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FallGO

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    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    Hello everyone, 

    I am the person who started this topic in the first place. Time really flies! I have been busy with my work so hasn't gotten much time to check gradcafe. I can't believe so much could happen in these few months (from Nov. to Feb.). I noticed someone are happy with their offers and interviews and some are dismayed by rejections and waitlists. I want to share some personal thoughts and inspirations. It's very important we don't define ourselves based on the rejection or acceptance letters. Life is so much more than the clinical psychology program. I want to share a post I read from CNN (https://money.cnn.com/gallery/smallbusiness/2015/05/12/best-advice-entrepreneurs/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0BmX3r0w-4DaS3XS5kdUXGrnS64iLBHlFr5WoYtvtSXiEpnmL9ZSPhd0I&sr=fbmoney0517bestadvice0830gal), see the copied and pasted info below 

    "Here's an old Chinese proverb 塞翁失馬 (sai weng shi ma), which loosely translates as 'sometimes misfortune is a blessing in disguise.' It reminds me that life takes a meandering path and to take both the good and the bad in stride.

    The proverb literally translates as "Mr. Sai loses his horse" (a seemingly bad thing); but then his horse brings back a fine stallion friend (a seemingly good thing); but then his son, while riding the stallion, falls off and breaks his leg (a seemingly bad thing); but then because of the injury, his son avoids being drafted to fight in the war (an ultimately good thing)."

    Please don't be discouraged and moved on!

    POI Requests for Clinical Psychology PhD Fall 2019

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

     Guys. I really think it's more appropriate if you send a personal message to those who have posted interview invites to inquire POI info. I don't think people would actually read everyone's request and send message to each individual. That's a lot of work. So, if you want to know, be proactive! 

    Also, I don't think it's a good idea to post POI's initials and names publicly. If I'm a professor, I won't want students to post on an online forum showing that I've sent out invites etc. 

    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    11 minutes ago, hsnl said:

    It is important, but definitely not the only factor at play. For what it’s worth, I was accepted to two programs without applying for funding (I was eligible but had a mix-up with my application). One PI had tons of grant money and was a perfect research fit, and the other program was very well-funded. My outcome could’ve been very different if the programs had problems funding their students. 

    Dont worry about it too much. Your research experience and GPA are more important. 

     

     

    37 minutes ago, higaisha said:

    This is a great explanation, heard this from a few different people and its pretty logical so at this point I think its fact LOL. This is the case for external funding anywhere, schools always like it if you're less of a burden and show potential of bringing in $$$ from external sources because thats something you'll have to do throughout your PhD basically (and entire career if you want to do research)

     

    1 hour ago, Mickey26 said:

    Hey, 

    I believe the general consensus is that POIs and the committees prefer you apply for all funding that you qualify for. Not only does that demonstrate tenacity, but it also lessens the financial burden that the universities need to commit to (since there is a minimum level of funding, if students receive other funding that exceeds the minimum, then the less money the uni has to give you). I was informed that applying to the CGS-M assisted in my acceptance at Dalhousie as the Committees like seeing that (albeit it is too early to know about the results of the federal competition). :)

    Edit: This is not to say you are not competitive. I would assume fit with professor/lab, what have you, is instrumental as well. This is my first application season so please correct me if I'm wrong!

    Thank  you guys for all of your input!!! super helpful :) 

    I now just can't stop imagining all the worse scenarios. Gotta do something to keep my sanity!

    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, Neurophilic said:

    Does anyone know how McGill works? My POI basically said "as long as you get through the admissions committee, I can take you in my lab".  Do faculty not have a say in this process? I thought they did for some reason..

    Based on what I know, a professor can't decide alone whether to take a student. The decision is made by the admission committee which contains other professors in the department. Once the admission is recommended, the school's graduate office has the final say if the official offer will be sent out or not. As long as your grades and records are competitive enough compared to other applicants and you meet the minimum requirement, you should be fine :) Another factor that may affect whether you will receive an offer or not is funding. 

    All the best!

    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    14 hours ago, higaisha said:

    Got an email from Queen's saying my GRE score wasn't submitted and that I have to submit before tomorrow. I was like ?????? uhhh pretty sure i submitted an unofficial AND official report so i just reattached my score report.

    It means that app review is happening soon tho LOLOL! Get excited

    I got the exact the same email. I've emailed the graduate office and they are working it out. They are probably undergoing a lot of stress and pressure at this moment. Hope it will resolve soon. 

    Interview Advice

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    Hello guys,

    You all offered great advice! Thank you :)

    @spookycat, I hope you will feel better and hear good news soon. I'm very shocked that they will even ask detailed questions like that! I won't be ready to answer that kind of question either. So, I think many are on the same page with you or not as good as you. Don't worry until your worry is warranted. 

    I now wonder how detailed are we supposed to know about potential POIs' research. Is it necessary to know all potential POIs' research or just the primary one? I hope others could shed light on the extent to which our literature review has to be to prepare to interviews!!

    Many thanks!

    4 hours ago, Clinapp2017 said:

    So, here's my advice from my experience 2 years ago when I was in your shoes and applying to Clinical Psych Ph.D. programs. I applied to 10 sites, got 6 interviews, and got into my top choice. This advice isn't a "hard-and-fast" guide for everyone, even in clinical, but I think these tips are helpful (even if they've been stated before).

     

    For phone interviews:

    • Honestly, I dressed pretty casually for these because I personally wanted to feel comfortable. Some will say dress for success. You do you, honestly. 
    • Be in an area, like a bedroom, where there is minimal background noise. I also advice to use a good pair of headphones with a mic, if possible. 
    • Have a note pad and pen to take notes from the conversation.
    • At the top of the note pad, write down before the interview at least 2-3 questions that you have, as well as anything else you think is relevant. 
    • Speak calmly, and take a breath before you answer the phone. 

     

    Skype interviews:

    • Wear at least business casual. I actually usually wore a suit (I am a male, so that's a wide difference honestly). 
    • Again, I'd advise to skype in your room or somewhere that is quiet. If your room doesn't work, I advise finding a quiet place at work or a library in a private room. 
    • Again, wearing headphones can help with quality of your speech/hearing your interviewer. 
    • Same rules of notepad and pen apply as before. 
    • Look at the camera lens, not at yourself or the PI on the screen. Looking at the camera feels weird, but it means you are making eye contact. 

     

    In-person interviews

    • The agendas for campus interviews vary WIDELY. Some places will be a short day of interviews with a handful of people; other sites will have 2-3 day extravaganzas with parties, interviews, campus tours, etc. Plan your wardrobe accordingly. Unless stated otherwise, you should be in business formal for all of the interviews, and business casual for all of the dinners/parties. 
    • At the parties/socials, DO NOT (and I mean this) get drunk or out of control. That's pretty much an immediate ax from the committee. Generally speaking, just have a few drinks if you'd like (or don't... nobody cares), and socialize with current students, other applicants, PIs, etc. BE NICE!!! It often helps, especially with other applicants, to talk about pleasantries and stuff going on, as well as shared interests OUTSIDE of psychology. Nobody wants to get into a metaphorical d*ck waving contest with you, and the grad students interviewing you, especially, will not look favorably on that. 
    • This goes with the above, but if you are staying with a host or really whenever you are interacting with grad students, you should be on your best behavior. You should be polite and respectful of your host student's home, and it is often nice to bring a small gift from where you are (less than $5) and a thank you card. While you should and can ask candid questions about life as a grad student, the culture of the city/university, faculty-student dynamics, etc., you should probably think at least a little bit before you ask questions or say things because they can, and do, get back to the PIs. For example, a student I hosted my first year as a PhD student who was interviewing for a lab that was not my own told me about how he had "6 interviews" and my school was his "4th choice." As it was pompous and completely unprompted from me, I relayed that information back to the PI because ultimately PIs want to make offers to students who actually want to come to this university. 
    • Same rules apply for skype/in-person interviews. Try to have 2-3 questions per person you are scheduled to interview with during your visit. These help if you get stuck on questions to ask. You can often ask the same question to multiple grad students if you are, for example, having conversations with every lab member. 
    • Bring a book or something fun, non-academic to do during down time. Depending on the agenda, you can often have hours of down time during the actual interview day, and if you are an introvert like me it can be relieving to just read a book or do something that does not involve talking to people. 
    • It is always good to bring deodorant, gum, and mouthwash in your purse or backpack/satchel to the interview day. If you are like me and sweat bullets when you are anxious (e.g., in interviews), it can be helpful to have these handy. :) 

     

    This list is by no means comprehensive, but just some thoughts that I have from my experience on both ends of the interview table. Feel free to comment and ask questions or PM if you have something specific you'd like to know about. 

     

    Most importantly, YOU DESERVE THIS D*MN INTERVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The PI reached out to YOU, meaning that s/he thinks you'd be a good potential fit for your lab. Keep that in mind and just be yourself. 

     

    5 hours ago, spookycat said:

    I just had a phone interview and there was a question that tripped me up (ignore the tears). I was asked about a SPECIFIC research article I had read in the past year that had interested me that was NOT from my PI's lab - they wanted an author, a pub date, and details, etc. I was able to summarize some articles that I had used in a paper I'm working on, but I couldn't remember any names or dates off the top of my head under that pressure. Hoping this doesn't cost me the interview invite, but who knows what others had prepared?

    Learn from my mistake - PI's already know their own research, and probably aren't interested in you rattling off their articles that you've memorized. While it's obviously very important to know what they've written and how it relates to your own interests, at the end of the day it makes sense that they want to know you've done other reading. 

     

    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    31 minutes ago, chopper.wife said:

    Gotta admit... whenever I see that this thread has a recent post, I get mildly afraid people are being contacted! 

    From those I have spoken with who are either in clinical programs currently, or made it through interviews last year, most POIs don't call out of the blue. Realistically, if they did, you would be completely in your right to let them know you are currently busy and make a plan to reschedule an interview. Alternatively, let unknown calls go to voicemail. I don't think that would hurt your chances of getting in to a program, and if it did, I would question whether you even wanted to work with someone who expects you to interview on the spot without notice and penalizes you if you are busy. 

     

    55 minutes ago, dougie said:

    I checked the Results section for previous years for all of my programs (see my signature), and only UVic and Dalhousie have any history of sending out December invites; lots of their invites came in January as well though. So I think we're all going to be waiting for another few weeks! 

    To me, it looked like notification emails were the most popular communication method by far. Plus, if you don't pick up the phone, I assume they would leave a message and you could call them back later. 

    Hello guys! 

    Thank you for your comfort! It helps :) I really want to enjoy my Christmas and then think about all this in the New Year.

    You guys all make good points! I feel better now

    Good Luck to us & Merry Christmas ;)

     

    Fall 2019 Clinical Psychology Canadian Applicants!

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted · Edited by FallGO

    Hello folks!

    Our thread is very quiet! I guess we will probably hear back from Canadian schools in early Jan. 

    Anyone think it's possible to get any responses before Christmas? 

    I wonder for those who know about the preliminary interviewing process, will the POI call you without prior notice? I was panic these days whenever my phone rang with an unknown caller ID and then I found that it was just a scam call... LOL... It would be much better if I could receive notice about any upcoming calls regarding interviews! Email is even better. I just generally don't like answering phone calls.

    Please HELP!!! UBC Application Status

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Jessica W said:

    Hi, 

    One of my letter writers submitted the letter after Dec 1 but I did get an email confirmation. My status is In Progress as well. I think its normal :)

    Hi Jessica, 

    Thank you for sharing! It makes me feel much better. I guess it's just a system glitch or something that didn't send out the notification... All my references are shown as submitted and received in the system, so I don't think I need to worry. Really need to take a mental break now!

    Good luck to your application!

    Please HELP!!! UBC Application Status

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted · Edited by FallGO

    Hello everyone!

    For those who applied to UBC, could you share about your current application status?

    One of my letter writers submitted the letter after Dec. 1 (the document deadline) and before Dec. 15 (the reference letter deadline). My other two letter writers submitted before Dec. 1 and I received notifications, but not for the prof who submitted after Dec. 1. I don't know if this is normal.  In my online app system, all reference letters are received. My status is In progress. 

    Does everyone else have the same status?

    Many Thanks!!!

    Queen's University online application status

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    For those who applied to Queen's university at Canada, were you able to upload your unofficial GRE PDF results onto the online application system? I saw some people discussed about it in the clinical psychology thread. I didn't upload my GRE scores because there was no place to do it. My application status was still shown as " in progress" because my official results are still not received. So frustrating!

     

    Thank you in advance for your input!

    Queen's University (Canada) GRE Scores

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    28 minutes ago, hsnl said:

    I would just wait for the department’s reply. Chances are they will let you attach or email your unofficial score report. 

    In the meantime, send your official scores ASAP so that they will arrive as soon as they can, even if it’s late. In my experience, the scores took more like 10-14 days to arrive to schools, not 5 weeks, although there was no postal strike at the time. 

    Thank you! I've ordered my scores and it is reported today. Hopefully it will arrive on time!

    Queen's University (Canada) GRE Scores

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted · Edited by FallGO

    For those who are applying to Queen's University. I wonder whether you are able to ensure your official GRE scores will be received by Dec. 1st (the deadline).

    The website states " The admissions application deadline, and ALL supporting documents (including GRE scores, references, etc.), are due December 1st of each year for the next academic year " It didn't say the official scores must be received by Dec. 1. 

    I already received all my scores and I can attach an unofficial PDF test results, but I don't know if this is acceptable. I emailed the department graduate office and no reply yet. It's difficult to get the official GRE scores received on time, I contacted ETS, it usually took 5 weeks to mail scores from the U.S. to Canada, plus the American Thanksgiving Holiday and Canada Post strike, it may take even longer. I would like to hear all your experiences with Queen's.

    I'm very panic now. Thank you!

    Awkward situation of my GRE scores-for Clinical Psych Canada

    in Psychology Forum

    Posted

    21 hours ago, Jay's Brain said:

    Hi, you cannot as you found out pick and choose between sections. It's all or none for the test you choose.

    With that being said, I also encountered the same dilemma you did. My quantitative went down the second (and third) time I took the GRE, while my verbal went up (my AWA was my highest section and remained consistent). In the end, with advice from my undergraduate supervisor, I opted to use my original set of scores. Small blips in your GRE are not going to be detrimental to the impression you'll give to the admission committee, and, more often than not, the GRE plays a secondary or tertiary role at Canadian institutions. Fit, references, statement of interest and even academic performance are more important. Unless your GRE scores were very low, don't be boggled down by small deviations. They happen, especially when you retake the test!

    Thank you Jay's Brain for always being helpful! It really comforts me. I actually decided to send scores to schools immediately after I saw my scores. I think I was quite impulsive, my logic was that I was quite confident about my writing in the second time, so it will get better than the first; therefore my overall verbal and writing will be better than the first time. I basically got A+ in all my stat courses which show my competence in doing math. So, I think the second might be better. I am kind of taking a risk here, I don't want to pay extra money for sending scores. If my writing still doesn't improve, then I have to take the risk. I will send my first scores to all schools as well. 

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