rainydaychai

SO feel you. Waitlisted at three schools (two being my top choices, one being UNL - we may have seen each other on interview day!), accepted at one that I can’t afford tuition at. Basically given up on the grad school dream this year, but would still love to get some good news. I’ll hope for both of us!  
Also, do you know much about UNLV’s program? I didn’t apply this year, but recently found a faculty member with close interests to mine and am seriously considering applying next year. 

Sooooo I have officially accepted my offer to the University of Calgary. Still going to creep on this forum though to see what happens with everyone else/cheer you on! Also excited to see what happens with CGS-M for everyone. It has been so nice being a part of such a supportive, kind, and compassionate community! Can't tell you how much I have appreciated it during such stressful times.

DEAR LORD! I’m going crazy. The wait is killing me  
I’m waitlisted for both of my top two clinical psych programs (UNL and UNLV) and I’m so sad. 
That is all... just needed to get that off my chest. Thanks. 

Being waitlisted hurts. 
I made contact with my POI almost a year ago, I visited the school and we spoke in person. He liked me and my application, and introduced me to lots of his students. I had an incredible day getting to know them. His students told me I was a "strong applicant".
I worked on my application, all my mentors told me I'm a perfect fit for this program. I got great recommendations, and worked extremely hard on my SOP. I submitted my application.
2 months later, I received an email inviting me to interview with my dream lab, the lab I visited, that I've been planning to apply to for years. And another email. And another. Each one of them said they really liked me and enjoyed my research ideas and hoped I got in. I spent two weeks having another hour-long interview almost every day.
Then I got the waitlist notification. I cried for a couple of days, and started to accept that I wouldn't be getting in. This lab is super competitive, and accepts only one or two people a year, and almost everyone who is admitted attends. The waitlist has around 5-10 people on it, so I figured my chances were low.
Then, 1 week later, I got an email from my POI. He told me that he wishes he could admit me, and I was his first choice alternate. However, he only has one spot available, so I'm waiting on the other person's decision. The school is so competitive, and the admissions process is so rigorous, that I would be very surprised if his admit did not accept.  
Still, even though my chances are <10% (their yield rate is very high), I can't help but get my hopes up. When I got the waitlist email, I was ready to give up hope and move on with my life. Now that I know I'm actually in the running, I can't help but obsess over my chances. It hurts knowing that my hopes are back up only to probably be smashed down. 
I was strongly encouraged to apply again next year if this year doesn't work out. I can't help but feel like I'll go through this whole thing next year only to get my hopes crushed all over again. I can't seriously spend 2 straight years of my life in application limbo? I don't know how people can still be productive while waiting on a decision that's this big. My brain doesn't work that way.
What do I do?

I resonate with a lot of this. While I am high on three waitlists, and accepted for a non-funded program, I am not putting much faith in the waitlists panning out and know that I would not be able to attend/content in the non-funded program. The first few days after the last waitlist were hard, but I have managed to turn my thinking around and have been planning my intended schools for next application cycle. There were multiple schools that I didn't know about and therefore did not apply to this year that I would be more than happy attending, especially because they are in beautiful locations and closer to family. While I would still love for an acceptance to come through, I am (almost) as excited to get the chance to apply to these new places!
When the waitlist notice first came through, I struggled with many of the "I'm not good enough for graduate school" type thoughts - it was difficult to think differently, as three separate places had waitlisted me after interviews. I even pondered avoiding the crazy low acceptance rates of clinical psychology and switching into a field with higher acceptance rates, like criminology. However, after the acceptance, I've begun to re-evaluate my thinking - I made it on to the waitlist of a school that gets over 600 applications for 9 positions. I was accepted by a school that receives over 200 applications. This was an unlucky, incredibly competitive year for me - for all of us - and reapplying next year shows the future adcomms how dedicated we are to this career path! Hopefully these words help anyone debating whether to reapply or not. I know I could have used them last week.  

I resonate with a lot of this. While I am high on three waitlists, and accepted for a non-funded program, I am not putting much faith in the waitlists panning out and know that I would not be able to attend/content in the non-funded program. The first few days after the last waitlist were hard, but I have managed to turn my thinking around and have been planning my intended schools for next application cycle. There were multiple schools that I didn't know about and therefore did not apply to this year that I would be more than happy attending, especially because they are in beautiful locations and closer to family. While I would still love for an acceptance to come through, I am (almost) as excited to get the chance to apply to these new places!
When the waitlist notice first came through, I struggled with many of the "I'm not good enough for graduate school" type thoughts - it was difficult to think differently, as three separate places had waitlisted me after interviews. I even pondered avoiding the crazy low acceptance rates of clinical psychology and switching into a field with higher acceptance rates, like criminology. However, after the acceptance, I've begun to re-evaluate my thinking - I made it on to the waitlist of a school that gets over 600 applications for 9 positions. I was accepted by a school that receives over 200 applications. This was an unlucky, incredibly competitive year for me - for all of us - and reapplying next year shows the future adcomms how dedicated we are to this career path! Hopefully these words help anyone debating whether to reapply or not. I know I could have used them last week.  

Hey!
Just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. Mine is almost identical, I have also received an unfunded offer, and as you know two waitlists. I am also trying to look at it positively, i'm not saying that its easy or that i'm successful, but i'm trying! it is very heartening to know that I'm not the only one in this scenario, it makes me feel less alone. 
Also, I hope you get in off the waitlists! and if not, I hope next year is far more successful for you! 

I resonate with a lot of this. While I am high on three waitlists, and accepted for a non-funded program, I am not putting much faith in the waitlists panning out and know that I would not be able to attend/content in the non-funded program. The first few days after the last waitlist were hard, but I have managed to turn my thinking around and have been planning my intended schools for next application cycle. There were multiple schools that I didn't know about and therefore did not apply to this year that I would be more than happy attending, especially because they are in beautiful locations and closer to family. While I would still love for an acceptance to come through, I am (almost) as excited to get the chance to apply to these new places!
When the waitlist notice first came through, I struggled with many of the "I'm not good enough for graduate school" type thoughts - it was difficult to think differently, as three separate places had waitlisted me after interviews. I even pondered avoiding the crazy low acceptance rates of clinical psychology and switching into a field with higher acceptance rates, like criminology. However, after the acceptance, I've begun to re-evaluate my thinking - I made it on to the waitlist of a school that gets over 600 applications for 9 positions. I was accepted by a school that receives over 200 applications. This was an unlucky, incredibly competitive year for me - for all of us - and reapplying next year shows the future adcomms how dedicated we are to this career path! Hopefully these words help anyone debating whether to reapply or not. I know I could have used them last week.  

I'll most likely be reapplying next cycle as well. I've gotten all of my decisions back and so far its 3 rejections, 1 acceptance without funding, and two waitlists. Due to the fickle nature of waitlists I am not putting much stock into getting in off them. 
I am trying to look at this more as an opportunity then a failure. I am looking at all the possibilities of next cycle, and trying to use that as motivation to both finish my senior year of college, and not go down the deep dark hole of depression. 
I believe that I've identified the key aspects of my application that kinda fell flat. For me those were really most parts. My SOP did not ask a clear enough question or spend nearly enough time on my actual research interest, It also eluded to a non-academic career path, something that I've been told is a bad idea. My GRE scores (162 V, 148 Q) while not horrible, definitely did not do me any favors. I am planning on retaking it over the summer and using one of those fancy test prep services to get my grades up. My writing sample was not really on topic, it was more history while I was applying to political science programs. Thankfully I have since written a much better political science focused paper and will be using that for my writing sample. Finally I think that changing up my LOR writers will also help. This past cycle I only used two professors, and one former boss. This next time I'll just use three professors. I am hoping that all of these things will work to make me a much more competitive applicant. 
I have been able to do some proactive stuff while I've been dealing with the rejections. I've compiled a list of 11 schools that have at least two professors that I would want to work with, and I've began writing my SOP for each school. I am about 4 schools in an expect to have another two completed by the end of the week. 
A huge part of me hopes that the waitlists will prove fruitful and I won't have to repeat this awful process all over again, but then another small part is kinda excited for the possibilities of all of these other schools.  

applying for clinical sucked the soul out of me bruh how some people managed to do 4 cycles is insane 

Hi everyone,
I just declined my offer from SFU, so hopefully a spot is opening up for someone on the waitlist soon! Just thought I would give a heads up 

actually, it does for some people whether they here sooner or later; something with jobs, moving, housing contracts, families that may have to relocate, etc. I do know people who had to turn down offers because they arrived early April and there was no way to 'reorganize' their life again on time. Was almost in that position myself last year.

Thank you so much, and a huge congratulations!!  

Thank you so much, and a huge congratulations!!  

Going into March like

I think I've mentioned this in other threads on this board, because I've been here way too long, but I had to apply four times before I got accepted into a clinical psych program (5 years after I graduated from undergrad, although I got an experimental masters in between). I was rejected TWICE from my current program before finally getting in, and didn't receive a single interview during my third application cycle.
The reality is, clinical psych applications are extraordinarily competitive, and sometimes getting accepted or not can depend on stuff such as who else is in the same application pool, how many funded spots there are for a particular program, and, although a lot of programs won't admit it, department politics do play a bit of a role (e.g., sometimes certain POIs are given priority for accepting students than others). It's definitely normal to be down and hopeless during this process, since it is tough (tougher than grad school itself in a lot of ways). The key thing is to be persistent, and to try to do as much as possible between applications to give yourself a boost! In a lot of ways, there's value in not entering grad school right away after undergrad (e.g., can save some money, get some life experience that you wouldn't necessarily get in school, etc.), so try to look at it as a positive thing (even though it's hard).  
Remember, you got this! You just have to believe in yourself! 

Hi all! I hope everyone is well during this super busy and stressful time. I was hoping to get a little insight from this wonderful group. This is my second time applying to clinical psych programs and things are not looking particularly good in terms of receiving an acceptance for Fall 2019. Last year I received a waitlist offer and this year I had two interviews. I graduated this past June (e.g., class of 2018) and I feel this enormous pressure to start grad school as soon as possible, and oftentimes feel like I am "behind" in some way, especially in light of some recent rejections. Is there anyone here that took several years off/applied several times to get into clinical? Overall, I am feeling incredibly defeated and hopeless at the moment. 
Feel free to PM me if that is more comfortable for you. Thanks in advance everyone! 

I'm really sorry to hear this- I am sure that you are a very strong applicant so don't lose hope. This process is honestly a crapshoot and I think comes down to a lot of random variables that  have no bearing on you as a person. I was at UNL's weekend and thought every applicant I met was very nice, intelligent, and successful so I'm sure that you will succeed no matter where your path takes you. My mom always tells me that everything happens for a reason and the place you end up, wherever that may be, is the place that is meant for you to be. I am also waiting to hear back about an acceptance from UNL and I understand how stressful and anxiety provoking it is. I think it shows that you are a very strong applicant that you are first alternate for not one but 3 schools. It is very likely that at one of those places, someone will decline admission. 

Me too please, it is my top choice as well! And did anyone get notified if they were waitlisted?

YES. hahahahaha 

I'm waitlisted at my top choice and am kind of freaking out. I know waitlisting experiences vary so much across year and program, and realistically the chances of being extended an offer are slim since this program is amazing but I'd love to hear folks'  experiences/impressions of being wait-listed...
What was it like and when did you finally hear back (with or without an offer)?  How do you keep your spirits up?  Did you re-apply to the same program?  
? *sobbing intensifies*

School: City University New York (CUNY) John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Concentration: Clinical Psychology
Type: PhD
Date of Acceptance: 2/13/19
Notified by:  Personal email from DCT and POI extending unofficial offer of acceptance with fellowship funding; official offer to follow later this week.
 
FIRST ACCEPTANCE, I'M SO RELIEVED! This was my top choice of programs so I will absolutely be accepting this offer  PM if you'd like more details or if you are also planning on attending, I'd love to connect.

This may not be a popular sentiment (but pls no judge in this judge-free zone), but I'm realizing I'm taking getting waitlisted much more personally than just a straight-up rejection/ghosting. Like of course I want programs to be transparent with me, and I know it's usually just about fit, but I can't help but feel crappy about myself when I've gone to interview in person, felt like things went well, and then still get waitlisted. Things will work out the way they're supposed to, but I just wanted to rage and vent that getting waitlisted oddly feels WAY more like a failure to me than rejections. blah. 

I've decided that my reward to myself once I get to grad school is going to be a cat or dog of my very own, so clearly I spend all of my days browsing petfinder in each city where I could end up...

Hi all!
I thought it might be a good idea to create a forum where people can share their self-care tips, especially during this time period where grad school results are coming in (or not, which can be stressful). This is definitely not a cure or a 100% solution,  especially for those that have a mental illness, but I hope these tips/advice will be of some help during the waiting.
So, here are some self-care tips I TRY to utilize:
1. Walking. Being stationary is not good for your body in general, so it is always good to just take a walk outside and enjoy nature.
2. Binge watch movies or TV shows. Even though it is good to move around, sometimes it is also good to be lazy and laugh or cry or both a little. It's all about balance.
3. Read. It's a good distraction where you can improve your vocabulary. A win-win!
4. Listen to podcasts while I clean the house. Cleaning my house always me feel better. I take a long shower after cleaning and it feels good to chill in a house that won't stress me out anymore. I love listening to podcasts while I clean because I can listen to stories or learn something new while doing something that isn't the most fun thing to do.
5. Drink some herbal tea. The comfort of holding a warm cup of tea feels like home. I say herbal tea because it has little to no caffeine in it. Caffeine can sometimes increase my anxiety, so I try to avoid it all costs when I know my mental health is not doing very well. 
6. Hydrate. Water can help flush out the cortisol in your body when you are stressed and/or anxious.
7. BUBBLE bath! 
8. Yoga. I typically do yoga when I don't feel liking walking, but know I need to move my body. I can't do yoga without someone to tell me what to do, so I watch Yoga with Adrienne on YouTube. She is funny and really good at teaching yoga.
9. Meditation. This can help you clear your mind. I use an app called Oak to learn how to mediate.
10. Nap. Sometimes what you need is some shut eye.
11. Talk with someone I am close with. Getting a different perspective on something that's bothering me can help me rethink about it. It's also good to talk with someone who cares about you and who you care about.
12. Face masks. It's nice taking off the mask and having a soft, clean face.
Please share any tips or advice you have for self-care! I also found this forum where you read some other self-care tips.
 
I wish everyone the best!