PsychPhdBound

This! All we can do is be ourselves since there is no magic formula and we want to be sure wherever we get in we'll be appreciated and valued. It's like dating. If you're hoping to get married you don't fake your way through dates just trying to be what you think they want. You seek out a pairing that works really well for both sides. You would never marry someone just because other people thought they were the best, but you had to fake who you were to get them to fall in love with you. Be your shiniest, authentic self. Remember this is a relationship you'll have to be "married" to for 5-6 years, that will set up the rest of your career.

I have to do this for one of my programs and feel like it's probably tanking my chances. I tried to visit another weekend, since I have a conflict, but they said the department would only pay for my trip if I came on the "official" visiting weekend. I offered to cover my own costs and the PI said she would feel bad making me pay and that I could connect with faculty and Grad students via Skype, which seemed like a bad sign. They are a really high ranked program and I got the sense that they aren't used to being the ones who are asked to move, so they were irked by my request. Oh well, what can you do? My other programs are much "lower" ranked but have been so much more inviting and supportive. I'd rather go somewhere I'm really valued and wanted.

Agreed! Represent who you truly are, don't be afraid to be authentic. If you're worried, you can always just be mindful of how you phrase things. For example, saying that you have other hobbies you prefer to prioritize and don't feel relaxed reading for pleasure is different than saying "I don't read much". They are both completely true, the wrapping is just nicer :).

What I've heard that makes it even more complicated is that an advisor could be very well regarded in a subfield, even though their program is ranked "low". For example, someone I'm looking at is really well known in the field but is in a department that's ranked ~90th. She used to be at a "top tier" institution but moved a few years back to raise her kids where she's from. So I was told that it was important to look at how she's viewed and where her students end up, not just the department as a whole. And her students, from her new institution, have indeed gone on to do amazing things. It seems like as long as you're an outstanding candidate, even from a "lower" you can still go on to do important work. Will you get a TT position at Michigan, probably not, but that doesn't mean you can't be successful.

Are you going to ASU visiting weekend? I'll be there too!

I just finished my first interview visit and will say, at least at this program, everyone was SOOOOO young. So that's definitely something to be aware of ?

Me too! Not sure if we were at the same visit :), but everyone was so friendly and welcoming and even though it was a LONG day they were all so supportive and made sure we were totally taken care of! Still waiting to hear about the final decision, and still waiting on two more visits, but I think I could be really happy in that program! Good luck everyone!!

Just in case anyone is looking at this thread, I'd love to hear from current grad students who live in Lexington. I'm still deciding between UK and one other program, but if I choose UK I'll be moving with me partner and be looking to buy a house. Curious about the neighborhoods and what a reasonable distance would be (20 mins? 30 mins?). Thanks!

In case anyone from this round is considering Portland I just wanted to let you know I'm here to answer any questions and the city. Feel free to message me!

Thank you! It's my first interview so I'm pretty excited to get this next stage in the process started!

No, don't wear it. This process is meant to present the best versions of our actual selves, not for us to try and fit into some cultural expectations. I don't wear makeup (I'm a woman) and don't plan on changing that for my visits. This is my first time applying, but I was in my post-bacc program last year when applicants came for visiting day and you could TOTALLY tell who was uncomfortable in their clothes and who wasn't. Definitely look sharp and put together (I didn't see any jeans accept at the socials), but be yourself and wear comfortable shoes. I will be in nice wrap dresses for all of my visits, not packing a single blazer. But I'm also 37 and a little more at home in my sense of self than I know many other people are. It can be hard when you're in your early 20's (I don't know if you are) to feel confident enough to just be the shiniest version of yourself. But I'm sure you'll shine in so many ways, don't stress too much about the outfit!

I would always err on the side of honest and not worry so much about whether it's a "good" or "right" answer. The best thing you can do is to represent your authentic self. It will be a LONG process if you have to fake your way through it (interviews and PhD programs). Take a deep breath, remember that they invited you because they are excited by what you have to offer, and try to enjoy this experience!! Good luck!

Just focus on your own answers and being authentic. I know this sounds counterintuitive, but you're not there to "beat" anyone, this is your opportunity to show them who you are. It's clear in a group setting when people aren't being themselves, so take a deep breath, remind yourself that they invited you because they are excited about what you have to offer, and focus on being your best self. If that doesn't end up being what they want then it's for the best. But you don't want to act one way in the interview and then show up to the program as someone else. That doesn't benefit anyone in the long run. Good luck, have fun, and remember, you're the only you in that room!

I applied to UK's Experimental Psychology Ph.D. program (social, developmental, health track) and my interview is this coming week ?

Agreed!! I'm so grateful for these forums! No one else in my life really understands what this process is like. They are all trying to be supportive but from the start they've all been "of course you'll get in, you're so smart" and I've had to explain 1,000 times, it's not about smart, most serious applicants are smart, it's about SOOOOO much more and it doesn't make much sense. For example, I've been invited to interview at a "Top 5" program, but didn't hear a word from my personal top choice which is toward the bottom of the "Top 20". Also, I'm interviewing at a "lower ranked" program, I think it's like #60/70, and I'm actually MORE excited about it than the #2 school, so who the heck knows! ?

School: Arizona State University Type of Program: Family and Human Development Acceptance Date: 12/19/2019

I totally agree! I'll definitely need to visit in person. I've asked the second school, even though it's "ranked" #2, if there is an option for an alternate interview/visiting date. My advisors think I should have asked the other school to move, but I had already committed and am equally interested, so I'm rolling the dice and going with my gut. I know ranking matters, but so does fit and knowing I'm at a program that really wants me. We'll see what happens. First interview is next week (SUPER EXCITED) and in about a month this craziness will all be over! Of course then we'll have the craziness of grad school ?

Totally understand your frustrations and your feelings are completely valid! The only thing I would suggest is to try and use this as a learning/growth opportunity. If you can begin to train yourself to focus on your experiences and successes, independent of comparisons and/or judgments of others around you, your grad school journey (and career) will be so much richer. If you allow your "wins" to be dampened by the fact that you can find others who, from your vantage point, are winning "more" you'll always be left wanting. Mindfulness is a great tool to cultivate in this regard! Good luck!!

Hopefully you sent a thank you email after your Skype, but I'd wait until Monday to follow-up. I've heard from a couple of my POI's over the weekend. I think for alot of them it's when they get caught up with emails. As we all know, while this is our entire world and everything we think about, it's just a tiny % of their jobs and isn't necessarily top of mind for them. Good luck!!

I heard today about setting up a Skype interview for next week with in-person invites coming the following week. Hope that helps!

I have this same issue as well! I hate this situation and am still trying to sort it out. Is your conflict also 2/21-22? All the advice being given is not helpful for me because I'm equally excited about both programs so I don't have an obvious "first choice". So I've just reached out to both to see which would be accommodating to a request for an alternate visit. Would love to know what you're doing!

I was also accepted to ASU's FHD program! Still trying to decide though between that and two others. Can't wait to do all of my visits!

I applied to Family and Human Development at ASU. It was more about the POI then the program, especially since I was told there was alot of overlap with the psych department.

I can't speak to whether or not you can get into a program, but I can tell you that the ranking of your undergrad institution won't matter. I am at a VERY low ranked school and just got invited to interview at one of the top Developmental Psychology programs in the country. My situation is VERY different from yours and I can tell you that I was told again and again that all of my "real world" experience (12 years) combined with my research experience (2 labs, 3 first author posters) and my perfect research fit was what lead to PI's offering me interviews. So as many others have said, there is no magic formula, but if you don't get in this round I think you should go be a lab manager, get some publications/posters and then reapply in 2 years. But in the end, none of us have the "right" answer for you.

It looks like others heard from UVA yesterday or late last week. I think it's time for me to write this one off :(. I received an invite from three other programs, I was just REALLY excited about UVA. Oh well, it will all work out in the end! Good luck with your interviews!!