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That's a real shame.  I have noticed through this process that it is very limiting to people with limited resources or other commitments.  I work full-time in a position with a lot of dates at work that I cannot miss, for instance.  For people with demanding jobs, families, or financial struggles, the process seems very limiting (to the extent that it almost seems like intentional gatekeeping).  I've been fortunate that nothing has had to stop me from attending an interview yet, I've had a fair amount of good luck around dates. 

That's a real shame.  I have noticed through this process that it is very limiting to people with limited resources or other commitments.  I work full-time in a position with a lot of dates at work that I cannot miss, for instance.  For people with demanding jobs, families, or financial struggles, the process seems very limiting (to the extent that it almost seems like intentional gatekeeping).  I've been fortunate that nothing has had to stop me from attending an interview yet, I've had a fair amount of good luck around dates. 

I have just got selected for the interviews for Northwestern University - Learning Sciences PhD program.
Unofficially contacted by POI listed in SOP that I was selected for the interviews with the faculty and I should hear something soon. Excited as this is my dream program

I have been admitted to the Ph.D. program in Education Policy and Planning (EPP) at UT Austin. No word on funding yet but I called and they said that letters with financial aid information will be sent out later this week.

Not true - I went to a clinical psychology MS program and my program (San Jose State University) prepared us for MFT licensure.  CSU Fullerton also has a clinical psychology master's program that leads to licensure. 

Same here - I'm going to be 43 this Fall when I start my grad program.  I'm balancing research, work, classwork, as well as family obligations, as I have three teenagers, two of whom are still at home.  At 27, I barely knew what I was doing with my life, and I can't even imagine succeeding in a PhD program at 23 or 24. Having a few years "out in the world" allows us to bring a different perspective and life skills to the table, so think of it as an advantage! 
In many countries, people don't start PhDs until after they have worked for several years, it is a North American (especially a US) thing to run straight through undergrad and grad.  We're not behind, we are right on our own time, and we still have years of life ahead of us to research, to treat clients if you're clinical, and make an impact on our world.  

This is another great option. If therapy is your primary goal, a master's level clinical license is another way to achieve that goal. However, as a side note, a masters in clinical psychology isn't a license-eligible degree. Only mental health counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy (MFT) masters degrees lead to licensure. 

If waiting another round isn't feasible (financial reasons, opportunity cost, etc) another option might be applying for some master's programs in clinical psychology or counseling in your area.  This would probably be more relevant if you are hoping to work in the field as a practitioner instead of an academic career.  

I've got my first interviews this week and am starting to feel some nerves.  The programs have such low acceptance rates that the stakes feel very real.  I feel very fortunate to have the interviews I have, but that's just the first hurdle. 

Same! My first one is Thursday and Friday of this week and I'm definitely getting nervous now. Best of luck to you, we've got this!

I've got my first interviews this week and am starting to feel some nerves.  The programs have such low acceptance rates that the stakes feel very real.  I feel very fortunate to have the interviews I have, but that's just the first hurdle. 

I've got my first interviews this week and am starting to feel some nerves.  The programs have such low acceptance rates that the stakes feel very real.  I feel very fortunate to have the interviews I have, but that's just the first hurdle. 

I've got my first interviews this week and am starting to feel some nerves.  The programs have such low acceptance rates that the stakes feel very real.  I feel very fortunate to have the interviews I have, but that's just the first hurdle. 

I've got my first interviews this week and am starting to feel some nerves.  The programs have such low acceptance rates that the stakes feel very real.  I feel very fortunate to have the interviews I have, but that's just the first hurdle. 

I did not do the referral since I already have a master's degree, but I got into the EPM program back in 2016.  I decided against it just because of the cost.  I decided to go to a fully-funded program instead. 

Totally understand your frustrations and your feelings are completely valid! The only thing I would suggest is to try and use this as a learning/growth opportunity. If you can begin to train yourself to focus on your experiences and successes, independent of comparisons and/or judgments of others around you, your grad school journey (and career) will be so much richer. If you allow your "wins" to be dampened by the fact that you can find others who, from your vantage point, are winning "more" you'll always be left wanting. Mindfulness is a great tool to cultivate in this regard! Good luck!!

I did not do the referral since I already have a master's degree, but I got into the EPM program back in 2016.  I decided against it just because of the cost.  I decided to go to a fully-funded program instead. 

I did not do the referral since I already have a master's degree, but I got into the EPM program back in 2016.  I decided against it just because of the cost.  I decided to go to a fully-funded program instead. 

I had read about 580, but I am not sure how accurate that is.  When do invitations for interviews typically go out for their PhD program?

PhD
Program/Concentration: HDLT
GRE Score: V 165, Q 156, W 4.5
GPA: 3.6 (undergrad)/3.9 (graduate)
Work Experience: 5 years as a K-12 teacher, 4 years as a college administrator, 1 year as a counselor
Undergrad/Grad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): small liberal arts undergrad, mid-sized state school for grad school
Research Experience: 2 years on a professor's research team in graduate school studying moral development and decision making (several conference presentations, and an article in progress), independent research for my master's thesis 
What Other Schools Are You Applying To: Indiana, NYU, Iowa, UNT, TCU, USM

PhD
Program/Concentration: HDLT
GRE Score: V 165, Q 156, W 4.5
GPA: 3.6 (undergrad)/3.9 (graduate)
Work Experience: 5 years as a K-12 teacher, 4 years as a college administrator, 1 year as a counselor
Undergrad/Grad Institution (Public, Private, Ivy, etc..): small liberal arts undergrad, mid-sized state school for grad school
Research Experience: 2 years on a professor's research team in graduate school studying moral development and decision making (several conference presentations, and an article in progress), independent research for my master's thesis 
What Other Schools Are You Applying To: Indiana, NYU, Iowa, UNT, TCU, USM

I had read about 580, but I am not sure how accurate that is.  When do invitations for interviews typically go out for their PhD program?

School:  University of North Texas
Type:  Counseling Psychology PhD
Date of Invite: 12/18/19
Type of Invite:  Phone call from POI
Interview date: 1/24/20