I need a quick vent:
I applied to 10 Counseling Psych PhD programs. I got my last rejection yesterday. I was applying right from undergrad, so I knew it was a stretch, but I have a strong GPA/GRE, and a few years of great research experience, so I was kind of hopeful.
I have turned down a few Masters offers, and am planning on spending a year or two working in a research environment before re-applying to PhD programs. Finding a research job has been a whole new stressful experience. I have been rejected from three jobs so far, that I was really excited about and thought would be a perfect fit. I have some more applications out there, but with graduation approaching quickly, I just wish I had solidified plans and peace of mind about what I will be doing a month from now. It is so stressful having your life up in the air, and not knowing what is coming next.
The past few months, first with PhD program rejections, and now with job rejections, have been tough. I am a very optimistic person, but it is hard to stay positive through all of this rejection.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful answers, everyone! I will definitely take your advice. Now that a few days have passed I'm feeling less reactionary, and you're words of solidarity definitely helped.
Thank you!
I'd ask for an extension! It can't hurt, and it's so close to the deadline that I think if you feel invested in the school for which you don't yet know about funding, it's totally worth it. Hopefully they can provide you with more information about funding before the 15th!
Yes, I have visited both schools, probably had like 10-15 conversations with POIs, current faculty, students and alums in total between the two of them, so I think I've probably done as much research as I can without going over the top. I think it probably will come down to a gut instinct, like you said--just need to figure out how to interpret my instincts! It's a good thing I'm not going into decisions sciences haha
Have you been able to visit both schools or have a follow up conversation with POI or current students at each? Both sound like perfectly good options, even if the second school seems a bit riskier as far as funding goes. Personally, I would go with my gut here - you've clearly given it a lot of thought and weighed different pros and cons, so no matter what you're making an informed, reasonable decision. I'm sure you'd be successful at either program, but if you have the sense that one might be a better fit (even for more amorphous reasons like the vibe of the school), I'd go with that one. Good luck!
Have you been able to visit both schools or have a follow up conversation with POI or current students at each? Both sound like perfectly good options, even if the second school seems a bit riskier as far as funding goes. Personally, I would go with my gut here - you've clearly given it a lot of thought and weighed different pros and cons, so no matter what you're making an informed, reasonable decision. I'm sure you'd be successful at either program, but if you have the sense that one might be a better fit (even for more amorphous reasons like the vibe of the school), I'd go with that one. Good luck!
Have you been able to visit both schools or have a follow up conversation with POI or current students at each? Both sound like perfectly good options, even if the second school seems a bit riskier as far as funding goes. Personally, I would go with my gut here - you've clearly given it a lot of thought and weighed different pros and cons, so no matter what you're making an informed, reasonable decision. I'm sure you'd be successful at either program, but if you have the sense that one might be a better fit (even for more amorphous reasons like the vibe of the school), I'd go with that one. Good luck!
Have you been able to visit both schools or have a follow up conversation with POI or current students at each? Both sound like perfectly good options, even if the second school seems a bit riskier as far as funding goes. Personally, I would go with my gut here - you've clearly given it a lot of thought and weighed different pros and cons, so no matter what you're making an informed, reasonable decision. I'm sure you'd be successful at either program, but if you have the sense that one might be a better fit (even for more amorphous reasons like the vibe of the school), I'd go with that one. Good luck!
As far as the MPH vs MS, I don't know how much it matters. Which degree gives you the opportunities to take classes that give you the skillset you want? If both programs have similar coursework, I don't think in the long run it will make a difference when applying to a PhD or MD. All of those schools are great, though I think Duke is the least well known for public health (check if they're accredited through CEPH).
After 3 applications cycles, 14 applications, and 12 rejections, I am FINALLY going to my dream program! I got a call from JHU GDEC Friday afternoon and I received my acceptance letter/saw portal changes a few hours later. DREAMS COME TRUE LADIES AND GENTS YOU CAN MAKE IT OFF THE WAITLIST!
Seriously though, thank you to this forum for all of the support and well wishes. Congrats to all!!!
I would say yes. having fellowship money can make a big difference in terms of being able to take on a student. At the very least, they will say no again, but at least you will have tried. I saw a post once of someone else in this situation who was able to get into a program that they had not originally applied for because they had a grant and that meant the school could afford to take them. I would start contacting POIs that you applied to, especially if you interviewed with any of them and it went well, and maybe some others that you are interested in working with that you didn't apply to before. Hopefully someone can give you better info on how to go about this. Congrats on your fellowship!
I think you say just that - you’re still considering their school, but you have another offer pending and don’t want to make a final decision until they come back. If they’ve given you until April 15, they can’t make you decide anything before then. All these schools have to know what a mess and a half it is between offers, funding, waitlists, and all of the other intricacies applicants have to figure out when all of these schools have different timelines but the same final decision date. As long as you’re polite and transparent, no reason not to be honest!
You’re very welcome! It’s not a guarantee that the school will give you the extension of course, but then in that case, you can always accept and then retract.
To be honest, I’m not sure what the nuances of retracting AFTER April 15 are... personally I feel like a retraction is a retraction regardless of when someone does it, and as long as it’s done politely and transparently, there shouldn’t be a reason for bridges to burn.
Good luck to you and your waitlist!
I was at Wal-Mart getting my kid a toy when the email hit my phone. I started crying right there in the toy isle so I fit in real well with the other crazy people of Wal-Mart.
I got off the waitlist y'all! There is hope! Keep your hopes up everyone! I seriously had to do a double take and jokingly asked if it was an April Fools Joke but nope, it was a real offer! What a day!
M.A. + 2 Ph.D. So far, I am 1/1/3 (a/w/r), though I'd prefer to think of it as 0/*2/3 since I'm waitlisted (first in line) for funding and I ain't going without funding!! As for the remaining three programs, I've not heard a peep! I applied to Bowling Green State's Ph.D. (I love that program!), and although word is that 'acceptance' and 'waitlist' people were notified early March, I've not heard a damn thing! I've been eagerly awaiting my rejection letter ever since I heard that...but nothing! I applied to Florida State's M.A. well before the deadline for funding consideration...nothing. I also applied to Ole Miss's M.A. (a few days before the deadline), yet that one should be forthcoming not long after its recent deadline. All things considered, I wish BGSU would reject me already! I wish FSU would come crawling out of their swamp!! As for my waitlist programs, I wish they'd admit or knock me already!
This season is a stressful one. To top it off, I was rejected by a program whose Director or Chair while stating that there were 'some very nice' things in my application (whichever...) basically commented that my writing sample was not only good but 'very' good. Like, what?! I mean, okay, then what else is there (besides the shortcomings I'm trying to atone for by writing such a good paper as well as the--relatively speaking--experienced CV it helped build!!!)??
Who here feels me?
Hello All,
I recently got accepted at University of Louisville Phd in public health sciences with graduate assistantship which covers full tuition, health benefits and stipends
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