PsychHopeful2020

Update: I GOT IN!!!

@ringoandme thank you so much!! I think I'm mostly just rattled after receiving another rejection. Those tips are really helpful!
My interview is in about four hours, you're not too late. I'm still a ball of anxiety, but less so now that a few hours have passed. I wrote a to do list of things to prepare me in the hour before the interview (at work until then) and I think between these things, the items you mentioned and in the other threads, and some mindfulness/grounding activities I should be a lot better prepared.

Hi everyone,
1st year clinical (Ph.D.) student here. I remember being in your place around this time last year (and several years before that), and found myself reminiscing how awful all those feelings were during “application” season. The uncertainty, checking my emails at all hours of the day, comparing my stats; background/experiences to other equally competitive applicants, refreshing the stupid forums and invites pages at every minute- ALL of it.
It took me 3 application rounds to finally be accepted, at my “dream” institution, with a PI who I “dreamed” of working with (For reference: I was rejected from this school during previous application rounds).
All of this to say: This process isn’t easy. It’s unfair, it isn’t for the weak. However, the field is slowly changing, especially for applicants from less privileged backgrounds. Clinical Psychology has a lot of room for growth (and revamping this difficult, confusing, and oftentimes unfair application process should be a goal for the CUDCP).
Regardless of the outcome this application season: Please do not give up. If this is what you want to do for the rest of your life, you will get in. Do not let a lack of interview invite or rejection from a program define your self-worth/potential. Remember to practice self-kindness, and understand that there are a lot (unfair) factors at play that are out of your control as an applicant.
I’m happy to chat and give words of encouragement for those who need it. I met some awesome folks this past Spring during my interview process (and on here!) and I am forever grateful for that. I’m thinking of you all during this difficult time and process.
— a seasoned applicant who went through this BS misery, multiple rounds. 
 

Thank you... this helped me a lot. As an applicant with below the necessary research experience in my opinion, and with little hope of acceptance or even interviews, I want to thank you for your uplifting words. I hope everyone here can remember them. 

No form of interest, everyone gets those unless your application is not admissible 

Acknowledging that just applying is an accomplishment itself is a really helpful thing to hear. Thanks!

The field is VERY small. Don't be the person who accepts an interview and then backs out (you only screw the school and other applicants that way). This has happened in a few cases I know, and word travels FAST. You basically black-ball yourself out of some prominent circles in your future profession, as doing this can ripple out to internship, post-doc, and beyond. I like to practice the "how would I feel if someone did to me what I am about to do" rule. 
 
If you know there is no way in hell you'd want to go there, don't accept the invite to interview. My guess is it's a possibility for you and worthwhile to interview in case you like it more than you'd expect or want it as a back up plan. If you get an invite from another school, reschedule with the second school (even if it's a higher choice for you). Everyone gets that the best applicants will get a lot of interviews, so these things happen. Only on a few occasions have I heard of programs refusing a student to interview via skype or come a different day, and frankly those programs are not the types of programs I think most people would want to go to anyways, as being flexible within reason is an essential aspect that you need your PhD program to be.

That’s a tough situation for sure – That’s a pretty common issue, it seems. I do hope the process works out for you.

I haven't gotten the impression that there is a specific time, but the formal invites I have gotten so far have all come out in the afternoon, and all (2 lol) requests for an informal phone call have come in after 9pm weirdly enough. But that said I have definitely not heard from every school and I would guess it's dependent on when the department meets to discuss applications and when the PI has time to email/call.
 
So basically obsessively check your email every hour has been my unhealthy motto ?‍♀️

Interview invites tend to go out one of two ways:
 
1) The program coordinator or DCT sends a mass email OR
2) Individual PIs invite their students 
 
If #2 happens, of course the PI will say something along the lines of "I was impressed with your application, and hence I want you to come interview in person." The mass blast emails say similar, but far more generic things. 
 
I would not be considered at getting one or the other. Some schools do one giant blast email, others do only PI emails, and some do a mix of both. Don't read into anything, but just celebrate on getting an interview! Congrats!

As others have said, it’s still VERY early. The clinical faculty where I’m a student at didn’t even meet to discuss applications until today and no interview invites will be going out until a couple weeks into January. Try to stay positive through the holidays!! 

Subsequently receives 10 DM's from applicants asking where they study

Hi All!
I know nerves are high right now regarding interview invites! Just to give some ease to anyone - I applied last year also and the latest interview invite I received, I received on January 24th! 
 
Best of luck to everyone! 

Do people ever send out invites on Saturdays? Or is that a time to stop checking websites compulsively?