Biopsychosocialyzing

Did anyone else start off applications super stoked because they waived the GRE, also secretly hoping no one will apply this year because of COVID (yes, not a smart thought) only to find out that a record number of people are applying and so it's even more competitive this year and the GRE will be back next year, which means you will probably not apply to all schools you wanted to, and now has a borderline mental breakdown. ? Also did anyone else start off feeling very confident in themselves just to feel like they will get 0 interview invites. I consider myself a somewhat competitive applicant (Masters, 3 years of research experience, 3 years clinical experience, one publication and a bunch in prep) only to feel like it won't mean shit because there's basically about 900 people applying for 9 spots.. (making this last part up but it's probably true). Oh the joy.

I am also waiting on Fordham. I have two friends who are currently in the program and they told me they heard super late when they applied + apparently there’s some internal stuff going on so things are taking longer. They didn’t give me a specific timeline as they didn’t know but I would guess earliest last week of January.

no I wish It's my top choice.

I truly hope so too.. I really wish they would get rid of it entirely. It's such a useless indicator of your success as a grad student.. researcher and clinician. It's also biased and flawed and elitist on top of that.

For anyone applying to Yeshiva/Ferkauf: "The program is in the midst of reviewing applications and extending interview offers. We hope to be in touch before or by the beginning of February with an update on your application." Hope this helps. Sounds like they have started extending invitations but aren't done yet. I freaked out a bit seeing that someone got an invite 6 days after application deadline!

I feel you, radio silence from all schools I applied to getting super nervous at this point. I was pretty confident I would at least get one interview but I am starting to feel pretty hopeless.

Yes I don't get that either, it makes it so much more confusing and I actually thought it meant 4 people got an invite to a program when it was just one. I don't know just ask here but don't spam that section..

I don't understand this.. why would people just post something on there that's BS. Like we don't already feel anxious enough about this

I spoke to someone in admissions today and faculty are still reviewing applications apparently. They said I would hear if I would be invited, but she did not specify when...

I hope so I saw 3 posts about having received invites on the admissions results about it

Saw some people got invites from Ferkauf/Yeshiva for the clinical PsyD program.. Any idea if they are still going to send out invites?

I also applied to PsyD programs (and PhD's) have not heard anything either.. But I am hoping it is early. Feel free to DM me.

I haven't either ...

Thank you so much ?

Anyone apply to NYC schools - specifically Columbia, Fordham, Yeshiva, LIU, Rutgers (NJ), Pace? Wondering when they typically send out emails? Thanks!

I also applied to their PsyD program and it is also my top choice. I have heard it's very competitive... fingers crossed for both of us, although I am pretty sure I will not even get an interview lol. But one can dream.

I can't believe it, I must have read through it 500 times, had 6 different people proofread it over the last weeks and had all of them check for typos. Then before sending it out I read it and now I went back into my application and read through it and found 2 typos. They are not horrible but they are definitely typos. I freaked out and emailed 2 doctoral students from my current lab who said that it happened to them too, and that they still got interviews, as well as knowing a bunch of people that happened too. Not sure why I am posting but hoping for some reassurance. It was also for my top choice (of course..) I fixed the typo for all other schools that are due now but I am so stressed over it. I guess nothing I can do now..

To be honest this score is pretty great. at least for me.. my scores are WAY WAY worse. I wouldn't even bother to take it again. Many schools, including Harvard and BU are waiving the GRE this year anyways because of COVID, so I would look into all of the schools you are applying and find out if it's even required, some don't want you to submit it at all, some give the option. Yale is probably waiving it indefinitely. I sure hope they all do. This test is so biased and does not really say much about someone's ability to succeed as a grad student. I would try to focus on your letters of recommendation now and invest some time in either getting closer to some professors so they write you a good letter or find someone who you think will write a great letter even without knowing you well. You could share your personal statement and CV with them so they can start to get to know you more. Professors want to have a doc student who they look forward to working with for a couple of years, ideally longer, while grades sure matter I think LOR will also matter a lot. At the end its a bit of a crapshoot, though, I believe. Try to focus on finding a professor that is a good research match obviously and then focus on the letters. I wouldn't do the test again if I were you. I am applying with way worse grades but also only submitting it to one school, since the rest have all waived it.

Thanks!

How does everyone feel about submitting GRE scores to programs that don't require it BUT give the option? My scores aren't great at all, so I am trying to decide if I should get my scores up and submit them or not even bother. I am talking specifically about the programs that have waived it, BUT also mention that you can submit it if you like, some even recommend it, despite it not being a requirement, so I am a bit worried it will be biased there, does that make sense? I wish they would just say to NOT submit at all instead. Any input?

It's not available, I'd be happy to look at it but you have to send it over DM

I don't think your background is a disadvantage sometimes it might even be an advantage! I am over 30 too, and applying to Ph.D and PsyD programs this year. I had no psych experience before my Master's which I ended up doing fairly late (I was 29 when I started). I ended up doing a Masters in Counseling which is where I got my research experience and after my clinical experience. I think you first need to figure out what your goal is and what your research interest is? Why do you want to do a Ph.D? Do you want to practice mainly or also be involved in research and teaching? I can only speak for myself but my Master's in Counseling was essential in me figuring out my ultimate research and clinical interests and goals and gave me invaluable experience. I can also practice with it since I can get licensed as a mental health counselor, so worst case if I don't get accepted into PhD/PsyD programs I can still engage in clinical work which I love, and apply meanwhile. I hope this helps!

I am applying to PhD and PsyD programs in Clinical and Counseling Psych. For personal reasons I can only apply in the New York area, I threw in 2 schools in PA thinking I might be able to drive there but it's logistically not really ideal. My GRE scores are horrid. I honestly highly doubt that my quant score will improve much. I haven't taken the test yet but in all practice exams I get about 141 - 145 (!!) in Quant and 160 - 162 in Verbal. So at least the verbal is promising. Thank GOD some programs don't require it this year but 3 I am applying to do, and 2 others "stronly" recommend submitting scores. I am feeling somewhat defeated and feel like I have no chance. Bit of my background: I have undergrad credits in political science (with a super bad GPA) from Europe but I never finished that one and moved to the US and finished my degree here with a better GPA (3.75), then I did a Masters in Counseling from NYU and graduated with a 4.0. I have 3 years of clinical experience working in a hospitals substance abuse outpatient clinic and in private practice for the past 3 years. I also worked in 2 research labs, in one I have been for almost 3 years now at NYU. I have 1 publication (possibly 2 soon) and lots of clinical trainings. These are the schools I am applying to: Yeshiva (PsyD Clinical Psych), Columbia (PhD Counseling Psych), LIU Brooklyn (PhD Clinical Psych), LIU Post (PsyD Clinical Psych), Pace (PsyD School-Clinical Psych), Rutgers (PsyD Clinical Psych), Widener University (PsyD Clinical Psych), LaSalle (PsyDClinical Psych) Anyone feel like I have any chance with my background at these schools? Well except for Columbia Thanks!

In terms of having others look over SOP, I personally would also not pick more than 3 people otherwise it gets confusing I assume. I would pick one professor, maybe a Ph.D student you know and one other person. I agree with EileanDonan, I would try to pick people in your field.

Aneesha, I am also applying to Rutger's Psy.D program and finished my SOP. Well almost. I agree with you that the website is a bit confusing. I did name the research centers/clinics that I am interested in and the faculty member involved in it. I did also include my research experience in my SOP since I've worked in two research labs. The other part of my SOP is my clinical experience and then the last paragraph is about the program and research and why I think it would be a good fit yadayada. I guess it depends how much research experience you have? What other programs are you applying to? This process is so nerve wrecking. I am relieved that Rutgers won't let us submit GRE scores, it is one less anxiety in this whole process, I wish all schools would follow ...