huskypsych

^ this is still my biggest takeaway but I also want to say:
-If you can, do everything in your power to find a strong mentor for this process, ideally someone who got the degree that you want to get. They know the process well and it's a nice balance between all of these anonymous opinions you can find online and the advice of friends and family, who probably hold you in unconditionally positive regard. Find an awesome professor (or even advanced grad student) who will offer frank advice when needed but who still has your best interest at heart.
-While obviously applying to the maximum number of schools you can is a good strategy in terms of upping your chances of being admitted somewhere, I actually wouldn't necessarily give the advice to apply to a ton of schools to everyone. If you have a relatively niche research interest and/or you have certain other standards you want your program to have (i.e. having to do with funding, research rigor, teaching/clinical opportunities), the truth is there probably aren't 15-20 schools that fit the bill. Especially if you are like me and you are just getting started in your life post-undergrad, waiting another year (and another....and maybe another...) for the perfect program is probably a better choice long-term than attending a program that doesn't meet your standards.
Those are like my most important pieces of unsolicited advice lol. I am always happy to exchange messages if someone wants to talk more

^ this is still my biggest takeaway but I also want to say:
-If you can, do everything in your power to find a strong mentor for this process, ideally someone who got the degree that you want to get. They know the process well and it's a nice balance between all of these anonymous opinions you can find online and the advice of friends and family, who probably hold you in unconditionally positive regard. Find an awesome professor (or even advanced grad student) who will offer frank advice when needed but who still has your best interest at heart.
-While obviously applying to the maximum number of schools you can is a good strategy in terms of upping your chances of being admitted somewhere, I actually wouldn't necessarily give the advice to apply to a ton of schools to everyone. If you have a relatively niche research interest and/or you have certain other standards you want your program to have (i.e. having to do with funding, research rigor, teaching/clinical opportunities), the truth is there probably aren't 15-20 schools that fit the bill. Especially if you are like me and you are just getting started in your life post-undergrad, waiting another year (and another....and maybe another...) for the perfect program is probably a better choice long-term than attending a program that doesn't meet your standards.
Those are like my most important pieces of unsolicited advice lol. I am always happy to exchange messages if someone wants to talk more

I am not OP, but this would probably also be my biggest takeaway from a successful Round 2 of apps. Let's say you are interested in research topic X. If you apply to only labs that have X as a primary focus, you're going to be competing against every other applicant in the world who is also just as passionate about X as you are, and unfortunately, no matter how great your application is, it starts to become a game of chance in that scenario. Someone is probably going to edge you out based on a slightly better application or interview. On the other hand, if you apply to other labs who primarily study Y but perhaps did one project that included X or have been working in an area related to X, you can make a much more unique and convincing pitch that YOU are the one applicant who can bring this passion and experience for X to this lab that typically studies Y. 

@athan892 In a typical month of 2017, my paycheck at UW CSE was like this:
Graduate Student 50% Appointment: $ 2,749.00
Federal Income Tax withheld:      $   344.76
UAW Local 4121 union due          $    32.72
Workers' compensation insurance   $     8.78
Net income                        $ 2,362.74
Hope it helps!
A few things to keep in mind:
Your base pay will differ depending on your academic department. See this page for a complete list. Your pay is subject to federal income tax (~12.5% effective rate for 30k) but exempt from Medicare and Social Security taxes. The state of Washington is one of 9 states that do not levy any income tax. In its stead, you will be subject to a fairly high sales tax (10.2%) and annual vehicle registration tax ($120 + 1.1% of valuation). UW is one of the few institutions where graduate students are unionized. Thus, you will be required to pay a union membership due (1.44% of pay). See UAW Local 4121. UW will pay 100% of health insurance premium on your behalf. The insurance also includes dental and vision benefits. You may also enroll dependents for a fee. You will be still be responsible for miscellaneous fees, including fees for athletic facilities and monthly bus pass (U-pass). This should run about 300 dollars each quarter.

Auburn University, Clinical Psychology PhD Program!

I am not OP, but this would probably also be my biggest takeaway from a successful Round 2 of apps. Let's say you are interested in research topic X. If you apply to only labs that have X as a primary focus, you're going to be competing against every other applicant in the world who is also just as passionate about X as you are, and unfortunately, no matter how great your application is, it starts to become a game of chance in that scenario. Someone is probably going to edge you out based on a slightly better application or interview. On the other hand, if you apply to other labs who primarily study Y but perhaps did one project that included X or have been working in an area related to X, you can make a much more unique and convincing pitch that YOU are the one applicant who can bring this passion and experience for X to this lab that typically studies Y. 

I am not OP, but this would probably also be my biggest takeaway from a successful Round 2 of apps. Let's say you are interested in research topic X. If you apply to only labs that have X as a primary focus, you're going to be competing against every other applicant in the world who is also just as passionate about X as you are, and unfortunately, no matter how great your application is, it starts to become a game of chance in that scenario. Someone is probably going to edge you out based on a slightly better application or interview. On the other hand, if you apply to other labs who primarily study Y but perhaps did one project that included X or have been working in an area related to X, you can make a much more unique and convincing pitch that YOU are the one applicant who can bring this passion and experience for X to this lab that typically studies Y. 

I am not OP, but this would probably also be my biggest takeaway from a successful Round 2 of apps. Let's say you are interested in research topic X. If you apply to only labs that have X as a primary focus, you're going to be competing against every other applicant in the world who is also just as passionate about X as you are, and unfortunately, no matter how great your application is, it starts to become a game of chance in that scenario. Someone is probably going to edge you out based on a slightly better application or interview. On the other hand, if you apply to other labs who primarily study Y but perhaps did one project that included X or have been working in an area related to X, you can make a much more unique and convincing pitch that YOU are the one applicant who can bring this passion and experience for X to this lab that typically studies Y. 

I am not OP, but this would probably also be my biggest takeaway from a successful Round 2 of apps. Let's say you are interested in research topic X. If you apply to only labs that have X as a primary focus, you're going to be competing against every other applicant in the world who is also just as passionate about X as you are, and unfortunately, no matter how great your application is, it starts to become a game of chance in that scenario. Someone is probably going to edge you out based on a slightly better application or interview. On the other hand, if you apply to other labs who primarily study Y but perhaps did one project that included X or have been working in an area related to X, you can make a much more unique and convincing pitch that YOU are the one applicant who can bring this passion and experience for X to this lab that typically studies Y. 

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

I am in the exact same position right now (unsure if I'm on the waitlist at top choice). I have just continued to say that I am just as eager as the POI is for me to be able to make a decision and that they will be the first to know when I know and that I appreciate their patience while I gather all the info I need to make a decision

I am in the exact same position right now (unsure if I'm on the waitlist at top choice). I have just continued to say that I am just as eager as the POI is for me to be able to make a decision and that they will be the first to know when I know and that I appreciate their patience while I gather all the info I need to make a decision

Which school is this for?? I'm still waiting to hear back from one too and they told me I'd hear around now as well!

My only thought is that I'd be unwilling to go into that amount of debt for any clinical psychology program, tbh ? 

My only thought is that I'd be unwilling to go into that amount of debt for any clinical psychology program, tbh ? 

The OSU specific buses run pretty frequently during business hours and are great for getting around campus. The Columbus bus system (COTA) is fairly expansive and free to OSU students. The city is not very public transport friendly considering its size (no bus lanes, rail transit, etc.). People can and do use the bus exclusively, but it's definitely a slower method than driving around and the schedules/frequency are not the best. 

My only thought is that I'd be unwilling to go into that amount of debt for any clinical psychology program, tbh ? 

The area immediately surrounding campus is cheap and a good mix of graduate students definitely do live in the area. If you are looking to avoid an undergraduate alcohol-fueled shitshow every Saturday in the Fall, I would avoid the area bordered by High Street, Summit Street (or even 4th St), 11th Ave, and Lane Ave. West of High Street is much calmer, though there are still rowdy pockets on the streets immediately bordering campus. I lived on Southwest campus for all of my years in undergrad and it was a pretty balanced mix of (mostly) chill undergrads and graduate students. 

My only thought is that I'd be unwilling to go into that amount of debt for any clinical psychology program, tbh ? 

My only thought is that I'd be unwilling to go into that amount of debt for any clinical psychology program, tbh ? 

Also wondering about this!