appreciate the schools that are willing to waive application fees and attempt to cover interview fees, but we have a long way to go before academia is truly accessible. 

I was at work, on the phone with a participant, when my Inbox changed from "Inbox" to "(1) Inbox."  I opened it -- because I can multitask, alright? That's why you hired me, remember, *boss*?  I was still actively engaging in this phone conversation -- and saw an e-mail saying "Your Admission Decision is Available."  My heart dropped.  I thought for sure this meant rejection.  Even the place I am currently waitlisted gave me a courtesy telephone call.  Decision via portal clearly meant rejection.  I immediately closed my inbox, and tried to keep from crying while I spoke to my participant for another thirty-four agonizing minutes.  When she hung up, I took a deep breath, let myself cry a little, and opened the portal.  Skimmed for words, shortish letter, skimmed some more -- "CONGRATULATIONS!"  Cried some more, happy tears this time.  As it was already 4:30, I checked in with my coworker, cried even more, hugged, and we each clocked out a few minutes early to celebrate with mimosas (hold the OJ. I guess that's just called champagne everywhere else in the country).  

I'm curious about this: spending ten years raising children is a difficult, long-term project. It's educational psychology adjacent. Is it possible to translate the enormous value of the experience that's taken up most of your adult life to an application? I guess, if I was an admissions committee I would want someone who had good grades when they were in school, could demonstrate they were smart via GRE performance and good writing, and had developed the grit from 10 years of parenting.
 

@juilletmercredi Thank you for validating my feelings. It is very exhausting: instead of wondering how to make my science better, I am wondering about which parts of my skin I should cover and which parts are "safe" to show.

Booked a trip to Taiwan and Sydney. Also heading back home to Europe before I move to the US. 4 continent in 4 months lolz

Lack of independent research and publications.  Postponing a year made a huge difference for me, but I was fortunate enough to join a lab that frequently publishes; had I not made any changes in the extra year off, it wouldn't have been worth it.  

It seems like you have possibly already made a decision, but just to toss another couple of pennies into the pile:  I've always had a dog, and I don't know how I would live without one. There are a lot of things that you need to adapt to in order to have one, but after a while, you don't even notice.  Some things to consider:
 
-Having a dog means asking potential landlords "Do you allow dogs" as your FIRST question.  The answer will eliminate at least half of the potential rentals.
-Dogs are expensive. In addition to regular vetting, there is food, toys, damage, grooming, emergency vetting, etc.  Having a dog means that the dog's needs come before your own.
-With the above two details in mind, a lot of it comes down to budget and location. I have always lived in areas (including during grad school) where the cost of living/income ratio allowed me to properly care for my dog. I did not consider moving to places where that would not be the case (because when I adopt a dog, it's for life).  While you want to do what's best for this dog, you need to look at your financials and see if you'll be able to properly take care of it.
 
-As far as schedules and other such details, you will soon have a community of folks, MANY of whom are pet people. Other grad students have dog-sat for me. I've dog (and cat, and chinchilla etc) sat for them.  Professors end up in this cycle as well, though usually they do more "getting grad students to watch their pets" than vice versa.
 
I will say this--as someone who has had at least one dog for about 95% of my life--it's worth it. Especially in grad school. When imposter syndrome strikes, that dog believes in you. When you don't want to leave the house, that dog makes you. Having a dog is GREAT for mental health. Even when they do obnoxious things, like having a better professional head shot than you (see below, haha).
 

Everybody: is there a substantial difference between Skinker Debaliviere and University City (North of Delmar across WashU's North Campus)? The Skinker place I am looking at is cheaper and frankly the difference between services offered is minimal so I am leaning towards there, but I am concerned about safety and such. 
I've also heard north of Delmar it can get rough, so I guess I'm wondering about safety for both places.
I'm not considering elsewhere, I want to be within walking distance due to lack of a car (someone suggested Pasadena Hills in another website, lol).
Current grad students were lukewarm or against housing with Quadrangle but their places seemed fine for me, and it would be just easier for me.

There was a lengthy post about this on this very subforum a few months ago, so you're definitely not the only person thinking about this.
I have a dog.  I know lots of grad students with dogs in my program, some of them have more than one!  Like anything there are advantages and disadvantages.
I think you're at an advantage since this is a dog that comes (presumably) trained, and that you're familiar with. I think the worst part about getting our dog was that my fiancé (who is also a PhD student) and I got just about zero work done the first three weeks we had him. I'll try to focus on things specific to grad school since it sounds like you already know the basics of dog stuff.
Depending on the dog's energy level, you may find that you have to settle into a more routine work schedule based on the puppo's needs.  If I haven't finished everything I need to get done that day by 5:00 p.m. it's tough shit, because the dog wakes up about that time and demands validation as a dog.  He may also wake up in the middle of the day and decide it's time to play, sometimes these breaks are a relief, sometimes they're a benefit to my intellectual work, and sometimes they're a total pain in the ass. If you're like me, and as an undergrad you got used to doing your academic work in huge chunks, marathon work sessions, etc., that doesn't fly when you have a dog.  Luckily for me, I was already phasing myself out of that way of working anyway.
Being a good department citizen means attending meetings, talks, seminars, etc. that will definitely make your schedule irregular, and I know my dog hates deviations from routine.  
Another big thing is money, while the day-to-day of dog ownership doesn't cost all that much, you're going to be living on a grad student stipend and every little bit counts.  We make it work, but our dog had an E.R. visit recently (don't worry, he's fine) and the cost was a punch in the gut for our meager grad student finances.   
I think the biggest thing is though, that before I became a grad student, I never thought of 30 minutes of my day here and there as being valuable.  But 2-3 walks a day, plus care and playing adds up and definitely becomes noticeable.
All in all, I'm glad I have a dog, and I think a lot of grad students I know have them, but it is definitely an added challenge.  Think of it this way though, some people do this with kids!  

OMG ALSO MADE IT OFF THE WAITLIST WTF IS HAPPENING

YOU GUYS. I GOT IN!!! 
I was sitting on 5 rejections and 1 waitlist (for my top choice school) with very little communication about what was happening with the adcomm. I got a phone call from my POI today and they said I was their first choice (they did not extend an offer to anyone else) and that the reason for the delay/waitlist was that they had a lot to figure out internally. I'm still waiting on the official letter with the funding offer, but I'm so excited, and relieved, and a little bit in shock. This late in the game, I had more than prepared myself for applying again next year. Holy wow.
This thread was a life-saver for me throughout the wait process; I appreciate it so much.

Just got accepted off the waitlist at UVa social psych! Happy happy happy happy. 

One of the most important things to consider is research fit. Most schools work on a mentor model, meaning you are applying to work with a specific professor. Therefore, you want to look at programs individually and examine the research being done and how well it matches with your interests. That is how you pick schools. From there, you can look at their admissions outcomes: average GPA and GRE scores of incoming students and try to make sure you are within those ranges. Most programs look at your application as a whole, with research and publications and posters as the most important. Keep in mind, clinical psych programs are incredibly competitive, so even if everything is perfect, you may still not get into a program the 1st application cycle. 

Heading to LSU for clinical psych!
Also releasing a spot to UMD's masters program. 

You have higher odds of getting hit by a meteorite. Believe me, even if that passage was terribly obvious plagiarism, professors barely have time to read papers for the first time to correct them, much to less go back and read old papers.

I will have been married for 2 years when I start my PhD program in the fall. I've been a bit worried about fitting in, because on recruiting visits some of the others in my cohort seemed to treat me a bit differently after learning that I was married. I also got very tired of people acting surprised that my husband will be moving with me ("Oh, that's so awesome of him!"). A PhD in my field is a 5 to 6 year commitment, and I don't know many people who voluntarily choose long distance marriages if they can avoid it. I will be in my mid-30s by the time I complete my PhD, so my husband and I are likely going to have a kid by the time I'm done. I'm hoping I can connect with some older grad students/postdocs in addition to the primarily younger people in my cohort so I can have a variety of people to relate to.

My husband and I have already been together for almost ten years, and we have two kids...I think the way being married affects your life as a grad student has more to do with your relationship style. For me personally, being married and having kids has given me a solid foundation of support that I may have lacked otherwise. That said, especially being married with kids often makes me feel somewhat isolated from most of my peers--or it did in my master's program. I'm hoping to connect with other student parents in my PhD program.