RidiculousResearcher

As an African American I must say that most schools, excluding HBCUs, are mostly White. According to your claim there should be a lot of unhappy Blacks, Latinos, and Asians. Also, being in a majority Black environment does not equate to being unhappy just so you know. Minorities can be very successful in predominantly White environments and White people can also be very successful in majority Black environments.

I know I know you said one of those three things could do the trick but I wonder: Do you normally warn Black students about attending predominantly white schools like Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Univ of Maryland, Univ of Delaware, etc? Or how gritty cities are in general?

For the record, I applied to all predominantly White institutions, except for Howard. No one has ever said "at UIUC you may feel out of place, the only Black psychology student just graduated this year so now there are no Black students, so you could be really unhappy, the department is like 85% white, 14% asian, and 1% Other"

Hi, yes. I've always been told all the cliches of "anywhere would be lucky to have you!" and friends who just don't get how competitive it is keep telling me I could have my pick of programs. And here it looks like that very much won't be the case. It would almost feel better if everyone had lower expectations of me. This is my second application cycle and I'm truly questioning whether I am making the right choice in applying for PhD and PsyD programs. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent. I freakin' get it.

Hi, yes. I've always been told all the cliches of "anywhere would be lucky to have you!" and friends who just don't get how competitive it is keep telling me I could have my pick of programs. And here it looks like that very much won't be the case. It would almost feel better if everyone had lower expectations of me. This is my second application cycle and I'm truly questioning whether I am making the right choice in applying for PhD and PsyD programs. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent. I freakin' get it.

Hi, yes. I've always been told all the cliches of "anywhere would be lucky to have you!" and friends who just don't get how competitive it is keep telling me I could have my pick of programs. And here it looks like that very much won't be the case. It would almost feel better if everyone had lower expectations of me. This is my second application cycle and I'm truly questioning whether I am making the right choice in applying for PhD and PsyD programs. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent. I freakin' get it.

Hi, yes. I've always been told all the cliches of "anywhere would be lucky to have you!" and friends who just don't get how competitive it is keep telling me I could have my pick of programs. And here it looks like that very much won't be the case. It would almost feel better if everyone had lower expectations of me. This is my second application cycle and I'm truly questioning whether I am making the right choice in applying for PhD and PsyD programs. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent. I freakin' get it.

So I'm currently sitting on a flight to an interview with a program I don't think I'll go to even if accepted due to financial constraints (I accepted the interview due to not having heard back from my only other interview) and guess who just read their official rejection letter from their only other PhD interview this application cycle? Yeah, this chick. I do have a master's program interview next month and I'm waiting to hear from another master's program, but after spending my entire academic career as an accelerated/ highly lauded student with professors always telling me how far I would go and how much I would succeed I'm finding that these numerous rejections are affecting my self-worth. Has anyone else struggled with this? Being the former "gifted student" now facing the reality of rejections? Of course I expected multiple rejections, but it feels like I may be facing 7/7 PhD rejections and that wasn't.... 

This is very real. This is my second round of applications and I had a stellar transcript and GRE scores, and various clinical and research based experience. I had professors and psychologists tell me I was doing all the right things application-wise. I applied for 11 programs and it looks like I will only even get one interview, at a PsyD program which might be okay but I'm reckoning with whether I want a PhD or a PsyD...but a PhD is currently feeling pretty unattainable. It makes me feel pretty stupid and I also get to tell family who ask me LITERALLY every time I see them what the updates are on schools. It feels very lonely and adrift, even though I know many of us are having this same experience. It really makes you wonder what you could have done differently or if you're simply not cut out for it, and it's so hard to tell since Clinical Programs are so heavily competitive that they could have 100 "perfect" candidates to choose from. It makes getting in the door for an interview feel like climbing an academic Mt. Everest...but people are doing it all over the place! Very disappointing and hard to stomach.

This is very real. This is my second round of applications and I had a stellar transcript and GRE scores, and various clinical and research based experience. I had professors and psychologists tell me I was doing all the right things application-wise. I applied for 11 programs and it looks like I will only even get one interview, at a PsyD program which might be okay but I'm reckoning with whether I want a PhD or a PsyD...but a PhD is currently feeling pretty unattainable. It makes me feel pretty stupid and I also get to tell family who ask me LITERALLY every time I see them what the updates are on schools. It feels very lonely and adrift, even though I know many of us are having this same experience. It really makes you wonder what you could have done differently or if you're simply not cut out for it, and it's so hard to tell since Clinical Programs are so heavily competitive that they could have 100 "perfect" candidates to choose from. It makes getting in the door for an interview feel like climbing an academic Mt. Everest...but people are doing it all over the place! Very disappointing and hard to stomach.

This is very real. This is my second round of applications and I had a stellar transcript and GRE scores, and various clinical and research based experience. I had professors and psychologists tell me I was doing all the right things application-wise. I applied for 11 programs and it looks like I will only even get one interview, at a PsyD program which might be okay but I'm reckoning with whether I want a PhD or a PsyD...but a PhD is currently feeling pretty unattainable. It makes me feel pretty stupid and I also get to tell family who ask me LITERALLY every time I see them what the updates are on schools. It feels very lonely and adrift, even though I know many of us are having this same experience. It really makes you wonder what you could have done differently or if you're simply not cut out for it, and it's so hard to tell since Clinical Programs are so heavily competitive that they could have 100 "perfect" candidates to choose from. It makes getting in the door for an interview feel like climbing an academic Mt. Everest...but people are doing it all over the place! Very disappointing and hard to stomach.

This is very real. This is my second round of applications and I had a stellar transcript and GRE scores, and various clinical and research based experience. I had professors and psychologists tell me I was doing all the right things application-wise. I applied for 11 programs and it looks like I will only even get one interview, at a PsyD program which might be okay but I'm reckoning with whether I want a PhD or a PsyD...but a PhD is currently feeling pretty unattainable. It makes me feel pretty stupid and I also get to tell family who ask me LITERALLY every time I see them what the updates are on schools. It feels very lonely and adrift, even though I know many of us are having this same experience. It really makes you wonder what you could have done differently or if you're simply not cut out for it, and it's so hard to tell since Clinical Programs are so heavily competitive that they could have 100 "perfect" candidates to choose from. It makes getting in the door for an interview feel like climbing an academic Mt. Everest...but people are doing it all over the place! Very disappointing and hard to stomach.

This is very real. This is my second round of applications and I had a stellar transcript and GRE scores, and various clinical and research based experience. I had professors and psychologists tell me I was doing all the right things application-wise. I applied for 11 programs and it looks like I will only even get one interview, at a PsyD program which might be okay but I'm reckoning with whether I want a PhD or a PsyD...but a PhD is currently feeling pretty unattainable. It makes me feel pretty stupid and I also get to tell family who ask me LITERALLY every time I see them what the updates are on schools. It feels very lonely and adrift, even though I know many of us are having this same experience. It really makes you wonder what you could have done differently or if you're simply not cut out for it, and it's so hard to tell since Clinical Programs are so heavily competitive that they could have 100 "perfect" candidates to choose from. It makes getting in the door for an interview feel like climbing an academic Mt. Everest...but people are doing it all over the place! Very disappointing and hard to stomach.

Hi everyone, despite the "read/post here at your own risk," nice to meet y'all!
Program of Interest: PhD in Clinical Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, and possible a joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and Peace Studies at Notre Dame

Schools of Interest:

PhD: Virginia Tech ,University of Connecticut, University of Nebraska, Notre Dame, UCLA, UCSD, U Missouri – Kansas City, Howard University, University of Memphis, University of Maryland Baltimore

PsyD: University of Denver, Chestnut College, Pacific University, William James College, University of LaVerne

Research Interests: etiology and interventions for trauma, refugee and immigrant mental health disparities; culturally- and contextually-appropriate interventions; minority mental health, particularly in the Latino community

Educational Background: B.A. in Psychology, solid GPA

Things I'm Not Worried About:

-          My GRE scores and GPA are both plenty competitive.

-          I have a good mix of research experience and clinical experience. My research experience too is pretty varied: I presented an independent study at two conferences, and assisted in a lab at UCLA. So I’ve both led and presented research (and research assistants) in a smaller lab and assisted in research at a larger lab.

-          My fit into programs: I applied last cycle to places that were not a good fit and tried to write my way in. I’ve reflected a lot on that and realize what I did wrong, and expanded my geographical reach a lot (as you may have noticed) and actually turned down one school that was NOT a good fit at all, but was the only one I was accepted to. I feel confident that I’ve done my research better this time around and have a healthier list of reach schools and different types of programs.

Things I'm Worried About:

-Research experience is all clinically-focused, but not trauma focused. My interest in trauma came from non-research based experience. Advisors have helped me see how to frame my research experience as still very relevant to the research I want to do, but I am nervous about convincing applicant committees.

-Maybe imposter syndrome but I do sometimes worry about my letters of rec. My professors and supervisor who are willing to write are all very supportive and always say they are willing to write, but I always wonder a bit if I am truly “anything special” within their labs/programs. They are my best recommenders, however, and there aren’t others I would select.

-As a career, I want to do more research than a PsyD, but maybe less research than a PhD. I would like practice to be somewhat involved in my future life, but I don’t want to mention this in a PhD application lest they think I don’t want to focus on research. I just want to do everything! (Yes, I know this is unreasonable haha)


 

I know this wasn't your specific question, but I want to mention (just in case you didn't already know) that getting a Masters if your ultimate goal is a PhD is not necessary. I believe on average at least half, but likely more of admitted students come in without a MA. Additionally, some schools actually prefer not to admit students with their MA because they prefer to train students "ground up." Other options for you to pursue would be (paid) research coordinator or assistant positions so that you gain research experience near your topic of interest which will make you a much stronger applicant.
I'm not aware of a list of clinical masters programs but it may be worth just googling around or searching forum histories with those keywords. The schools I know that offer MAs in psychology include Teaching College at Columbia U., Hunter College (CUNY), and St. Johns. Also there are different kinds of Masters, there are some terminal programs where you can get licensed as a counselor whereas others are experimental/general degrees. Just something to be aware of. Finally, most Masters programs are typically not funded so if that's a concern you'll want to look carefully. I have heard of some funded MA programs out there, but can't think of specific ones at the moment. 
And sorry you didn't get in this round    But it's inspiring to see that you're really dedicated to pursuing this goal, I have no doubt you'll succeed if you keep that attitude and work ethic. 

One of my mentors told me it would look strange to an admissions committee if you are currently employed somewhere clinical and you don't get a letter from your supervisor. And in your case, it's certainly pertinent!

Hi everyone, despite the "read/post here at your own risk," nice to meet y'all!
Program of Interest: PhD in Clinical Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, and possible a joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and Peace Studies at Notre Dame

Schools of Interest:

PhD: Virginia Tech ,University of Connecticut, University of Nebraska, Notre Dame, UCLA, UCSD, U Missouri – Kansas City, Howard University, University of Memphis, University of Maryland Baltimore

PsyD: University of Denver, Chestnut College, Pacific University, William James College, University of LaVerne

Research Interests: etiology and interventions for trauma, refugee and immigrant mental health disparities; culturally- and contextually-appropriate interventions; minority mental health, particularly in the Latino community

Educational Background: B.A. in Psychology, solid GPA

Things I'm Not Worried About:

-          My GRE scores and GPA are both plenty competitive.

-          I have a good mix of research experience and clinical experience. My research experience too is pretty varied: I presented an independent study at two conferences, and assisted in a lab at UCLA. So I’ve both led and presented research (and research assistants) in a smaller lab and assisted in research at a larger lab.

-          My fit into programs: I applied last cycle to places that were not a good fit and tried to write my way in. I’ve reflected a lot on that and realize what I did wrong, and expanded my geographical reach a lot (as you may have noticed) and actually turned down one school that was NOT a good fit at all, but was the only one I was accepted to. I feel confident that I’ve done my research better this time around and have a healthier list of reach schools and different types of programs.

Things I'm Worried About:

-Research experience is all clinically-focused, but not trauma focused. My interest in trauma came from non-research based experience. Advisors have helped me see how to frame my research experience as still very relevant to the research I want to do, but I am nervous about convincing applicant committees.

-Maybe imposter syndrome but I do sometimes worry about my letters of rec. My professors and supervisor who are willing to write are all very supportive and always say they are willing to write, but I always wonder a bit if I am truly “anything special” within their labs/programs. They are my best recommenders, however, and there aren’t others I would select.

-As a career, I want to do more research than a PsyD, but maybe less research than a PhD. I would like practice to be somewhat involved in my future life, but I don’t want to mention this in a PhD application lest they think I don’t want to focus on research. I just want to do everything! (Yes, I know this is unreasonable haha)


 

The best advice that I can think of is to look at the researchers publishing within your field of interest and seeing what universities they are affiliated with. If your ultimate goal is PhD and you really want to get the master's first, then you want to be in a lab that is within your area of interest. Clinical programs still heavily look at your research experience, including posters and publications, and you could potentially bolster that more through the master's program. 

I would maybe get in touch with the disabilities accomodation office at the university and get their opinion. I personally do not think you would need to disclose it beforehand, as they accepted you based on your merit, not your social skills or ability to stay still. But if you do need extended time on tests and breaks during class, I would talk to the office of disability accomodation, maybe get something in writing from them, and then ask for a meeting with the DGS before classes start. I am interested in hearing the other responses though! Good luck and congrats!!