hindsight2020

Honestly I really don't think so....I too was hospitalized many years ago, and since being hospitalized, I am graduating with a great GPA and GREs, work experience in a helping profession (omitting additional identifying information because it's a small world we're in), and am very stable. I have several presentations that are accepted for the APA conference this year. 

I was accepted to two fully funded programs (not clinical, but that wasn't my chief interest). IMO the biggest thing is personality and fit with advisor. If you don't get any acceptances this year, I would advise practicing for interviews with mentors who can give you tips on self-presentation.....are you an active listener? Are there ways in which you could be more friendly/open? 

Additionally, I count myself lucky in that I have worked in front of people for a LONG time. During that time, I've learned that little things in terms of your appearance go a long way! I'm not talking about a major cosmetic overhaul, but make sure you're taking care of yourself and that this reflects in your self-presentation. 

Little tips:
Put on those crest whitestrips for a week before interviewing - everyone appreciates a nice smile! Make sure you look good in your interview pants and shirt - don't starve yourself or feel the need to hustle in to the gym, but DO make sure that your outfit fits you at your current size well. It seems obvious, but I noticed at interviews that a lot of students seemed to overlook these details. Remember, you are essentially interviewing for a 100k grant if you are going for full funding: spend the 50$ on making sure your smile looks nice, and the extra money for a well fitting outfit if you need to (mine ran me about 120$). I am *not* rich, but I do believe that little investments like this pay off.

Honestly I really don't think so....I too was hospitalized many years ago, and since being hospitalized, I am graduating with a great GPA and GREs, work experience in a helping profession (omitting additional identifying information because it's a small world we're in), and am very stable. I have several presentations that are accepted for the APA conference this year. 

I was accepted to two fully funded programs (not clinical, but that wasn't my chief interest). IMO the biggest thing is personality and fit with advisor. If you don't get any acceptances this year, I would advise practicing for interviews with mentors who can give you tips on self-presentation.....are you an active listener? Are there ways in which you could be more friendly/open? 

Additionally, I count myself lucky in that I have worked in front of people for a LONG time. During that time, I've learned that little things in terms of your appearance go a long way! I'm not talking about a major cosmetic overhaul, but make sure you're taking care of yourself and that this reflects in your self-presentation. 

Little tips:
Put on those crest whitestrips for a week before interviewing - everyone appreciates a nice smile! Make sure you look good in your interview pants and shirt - don't starve yourself or feel the need to hustle in to the gym, but DO make sure that your outfit fits you at your current size well. It seems obvious, but I noticed at interviews that a lot of students seemed to overlook these details. Remember, you are essentially interviewing for a 100k grant if you are going for full funding: spend the 50$ on making sure your smile looks nice, and the extra money for a well fitting outfit if you need to (mine ran me about 120$). I am *not* rich, but I do believe that little investments like this pay off.

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.
 
 

Sure, but I doubt the pandemic will stay here for 5 years, so there will be lots of opportunities to meet them when most of the people are healthy  Sending you positive vibes during this anxiety-provoking time!

Unpopular opinion here, but I actually love online classes. Have had several of those in the past as a student (during both Bachelor's and Master's) and TAed for some of the online classes. Especially for the first semester of the first year of the program, which is usually didactic anyway, I think it's fine. Besides, I think it will largely blow over by the Fall semester anyway.

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!

I think at this point it's still really early and we should all do our best to not fall down the speculation rabbit hole. If it's still a problem come summer I'm sure plans will be made, but there is no use borrowing worry and stoking the "what if" panic. We're psychologists, let's rise above the fear contagion :).

Sobsobsob. Looks like I missed out on University of Kentucky!