psychhealth101

I am kinda on the "pro-email professors about waitlist" side of this argument. If you are close to making a decision, you may email a professor and ask where you are on the waitlist and your chances at this point in getting in. If they don't know, at least you asked. I don't think they really take offense to that unless you are annoyingly persistent. I wouldn't ask anything to the effect of, "when will I hear back.." and such because they can't really give an answer there. It is all dependent on another applicant holding the spot. 
Hope you hear back positive news, and good luck to everyone making decisions this next week!! 

Officially accepted a clinical phd offer at University of Missouri - St. Louis! ?

I will also be attending Miami University's PhD program  PM me if you want to connect!

For interviewing skills, I looked back to questions I was asked in the previous cycle and thought about which ones I could prepare for better, especially in regards to solidifying my research interests, potential dissertation topic, and designing a study. I struggled with those questions the most, personally, because it was hard not to sound like a jumble even if I mentally knew what to say. Additionally, I created a list of slightly random questions that I had seen in guides and on this forum so that it would be easier to answer unexpected questions, even if they weren't the same ones. I'd be happy to share my list
Exactly what @buckeyepsych stated for the first question you had!

Anyone still waiting and hoping to get off the waitlist for their top choice? Very nerve-wrecking since we're just shy of 1 week away from the deadline. Best of luck to everyone!

Good luck guys. ❤️ 

Yes! It's getting more and more intense with each passing day! I wake up every morning thinking, today could be it, for good or bad. 

Anyone still waiting and hoping to get off the waitlist for their top choice? Very nerve-wrecking since we're just shy of 1 week away from the deadline. Best of luck to everyone!

Anyone still waiting and hoping to get off the waitlist for their top choice? Very nerve-wrecking since we're just shy of 1 week away from the deadline. Best of luck to everyone!

University of Washington!!! Woohooo!!!
 
Note: I saw that someone in the results section asked for my POI, message me for details if that's you

University of Massachusetts, Amherst for the Clinical Psychology PhD program!

Make sure to reach out to all your POIs in some way before the application season begins. It's even better if you can meet them in person. I know that's not feasible for everyone, but say you're at a conference and a POI is there? Introduce yourself!! Ask if they're taking a student!
Also, don't be afraid to contact POIs outside of the core faculty if you're interested in their work. Some programs are very interdisciplinary and may not list all the POIs that can take students on the psych dept page. You can't always figure everything out with a google search. This also applies to grants and current projects. It never hurts to contact a POI and ask about future studies.

Don't do it on your own. Like, PLEASE, don't go through this process on your own. I made this mistake. I did it because I didn't feel much support from the professor I was working with, BUT if I could do it again, I would find someone who did believe in me and wanted me to get into grad school. Find a professor who will read your statement, CV, etc. This will tremendously help your applications and your stress.
Reach out to POIs before you apply. I didn't do this, and definitely missed out on saving some time and money. I advise this because you never know if a POI's research is heading towards or away from your area of interest. I was super lucky in that I applied to someone who's research wasn't too close to mine, but after interviewing I found out they're starting new work with my population of interest. I REALLY wish I would have known that before I applied. Other POIs I interviewed with had their research heading down a completely different path– that could've been a good several hundred dollars saved. 
What you think is your top choice might not be your top choice after visiting (and go on all the visits you can). Copying @GradPerson verbatim because THIS. IS. SO. TRUE. When I first applied, the school I have now committed to I wasn't extremely excited about (for personal reasons). I fell in love with the program on my interview, and I honestly could not be more excited about attending in the Fall. I can't imagine going anywhere else.
BREATHE. Seriously.

Nothing short of a miracle! I will be joining the clinical psych program at Miami University!

Sooooo. Who's ready to get a head start on next year?
(Yes I know April 15th isn't quite here yet, but I've been going through GC withdrawal so I'm making this thread WAY in advance.)
I was originally going to wait for 2 years before applying (to boost my research productivity), but I was just alerted that my grant-funded research coordinator position (which starts in June!) expires after 1 year and there is no guarantee there will be funding for a second year. Thankfully, it is a hyperproductive lab so I should be able to get some pubs before I need to leave (I'm already on a poster and I haven't even started work yet? lol...) I already have a ton of posters/presentations so I really just wanted more research experience in my area of interest.
Anyways! Here's the list for fall 2020, a total of 10 schools 
Boston College (Counseling PhD) -- POI: OMK Boston University (Clinical PhD) -- POI: LB, TP Drexel University (Clinical PhD, reapplicant) -- POI: AJ, EF, MB (you're supposed to choose 3 on the application) Fordham University (Clinical PhD) -- POI: NB Fordham University (Counseling PhD) -- POI: MK Northeastern University (Counseling PhD, reapplicant) -- POI: RR, JEG Suffolk University (Clinical PhD, reapplicant) -- POI: SR (maybe... she rejected me this round so idk if I'll try again), SS UMass Boston (Clinical PhD) -- POI: LR Virginia Commonwealth (Counseling PhD) -- POI: SM William James (Clinical PsyD) -- safety school (got in last round but deferred offer, so would not need to reapply) Yeshiva University (Clinical Health PhD) -- POI: CS This is, of course, assuming all the POIs are taking students next year.
I'm geographically constrained a little bit b/c my fiance will be in med school next year (at least someone will be earning the big bucks in this family), and I'm not interested in doing a long-distance marriage that spans more than 3 state lines =P

As an update for the folks who helped me (and for future applicants who may be in my situation): I got a full-time job as a research coordinator in an extremely productive lab at an amazing institution (which I frankly didn't think I had a shot at getting into). I'm honestly more excited about this "acceptance" than the three non-funded PsyD acceptances I had earlier this year, which really solidifies 1) the fact that I'm passionate about research, and 2) that I've made the right choice by declining offers and planning to reapply to PhD programs in a few years.
Yaaaay

On Wednesday (two days ago), I officially accepted my offer at Kent State University for their Clinical Psychology doctoral program. My concentration will be in child health psychology. I am very much looking forward to it!

I agree with both of you... I also just wanted to say that I feel like it is exceedingly unfair for a POI to do this to you... you had to wait months in uncertainty about not only whether you would get an interview/offer/funding/etc., but also whether you would potentially have to uproot your life and move somewhere else...

Hi all,
I wanted to start a thread to allow us all to share our thoughts and reflect on this application cycle now that it is almost over. This was my second time applying to Counseling Psychology programs, and I know that I have learned a lot about myself (and the ridiculous admissions game) through this process. 
To give you a bit of background, my first application cycle, I applied to 6 programs (all CounPsy) and though I had a mix of preliminary and in-person interviews for 4 of them, I was eventually rejected from all. I was devastated, and literally had mental breakdowns every few days. So, I really understand the struggle of having to wait, but never getting the news you want. 
This time, I applied to 17 programs (yeah I know, it is a lot!). I interviewed at 9 - one of them being a School Psychology Ph.D. program - and out of those, ultimately was rejected from 1, waitlisted at 1, and received offers from 7.
Based on my experience, I want to share a few thoughts and pieces of advice: 
Rejections do not determine your self-worth. Please do not feel like you are not qualified/smart/unique enough if you did not get in. I say this because my first time applying was last year, and I have not really gained any more relevant experience since then. I didn’t even change my personal statement besides 2-3 sentences. I improved my interview skills a little bit, but the big difference was where I applied. Which brings me to #2. Last time, I was picky about location/perfect fit. This time, I chose to apply to places where I would actually bring something new to the lab/POI, and I was flexible about location as well. You might think “I would never go here”, but sometimes the interview will change your mind. That happened to me with multiple programs this time. So my advice for both new applicants and applicants who are applying again, is that do not be stuck to one area if it’s possible. Of course, family/partner relocation and finance might be something you have to consider with this. Submit apps early! I submitted materials a month in advance in case I missed anything. Of course, if this is not financially possible for you, then try to review the checklist of materials for each school multiple times. This will give you enough of an idea to fix something if needed.  If you can’t afford to interview in person, don’t. Out of my 9 interviews, I did 6 over Skype/phone (although one of them didn’t have in person interviews). I was accepted to 5/6 of the programs I interviewed at on Skype, and 2/3 for the ones in-person. In fact, one of the programs strongly discouraged Skype interviews, and still ended up accepting me in the first round. This goes to show that your interviewing skills can sometimes matter more than your in-person presence. And if you do get in, you can always visit during dates that are more convenient/cost-effective as well. Be proud of yourself for completing and submitting your applications. That is a difficult task in itself. If you got to the interview stage, congratulations on that as well. No matter what the result, don’t give up on your dream of getting a Ph.D. I hope this reflection can be insightful to folks in some way. If you would like to ask any questions, I’d be happy to answer! 
It would be awesome if all of the wonderful Ph.D. applicants out here could share their reflections as well I’m sure you all could bring much more to this conversation! 

I am in the exact same position right now (unsure if I'm on the waitlist at top choice). I have just continued to say that I am just as eager as the POI is for me to be able to make a decision and that they will be the first to know when I know and that I appreciate their patience while I gather all the info I need to make a decision

Just tell them that while you understand their situation you have to make the best choice for yourself and you don't have all the information needed to make that choice yet.
 
If they pester you a lot that could maybe be a red flag about working with that POI. Just something to consider.

I definitely intend to get rid of most of my furniture. I think the only big pieces I'm bringing with me are my bed and a bookcase that my dad made me. Everything else is replaceable. 
I am a first-generation college student, so undergrad was difficult to navigate. Grad school is completely unheard of-- I had no idea that something like a moving stipend even existed. I will definitely ask about. Thank you all so much for your input! This is very helpful.

Today I officially accepted my offer from the University of Tennessee Knoxville Counseling Psych PhD program.  I'm so excited!  Is anyone else moving to Knoxville soon too?

Officially accepted the offer from University of Utah's School Psychology program. SO PSYCHED!!! Mountains here I come ?

I interviewed at a program at the end of January and still have not received an admissions decision. After my interview, my POI responded to my thank you email that she thought I would be a good fit for the program but the department had some funding issues to sort out. I emailed at the end of February to check in, and my POI said they were still sorting out some funding issues and she would keep me posted. It's now been another month and I'm dying!! Should I email my POI again to check in? I have an offer to another school, but I would really prefer to attend this program