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Hi everyone,
1st year clinical (Ph.D.) student here. I remember being in your place around this time last year (and several years before that), and found myself reminiscing how awful all those feelings were during “application” season. The uncertainty, checking my emails at all hours of the day, comparing my stats; background/experiences to other equally competitive applicants, refreshing the stupid forums and invites pages at every minute- ALL of it.
It took me 3 application rounds to finally be accepted, at my “dream” institution, with a PI who I “dreamed” of working with (For reference: I was rejected from this school during previous application rounds).
All of this to say: This process isn’t easy. It’s unfair, it isn’t for the weak. However, the field is slowly changing, especially for applicants from less privileged backgrounds. Clinical Psychology has a lot of room for growth (and revamping this difficult, confusing, and oftentimes unfair application process should be a goal for the CUDCP).
Regardless of the outcome this application season: Please do not give up. If this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, you will get in. Do not let a lack of interview invite or rejection from a program define your self-worth/potential. Remember to practice self-kindness, and understand that there are a lot (unfair) factors at play that are out of your control as an applicant.
I’m happy to chat and give words of encouragement for those who need it. I met some awesome folks this past Spring during my interview process (and on here!) and I am forever grateful for that. I’m thinking of you all during this difficult time and process.
— a seasoned applicant who went through this BS misery, multiple rounds. 
 

The spam emails. Are driving me insane. I AM LOOKING AT YOU OLD NAVY ?

I don't know what stage you are in your education (current undergraduate? recent graduate? post-bac?) but this PDF should be able to help you narrow down your interests after reading the differences in career trajectories/degrees.

What about expanding your school search to other areas? Or do you feel that for the next app round, you'll still be geographically limited?
I think you did excellent this time around with only 6 schools (And in the same area!), so focus on what you did right, which led you to 50% of programs wanting to interview you. Definitely reach out to the faculty (Sometime in April, not now), and ask for feedback- At least for the programs that rejected/waitlisted. I did, and it helped me immensely.
This process is brutal, unfair, often times ridiculous, and many factors are at play which we can't control as applicants. If this is truly the career path you envision for the rest of your life, try again, and do not give up.❤️ 

Beyond thrilled I was offered a fellowship at my top choice off the waitlist! Good luck to other that are waiting as well! 

I think you need to decide what kind of mentorship you are looking for. It sounds to me like you don’t want a hands-off PI though? Some people actually thrive in a more independent situation, others want a lot of support, and further others want something in-between. Take some time to consider what works best for you and whether that PI fits with what you want. If he does not fit with what you are looking for, i would be very cautious about working with this PI. Students often don’t speak all that negatively about their PI’s even if there are serious concerns, the issues usually lie in what they don’t say (if that makes sense). So the fact that they brought up lack of support as a concern is definitely a red flag to me.
I also want to mention that since you just want to practice, you may actually be better suited for a counselling program anyways. You will get training in assessment and treatment in these programs. 

This damn meme describes my full range of emotions this entire application period, LMFAO. I love it so much.

What about expanding your school search to other areas? Or do you feel that for the next app round, you'll still be geographically limited?
I think you did excellent this time around with only 6 schools (And in the same area!), so focus on what you did right, which led you to 50% of programs wanting to interview you. Definitely reach out to the faculty (Sometime in April, not now), and ask for feedback- At least for the programs that rejected/waitlisted. I did, and it helped me immensely.
This process is brutal, unfair, often times ridiculous, and many factors are at play which we can't control as applicants. If this is truly the career path you envision for the rest of your life, try again, and do not give up.❤️ 

Washington, D.C. area.* (Don’t feel comfortable sharing school). Over the moon and top choice❤️?

I'm from around there! Feel free to PM if you would like advice about the area. 

I have no helpful advice, but YOU ARE SUCH A ROCKSTAR ❤️❤️ Doing the work to get into grad school is hard. Doing the work with kids is v hard. Doing the work as a single parent is beyond impressive. Congrats x a million. 

Released my offer for Eastern Michigan, hope this helps someone on the waitlist. Feel free to PM for POI ❤️ 

Wait a minute. Am I right in understanding this to mean that you've had 6 interviews, and not one program extended an offer? I hope this is not what you are saying...

No, I had one interview offer. Even if I had 6 interviews offers and didn’t end up getting an acceptance, why would you try and belittle that person into thinking there must be something wrong with them if they weren’t accepted? Like I said, I just want PURE numbers here. If you’re not going to help out with that situation, don’t waste your time replying. 

I can’t help but reference the Yale drama from a couple of days ago.....
This response strongly sounds like “THEY ARE MY OFFERS [!!!!!!]” lmao ? 
I personally (and basically every expert I work with in the field?) think it’s absolutely inappropriate and inconsiderate to hold on to more than 2 offers at any given time. It’s a jerk move, but you do you, boo!

Washington, D.C. area.* (Don’t feel comfortable sharing school). Over the moon and top choice❤️?

We both are. It’s been a looooooooooOooooong hell of a journey ???❤️❤️❤️❤️

Happy for ya! You're going to kill it in grad school!! 

Washington, D.C. area.* (Don’t feel comfortable sharing school). Over the moon and top choice❤️?

This is so unfortunate but I feel like this happens much more frequently than we think. I am also a woman, POC, and felt this exact way at two interviews.
On the other hand, it could have been the case this PI did actually advocate for you, but perhaps the committee/other faculty turned you down due to the lack of experience (in comparison to choices #2-4, or whatever the alternate list was).
Hang in there. It's a crappy feeling for sure.

Same. Doesn't matter how well you think it went. All of my interviews went extremely well. You're pre-ranked and there's often very little you can do to jump ranks unless you're charming af and your swagger is on a hundred thousand trillion

Literally have my appointment today and get to express just how dead inside this process has made me and how I have become obsessive and anxious (even more than my diagnoses portray lol). I feel you so much right now.

I am so stressed waiting to hear back from my interview at my top choice. I LOVED it and feel like it went really well, but also know there were multiple applicants from labs at the school. I keep playing everything out in my head and I don’t think I could refresh my email more frequently! 
How have you guys coped with the interim? What’s been helpful for you all? Or am I just doomed to full on anxiety until I hear back? 

That’s kind of what I’m trying to prep for mentally. Like focusing on odds against me so I’m not completely crushed. But oh my gosh this is insane. If I wake up at night, I’m like TODAY COULD BE THE DAY ? 
oof.

That stuff happens all the time.
Acceptances speak louder than invitations -- even if they claim to have a diversity initiative, just look at grad student demographics. This entire field, higher-tier programs especially, is dominated by white people who come from elite institutions. Even the POC generally have great educations or well off parents.
That said, there's no good proof of discrimination, just admitted student demographics. Anyone sending in an application gives admissions councils so many areas they can disqualify you for. 
Their favorite and first one to offer is usually, 'other applicants have slightly better research fit' -- lol, as though that wasn't apparent in the CV + personal statement.