Schy

I'll just post my twitter here for everyone: @jess_froe 
I want to be friends with you all! 

Anyone else having a hard time focusing on work/school/interview prep because of the inauguration? Or, is that just me ? 
Feeling very grateful for the overall supportive nature of this forum. Sending positive energy and wishes of acceptance to everyone here. It's been a grueling process for sure, but I am thankful I am not alone in this boat ❤️ 
Sorry for the side note!

Almost wish that I didn't know that Fordham's interview notification deadline is end of day today... getting heart palpitations every time my email goes off lol

Just a quick reminder: There are programs that are just beginning the process of reviewing applications. I imagine some have not begun yet. Practice self-care during this stressful time. Do things you enjoy (to the best of your ability). Flesh out your Plan B. Many of us needed multiple cycles of applications to finally get into programs. I needed 3. Your timeline is your own. Despite how it feels, you are not in competition. Be well and good luck!

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

thank you!!
University of florida! But it wasn't for a clinical/counseling program. I think one thing that definitely helped was that I had contact with my POI before the interviews. I emailed her about my interest in the fall and she offered to meet with me so we talked then. I also attended a virtual conference she was speaking at and emailed her some thoughts/questions a day later. I did everything I could PRE interview time to make sure my name was on the forefront of her mind. 
 
When it came time for the preliminary interview I was panicky and didn't know how to prepare so I prepared for questions all those questions that you can find online. However the interview was so different from what I imagined. She may have asked four questions max and because we had spoken with each other before she said to me "I'm asking these because I had to ask everyone else, but I have a pretty good idea of what your answers will be" so for me it was like a refresher. 
However the 'official' interview will be a lot more intense. She told me to be prepared to speak with her for an hour and also requested that I send her two research ideas before our meeting so that we can talk about them during the interview as well. She also sent out an email to the current doctoral students introducing me and told me to expect to interview with the members. 
I think to prepare for these interviews, I'll continue reading the labs research, as well as my own. and I'm lucky that I have this one expertise that the POI is interested in utilizing it in her studies so I'm gonna make sure I can communicate what I want to communicate in an easily digestible and effective manner. 

Last year with the GRE included I only received 1 invite from a funded program (and it was a lesser known program). This year without the GRE I've received FOUR invites so far all to funded and well known programs.
Screw the GRE ? My hope is that programs realize how useless it can be in determining who the best applicants truly are 

the GRE not being needed this round of applications was definitely my saving grace lmao I don't think I scored higher than 151 in either area. apart from that I had good GPA however only ONE OF my LOR was from someone in academia 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

the GRE not being needed this round of applications was definitely my saving grace lmao I don't think I scored higher than 151 in either area. apart from that I had good GPA however only ONE OF my LOR was from someone in academia 

Good luck as you finish up undergrad during these trying times! It is difficult for most recent grads to get into a PhD program right away. I know this is not necessarily comforting, but you are not alone in that. As for what to do next, if you're concerned with finances I suggest keeping up the effort to find a research gig. If that means working a side hustle to "volunteer" for a few months, so be it. But only do this if this will guarantee you a position (I'm very nervous about this 'work for free' culture). Ideally, though, you would get a paid position in a research lab at a University (psych would be awesome, but really any lab will do), and use their employee tuition discounts to take courses (either degree-seeking or non-degree seeking) to get your GPA up. If you don't get into a psych lab, you can always apply after gaining experience in a different department, making you a better candidate.
Personally I would do this first instead of a master's, because then you can get paid, gain experience, potentially be eligible for massive employee tuition discounts, and get more and more eligible for PhD programs in the next few years.
For context - I am about to turn 28. I got my master's right out of college (paid for with stipend luckily), but now have had to work for 3 years in a bachelor's-level research position anyways. I often think it would have been better to start out here instead of continuing my education just because I didn't think I was ready to join the work force (I totally was though). Also, age is just a number. I used to be scared to be in a grad program in my 30s but like...I'm going to turn 30 someday anyways. May as well be pursuing something I am wholly passionate about when I do. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

thank you!!
University of florida! But it wasn't for a clinical/counseling program. I think one thing that definitely helped was that I had contact with my POI before the interviews. I emailed her about my interest in the fall and she offered to meet with me so we talked then. I also attended a virtual conference she was speaking at and emailed her some thoughts/questions a day later. I did everything I could PRE interview time to make sure my name was on the forefront of her mind. 
 
When it came time for the preliminary interview I was panicky and didn't know how to prepare so I prepared for questions all those questions that you can find online. However the interview was so different from what I imagined. She may have asked four questions max and because we had spoken with each other before she said to me "I'm asking these because I had to ask everyone else, but I have a pretty good idea of what your answers will be" so for me it was like a refresher. 
However the 'official' interview will be a lot more intense. She told me to be prepared to speak with her for an hour and also requested that I send her two research ideas before our meeting so that we can talk about them during the interview as well. She also sent out an email to the current doctoral students introducing me and told me to expect to interview with the members. 
I think to prepare for these interviews, I'll continue reading the labs research, as well as my own. and I'm lucky that I have this one expertise that the POI is interested in utilizing it in her studies so I'm gonna make sure I can communicate what I want to communicate in an easily digestible and effective manner. 

Hi all, I too am on the boat of applying to 15 programs and hearing radio silence from all of them. I know anxiety levels are skyrocketing these past few days, so join me in saying these words of affirmation for yourself out loud! We are all qualified and deserving of reaching our goals! ?
 
1. If I do my best throughout this process, I will end up at exactly the school and program where I belong.
2. Setbacks and mistakes are a natural part of this process. I’m taking a big risk by being honest with myself about my dreams and goals—and being willing to go after them!
3. At all moments—right this moment—I am being drawn toward the people, places, and opportunities for my highest good and my highest service to the world.
4. There is enough time, money, energy, and opportunities in life for me to make a difference. There is room at the top for me!
5. I am dedicated to enjoying this journey. Not every part will be fun or easy, but I will not let my life whiz by me in a race to “the next best thing.” I live and enjoy my life today.
6. I’m either winning or learning. Even if things don’t turn out exactly as I’d hoped, I will gain valuable lessons that will be invaluable to me and to others in the future.
7. I give myself permission to go after the opportunities that excite me, to reach out to the people I want to meet, and to apply to the schools that I’d love to attend.
8. I am willing, ready, and going to take one step today toward reaching my goals of getting into my dream school. I know that even just one small action is better than doing nothing.
9. I give myself permission to rest, relax, and take a break from thinking about “grad school stuff” all the time. I know that I don’t have to push myself to exhaustion in order to reach my goals, because my goals want to reach me as much I want to reach them.
10. I surround myself with uplifting people and abundant thoughts that affirm my journey toward the graduate program of my choosing.
 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

So I also haven’t taken on a masters because the financial stress isn’t something I can feasibly do. I won’t say it’s been easy but it’s been doable. I already had a job throughout undergrad that was able to accommodate my schedule and when I got a volunteer position at a research lab my paying job continued to be flexible with me. While doing this won’t increase your GPA it will increase your experience and I think you can get into programs even with your GPA. I think the trick is to sell yourself in the right light. Sucky things happen!!! Sometimes it’s our GPA. sometimes it’s lack of a masters. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I would say if it was a top choice program/POI/you had contact before it wouldn't hurt to send a follow up. They may be able to offer some valuable insight on ways you can improve for next time! Whether it's common or not I'm not sure matters. What matters is that you do what you can to access feedback, and ultimately, learn from something that can be shitty and discouraging. 
 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I guess I did great during my preliminary interview because my POI just invited me to an official one next week and told me she was preparing an email to introduce me to her lab if I was still interested AND OF COURSE I AM. I am so shocked. On Monday when we had the preliminary interview, she told me to expect to hear from her in a few weeks..............its been THREE DAYS. I am so happy. 

I would say if it was a top choice program/POI/you had contact before it wouldn't hurt to send a follow up. They may be able to offer some valuable insight on ways you can improve for next time! Whether it's common or not I'm not sure matters. What matters is that you do what you can to access feedback, and ultimately, learn from something that can be shitty and discouraging.