penguinqueen

A very accomplished PI said something to me at a holiday party that has really resonated with me and hopefully will help others as well. 
I was discussing how I couldn't wait to get into a program and finally start my career/life. He stopped me and said no, you've already started. This is the early stages of your career. You are succeeding now, working as a research assistant, building a solid CV. The next step is a PhD, but it's not the beginning. 
So, friends. You've already started. You're well on your way! Hope you all had a lovely holiday ?

Unless there was a criminal component to your prior mental health records, it should not appear in a background check as that is protected information between patient and doctor/hospital. I don't think that would be accessible unless you signed release forms allowing your mental health providers to share. 
Unfortunately, very very qualified applicants such as yourself don't get accepted every year. There are just so few spots for so many qualified candidates and it absolutely sucks. The quick rejections were likely just from their first choice taking the offer very quickly upon receiving it. 
As for your past, you clearly got a lot of interest this year as seen in the interviews, and they wouldn't have invited you unless they really thought you would be a great incoming student! At the point of interviews, all the invitees would be qualified and the PI would likely be happy with any of them, and it's more about personality and research fit. Sorry to hear this year didn't work out, but you have a lot of great experience and I have all the faith in you that it will soon!! 

Unless there was a criminal component to your prior mental health records, it should not appear in a background check as that is protected information between patient and doctor/hospital. I don't think that would be accessible unless you signed release forms allowing your mental health providers to share. 
Unfortunately, very very qualified applicants such as yourself don't get accepted every year. There are just so few spots for so many qualified candidates and it absolutely sucks. The quick rejections were likely just from their first choice taking the offer very quickly upon receiving it. 
As for your past, you clearly got a lot of interest this year as seen in the interviews, and they wouldn't have invited you unless they really thought you would be a great incoming student! At the point of interviews, all the invitees would be qualified and the PI would likely be happy with any of them, and it's more about personality and research fit. Sorry to hear this year didn't work out, but you have a lot of great experience and I have all the faith in you that it will soon!! 

It's general courtesy. No one tracks how many offers a person has. It's just a nice thing to do to make sure all applicants feel like this process is as fair as it can be (which is a hard task in general). 

My b someone else already posted what I just posted here and then deleted. I got overexcited lol ?

"A student should not hold more than two offers for more than one week unless there is specific information (e.g. a visit is scheduled, funding decisions, advisor decisions) they are waiting to receive from the program."
So for example I've currently got two offers, but I don't have the final funding info for either of them. Therefore, I am not making a decision between the two until I have that info. What I have done is decline the offers and interviews for programs that I know I won't take over one of the two I currently have regardless of funding information- but I am not going to turn down one of these two until I have the funding information I need to make an informed choice between them.

Here's my advice from someone who also interviewed for clinical programs last year. Wear what makes you comfortable. ABSOLUTELY be professional in your dress, but show ankles if you want, or don't if you'd rather not. Wear maroon pants if you love color! If a PI rejects you because of an exposed ankle, you wouldn't wanna work with them anyway. 

Hellloooo welcome to the fam! 
Generally, schools won't send official rejections until they've gotten their incoming class put together, so around April. Some schools will send rejections to their hard no's and not send anything to their maybes just in case. There's really no way to know. I know of a few schools that do interviews in early March, so their interview invites might still be floating around, but for the most part, they will have been sent out by now. 
Don't be discouraged! For almost all applicants, the first round does not work out (myself included). 12 is a pretty typical number of schools to apply to, honestly, and some people will recommend at least 15. You probably are a great applicant, but the problem is that you're up against thousands of other great applicants for a really limited number of spots. Think 1-5% acceptance rates at most major universities for Clinical Psych. 
Overall, it seems likely that most invites are out, but there can be an occasional person who gets invited after interviews or gets pulled off the maybe list. It's hard to say because each school is so different. It's a real frustrating process. 

Hellloooo welcome to the fam! 
Generally, schools won't send official rejections until they've gotten their incoming class put together, so around April. Some schools will send rejections to their hard no's and not send anything to their maybes just in case. There's really no way to know. I know of a few schools that do interviews in early March, so their interview invites might still be floating around, but for the most part, they will have been sent out by now. 
Don't be discouraged! For almost all applicants, the first round does not work out (myself included). 12 is a pretty typical number of schools to apply to, honestly, and some people will recommend at least 15. You probably are a great applicant, but the problem is that you're up against thousands of other great applicants for a really limited number of spots. Think 1-5% acceptance rates at most major universities for Clinical Psych. 
Overall, it seems likely that most invites are out, but there can be an occasional person who gets invited after interviews or gets pulled off the maybe list. It's hard to say because each school is so different. It's a real frustrating process. 

Hellloooo welcome to the fam! 
Generally, schools won't send official rejections until they've gotten their incoming class put together, so around April. Some schools will send rejections to their hard no's and not send anything to their maybes just in case. There's really no way to know. I know of a few schools that do interviews in early March, so their interview invites might still be floating around, but for the most part, they will have been sent out by now. 
Don't be discouraged! For almost all applicants, the first round does not work out (myself included). 12 is a pretty typical number of schools to apply to, honestly, and some people will recommend at least 15. You probably are a great applicant, but the problem is that you're up against thousands of other great applicants for a really limited number of spots. Think 1-5% acceptance rates at most major universities for Clinical Psych. 
Overall, it seems likely that most invites are out, but there can be an occasional person who gets invited after interviews or gets pulled off the maybe list. It's hard to say because each school is so different. It's a real frustrating process. 

This is a great opportunity to ask more questions about the atmosphere of the program, collaborations between professors, (if the rapport is good) ask how they feel students are doing under the PI you are interviewing with, life in the city, classes they teach, ask about their research interests. Ask about strengths/ weaknesses of the program. If they supervise practicum students, you could discuss clinical work, etc. 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

This is a great opportunity to ask more questions about the atmosphere of the program, collaborations between professors, (if the rapport is good) ask how they feel students are doing under the PI you are interviewing with, life in the city, classes they teach, ask about their research interests. Ask about strengths/ weaknesses of the program. If they supervise practicum students, you could discuss clinical work, etc. 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more! 

Heeellllooooooooooo, 
First of all- schools don't do pity invites. They have far too many qualified applicants to waste a spot on someone they're not interested in. So, I'm pretty sure they're interested in you, and that's awesome!! 
As for your other feelings, I 10000000% understand. I have applied twice now (this is round 3) where I didn't get it. The first year, I didn't get any interviews. My parents and all my friends were so confident I'd get in and it felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world, especially when I had to tell people. BUT. They loved me, as I'm sure your friends and family love you, and they just wanted to support me. No one felt let down or like I had failed them, and when I explained how difficult this process is and the acceptance rates, they were EVEN MORE supportive. 
As for continuing with this path, are you passionate about it? Do you love it? Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you're not 100% in love with this career, it may be difficult to keep going, because rejection is everywhere, at every level. BUT if you truly want to do this, the rejection is worth it, even if it takes a little time to get where you want to go! Most everyone does not get in their first round, so don't write yourself off because of that. 
From a girl who laid on the floor and cried because I didn't get in last cycle and it really hurt, it does get better, if you want it to and you work for it. Feel free to PM if you wanna talk more!