PsychedOutHopeful

Thanks guys. Just kind of going through ideas and figured I’d get honest answers here, ha.

I appreciate your thoughtful answer. This is actually my third cycle so I’m pretty familiar and am working at a lab related to my area of interest. And I have had several acceptances in the past, just not to my top choices and have made conscious decisions to reject offers. And being a military spouse means I am actually v aware of timing and PCS-ing, but it’s great you’re aware of the challenges that military families face in creating and maintaining a career. In regards to the rest, I appreciate your perspective, and you have a lot of valid points for sure. And actually the literature shows a large variation in PTSD recovery time. Especially for point trauma. But I’ll keep all that in mind! Thanks!

*TRIGGER WARNING- this is about trauma including suicide* It's intense. Don't read it if that will be upsetting for you. Hi guys. I am considering my persona statement/ essay. The work I want to do is increasing provider training/ patient accessibility to evidence based practices for trauma/ PTSD. Specifically focused on the military, but really everyone. And this is what I've wanted to do for years/ ever. I'm also interested in the meaning people make from trauma and how some people thrive while others struggle for years. A month ago, I was driving on the highway late at night with my family in the car (they were fortunately asleep) and a man ran into the highway from a rest stop and literally jumped in front of my car, committing suicide. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could have done. I was going 65 mph (the speed limit), it was raining, and very dark. Despite braking and swerving, I was unable to do anything to save this man's life. He wanted to die, and made sure that would be the outcome. Fortunately, I was able to save my family (my young child was in the car), and I am the only one in my family who actually witnessed it. I developed Acute Stress and subsequently, as I've passed the one month mark, PTSD. I have a wonderful trauma therapist and have made a lot of progress. The meaning I have made from this had truly reinforced my desire to do the work that I described above. I was lucky. Lucky to live, and lucky to find a trauma specialist who is able to provide me with evidence based therapy. But not everyone is so lucky. I am at the point where I can talk about it without becoming overly emotional, and imagine I will be more so by interview time. I was not a religious person, but truly feel that it is my calling or purpose to do this work. To help other people survive their traumas, and to increase research around trauma related EBP, and increase provider training. I am a social worker who previously worked inpatient psychiatry and in and emergency department... with trauma and helping people to NOT kill themselves (or others). I'm also a military spouse who understands deployment stress and trauma stemming from service on many levels. And now I'm a trauma survivor (hopefully, thriver) who in my core understands trauma and the value of EBP. What I'm wondering is if you guys think I can share any of that info in my essay. It's a bit outside my comfort zone. I'm not a general oversharer. But I guess there's a part of me that is like this crazy thing happened. It has shaken me to my core, yes, but also underscored and strengthened my desire to do this research in hopes of making a difference for even one trauma survivor. I feel that in my soul. I had actually been accepted to a PsyD program for Fall 2020, and I was all set to go... despite some reservations about my ability to do the research I wanted. But after this, I feel like I NEED to do reapply to PhD programs, and become a researcher. So what do you guys think? Is there a way to discuss this without being too overshare-y? Too intense? Please be honest. Thanks!

I haven’t seen any posts about civilian acceptances. I think it’s totally fine to reach out at this point- I’m not going to be able to call today, but I’m in the same boat as you! Please let me know if they give you any insight! I’ve seen a lot of people who reach out to programs a week after interviews.

SAME SAME SAME

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.

For the posters about getting accepted to USUHS mil track— CONGRATS!!!!!! So excited for you!!! Did they happen to give any insight into civilian notifications? Dying over here.

Congrats!! That’s good to know

Oops, exceeded my reaction quota for the day!! But thanks to both of you. It is such a surreal experience. Also how bizarre are interviews? you’re put in a high stress environment with multiple people who are applying for the same spot... but you might like them and be like oh wow they have worked so hard too, but you’re also like PICK ME, but also trying to be so laid back and polite and low key FREAKING OUT (or is that just me ?). The whole thing is just weird and exhausting on so many levels.

Ha that’s perfect. I hope you get some good news soon!!!!

I get this completely. Like because I truly feel like I have done all I can, and worked and tried as hard as possible, I will be that much more crushed if stuff doesn’t pan out.

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.

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?

I love you. Haha congrats ❤️❤️❤️ That’s great ?

Ah thanks, I’m trying to think about it like that. But I am reading into EVERYTHING and maybe day of is a good thing! Bc then you don’t have extra time to read into things like me ? good luck!

I got my interview schedule, and I am my PIs middle interview. Ef. I’m stressing about not being first/last because of recall etc etc. Tell me I’m not crazy or tell me about how you got in even though you were the middle interview. Or any insight tbh. #sendhelp

Hi! Could whoever posted they got into Auburn but are declining, share their POI's initials, if comfortable? Thanks!!

Congrats on getting accepted! I would say something like Dear XXXX, I really enjoyed interviewing at your program, I was especially impressed by/ enjoyed XYZ. It was great to have the opportunity to meet the faculty and students. However, I am writing to inform you that I have accepted an offer elsewhere, so I would like to withdraw my application from X. Please let me know if there is anything else you need from me at this point. I appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you, XX Or something along those lines. I feel like you always want to be thoughtful in how you respond as you never know who your future colleagues will be, and your reputation is important. Congrats again!!

Oh thanks for the tip re loafers!!

Haha! Me too!! Counting down the sleeps

Oof this is me. Like maybe there’s some code written in their mission statement that will tell me if I’ll be accepted if I just read it 500x.

Also this is SO kind of you. It makes my heart happy that you’re becoming a psychologist ❤️

This is such great advice. I got rejected from all but one school the first time I applied. I knew that school wasn’t the right choice for me, but I went anyway because I was so sad and dejected. I made it for a year before withdrawing and deciding I was NOT going to be a psychologist. I became a bartender, a buyer for a clothing store, and then became a social worker (which I loved tbh). Anyway, TEN years later, I’m reapplying. I haven’t gotten in anywhere at this point, but my outlook is so different. It is such a crazy, competitive, unfair, sometimes nonsense, heartbreaking process. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be sad if I don’t get in (SO SAD), but I have learned more about myself and what I want personally and professionally over the last ten years than I would have if I had just gotten in. I’ve moved a ton, made a family, made mistakes, learned, helped people, helped myself, and came back to psychology because I love it & I’m going to keep on trying even if it doesn’t work out for me this time. Your worth isn’t defined by this, even though it may feel that way. You are more than this and you may be so surprised by all you can accomplish by taking some more time before going to a program. You have your WHOLE LIFE to be a psychologist. It will always be there whether it begins this year, next, or in ten (hi!), or twenty, or whatever!! Rejection hurts. But as someone who was so hurt that I literally needed a break from the field, I can tell you that it heals, and I truly feel like in my case, it was for the best (corny AF but true!). Give yourself a hug, put on a great movie (Crazy Rich Asians is a great feel good movie), pour yourself some wine, and remind yourself that you are a rockstar no matter what.

Yes! I have a pair on their way to me- I’m glad you like yours! I’ve heard good things. Ok perfect, thank you. I’ll check them out!!

Thanks!