devpsych2020

Sorry for asking this question again but I never heard much news ? Does anyone know if UCLA Developmental finished extending the interview invitations? I realized their website says that all invitations will be out at least 2 weeks before the interview events and Developmental's on 1/31-2/1. So I guess it is almost over... There's just been such a lack of info shared for UCLA this year and I just rather get their rejection letter already. Stupid me for not letting it go...

Is it recommended to briefly contact your POI if you received your official interview invitation and there is so much time left until the actual visit? I received one of my invitations right before Christmas and the interview weekend is at the end of Feb. I did have email exchanges and a phone call with POI before submitting my application but didn't do preliminary interview. And now I am invited and thankful, I am wondering if I should send her a quick/generic email (ie i am v excited for the interview opportunity and look forward to visiting). Do you guys think it is extra? I also want to avoid the slightest chance of appearing indifferent by having no contact for like 3 months (between that unofficial contact and interview weekend).

Ugh. Their waiting game is too strong ?

Frozen 2's "Show Yourself" has been a great music to listen to before phone/skype interviews. Reminds me of all the hard work I've put in thus far (in layers of images/slow mo), makes me feel like my (well alive and healthy) parents are watching over me in the sky with graceful smiles on, and boosts my confidence and I internally shout, “Come to me now, [School]”. ...Idk guys, as long as it works, right?

Do you want to re-ask this question in the Psychology forum's Developmental Fall 2020 thread? Maybe some others will chime in with pieces of news they've heard or the result poster will see it and respond?

PLEASE

AGREED. They direct you to the psychology department stats which really isn't helpful since ICD is super independent from the regular psych department. Let's hold on tight. I am expecting the announcements to be made between 18th-20th...according to the past results.

I want to say it wouldn't (shouldn't) matter! And life definitely happens. You could try a minimal makeup, just to spot-correct some. BUT I think it is unnecessary and would be the best to just go without makeup and be comfortable. Especially if you don't know a specific product that would not worsen your acne or are not familiar with setting the concealer/fixing it throughout the day. Maybe look up some sleeping masks/sheet masks/moisturizers with tea tree oil, green tea, or cica. I find those to be the most effective with alleviating blemishes, acne, and other dermal inflammations.

Oh wow. For some reason (probably because they don't do interviews) ICD admissions process feels very mysterious. Also, I surprising couldn't find much info on grad cafe about people who got accepted, etc...

I don't think you would look "bad" at all for not wearing makeup. If anything, the basic expectations for the face area of applicants of any sex would be to look clean and awake (wash your face, slap on lotion/chapstick to avoid dry flakes, etc).

I applied to UMN Developmental track! I thought the psychopathology and clinical program basically counts as clinical ? But yes...I feel your terror. I would be happy get on their waitlist.

Which one is it? If you don't mind sharing.

Thanks for the response! Is it okay to wear comfy outfits (still nothing crazy) on other days than the interview day? I am referring to the causal outfit I would wear in the evening I am flying in (and probs meet grad student who's housing me) and the morning I am flying out.

I honestly thought we would start getting blasts of emails (good or bad) starting this week but it's been so quiet...Except for clinical folks. Does anyone else think things are running super slow this cycle? What is happening!

I thought ICD does not conduct interviews before making the admissions decisions..?!

It seems like Clinical folks wear nearly full formal attires for interviews. Is such full suit outfits also common for other psych areas? I am certainly not envisioning wearing ripped jeans or croptops. But am wondering if people business casual/minimal casuals, such as sweaters, solid color jeans, basic t-shirts, etc.

Hi! None of my following points are definite facts or professional advice, just my two cents (more like 6 cents). 1. Congrats on your successful undergrad performance. I think that if you cogently illustrate your time-efficient journey, it can vouch for your certain strengths. 2. GPA/GRE scores will mostly only help you to pass the very first bar (e.g., GPA>3.0 / each GRE section>65th %) of the admissions process (i.e., your application won't be immediately dropped) and adcom/faculties won't look at those scores again once you pass that first bar. Also, GPAs are evaluated regarding the competitiveness of originating schools (e.g., 3.5 from Harvard =/= 3.5 from X Community College). 3. Relevant research experience and substantial byproducts (e.g, specific statistics/clinical/programming skills, presentations/publications, grant approval, leadership roles, etc) are definitely the core factors that will help you pass further bars during the admissions process. Some people accrue enough research experience during their undergraduate, however, most people find it practically hard to gain a competitive research profile (not just a few lines under your CV's "research experience" section but YOUR competitive research profile) while committing as a full-time college student. That is why most people do Master's and/or post-bacc research training in labs/hospitals/etc with matching research/career focus. I also want to add that many of those who do Master's and/or post-bacc before applying to PhD are also the ones who actively worked as student RAs during undergrad, wrote senior theses, and were well-exposed to presentation/publication efforts during their undergrad. And that they (we) do Master's and/or post-bacc years to further advance and well-compete for the narrow PhD opportunities, not because they (we) lack certain qualities or were lazy during undergraduate. It is just that competitive and limited. 4. Strong recommendation letters are other important factors that will help you move forward during the admissions process. I believe that the strong letter not only speak for your research/academic achievements, but also your overall attitude/passion/work ethics/growth/and more which are all important characteristics regarded by grad schools to determine if you are a good fit for rigorous graduate curriculum (e.g., competitions, stress, mentor-student attitude, independence, etc). And for someone to strongly voice for your such characteristics, you need to maintain more professional relationship with the letter writer than a regular undergrad-professor one (e.g., Master's advisor, lab supervisor, etc). Of course, PhD applicants bring at least one strong letter from their undergrad, however, you need to submit THREE strong letters and you don't want these three to all sound the same. This is easily another reason why people often continue their research training after bachelor's. 5. I sincerely don't mean to be rude to you in this 5th point. But it seems like you don't fully understand why the replies on this thread (and everywhere else on the internet) emphasizes "research experience" for Psychology PhD application. Just as one can't ask, "How many coffee dates qualify me to kiss my date without asking her or considering the overall chemistry, etc?", I think it just out of touch to ask how many pubs/presentations you should have to qualify for a psych PhD. 6. Talk to your faculties about this stuff! It sounds like you have a few professors from college who are happy to chat about your plan for advanced education in psychology (and write your letters, I am assuming?). I didn't mean to write so much initially but oh well. Wish you the best in your academic/professional career!

I agree with other responses to find a paid RA job. I am not sure of your current location within AZ but ASU and U of A have big psych departments. I believe that ASU even has a family studies/human development kind of department separately as well? (If you are looking into clinical, counseling, or developmental route) 1. Like the other posts suggested, directly looking up PIs and their lab webpages will certainly help. I also second emailing the lab manager or at least CCing the lab manager to your email to PI. Profs who are busy doing big research projects (aka have money to hire paid RAs to work on those projects) may often miss your email in the waves of other priority emails. 2. On top of #1, try asking your professors for potential RA opportunities to work for them or their colleagues. I noticed that you are doing online masters so you may not have enough connection with your profs. Still, if there were/are any classes that your did well in and received good feedback on your course work, I don’t see any harm for reaching out to them for any relevant advice, tips, consulting, etc. 3. Use job search portals. I found indeed & higheredjobs to have the best relevant listings of research positions. Also, each university/college has its own job listing page somewhere. Although it lists all sorts of job positions open in the university/college community, you should be able to sort via advanced search to look up research opportunities only. Hope this helps and good luck!

OMG me! At one point, I found myself googling living costs/apartments in the areas of my top choices and looking into some real-winter clothes during the holiday sales (I live in the westcoast and my top choices are up in North or East). I really had to give myself a harsh invisible slap to snap out of it.

Hi all! Just wanted to ask for your thoughts on planning interview trips. Some schools are located at where you have to fly into the nearby city with decent airport, then take an hour or two shuttle rides to get to the campus. I figured that these shuttle services often offer "group discount" for 2/+ people and I honestly would feel more safe if I have a company on these long van ride in an unfamiliar region... So I did email schools about being connected to other interviewees traveling in for the same interview event and am still waiting for the response. If I can't be connected to other interviewees through school, what do you all think about finding a travel mate on grad cafe? I believe that there are several risks due to the anonymity of this forum but still wanted to hear anyone with past experiences or suggestion?

Would you mind PMing me the POI info for U Michigan (I am assuming Ann Arbor?)?! Thanks in advance!

I feel you both! I also absolutely despise uncertainty and this unpredictable process really makes us question our strengths and qualities... In case anyone find helpful, I would like to share my two mottos that I religiously live by, in terms of academic/career life: 1) This is fundamentally me overcoming myself and 2) I didn't come this far, only to come this far. Happy New Years, everyone. Hope you treat yourself with good food and great quality sleeps at the least!

Do you have any recommendation on how to deliver the message to the prior school? Just be honest and say that I now have to rearrange/cancel your school's event cause I want to go to another schools ??

Happy holidays, ya'll! Anyone know what's going on with UCLA? I honestly thought the mass rejection email ("check your app status") would come out before christmas...

Thank you! Hope everyone reading this post spends relaxing holidays and gets fully recharged to prepare for all these interviews ⭐️??