spookycat

I have been making my list for quite some time, and I am still looking for schools to add to my list. My sister is currently in a Counseling Psychology PhD program, so she has been a ton of help during this process! I have an excel sheet with all of the information I need; here is a brief version. Side note: these are all Counseling PhD programs.
University of North Texas 
University of Tennessee - Knoxville 
University of Missouri - Columbia 
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Oklahoma State University
Northeastern University
University of Massachusetts - Boston
Auburn University

Hello, it’s so great that you are planning early on where you’d like to apply! More generally speaking, I think keeping an organized spreadsheet with 1) program names, 2) program mission, 3) program model, 4) at minimum two potential mentors you’d work with, 5) average gre scores of prior accepted cohorts (past two years only), 6) average time to graduate, 7) average EPPP scores, and 8 ) average gpa of accepted cohort (past two years only) and 9) financial aid info is the bare minimum for what you should know for all of your programs. For Clinical PhD programs, it’s best to apply to as many as 10-15 or more. For Counseling PhD, 7-10 is best. I’d love to provide individual feedback and support you especially since I’ve interviewed and received acceptances from programs you’ve mentioned. Please DM me  also, word to the wise - with greater prestige comes greater competition. Know this when applying to places like UNC Chapel Hill or Boston College. I don’t mean to discourage you at all, but this is already such a competitive process so I found that it helped me to rank my chances on “goodness of fit” to my programs’ averages. Even then, it was still competitive! 

Like many others in this thread, I have applied 3 times. I was completely unprepared the first time; I got 4 interviews the 2nd time, but was rejected from all; and I have been accepted this 3rd time, and to my top choice of programs. I've also learned a lot from this process, some of which I think is worth sharing:
Stop focusing on everyone else around you. I made the mistake of always comparing myself to both other applicants and students, and I always felt a sense of inadequacy. Even at the interviews, I always felt like I was the weakest candidate there and had no chance. Even during this current cycle, those thought persisted. For example: the program that accepted me interviewed 8-10 applicants per PI, so there were a LOT of people there. I thought for sure, I had no chance. Well folks - I got in! That goes to show that you have just as much a chance as anyone else at that interview. And, in general, you have no idea how well someone is going to mesh with a PI or program, so don't compare yourself to someone who you feel is superior.
Take your time. If you feel any sense of uncertainty, I would recommend taking a year or two off and working in a research setting. I was rejected after applying straight out of undergrad, and again the next year. I actually did not apply last cycle, due to a job commitment. However, I am very thankful for the experience I was able to gain in these 3 years I will have as a research assistant. I feel much more prepared for graduate school, and that definitely came across on my interviews. I have absolutely no doubt that this is what I want to do.
Prepare, but don't memorize. It is very important to practice answering some questions that may be thrown at you, to avoid looking like a "deer in headlights" during the actual interview. Topics like your research interests, potential study ideas, your past research experience (things you learned), and "why their program" are all pretty standard, and they expect you to be able to answer them with ease. However, you don't want it to come across like you've memorized a canned answer. The more natural your conversation flows, the more comfortable you feel, and the better rapport you have. Just be yourself - you know your stuff!
Don't give up! If this wasn't your time, it wasn't your time. Don't give up just yet. Of course, there may come a point where you at least consider another option, but give it a little time first. This process is grueling and competitive, and honestly, timing and luck definitely play a part, as well. You may be the most qualified candidate out there, but there was just someone else who meshed better with your POI. It was just the wrong place at the wrong time. Just remember to pick yourself back up, take a deep breath, and take another go at it. Mentally, physically, and financially, it's tough - but it's also an amazing learning experience. THis is weird to say...but I'm almost glad I was rejected so many times. The program I was accepted to was my top choice (I had never applied in the past), and I couldn't be happier. I am so much happier with this acceptance than I would have been with any of the other I interviewed at. 
 
Congratulations on all who were accepted, and best of luck to those who continue their application journeys. 

This seemed useful and appropriate:
https://psychology.unl.edu/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

Committed to University of Minnesota a few days ago!! Cannot wait to get started!

University of Iowa for clinical!

Officially accepted for University of Nebraska Lincoln for clinical! 

I got into my top choice nearly a month ago and I still feel the need to check this website because it really became part of my identity these past couple years lol (this was my third cycle applying). Sending all the good vibes to those of you still waiting; your day will come. Persistence is key! 

Formally accepted my offer from Teachers College, Columbia University today! I'm so excited

School: Yeshiva University
Concentration: Clinical
Type: PsyD
Date of acceptance:  2/7/2019
Notified by: Phone call from POI the night of my interview!
Interview Invites (5/7) -- Yeshiva University, University of Denver, LIU Post, William James College, Nova Southeastern University 
Declined Interview (2/7) -- George Washington University, Roosevelt University
Withdrew (canceled interviews after accepting Yeshiva’s offer) (2/7) – University of Denver, LIU Post
Accepted (3/3) – Yeshiva University, William James College, Nova Southeastern University
ATTENDING: Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Concentration: Counseling Psychology
Type: PhD
Date of acceptance:  3/14/2019
Notified by: Email from POI that I've been accepted off of the waitlist!

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

I actually have a fellowship at the other school I’m visiting too. It’s in a great location, and much less expensive. Comparatively the fellowship is better because of the cost of living there. I would be able to buy a house there. It was my top choice prior to visiting the expensive school. I still have to meet everyone, I might love it too, I know, but... My POI at the expensive school is very interested in working with me, so much so that they asked me to give them a chance to compete if the fellowship they offer (still waiting on the details) doesn’t measure up. It feels really good to be so wanted, and I think I could do great there, I just don’t know if it’s possible for them to do enough to help me have a good quality of life there. I have to think about my child’s needs and quality of life too. 

Accepted my offer at Oklahoma State University! Completely over the moon, this program was everything I didn't know I was looking for and is just such a good fit for me! 

Keep the fellowship in mind, but also try to keep an open mind about the next interview! I was not excited about the location of one program which had a crazy low cost of living, and when I went I was absolutely and completely in love with the program and suddenly the location wasn't so bad. I don't have children but money is a huge factor for me as well, and being able to rent a full house for the price of a crappy apartment in my hometown (or a box in one of the big cities) is just something that I couldn't pass up.
Not saying that you should choose a program you don't love, but try to really explore the positives about the cheaper city - there are some major perks to living in smaller cities beyond just cost of living. 

Absolutely my thinking as well, haha. As soon as I received my first acceptance my brain was like, "WHAT DO I STRESS ABOUT NOW?!" and I felt compelled to launch myself into wedding planning. Going the elopement route so it's not nearly as intense, but still think I should consider just relaxing for a bit!

Accepted my University of Arkansas - Fayetteville offer! When I started this process I thought my top choices would be Marquette or Arizona. Did not think I'd end up rejecting both of those offers and moving to Arkansas but I'm super excited

School: Virginia Commonwealth University
Concentration: Child-Adolescent Track
Type: PhD
Date of acceptance: 03/1/2019
Notified by: Phone call from POI
Just when I thought getting into a PhD program wasn't happening for me, I got accepted into my top program choice!!! Tears fell after I hung up the phone because of the relief. Feel free to DM for PI!!! IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING WITH ALL OF YOU ❤️ 

I would give at least one kidney to have this process just be over. The burnout is so real. 

Accepted my offer at Oklahoma State University! Completely over the moon, this program was everything I didn't know I was looking for and is just such a good fit for me! 

Don't sweat the small stuff. I'd say this is perfectly fine. Personally I'd wear black flats to match the color of your outfit, but flats are just as fine as heels. Good luck!