JArather

Hello! I am currently attempting to make some decisions about graduate school. I was admitted to one program on Friday that is under a broader title, but I would be in a developmental/psychology track working with a PI I really love and who is trained in developmental psychology. However, my biggest worry is that my PhD will not be in psychology or developmental psychology it would be within "health sciences". I am not sure how much this matters for postdocs, or future academic pursuits (getting a position within a psychology department role). My research would be psychology based, I would be taking psychology courses, etc. Any ideas? Is this stuff the most important? Thank you!!!

Hello! My experience was a bit different but I applied to a PhD programs this fall, and after an initial interview, I know that at least one program did contact one of my LOR (not sure if they contacted the others). After this, I did receive an "official" interview. I am not sure if the process is similar, but I definitely wouldn't rule that possibility out-- esp if interviews are not required. Best of luck!

Hi friends, I just have a question (and hoping for some advice) about the interview etiquette of pre versus official? I had several prelim interviews, and a few official invites for interview days— but since I already met with my potential POI, I guess I am just curious about what i should focus on/handle these interviews versus the prelim ones? If any of that makes sense. Thank you!

Harvard is wrapping up interviews this week. A lot of Harvard applicants across all psych domains are definitely quiet-- so I am unsure if there are alot of people on gradcafe who got interviews or if their admitted students pool is a lot smaller this year. I did see one person in Jan post that they received an interview for the cognitive track. But I hope you get some good news this week

Literally in your boat... I emailed the department a few weeks ago and they said that interviews were going to be conducted through mid feb. The results page has been quiet though, the only thing I saw (not clinical related) was one person received an interview for cog track in mid Jan. This wait is one of the worst!! I am hoping you get good news of some sort soon!!

Thank you so much-- the waiting experience is universal! Best of luck to you as well I hope you are also successful!!!

In the results portion, I think I saw them around mid Jan?

I am in a v similar boat, and it is tricky. I would reach out to the program directors/admin staff first and inquire if all formal invites/offers have been extended? That way you can know if all the *super official* offers have been extended or not. If they have not been extended, I would reach out to the PI if you feel comfortable to do so. If you've received any other offers from other schools, sometimes people like to include that to try and just say "I am still interested in this program, but might need to make a decision soon". That is a bit uncomfortable, but have seen that as a rather common tactic if you have multiple offers.

Helllooo! I am quite simply losing my mind over here. I haven’t heard a peep from Harvard, and I know their interviews are taking place through mid feb— but I was wondering if anyone has heard anything at all from their psychology non clinical track? I applied developmental.. and I’ve seen some cognitive interviews but nothing else. Anyone hear anything?

Hi! Are you asking in regards to the admission process (ie: interviews etc) or are you asking for just like general stats/what they look for in student admission? This is from their overall psychology phd department, but I think it will be pretty helpful for the general aspect (https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/pro-tip). It definitely helped me through my application process, and made me feel -fairly- adequately- prepared to apply to Harvard.

I am with you all as well. I have heard back from a few places, but there are still some top choices that I am fighting reaching out too.. I have been having a huge dilemma about reaching out to a poi after an informal interview over a month ago.. to just gather some idea about what's going on (even tho some invites I think have already went out)... its so hard to just chill in limbo. The pandemic definitely is slowing down the process overall I think, but I wish you all the best (and I hope you get in where you want!!) My inbox is always open if anyone needs to vent tbh.

Hi all, I am sending you all the best and most positive vibes in these next few weeks! With that, has anyone heard from Harvard yet? Or Northeastern? I have definitely asked that before, but I am so nervous! I emailed Northeastern last week, and they said they were still going through applications-- but some people it looks like have already received official invites. Trying my best to not email the PI I applied to work with, I had a prelim interview about a month ago with them.. but haven't heard a peep :(. This is my first application cycle, so I am not 100% sure what is standard to do etc?

I second this to the OP poster. I received an interview in early jan, but my POI said that they wouldn’t be contacting anyone for formal interviews until the end of Jan.

Thank you so much. Ah, its so hard but hopefully worth it!

Has anyone heard anything official from Northeastern?

I am not sure if anyone has applied to Boston College, but their interview weekend is this upcoming on— so I am assuming invites have been sent out

I messaged you!

I had a prelim interview at BU, but I was rejected due to "fit" after. Believe some formal interview dates have been sent out but im not sure what they are...

Hi everyone, I know its technically still "early" in the season (and seeing alot of these comments-- we are all in similar boats!). I received some prelim interviews, but no official offers for an "interview" weekend of sorts yet. I also have noticed a bit of trolling in the grad cafe results list.. so I figured I'd ask here rather than there: Did anyone here apply to Harvard's Developmental Psych Program? If so, have you heard back? Is it too early? I know their program works a bit different than the typical ones so I thought Id double check. The schools I've applied to are: Boston University, Boston College, Suffolk, NEU, Tufts, and Harvard. If anyone has any questions or anything feel free to message me

I did! I sent one after we met, later the same day. I figured the holidays might've gotten things thrown a bit-- I guess I just wasn't sure what was "polite" here? Thank you for the response!!!

Hi all, I hope you are doing well! I had an informal interview with a POI on 12/18. I have not heard anything back from them (I know it is the holidays and everything), but they had said they were hoping to reach back out with decisions about official interview weekend within 5 days. I haven't not heard anything since the interview. Is writing a follow up interview something that should be done? Or is that too pushy/should I wait until the new year and everything? Also, a bit panicked, but if you haven't heard from any programs by mid-jan.. does that mean its probably a rejection? I have been getting mixed responses and my anxiety is all over the place! Best of luck everyone

Congrats!! I also applied to BC, but unfortunately didn't hear anything yet, was this email from the department or was it from a POI?

Hello! I know this has probably been posted before, but I was wondering if asking for letters of recommendation from employers was an okay go? I currently am getting one from a professor, one from a professor I work under as a lab manager, but I wanted another from my old employer where I did educational outreach but worked very close with researchers in my area of focus? I was wondering if this is recommended of it LoR should only be from professors/academics? Thank you!