doingmybest

I'm in the same boat - deciding between two programs! I know everyone says to write a pros and cons list, etc. etc. But honestly, I think we generally already know which choice we want in many cases, we're just scared of committing to one thing and potentially losing out on another.  It sounds that while Program 1 looks better on paper, you really liked the feeling you got from Program 2. 
 I had a really great mentor once tell me to flip a coin - not to decide heads or tails, but because when it's in midair you know which side you want it to land on. 

This right here is some pretty heavy cons... I'm a very independent learner myself, but I know the value of a mentor that is willing to be involved, after having a very hands-off mentor for my current thesis.  I would not repeat that part of my experience. The lack of speciality in your preferred settings may make it harder to get the experiences you want in internship too, as it may not be as easy for you to make the connections, and interview well for those spots. And lastly, why subject yourself to a rigorous research academic experience if that's not your long term goal? You may end up shorting yourself on the clinical experiences you need to be successful later.  
I would venture to guess that most people don't end up finding a job where they go to grad school, at least not right away.  I don't know that a nice location makes up for these cons.. especially if the cost of living difference makes that 5k stipend difference livable (or even negligible).
 

Hi everyone!
I hope this thread can be useful for those of us who are having trouble deciding between programs/offers and want to make the decision as soon as possible. I know the decisions board exists, but I think a thread specifically for psychology in this forum could be useful.
I've been fortunate enough to receive offers from my top two clinical PhD programs this past week, but I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out which one is my top choice. The PIs at both programs research the same subfield I'm interested in. I've been struggling with picking a favorite since I first became interested in these programs last year; I assumed that I wouldn't get offers from both programs, so I figured I would just choose whichever one accepted me if I happened to be that lucky. Now that they've both accepted me, I don't know what to do. I want to make my decision as quickly as possible so as to not limit the options available to other applicants and/or prevent the school from taking on a great applicant; I already feel like a jerk for being so indecisive. I would really appreciate some advice and opinions to help me make this decision. Here are some pros and cons for the programs:
School 1
Pros
Perfect location; where I eventually want to settle down PI is very well-known and well-connected in our subfield and our research interests align well Better stipend Got along very well with other grad students/enjoyed lab culture Cons
PI is hands-off and sometimes expectations are unclear, so I would have to take the initiative if I need support or guidance Not specialized in the types of settings I want to work in, but I can still get those experiences during internship May have trouble developing therapeutic/assessment skills; program is more research-heavy and I'm not going into academia School 2
Pros
PI is very warm and kind, adapts mentoring style to student, very close with students Research interests align pretty much perfectly Program is specialized for the types of settings I want to work in (although I might want to work in different settings in the future or change career goals) More hands-on clinical experience Cons
Dislike the location Slightly worse stipend (about $5000 less than School 1) and additional fees, but should still be affordable for the location PI isn't as well-known because they're early in their career, but I'm not sure how much name recognition matters because I'm not going into academia Thanks for any support.

I haven’t even made my decision yet but I keep obsessively looking at apartments in my top 2 cities..... it’s a problem?

I don't think they'd come across as unprofessional, especially if most of your ear piercings have simple studs or bars in. Based on the things I've seen, as long as you stick to minimal jewelry, or only one larger/flashier earring per ear you should be fine. If you have longer hair and wear it down, the people you meet may not see or notice them all anyway. I have several ear piercings as well and am planning to leave them all in! 

Clinical student here. I kept in all my earrings (I have my rook & tragus in addition to lobes) and my nose piercing. Someone in my cohort has ear gauges and she obviously kept them in for interviews. 

Relatable. I am studying for my Personal Training cert as we speak. The tragedy of having anything but a PhD in the field of psychology....under qualified to do almost anything in the field of psychology.

I just got my plane tickets!
To Greece... where I'll be bartending until the next application cycle.

Same boat! Technically I only have one official rejection, but we all know how it feels to see interviews rolling in while your inbox remains empty. I'm vacillating wildly between getting over myself, studying to retake the GRE, focusing on publishing, and refining my research interests or completely changing everything and maybe applying to law school or international fellowships. It depends on the day! 

Also, my work computer has this site blocked ? so I’m creeping with my phone below my desk, semi-obsessively refreshing results and my email. Everything is normal over here. 

The money thing is honestly killing me. Very much woohoo for interviews, but money is an issue and flying is too expensive. I've worked out that I'm driving between 3.5 and 6 hours to three of mine, doing a video interview for one, and taking a train to and bus back from the one that's the farthest away.
On top, almost every interview is meaning I'm missing one or more classes this semester &/or work. I'm in a MFT master program and I really don't want to stay into the summer to finish up clinical hours (or thesis). Only one person in the cohort before mine didn't stay through the summer to finish clinical hours, and only I and one other person in my cohort is on track to be graduated by May (instead of August)- so that's a very "in the front of my mind" stress.
THEN I'm also a parent and all of these interviews are on school days and most are going to be overnight trips. Working out the kids being taken care of and getting to/home from school has been stressful.
*I is stressed* is basically my life this semester! *Deep Breath* Just been trying to remember to "trust the process" and trust it will all work itself out.

Yeah I'm envious, but after buying one plane ticket and almost having a stroke at the price, maybeee not that envious ?

Clinical applicants with more than 3 in-person interview invites already........... how

Especially when you are paying an application fee, transcripts fee, and test score fee. The LEAST they can do is have some undergrad intern in the Psych Office send an automated email. 

I have an interview in two weeks and wanted to gather some feedback prior to the interview. I have a small nose stud and don't know if I should keep it in or take it out on the day of? I feel like this field in particular is accepting of tattoos and piercings, but wanted to tread lightly. So, do I take it out or leave it in with hopes of professors not caring about it?

First of all — congrats on the interviews! I talked to several people who were applying to medical school and PhD programs last year for Fall 2019 and the individuals that had 4+ interviews always mentioned how overwhelmed they were. From the cost of flights, to traveling, to missing work and having to play catch-up afterwards, they hated it! At the end of the day, it really is about fit, so definitely decline any offer for a school that you don’t see yourself at for the sake of your sanity. Mental health is VERY important through this process. Good luck! 

Okay, let me preface this with saying I'm incredibly sorry if this makes me sound like a total ass. It is absolutely 10000% not my intention to sound ungrateful, and I know that hearing nothing but rejections is by far the worse scenario. I've just been really overwhelmed lately, and I'm hoping some of you will be able to empathize. 
I currently have 4 interview invites with the possibility of a 5th, and it's really stressing me out. I have a pretty solid top 3, and the other 2 schools have a slightly different focus that I didn't realize would be less of a fit until after I submitted my apps and got to talk to some of these PIs. The interview dates are all within days of each other, and I simply don't have the stamina for that much cross-country travel. The constant emailing back and forth, the skype calls, the travel arrangements, it's so overwhelming!! It's especially hard to find the energy when I suspect that some of these schools may not be the right fit for me. Of course, I'm incredibly blessed to be in this position in the first place, but man, just having a few rejections to narrow it down would seriously give me peace of mind right now. I guess it goes to show that with this crazy a process, even being "lucky" comes with its own stressors!!
I've seen past applicants say they had upwards of 5-10 interview invites-- how the heck did yall manage it?! I feel like I'm going to go insane from it all...

I feel this! I spent about an hour watching campus and town tour videos for my top choices last night so it’s even easier to visualize now.

Anyone else's brain like: "omg its Jan 2- the holidays are over please read my application now!!!"
Two weeks from now, a lot of us will be hearing some great news! I know it's hard to stay positive but as an over achiever who was  rejected by all the universities I applied to last year, I promise you that whatever happens, you will be okay. If anyone needs someone to talk to and confide in my DMs are always open :). Wishing you all success in this new year and please remember that you all are applying to literally the hardest graduate program in the country.
 

I usually read 2-3 papers, 3-5 abstracts, like 10 article titles, and prepare answers to questions I anticipate being asked.

Have a response ready in case you get asked about what thesis/dissertation idea you might like to pursue. Did not find the question appropriate/fair but I did get it so would recommend to prepare for it just in case.
Also, be sure to let yourself behave naturally, without being a super professional robot who doesn't know how to be casual. A big thing PIs and current grad students consider is personal fit with them, so although it may sound cliche - be yourself (well, the most social version of yourself).

Me too. I'm mentally preparing for a third cycle. Better to be pleasantly surprised instead of utterly disappointed! My hopes are not high at all, lol. Hang in there! We've done all we can do with our applications, it's out of our hands for the moment. 

Welp, got my first official rejection today! I suspect 3 more are coming my way as well. There is something oddly comforting about it being official, no more uncertainty! Woo!
 

Look up neuroscientists Brad Boytek, currently a UCSD professor, UCLA undergrad, and UC Berkeley PhD
 

A bit surprised by these last few comments.. ? There could be so many factors behind why somebody's undergraduate GPA is not that great; I think that if you are able to obtain excellent GRE scores, you definitely have a chance at being admitted into a PhD program. In addition, as somebody said above, pursuing a master's degree could also help you.