SoundofSilence

First of all, congrats! That is awesome! This might be an over-simplification, but if you are going for a mostly clinical career, a funded PsyD sounds awesome. Make sure you check internship match rates and completion rates for both. In theory, a PsyD should focus more on clinical training and be shorter in duration. A PhD makes more sense if you want to pursue a research or academic career. The reputation of the program/ supervisor pedigree is also important for future post-docs and academic positions. Try and get a sense of where students of the program go after graduation - how many of them are licensed, how soon after graduation they get licensed, what types of roles they pursue, etc. This should help clarify if the outcomes of the program match your career direction.

same question for Ottawa

Yes, the compulsive e-mail checking is still going on for me as well. Although I haven't received anything in weeks lol. I've gotten around to making beach-vacation plans for this summer, got plane tickets and hotels and everything for a large group of friends. I needed to plan something I guess

I can't even... But why? what's the point?

*raises hand* I'm almost mid-30s and will most likely start a second master's this year, with the goal of reapplying to PhDs in 2021. If all goes well (and it won't take two more rounds to get in), I'll finish by early 40s. I also have a spouse that I'm dragging half way across the world (again). I'm pretty worried about job opportunities for him and also losing the close support of family and friends. I question myself often on this decision. I guess sometimes you just have to "jump". I'm also debating whether it would be a good idea to consider starting a family in the later years of a PhD. Anybody have any experience with that? As in, how hard was it go manage baby and research? I would be ok with the program taking longer to complete, I would just be scared of getting kicked out since you're not as "productive" I guess. It's nice to get a chance to talk to people in similar situations on here, since most of similarly-aged friends have no idea why we are doing this to ourselves lol :))

This seriously just blows. I don't understand this from POIs, really. I mean you can always weed out match with candidates from prelim Skype interviews. Why do they have to have 7+ people incur the expenses of travelling, missing work/school and everything else, when you only have one spot? It just seems excessive to me and not really aware of their own privilege. It also gets the hopes up of all these great applicants, and it makes it harder to choose for the POI.

So, I woke up yesterday to a rejection from Queen's. Didn't interview there, but honestly I'm glad I'm starting to hear from school so I can get to plan B,C etc. for the fall. How is everyone holding up so far?

oh? so is Ottawa already done making decisions?

I'm sorry This is my second time applying to UBC, but I didn't (yet) get this email. I didn't get the chance to interview so I guess it's not the best of news either. Maybe they straight up forgot about me this year lol Hang in there! One way or another we'll get through this application season.

Yes, this! I have a black leather one and it's so great for any kind of interview (and sometimes conferences). You can keep CV's there, pens, notes, it looks great and you have something to do with your hands. Can't go wrong if you opt that route.

This advice is pretty spot on. I had the same thing happen to me for a program. It was sad when my first choice POI said that she wasn't planning on taking students after all, however, she was kind enough to put me in touch with another lovely PI with matching interests. To be honest, I am a better match with this last PI, so things worked out great. But yes, do show enthusiasm for this POIs lab and research (if it's honest, of course) so they can see that you want to work with them. Ask questions, get a feel for their mentorship style, try and see how you connect. For the first POI, I think just having general questions about the program, training, placements would be just fine. It sounds like you're so much more prepared this time. Best of luck!

woohoo! Congrats!!

I think that answer should be enough. If most people were honest, they would probably say that they were attracted to the topic and then stayed because it still fascinates them. I personally have never encountered that question. I did get asked why this field of research, why clinical psychology - which are more relevant for graduate school. Why psychology seems too "basic" I guess and unless you have an unusual/ stand out reason, I would not allocate it too much time. During the interview, time is precious and you should try to maximize it - tell your story in a compelling way, show your passion, connect with the POI etc.

I received this question during an interview, many maany moons ago, for a program in MFT. They asked about a recent book outside of psychology, instead of the favorite one. The worst part about it is that I was being honest and told them I recently read Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide and both interviewers looked at me like I had two heads. They didn't know who he was or why I found it a good read and slightly funny. It was bizarre to say the least. I don't regret being honest. I think it's the best policy. Some may not get it (see example above) - it's ok, you should be in a place where they get it/you.

btw - any news from Regina? last year people heard about interviews around this time.

Hey there, I am currently doing this (well applying to Canadian programs), but did Skype interviews for all. I connected with 2 POIs really well, and decided I wasn't a good fit with another, so they are as real as they get. It's not ideal, sure, but most programs understand. And I did manage to make real connections with people. If I had traveled for each that would have been insane financial and logistics wise. This program sounds quite inflexible. Only for "official" weekends? The PI might just be emphatic that it's a cost that you would have to cover (and other applicants get funding from the departments) - so they might be nice about this. I think you can connect with faculty and students via Skype. The advice above from yikespsych is really on point. See how they like it there, have then tell you about day-to-day things and see how diverse they are/ open to people from other places and not just locals. Good luck!

13?!? that is bizarre yes. Do they have multiple spots open? Sometimes POIs want to add 2-3 incoming grads, so that would make sense. It would be difficult to stand out from 13 other people if they only have one spot - and honestly, it doesn't speak well about their ability to decide. Maybe there are other factors there? Because if all POIs did this, then most programs would invite their entire applicant pool.

Hey there, thank you! And yes, I think it stings more in the moment to get a straight up "no" instead of a waitlist, but at the same time, the waitlist thing just prolongs the agony..so I don't envy you. Oh and for those interested, my POI at UNB emphasized several times how surprised she was at the incredibly competitive applications they got this year. So I guess it's really competitive out there. It's great to hear that so many qualified people are with us during this process, it helps us keep the bar high for ourselves as well haha I got too carried away with being hopeful post-interviews, so I need to rein that in. Good thing there are still some schools that process applications later in the game. Best of luck!

Since normalizing rejection was a good thing last year, here I go (again): up until now, I had three interviews for doctoral programs: two went great, for one I didn't have a very good match with the POI. For the first that went really well, there were funding issues, so I was rejected although the POI really wanted me. And today I woke up to a big fat no from UNB. ? So far hanging in there. Anyone else having similar swings from "highs" to "lows" this year?

I think I missed that, sorry. Wow, third week of February? I better start calming down then heh :)) Thank you!

any news from Ottawa? it's been sooo quiet all over this week.

I'm so sorry you feel this way. I felt this way many times over (applied for college twice, then master's, now my second round of PhD apps..) You did not fail (yourself, your family, or anyone else). This is the most competitive process for grad school - hey, it's easier to get into med school/ law school. I will not add more reasons, since I am sure you get a lot of quality advice on here, but just one thing - don't think of the invite as a "pity invite". You would not have gotten it unless you deserved it and POIs wanted you there. Do you best, and see how it goes. I did a prestigious research program during a summer at a school, and got a great letter from the PI, and did not get an interview there. So if you think you failed and got an invite, take a look at this clown over here ? (me) Spots are limited, POIs have to make hard decisions, and often times great people are left like you are now. Don't despair! Getting to where you want and where you're supposed to be is never a straight path for some of us. However, the journey there is often worth it and full of things to learn. Best of luck!

I got the dreaded and infamous "OISE would like your help!" email! Since I knew from last year about it, it was not too bad. But hey, honored to be in the club ? / end of tangent

I don't know whether it is POI dependent, however, I do know that most are conducting interviews this week (and did some last week), since the admission committee meets for final decisions soon (I was told to expect a decision next week).

If you find out, could you please send a PM my way as well? Thanks so much! Also, since we got more UBC activity this year on the forum, I would be so curious to know whether they invite applicants to the in-person interviews without preliminary skype calls.