justacigar

I'll technically be 29 but will be turning 30 at the end of August! Sounds like I'm going to be the old fart of the group lol

I got the news today that I was accepted off the waitlist for UMSL! I am proof that determination and persistence pay off. If you are feeling discouraged after this cycle, I just want you to know that there is hope. It might not happen on the timeline you thought it would, but please don't give up. Take time to grieve and then kick your ass into overdrive prepping for the next cycle. It's a grind, but I promise it's worth it. I've been round these parts for three years now, and I really appreciate this supportive community. I'm excited to stick around and hopefully help others persevere and realize their dreams. I believe in all of you! I'm always here if you need to vent, have questions, or just want a buddy.

That is super dependent on location, job responsibilities, and job title. I work with quite a few masters level program coordinators/project managers, and they make a decent salary. But I also live in the Bay Area, so salaries here are going to be higher than other areas. Even as a clinical research assistant I make a livable wage, but its hard to say if it would be worth it to go into debt for the salary I'm currently making.

Have you been able to get constructive feedback about how to improve your interviewing skills? That is a very tangible thing you could work on if you need to reapply. I know feedback from faculty has been invaluable for me during the application process.

I'm hoping the GRE will continue to be waived, if not completely removed as a requirement for some programs. Competitiveness is only going to increase year to year. I would expect similar if not increased competitiveness next cycle.

Yo - programs aren't supposed to pressure applicants to make a decision before April 15th, so we shouldn't be pressuring people to make decisions, either. I keep seeing a lot of posts in the results section telling people to hurry up and accept/decline which isn't cool. Of course I'd love to have closure, but I would never pressure another applicant to make a decision. Hopefully it's no one from these threads but just in case, I wanted to reiterate this point.

They sent out their first round of offers last Friday. I found out I am an alternate because I emailed my PI. You might want to reach out if you haven't heard anything!

WOO! Insert "we did it Joe" meme here lol

I've had great luck asking for feedback from PIs! The worst that can happen is they say no/don't reply. I'd been reaching out fairly soon either after interviews went out or soon after acceptances went out. I've gotten fabulous direction from PIs and it made me feel much more competent as an applicant.

I'm right there with you - I was waitlisted at a program that seemed absolutely perfect for me and my interests, and it made me second guess my whole applicant package. I keep thinking if I couldn't get into that lab and that program, how the heck do I have a chance anywhere else? Perseverance is really the name of the game, but it's so hard to be persistent after being let down so many times. Crossing my fingers for you; acceptances off the waitlist are common, but I know it's disappointing to be rejected from our dream program. ❤️

Okay, I started a thread if you want to add your voice there, too!

Hey all, I noticed today there is also a thread called "Forum Feedback". Wondering if we should take our voices over there as well?

Just adding to the growing group to say change it back! While I recognize clinical psych is a large focus of the forum, there are LOTS of other sub-disciplines that use threads. If I was new to GC and wasn't clinical, I wouldn't know that this space was for me, too.

I'd email the PI. I'm of the camp that we have a right to know. I've also never encountered a PI that isn't willing to provide clarification!

I am so sorry you had to experience that in an interview, how inhumane and unprofessional. I would echo the other suggestions to reach out to the DCT, the chair of the department, or the dean of the college. Take that shit all the way to the top.

I'm a little confused about that acceptance...the DCT was very clear that he would be calling to give initial offers. All historical data says they call. Seems weird to me?

During interview day, the DCT mentioned they would be making their initial decisions the second week of Feb, but that they have to send them to the grad school for approval. Hoping to make acceptance calls Feb 19th.

This depends a lot on each individual program. Last year I heard about my alternate status like 4 days after the interview weekend. This year some programs have estimated 2 - 3 weeks. They should keep you informed of their timeline, but if they didn't you can always check in about their expected decision date.

Wow, I appreciate this in-depth response. It's really helpful to know what competitive applicants look like, and many programs give us so little information in that regard.

It's unlikely but it definitely happens! Sometimes people get an acceptance and choose not to attend interview days, sometimes people realize the program isn't a good fit for them. I'd say remain somewhat hopeful, you never know what could happen.

I think for some schools this is true, though UNC Chapel Hill specifically said on their website that all interview invites had been extended. I'm in the same boat as you all, no official rejection yet but 100% sure I am not even close to being waitlisted lol

Awesome, congrats!!! It's the best when those worries are alleviated!

Got it - I think its totally up to you! At this point it seems pretty late to receive an invite but some programs have been running behind. I don't see any real difference in asking today vs asking Friday. Good luck!

While I think you would be within the bounds of normalcy to reach out, I also just want to note that MOST of the time calls before apps are submitted are not preliminary interviews. This is an informational call. So it's totally possible that even though they were impressed with you during that call, you didn't move forward once apps were submitted for various reasons. If you do reach out, I would be appreciative of the chance to talk in Nov, reiterate your interest in their lab, and ask for an update. If they tell you they weren't able to invite you for an interview, it would be a good chance to ask what you could improve!

I didn't apply there but it sounds like you were waitlisted for an interview. That happened to me last cycle and again this cycle - basically if someone declines an interview you may have a spot