Psychintraining

Hi there! I know I wasn't the original person you asked, but I ended up doing an MA even though I had strong undergrad stats so I thought I would chime in. I applied to all PsyD programs my senior year and only got into one program that I really didn't like because I didn't have enough research experience. I decided to turn it down to do a masters. My masters allowed me to really refine my research interests (I finished my masters with a COMPLETELY different interest than what I started it with) and build my CV with posters. Although PsyDs are less competitive than PhDs, they are still very competitive and some research productivity in the form of a poster or paper is almost needed. I applied again this cycle to 2 PsyDs and 5 PhDs, and received 4 offers. So my time in my masters program DEFINITELY made a significant difference in my application. However, I do not think that a masters is necessary with your stats. You could instead get an RA job, but they're ultra competitive especially due to COVID. It would also lock you into one research area, whereas in a masters I was involved in several projects until I found the topic that I am passionate about. Ultimately, I think its really up to you and how clear you are on your research interests and if you think you can get some presentations from what you're already involved in or not. Either way, I think waiting a year or two after college is probably in your best interest as you may not have enough time to get clear productivity on your CV before then. Feel free to PM me if you have any more in depth questions!

I got into multiple PhD programs without a thesis! I don’t think this is super important at all. What is important is showing in depth research experience and a solid direction that lines up with your POIs. In order to do demonstrate this, i would definitely recommend getting a job for a few years as a research assistant. Not only will this help your application, but you will be making actual money and be able to start paying back some of the loans. Things might be difficult to find right now, but Im sure some labs are still hiring and even if not you can always wait another year. Dont point out any flaws you think you see in your application. Rather, take a couple years and fill in the gaps where you see those flaws.

Hi there, I wouldn’t think the GPA would be a major issue (most PhD programs have an average GPA of around 3.5/3.6 so you’re not too far off) if you had very good GRE scores and solid research experience, and were able to articulate your senior year drop. However, the research experience is what will actually be the weak point of your application, not necessarily your GPA. I would recommend trying to get a job in a research lab the next two years and hone your interests instead of doing a masters. If you’re hell bent on a masters, make sure to do one with a thesis component.

To be frank, masters are not very competitive. I’m not familiar with NYU’s program in particular, but generally if you have a decent GPA and decent GRE scores you should be good. Also volunteer work and such are not important for grad school in the same way it is for undergrad. What’s most important is having a clear statement of purpose and understanding why exactly you want to obtain this degree. If you can nail a good personal statement and have the scores I mentioned previously, I would think you would be in a very good position. I know you didn’t ask specifically about the program, but I would consider if an online program is the right choice for you. You will have to stay put in NYC for the two years you complete NYUs program anyways because you will be completing practicums. While the courses may be online, your clinical work cannot. Therefore, you may want to consider if this is possible for you right now, and if it is then I would recommend moving away from an online program if possible. Hope this helps!

Did anyone ever hear from Rosalind Franklin? It wasn't a good fit for me and I accepted a position elsewhere soon after the interview there, but I'm surprised I never heard anything from them and never saw anyone else post anything! I thought it was a great program and the students seemed super happy, just wasn't the right research fit for me. Since I accepted elsewhere I never followed up about a decision, but am still super surprised I never saw anyone post any results from them.

I was in a similar situation regarding funding. I received 3 offers from partially funded PhD programs, and an offer from an unfunded PsyD program. Going with a partially funded PhD sounds like a no-brainer over an unfunded PsyD, right? I ended up picking the PsyD as crazy as that sounds. I am also in a position where I do not have to take out loans if unfunded, and when I took funding out of the equation, I realized happiness was most important. I knew with 100% certainty that I would be happiest in the PsyD (Im currently in the masters program there) so I went with that. In the end, the program you go to will probably not change the trajectory of your career that much (all things being equal). So why not take the path you know you will be happier walking? Besides, in order to be the most effective student, clinician, and researcher, you need to be the best version of you. If you feel in your gut you will be happier at choice 1, especially if you do not have to take out crippling loans that will inhibit your happiness later, I say go with your heart.

I have to agree with this too. I had a very niche research interest, and had only done work with adjacent populations (disordered eating instead of eating disorders). I had an interview with one of the leading eating disorder researchers in the field, and was heavily intimidated by the other applicants on interview day who had years of experience with eating disorders. However, the PI and I hit it off during the interview and despite my lack of in depth research in the field, she sensed my passion and loved my proposed dissertation topic. I ended up getting the offer without a single publication or poster on Anorexia. So for future applicants, research experience is obviously important. We all know this. But if you don't have the most pubs or most posters, it is not the be all end all. Just display your passion and knowledge and hope for the best. Its all you can do.

If it makes you feel any better, I imagine that most people won't defer their acceptances. I know I'm not! It might even be less competitive as people may decide not to apply in the fall if they did not have enough time to study for the GRE, get publications accepted, etc. So if you feel you will be in a good position to apply this fall I think that the current situation could actually work to your advantage.

I have not either!

If the poster of SLU sees this I would greatly appreciate if you PMed me your POI! Thanks!

A bunch of people rejections and waitlists last week, but to my knowledge no one has been accepted yet

This happened to me two years ago and the program all but guaranteed me I would get off bc of that position. Low and behold, I never did and I was crushed bc I had been reassured so many times. Not to be a downer on your parade, but just want to give you another perspective so you don’t feel as crushed as I did!! Sounds like you have a good outlook though (and mindhunter is a fabulous show).

Right?! I wouldn’t think too much into if it weren’t for the mention of deposit and both rejection and waitlist notifs but no acceptances... there was only one waitlist though so I keep telling myself that could definitely still be a possibility.

Was just about to come on here to ask the same thing! I received the same email. Very strange. Part of me wonders if it means we were accepted as they mentioned the deposit upload not working and I’ve seen both rejection and waitlist posts... but I also know never to read too much into these things hahaha. Glad to know someone else is in this position too though!

Also, I would try and get a few poster presentations. Programs know publications can be tricky because it’s all based on timing. However, submitting a few poster presentations is a great way to show research productivity. You could start by developing one on your honors thesis.

I hate group interviews, because you do not have the ability to build rapport. It's more of a rapid fire question and answer period. I would suggest attempting to speak first once or twice, but don't try and dominate by answering first every time. Try to use other students name if you have an answer similar to them (i.e. "Similar to ____, I also find cognitive behavioral therapy to be the most intriguing"). Helps to make you look more sociable. This should be obvious, but never try to one-up the other people. From what I've heard, group interviews are more about how you interact with the others rather than your actual answers. Don't take this time to brag about your achievements, rather just try to give thoughtful answers. Hope this helps!

I’m not sure if I would mention “all my schools.” In past experience, I have heard that holding on to more than one offer at a time is considered taboo, and this may suggest you’re planning on doing that. I would rather just be vague and say you will get back to them with a decision as quickly as you can.

Last year alone, 60,000 people died from the flu in the US. Statically speaking, you are much more likely to get infected with the flu, and subsequently die from the flu. But we've all been out here living our best lives anyways haha! So try not to stress about it despite the media coverage.

Wow! How unprofessional! Thank goodness it worked out for you anyways.

Anyone else not able to make it to an interview date and be told that they don't offer an alternate date or even Skype interviews? I guess they only want students who make that program a #1 priority (which I do get... I'm not able to go because my first choice school has their interview that day) but I feel like it's only that school's loss, as they're cheating themselves out of a lot of quality applicants who have multiple interviews. Idk, it really rubbed me the wrong way that they basically told me its that day or nothing. Even though it wasn't my first choice, I was still really looking forward to learning more about the program. Oh well I guess. Trying to stay thankful I was in a position to choose my first choice's interview anyway.

What are you doing to study? Sounds like you may need to switch up your technique. Gregmat (YouTube and reddit) has been really helpful for people who get stuck in a rut. It’s expensive, but I got a private tutor through Kaplan and that really helped me too after not being able to improve.

I know how frustrating and upsetting this process is, but try and remember that each year offers new opportunities bc different labs will be accepting students. If you already feel you are competitive, imagine how much more competitive you’ll be this time next year AND youll have the chance to apply to new labs that might fit your interests even better. I agree with above poster that you should definitely focus on your GRE in the meantime. This is my second time applying, and the first time I thought my low GREs would be balanced out by my high GPA and experiences etc. That did not happen and I was shocked. I got 2 interviews, 1 waitlist and 1 acceptance at a program I did not like. I applied again this year with GRE scores right around the mean of the programs I applied to, and I’ve received an interview at every place I applied except for 1 (including schools I didn’t get interviews at last time). I really truly think that even if schools don’t advertise that they have cutoffs, low GRE scores are a very easy way to cut down on applications and avoid having to read every single one. If you can just get your GRE score to blend in with the rest (doesn’t necessarily need to be outstanding), you give yourself The opportunity to have your application actually read. Focus as much time as possible this next round on getting your GRE up and if you’re as competitive as you’ve stated, I’m sure next year will be better!

Has anyone received a Hofstra invite from POI ER? Feel free to DM if you don't want to post! Invites can technically go out till this Friday but I have another interview the same day as Hofstra and I don't know whether to confirm with that school or not!

I also declined Wright State’s offer back in 2018 (which meant I chose to get a masters instead and am now applying to balanced PhDs this round)! This is really interesting (and validating) to me that I’m not the only one who felt something off with the program enough to forgo doctoral study rather than go there. It’s surprising since their match rates are great but idk, the students seemed miserable, the program was SO disorganized, and Dayton is so bleh. What made you decide to turn down your offer?

School: University of Indianapolis Type: PsyD Date of invite: 12/20 Type of invite: Mass email Interview date(s): 1/17 or 1/31 School: Loyola University Maryland Type: PsyD Date of invite: 1/21 Type of invite: Mass email Interview date(s): 2/21 School: Yeshiva University Type: PhD (Health Emphasis) Date of invite: 1/23 Type of invite: Mass email Interview date(s): 2/12 or 2/19 School: Rosalind Franklin University Type: PhD Date of invite: 2/23 Type of invite: Phone call from POI Interview date(s): 2/28 School: Fairleigh Dickinson University Type: PhD Date of invite: 1/24 Type of invite: Mass email Interview date(s): 2/9 or 2/14 with option of either morning or afternoon session School: Saint Louis University Type: PhD Date of invite: 1/24 Type of invite: Mass email Interview date(s): 2/20, 2/21, 2/27 Sorry for the mass dump of invites! I've been using this forum so much but realized I have not posted any of my own information to help others! Please feel free to PM me for POI info or anything else.