IOapp2020

I did a year in a School Psych doc program a few years ago and when I interviewed, questions were mostly focused on career goals, practical experience in education (I had been a teacher, so they may have targeted those questions given my experience), and what I would look for out of a dissertation committee. Honestly, the bulk of the questions were casual (e.g. "What are you reading right now?") and I got ~6 min with each professor. I will say that when I helped with interview weekend for the next cohort, though, questions were more intense. They had a large focus on social justice, so they decided to crack down on those questions and included questions like, "How would you describe your racial identity?" and "How do you confront racism?".

Honestly, if you're looking into school psych, research experience is good, but your ABA experience will be highly valued. School psych (even at a PhD level) is highly applied. Many go after a PhD just to work in settings other than schools, as opposed to staying in academia (and the program I was in had us get ABA certification along the way, so you'd already be ahead). Just emphasize your experience with behavioral interventions and associated assessments, and express your interest in academic interventions. If you're really concerned, I'd reach out to professors at schools you're interested in and ask if you can help in one of their labs. When I was in school psych, we had quite a few students email our professor asking to help and she let them attend lab meetings and work on papers, but they weren't funded. Most professors are more than willing to have an extra hand as long as you aren't expecting funding. 

I'll also be at UH, but PhD in I/O Psych.

I'll also be at UH, but PhD in I/O Psych.

I'll also be at UH, but PhD in I/O Psych.

Clemson sent an email today saying POIs should be reaching out in 4-6 weeks.

Clemson sent an email today saying POIs should be reaching out in 4-6 weeks.

Just got invited to interview at the University of Houston on Feb. 7-8!

Just got invited to interview at the University of Houston on Feb. 7-8!

I did a year in a School Psych doc program a few years ago and when I interviewed, questions were mostly focused on career goals, practical experience in education (I had been a teacher, so they may have targeted those questions given my experience), and what I would look for out of a dissertation committee. Honestly, the bulk of the questions were casual (e.g. "What are you reading right now?") and I got ~6 min with each professor. I will say that when I helped with interview weekend for the next cohort, though, questions were more intense. They had a large focus on social justice, so they decided to crack down on those questions and included questions like, "How would you describe your racial identity?" and "How do you confront racism?".

Well, I officially hit the submit button on my applications this morning! My stomach is in knots already and the waiting has only begun.
I applied to six schools: BGSU, Wayne State, UNC Charlotte, Clemson, Rice, and Houston. I'll have my master's in I-O by the time fall 2020 rolls around, so I tried to select schools that are open to accepting a great deal of credit. Best of luck to all!

Well, I officially hit the submit button on my applications this morning! My stomach is in knots already and the waiting has only begun.
I applied to six schools: BGSU, Wayne State, UNC Charlotte, Clemson, Rice, and Houston. I'll have my master's in I-O by the time fall 2020 rolls around, so I tried to select schools that are open to accepting a great deal of credit. Best of luck to all!