ilobebrains

I do think you should postpone. I think the most important thing clinical psych PhD programs will be looking for is research experience/publications. In the short-term, waiting a year or two seems rough, but time passes by quickly and this will immensely improve your application if you wait. Think of it as an investment rather than wasting time.

I think you should submit the second one. You can convey your writing ability through your personal statement and other writing materials, in addition to your referral confirming your writing ability (perhaps informing them this is an item you wish to be expressed in the letter). A 4 vs. a 4.5 is not that drastic, even if the percentile ranking says otherwise. Additionally, I feel that they care more about the V and Q scores more/understand that the style of writing expected in the GRE is very specific and not all-encompassing.

Yeah. Personally what was my top choice during application submissions/after receiving interview offers changed drastically after interviewing in person and meeting the department. Gut feeling was important for me.

How does your Major GPA look, assuming you're a Psychology major? I had an overall 3.4 GPA, but my college has grade deflation and sends a letter explaining that with the official transcripts. My major GPA was a lot higher (3.7) for Psychology. I think that they would definitely factor in other things as well, like if you did fantastic on the GRE and had great research experience (at least some posters and maybe a publication or two). One of my interviewers asked me why I did so well on the GRE but had a low GPA. Awkwardly, I had to explain the whole grade deflation thing. But that encounter makes me think that perhaps they chose to overlook my low GPA since I did well on the GRE and had strong clinical research experience. I don't know that retaking psych classes would be helpful. I feel like that would just be redundant for you... but I'm definitely not an expert. Just my two cents.

I was relaxing at my boyfriend's place when I got the call! I was super excited, and he started dancing around when I started thanking my POI for the acceptance. I called a bunch of my friends and family, and while I did, he ran out to grab cookie dough and flowers so that we could bake cookies and watch a movie. Best night ever!

This question may be better suited for a different thread.

I know it can be really tough. It's a competitive game out there, and the fact that you got interviews should reflect that you do have what it takes, but just for whatever reason other candidates fit with the POI/program just a teeny bit better. Don't lose heart. I think you're amazing for sticking it through, and getting where you are now. I think it's also impressive that you applied after graduating from undergrad so soon! I feel like I see this less and less (I literally only met 1 or 2 applicants applying straight from undergrad at my interviews this cycle, everyone else had been working/getting their Master's for a few years), and I personally have been working in research for almost 3 years before applying! With a little more experience under your belt, I'm sure you'll go far in your future attempts. ❤️

SMU!

Thank you both for your responses! I think I will go ahead and accept the position at SMU (excited!) Another question - What is the protocol with the waitlisted schools after I've informed SMU of my decision? Should I reach out and ask them to take me off the list, or just turn down the offer in case I get off the waitlist in the future?

Thanks!

I've been waitlisted at Baylor's PsyD and UTSW's PhD program. I have one offer from SMU. I'm thinking of just requesting them to remove me from the waitlists and accepting the SMU offer by the end of this month. I really liked SMU during my interview, and felt like the department was extremely warm and welcoming. They also are more research-focused than the schools I've been waitlisted at, which is a priority to me. Plus, they're fully-funded. I can definitely see myself being happy here. Baylor's PsyD ended up not seeming like an extremely good fit, but I did find myself liking UTSW a lot more than I had expected. Their program seems intense (graduate in 4 years, included internship year), but in a good, productive way. Con would be that it's not fully funded and I would be an out-of-state resident first year. So just... a lot of added stress. Am I being dumb? Should I just go ahead and accept this amazing offer? I don't really know what I'm waiting for, but I guess I still want to see what happens.

I actually was the only invited applicant to interview with my POI as well (and received an offer a few days later). I think there could be many reasons why this particular POI only invited one student for his lab (maybe this student stood out and other applicants didn't, perhaps this student was the only applicant that specified this POI, etc.), but I don't think the POI/department knew beforehand that they would offer a spot to them. This student could be great on paper, but then upon interview day could turn out to have a nightmare personality. For you, it seems likely that you will be competing with this other applicant for the one spot. I feel like usually the professor or their current students would let you know that there is funding available for two students (that has just been my experience), otherwise it's fair game.

...what? ..........pls don't do this.

All I can say is be as respectful as possible. If the group interview turns out to be more of a free-flowing, back-and-forth conversation between applicants, don't be that person who totally dominates the conversation and won't let others speak. On the flipside, be appropriately assertive to ensure you actually say something! I was in a group interview where they had us just discuss topics, and one applicant didn't say anything the entire time. You'll shoot yourself in the foot by doing either of these things. Mostly I think they want to see that you have good answers, but also how easy it is to work with you for the next 5-6 years.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. I try to believe them when they say "there are too many qualified candidates and unfortunately we just can't pick all of you." Blah! I'm so sorry That's just a huge blow and so hard to interpret because you don't have all the information. Sigh. Is this PhD program one of your top choices?

Ah I see!! That's an amazing clinical experience! But alas PhD's defo want more research >< I think that if you are going to reapply next cycle, it would be in your best interests to relocate to an area that has a major research institution, hospital, VA, or all of the above (bc collaborations). There are a lot of affordable major cities that have a ton of great research opportunities if supporting yourself is a major concern, which I totally understand. I'm thinking places like Dallas or Durham (can't really think of others at the moment). If it's something you are sure you want to pursue, I think making that move would be necessary, particularly since you acknowledge that opportunities are nonexistent in your current location. Hoping this is helpful!

IT'S THE WORSTTT hang in there ❤️

Are you in undergrad right now? I have heard/seen that these PhD programs are really highly valuing work experience after college (of course there are several applicants going straight from undergrad to grad, but I feel like it's becoming more rare). There are a ton of great learning experiences by working in the field that will translate to graduate school, so I know this application season has been crushing but perhaps this is a blessing in disguise for you to gain some more experience! I am currently working at a VA hospital with a focus on neuropsychology/neurodegenerative diseases. I had to move after graduating, but this VA is in a major city an hour away from my hometown, so that made this job hunt much easier for me. I don't know what your research interests are, but if they happen to be in trauma work/PTSD/TBI/neuropsych, I would highly recommend trying to find a position at a VA (usually affiliated with a major university, like UCSF, Stanford, etc.) but that's just my two cents. VA's are pretty reputable/competitive for their clinical psych internship/postdoc training, so I have found that clinical psych directors/professors light up when I mention my work experience. Get added to listservs, if your university has a supportive psych department then ask them for assistance or advice, and regularly check job listings at major universities/VA's near you. Sometimes professors at universities may keep in touch with alum, so maybe reach out to see where your university psych alums are now and if they have any connects. Networking isn't everything, but it sure will help!

This may not be a popular sentiment (but pls no judge in this judge-free zone), but I'm realizing I'm taking getting waitlisted much more personally than just a straight-up rejection/ghosting. Like of course I want programs to be transparent with me, and I know it's usually just about fit, but I can't help but feel crappy about myself when I've gone to interview in person, felt like things went well, and then still get waitlisted. Things will work out the way they're supposed to, but I just wanted to rage and vent that getting waitlisted oddly feels WAY more like a failure to me than rejections. blah.

Yay! Never hurts to ask

I stayed with a grad student who had a futon that pulled out into a bed. It was super comfortable and I slept very well! I think they try to be as accommodating as possible, but I think it's best to expect that it'll likely be their couch and *hopefully* a very comfortable one. If you have a medical condition that requires special accommodations, I would totally feel OK getting my own space and a proper bed if you feel that is absolutely going to affect the outcome of your interviews. In regards to the earlier response, I think it can still be valuable to get to know the grad student host, even if they don't have a say in your admissions. This particular grad student I stayed with was extremely helpful and has even taken the liberty to volunteer information to me (updates in their decisions cycle, she put in a good word with my potential advisor when she really didn't have to and she doesn't work in her lab, etc.) that I definitely would not have known otherwise. She was very kind, and your host could potentially be a familiar face in the future if you get admitted and decide to attend! Just my two cents

I have not yet. I received an official letter today, after being extended an informal offer over the phone 1 week ago, but they said information about scholarships and assistantships would be sent later. I'm assuming it's because this program (clinical psych PhD) has specific scholarships and awards that they need to figure out who to give to after official offers have been given.

Yep. The amount of carbs and chocolate I've eaten...

Thanks! I hope that's what ours turns out to be!

Does anyone have some insight to give on group interviews? I recall there being one person who gave a really thorough description of theirs, but I was wondering what kinds of questions might be asked? I have my first group interview coming up this weekend and have no idea how to prepare!