thirdtimecharmed

I've been worried about the exact same thing. I'm awful at interviews and terrified of getting rejected from everywhere I interviewed at. I wish I had some actual advice for you but just know you're not alone! Even people who are great at interviews get rejected all the time, which just goes to show that a lot of these decisions are completely out of our control and have nothing to with our intelligence and worth

Hi all, I figured a separate thread like this would be helpful in case anyone would like to know the timelines for programs sending acceptances/waitlists/rejections. We can follow the similar format of the Interview Invites thread, as follows:
School:
Type: (PhD/PsyD; Clinical/Counseling)
Track: (Child, Adult, General, etc.)
Acceptance/Waitlist/Rejection:
Type of Notification: Email from POI, phone call, etc.
Date Notified:
DM for POI: Yes/No
 
Be kind, and respect those who might not want to share their PI initials. Good luck everyone!

I have a very random question. For those of you who received an interview invitation from George Mason, did anyone get a Starbucks gift package from them? They had previously asked me what my beverage preference is, and today I received this Starbucks gift package with two kinds of coffee, cookies, and a mug. None of my friends sent it, so I'm just wondering if it could be from GM given that they asked me if I prefer coffee, tea or hot chocolate  
If it's indeed from them, what a sweet gesture! 

Procrastinating faculty member here :). I agree with the above, although I think this year we will cut you all some slack - we know that Zoom fatigue is real, and that being physically comfortable can help with that. I personally will be completely fine with a dress shirt or nice cardigan over a blouse, rather than a full blazer. To add, though, please consider taking some time to make sure your Zoom setup avoids some common problems. To wit:
1. The (other) halo effect. It's especially important during an interview to make sure that your face is adequately lit and that there isn't a strong light (sunny window or artificial lighting) behind you that makes you a silhouette. It's hard enough to get personality across via Zoom, and being able to clearly see your face helps a lot. No need for a fancy setup, just make sure to test your lighting at multiple points of the day and adjust accordingly.
2. Framing. This is tricky, I realize, but it's helpful for a lot of us to be able to view body language from more than just a disembodied head :). Think about the news anchor frame and try to approximate that. This also has to do with angles - if you're sitting directly in front of a laptop looking down (or up) at it, depending on the distance it can look like a looming face. Also test run your attire to make sure that the camera angle doesn't reveal anything you don't want it to reveal.
3. Eye candy. I don't judge anyone's Zoom space decor or similar (unless it is obviously inappropriate), however I have been distracted by items within view. So just check that your artwork, doodads, books, etc., are not distracting or overly cluttered, even if they're really cool. As with your professional attire, the goal is to make sure you and your ideas are the focus.
4. Props. Obvious prop placement, like making sure your copy of the DSM-5 or "Discovering Statistics Using R" is clearly viewable, are amusement-inducing, but not actually helpful. Also, many folks use their bookshelves as background - nice choice, but please make sure the titles are all appropriate, and that you don't inadvertently reveal an interest in some psychological area/approach that is inconsistent with the program to which you're applying. We can't help it - we WILL read legible titles.
5. Pets. I love 'em. Can't get enough of them, and to my mind pets are exempt from Item 2 above, but not sure everyone would agree. That said, we understand if you get a visit during our meeting :).
Thank you for your posts, all - I'm trying to anticipate applicants' anxieties so we can try to mitigate them during the interviews, and your opinions and questions are helpful. Good luck!

Totally agree- I've had 3 interview invites in past application rounds- from Mid December to Mid February. It really isn't over until you get the "no". Once I even got a rejection from a uni in Mid-July. (Wait-listed i'm assuming)
For some reason, this round is the only round where I haven't been checking this  ~* a g g r e s s i v e l y *~

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

If it's at all reassuring, last year I received interview invites for 6 clinical psych phd programs ranging from December 26-January 22! I also know that due to the increased number of applicants this year that things may be taking longer (inside scoop from a clinical psych phd faculty). I recommend not being too harsh on yourself - it's quite early yet ❤️ 

Oh my goodness I saw that... how ridiculous. Lol

That is super exciting! Congrats! I think it would make sense to include them here. 

Can we add in the template
POI available upon pm (or something like this): yes/no 
Every year these things are clogged by (well-meaning and anxious) users spamming the threads with "omg can you tell me/pm me your POI". If we can add in that prompt, people who wish to be contacted and share their POI can say so and receive private messages accordingly. Just a suggestion!

Interview invites should *hopefully* be rolling in pretty soon, especially for the programs with Nov. 15th deadlines, so I thought we could get this thread going. 
Here's a template for posts that was used last year:
School:
Type: PhD/PsyD
Date of invite:
Type of invite: Mass email, email from POI, phone call, etc.
Interview date(s):
DM for POI: Yes/No
Good luck, everyone!

I'm starting to get suuupper anxious, like any time I turn to application prep I can feel my chest tightening and my heart rate increasing. I think we're also at a difficult stage for prep because it's a strange in-between time. There really isn't too much to do yet. I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic but it feels like I'm heading into a life or death battle for my future ? how is everyone staying focused and sane these days?? Asking for a friend...and the friend is me

Yes! I really don't think people realize how difficult it is to get into PhD programs, especially if you don't come from a privileged background. My family of origin really just has no idea how hard doing this has been, or how competitive it is, then how hard the actual grad school is (especially right now with everything going on in the world). Ditto to you, if you ever want to vent or just not have to paint a rosy picture you can def dm me. 

Shout out to the third rounders! We have the exact same story. I applied in 2018 (rejected all 4 schools) and 2019 (1 rejected 1 wait listed), battled with some impostor syndrome, GRE stress, shameless emails to my supervisors asking advice, etc. I am 31 now, but I've been taking a lot of pills of no self comparing, because it makes me really stress in a bad way. Talking about family, I've been trying to get pregnant in the past 2 years too, lol, so I am just crazy to do it all at once.
The different thing about this year is I got some new and kind mentors, a longer prep time to think through my goal (I am not sure I want to be in academia. Been working as a lecturer for 2 years and not so happy about it). But then I love research, so even re-applying again is a self reflection journey for me in the past months. I have an M.A. and been thinking if I can just make a career turn out of it.
I believe good things come in good timing and the past 2 years is a chance to prepare for myself better and think through my goal in life. Do I really want and need to do this?
Sending good vibes!

This was my questions as well!!!
I am thinking about writing a Literature Review and submitting it to an open-access journal (even though I'll have to pay for it!). If I submitted it by the end of this month and aim to apply to Clinical PhD programs in December, I am hoping that I will at least have something under review by the application deadline. Can the schools/POIs see the manuscript once it has been submitted, even though not published yet? (AKA, can I send them the copy unpublished?). Thanks!

Love the glass half full perspective and this is so true!

Definitely list submitted or under review pubs, but I'm not sure about in-prep. Curious what other people think.

You can put ones that are in-prep so long as a substantial chunk of it is written.

Always apply to APA accredited schools that offer funding. The PhD is a long route 5-7 years and even if you are funded, its barely enough for one person to live on, let alone a family. Taking on an unfunded program will mean that you would be in significant debt for a much longer time and you would need much longer than finishing your program to just "break even" with your finances.
It looks like you are geographically restricted and are considering this when applying for grad school, but it is also important to think about this when you apply for internship and post-doc. These application processes are also very competitive and may require you to move to a different state twice, even if you get into a program in your geographical area. Its important to consider whether or not this is a dealbreaker for you.
Finally its important to think about what you would like to do as a clinician. Master's level clinicians can provide psychotherapy, and psychologists can provide psychotherapy and assessment. As someone credentialled with a masters degree, if you wish to teach, you can adjunct some classes (though the pay is usually a bit low for this ~4,000-5,000 a class each semester). The only difference which you outlined is the ability to conduct research independently and the ability to condict assessments. Consider what you would want for a standard day in your practice. And be realistic in your expectations. Most say they want to do research, teaching, and clinical work, (myself included) but in reality most end up choosing 1 or 2 of these things due to time constraints/quality of life/maximizing income.
And a side note, in my experience, ageism shouldnt be an issue. Several students in my program started in their mid 30's-and early 40's so they're not the traditional applicant and did not have an issue.

Hi All!
New to the board so I don't know how to reply directly to quote peoples posts! 
Kenny 12345, I feel ya. My GRE scores were not good this year. I ran into issues with studying enough in a time of family crisis, but I don't know how much I can improve or if I have it in me to retake this year. May apply w/o scores for schools that are waiving GRE. I certainly have not been accepted to Rutgers. Only NYC program I have considered applying is Columbia TC for Counseling or Clinical.
I'm a non-traditional student, (read: older than probably most applicants, with kids) so if there is a specific board for this someone please let me know?
I do have experience applying to grad schools (goodness knows). I have now completed 2 Master's (one in Clinical, and one MS in psychology) along the journey (long story). I have been accepted to one Clinical Psych PsyD program (not APA) that I did not attend, and two Clinical Psych Phd programs (non-APA that I took 6 months of coursework in years ago then did not continue for several reasons). Most recently (last year) was accepted to start a Clinical PhD (APA accredited) this Fall but had to turn down due to location constraints plus zero funding and VERY expensive program.  Totally painful to turn this down, as I am starting to worry I may never get my doctorate.
For anyone who has advice on this, would you suggest me to to keep applying to: APA schools with funding, APA schools w/o funding (but less expensive), or APA very competitive schools (but who knows if they will accept me due to ageism(?) and my limited research experience?  Should I be concerned that my Masters degrees will be a mark against me. For what its worth, my aim is Counseling Psych doctorate rather than Clinical at this point, so perhaps a bit less competitive? I need to stay within a certain geographical radius of my parents who have serious health issues.
I have considered licensing at Masters level several times but have resistance to it. I really am passionate about research in particular areas and would like to teach/supervise/ work at college/university level. . Where I live psychologists make about twice as much as masters level clinicians too so there's that incentive. i have a family to support.
Anyway, I am almost certainly applying to my top choice school (closest to my parents, best fit with POI, funding, is Counseling doctorate) this Fall, perhaps a handful of others. Tough since all other programs in my area are Clinical not Counseling though. Definitely. I still need more research experience. Have about a year and a half of clinical experience. No publications yet (I know).  I welcome any helpful thoughts, suggestions?