Aghhhhh

I think it's awesome that you want to pursue a PhD! I'm starting my first year in a PhD program doing trauma-related work, and it has definitely been rewarding thus far.
With that said, I think you should be realistic about your chances of admittance into a PhD program with no prior research experience. Research is SO important when applying to these programs--actually, I don't think I am alone is saying that research experience is probably the most important part of your application. I applied to many trauma-focused programs last cycle with lots of experience in the field (posters, presentations, 3+ years as RA/RC), and even I only received one interview.
If money isn't a problem, I would say go for it this cycle. But applications are pretty expensive. I would definitely be on the lookout for a coordinator position that will help you with research output (schools really like to see pubs, posters, presentations). I think that will significantly raise your chances!

Definitely second this! While applying can be beneficial to get some experience with the process, having no research experience might cause an automatic rejection. I think your time would be better spent looking for a research position and making connections in the research realm. The applicant pool is getting more and more competitive each cycle, so the more in-depth research experience you have, the better. 

I think it's awesome that you want to pursue a PhD! I'm starting my first year in a PhD program doing trauma-related work, and it has definitely been rewarding thus far.
With that said, I think you should be realistic about your chances of admittance into a PhD program with no prior research experience. Research is SO important when applying to these programs--actually, I don't think I am alone is saying that research experience is probably the most important part of your application. I applied to many trauma-focused programs last cycle with lots of experience in the field (posters, presentations, 3+ years as RA/RC), and even I only received one interview.
If money isn't a problem, I would say go for it this cycle. But applications are pretty expensive. I would definitely be on the lookout for a coordinator position that will help you with research output (schools really like to see pubs, posters, presentations). I think that will significantly raise your chances!

I think it's awesome that you want to pursue a PhD! I'm starting my first year in a PhD program doing trauma-related work, and it has definitely been rewarding thus far.
With that said, I think you should be realistic about your chances of admittance into a PhD program with no prior research experience. Research is SO important when applying to these programs--actually, I don't think I am alone is saying that research experience is probably the most important part of your application. I applied to many trauma-focused programs last cycle with lots of experience in the field (posters, presentations, 3+ years as RA/RC), and even I only received one interview.
If money isn't a problem, I would say go for it this cycle. But applications are pretty expensive. I would definitely be on the lookout for a coordinator position that will help you with research output (schools really like to see pubs, posters, presentations). I think that will significantly raise your chances!

I think it's awesome that you want to pursue a PhD! I'm starting my first year in a PhD program doing trauma-related work, and it has definitely been rewarding thus far.
With that said, I think you should be realistic about your chances of admittance into a PhD program with no prior research experience. Research is SO important when applying to these programs--actually, I don't think I am alone is saying that research experience is probably the most important part of your application. I applied to many trauma-focused programs last cycle with lots of experience in the field (posters, presentations, 3+ years as RA/RC), and even I only received one interview.
If money isn't a problem, I would say go for it this cycle. But applications are pretty expensive. I would definitely be on the lookout for a coordinator position that will help you with research output (schools really like to see pubs, posters, presentations). I think that will significantly raise your chances!

A little off-topic, but I heard Trump's push for everything to reopen despite record-high cases may be his way of getting many voting polls to close in densely-populated areas (aka, democratic cities mainly), since Fall will bring about an unimaginable spike in cases. I hope this is just a conspiracy, but we've already seen this happen in Georgia during the primaries...
Anyway, fuck 45.

A little off-topic, but I heard Trump's push for everything to reopen despite record-high cases may be his way of getting many voting polls to close in densely-populated areas (aka, democratic cities mainly), since Fall will bring about an unimaginable spike in cases. I hope this is just a conspiracy, but we've already seen this happen in Georgia during the primaries...
Anyway, fuck 45.

A little off-topic, but I heard Trump's push for everything to reopen despite record-high cases may be his way of getting many voting polls to close in densely-populated areas (aka, democratic cities mainly), since Fall will bring about an unimaginable spike in cases. I hope this is just a conspiracy, but we've already seen this happen in Georgia during the primaries...
Anyway, fuck 45.

FUCK ICE 

I agree with @Psyche007. Just make sure you carefully word your emails & SOPs when you apply in the future. Of course, mentors aren't looking for drones, but I also think the majority may be hesitant to take on someone with a perceived "higher than thou" attitude (even if that's not the case). Also, a PhD program offers so much more than funding: mentors, connections, and most importantly, a higher education--a privilege most people can't afford. 
My answer to you is to be upfront with what you want, but think about how to word it so as not to put you in a negative light. I would also implore you to not think about PhD programs as "this for that," but rather an opportunity to grow, make connections, and think critically about the prevailing ideas in your field.

I agree with @Psyche007. Just make sure you carefully word your emails & SOPs when you apply in the future. Of course, mentors aren't looking for drones, but I also think the majority may be hesitant to take on someone with a perceived "higher than thou" attitude (even if that's not the case). Also, a PhD program offers so much more than funding: mentors, connections, and most importantly, a higher education--a privilege most people can't afford. 
My answer to you is to be upfront with what you want, but think about how to word it so as not to put you in a negative light. I would also implore you to not think about PhD programs as "this for that," but rather an opportunity to grow, make connections, and think critically about the prevailing ideas in your field.

I agree with @Psyche007. Just make sure you carefully word your emails & SOPs when you apply in the future. Of course, mentors aren't looking for drones, but I also think the majority may be hesitant to take on someone with a perceived "higher than thou" attitude (even if that's not the case). Also, a PhD program offers so much more than funding: mentors, connections, and most importantly, a higher education--a privilege most people can't afford. 
My answer to you is to be upfront with what you want, but think about how to word it so as not to put you in a negative light. I would also implore you to not think about PhD programs as "this for that," but rather an opportunity to grow, make connections, and think critically about the prevailing ideas in your field.

I agree with @Psyche007. Just make sure you carefully word your emails & SOPs when you apply in the future. Of course, mentors aren't looking for drones, but I also think the majority may be hesitant to take on someone with a perceived "higher than thou" attitude (even if that's not the case). Also, a PhD program offers so much more than funding: mentors, connections, and most importantly, a higher education--a privilege most people can't afford. 
My answer to you is to be upfront with what you want, but think about how to word it so as not to put you in a negative light. I would also implore you to not think about PhD programs as "this for that," but rather an opportunity to grow, make connections, and think critically about the prevailing ideas in your field.

I agree with @Psyche007. Just make sure you carefully word your emails & SOPs when you apply in the future. Of course, mentors aren't looking for drones, but I also think the majority may be hesitant to take on someone with a perceived "higher than thou" attitude (even if that's not the case). Also, a PhD program offers so much more than funding: mentors, connections, and most importantly, a higher education--a privilege most people can't afford. 
My answer to you is to be upfront with what you want, but think about how to word it so as not to put you in a negative light. I would also implore you to not think about PhD programs as "this for that," but rather an opportunity to grow, make connections, and think critically about the prevailing ideas in your field.

Hi all - I just dropped by to update the forum on the Psych Grad Wiki but saw this post, and wanted to allay a few concerns with some information. I'm faculty at an R1 psych dept - we will be accepting PhD students this fall. That right now isn't in question; we need graduate students to TA our classes (UF is fully funded; students receive a stipend + tuition waiver, in exchange for TA work) and assist in research. The real question is how many, which depends on a lot of factors. For instance, we want to prioritize funding for students already here, who may need an extra year given the impact this has on the academic job market. That might mean less funding to admit new students. But some of us have funding from grants or from startup, which aren't already allocated, and which can go towards recruiting new students. Those factors - how much money is available, what pot it's coming from, and whether current students need those funds - will vary a lot from department to department, and from university to university. So while the number of positions may decline or vary, there will still be labs accepting graduates students this fall. None of our accepted students are deferring, and none plan to (I was on our admissions committee this year, for the department), and I haven't heard of that happening elsewhere. This is for funded grad programs - most PhD programs, a few master's programs, etc. 
For programs where you pay tuition/no stipend, I would not expect this to affect grad admissions much if at all; the universities need the revenue from paying students, master's students included. 

Auburn University Counseling Psychology PhD. Message me if you'll be at Auburn!

Hi everybody
I hope that wherever you are in the world that you are safe and doing okay. This is a stressful time for the world, and to sound very self-focused, it's been also hard to juggle thinking about next steps in our academic careers. March/April time is really when things either come together or fall apart for us trying to get into PhD programs. In the midst of COVID and the world, society, families, friends all preoccupied with it, it does kind of seem to hampers our current academic success or struggles. I guess I am hoping that this message reaches those people who have either figured out where they will be going and to commend you on how far you've come, because it has not been an easy journey. But at the same time, I want to tell those people who are still figuring it out or just, honestly, so frustrated with the system and looking for something to keep you going.
PhD is just one of those things that is very hard to explain to other people why you are working so hard to get into these programs, why you love what you do that you essentially give up a normal life, what it really means to get into a (or many) program(s) that you are really happy to attend, among other things. It's so hard not to give up. It's so hard during undergrad to stay up one more night preparing for an exam or paper, it's so hard caring about the GRE even though there is no place in academia for it, it's so hard not to be named a co-author on a paper even though you did most of the work, the list could go on and on. I hope this message gives you some piece of motivation to keep going, because we all have been there. We all have asked ourselves these questions and felt down, sad, self-depreciating, depressed, anxious, and sometimes all you can do is cry. But I hope that you keep going and don't give up on your dream to do PhD! It's your dream, keep working hard for your dream
Congrats to everybody who has gotten into the program they wanted to get in! And I hope people still pursuing PhD that you don't give up, you can do this!

As a faculty member, this week has been overwhelming and chaotic for us all. Given how scared and uncertain students (and faculty) have felt this week, having recently learned of the existence of GradCafe it occurred to me that hearing from a faculty member might be helpful to some of you and so I planned to start a post expressing my support. However, upon seeing this thread, I wanted to address the initial poster's concern first and then share my thoughts (albeit - I am just one perspective).
My university, like so many, has moved to online-only instruction until mid-April, at minimum. I teach a graduate cognitive assessment class. Even if it were possible to teach test administration online (which I doubt anyone could do well - I certainly cannot), my students have to share some test kits with each other plus given the interactive nature of cognitive testing, it would be impossible for my students to administer a test battery and not touch objects that the testee also touches. #WAISIVCOVID19Outbreak is not the hashtag I want to follow my students or I, because we have an obligation to, above all else, do no harm. The skills-based aspect of my course will be on hold until we can resume in-person instruction. That means I, and my students, will need to be flexible regarding making up the missed classes, but I am willing to give up part of my summer to make sure my students are prepared in the way they need to be.
Let's hope that we're out of the woods by August! That said, as current students, prospective students, and students who will be entering a program in Fall 2020 - it is not your job to worry about how the COVID-19 crisis will affect your education. I understand may of you will worry, and that's okay - but your professors are and will do everything they can to make sure your education continues as planned.
All that said, I hope everyone is okay. For those of you who had to leave campus abruptly, I am sorry. For those of you who had spring-break plans cancelled, I am sorry. For anyone who is scared - you are not alone. For anyone who is angry about this disruption - you are not alone. I can only imagine how hard it must be to be a student or future student right now. Most (I want to believe all of ) your professors are doing the best they can. I realize that may not feel like enough, but it's the best we can do right now. Please take care of yourselves and if you are feeling anxious about the fall, do reach out to current faculty or POIs. We're here.
 
 

On a related note, I am so glad our interviews (at least for most folks) were earlier this year. Not being able to visit the schools and meet people face to face would have been a bummer!

Hey All,
I might be a little ridiculous but has anyone been thinking about the Coronavirus and how it may affect the start of Fall 2020 for those who have been admitted to programs? Especially, those of us who are looking to travel to different states  
I’m of course hoping that this virus is contained before August but there’s a part of me like what if it isn’t? Are we going to be starting out programs via online teaching & Zoom meetings?
I’ve seen so many conferences cancelled or rescheduled over the past few weeks. It’s making me wonder...

I definitely think it's acceptable at this point to ask the DCT about your status! A month is quite a while. 

Yikes. I really understand your frustration, having also interviewed at just one place. However, I think you should take more time to focus on your social and interpersonal skills--things that can't be measured on paper. To me, this comment comes across as arrogant, while also reducing Justice's qualifications to just having an "upper hand" by being a minority. (whether you intended for it to come across that way or not). I'm sure you interviewed extremely well, but it's insinuating comments like these that can potentially tank your chances...

I also can't wait for Animal Crossing!!

Yikes. I really understand your frustration, having also interviewed at just one place. However, I think you should take more time to focus on your social and interpersonal skills--things that can't be measured on paper. To me, this comment comes across as arrogant, while also reducing Justice's qualifications to just having an "upper hand" by being a minority. (whether you intended for it to come across that way or not). I'm sure you interviewed extremely well, but it's insinuating comments like these that can potentially tank your chances...

Yikes. I really understand your frustration, having also interviewed at just one place. However, I think you should take more time to focus on your social and interpersonal skills--things that can't be measured on paper. To me, this comment comes across as arrogant, while also reducing Justice's qualifications to just having an "upper hand" by being a minority. (whether you intended for it to come across that way or not). I'm sure you interviewed extremely well, but it's insinuating comments like these that can potentially tank your chances...