Biopsychosocialyzing

My very first invite, freaking out
School: LIU Brooklyn
Type: Clinical Psychology PhD
Date of invite: Jan 13th
Type of invite: Call from admissions
Interview date(s): Feb 13th virtual
DM for POI:  They mentioned to not apply to a specific POI 

My very first invite, freaking out
School: LIU Brooklyn
Type: Clinical Psychology PhD
Date of invite: Jan 13th
Type of invite: Call from admissions
Interview date(s): Feb 13th virtual
DM for POI:  They mentioned to not apply to a specific POI 

My very first invite, freaking out
School: LIU Brooklyn
Type: Clinical Psychology PhD
Date of invite: Jan 13th
Type of invite: Call from admissions
Interview date(s): Feb 13th virtual
DM for POI:  They mentioned to not apply to a specific POI 

I wonder the same. It's frustrating to not know where to improve.. I have a master's, 3 years of clinical and research experience, publications etc. and I know of people who have gotten into programs right out of undergrad, with no pubs. I know a lot of it is about fit, as well as luck, but it's defeating to not know what areas of my application to improve on when it seems like it is a crapshoot either way.

I wonder the same. It's frustrating to not know where to improve.. I have a master's, 3 years of clinical and research experience, publications etc. and I know of people who have gotten into programs right out of undergrad, with no pubs. I know a lot of it is about fit, as well as luck, but it's defeating to not know what areas of my application to improve on when it seems like it is a crapshoot either way.

I wonder the same. It's frustrating to not know where to improve.. I have a master's, 3 years of clinical and research experience, publications etc. and I know of people who have gotten into programs right out of undergrad, with no pubs. I know a lot of it is about fit, as well as luck, but it's defeating to not know what areas of my application to improve on when it seems like it is a crapshoot either way.

I wonder the same. It's frustrating to not know where to improve.. I have a master's, 3 years of clinical and research experience, publications etc. and I know of people who have gotten into programs right out of undergrad, with no pubs. I know a lot of it is about fit, as well as luck, but it's defeating to not know what areas of my application to improve on when it seems like it is a crapshoot either way.

Would it be helpful for us to put together a “coping with disappointment” thread full of kind words, validating statements, and advice from people who have been there? 

Hey there! I don't have too much consolation to offer- but I just wanted to throw it out there that it seems like we have pretty comparable experience and I really empathize with you (3 years post-grad research experience, 2 pubs with more in the works I've been working nights and weekends to achieve, yadda yadda, and yet no interview offers as of now). Academia can be so insulated, especially during COVID when we can't go out to distract ourselves, so I just wanted to throw it out there that you are not alone and the world is bigger than this! I've had tunnel vision working my ass off to an unhealthy degree for this and it totally sucks when it feels like the our labor isn't being recognized. It blows. Crying in bed with ice cream blows. But I hope you can recognize that it doesn't change that you are a great applicant who made a massive effort by putting yourself out there for the most competitive form of graduate school there is- and that drive + resilience will get you somewhere!
There are a few more schools I'm waiting on (1 of which I'm sort of hopeful about), but I'm going to try to spend the next few weeks reminding myself that academia is a very small portion of what is otherwise a meaningful life, and I hope you know that you have a friend out there in cyberspace who understands your struggle  

Is it a big no go to reach out to programs to get a better idea of timeline if we haven't heard back yet by next week?

Hahaha, sounds like we do have a bit more time to obsessively check emails. 

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 graduated from my masters in 2018 and I ended up staying involved in the lab that I worked in during my masters. I have built a strong relationship with the PI (I would apply to that institutions PhD program if it wasn’t one of the most competitive I know and basically almost impossible to get in, not being self deprecating just realistic lol, plus my PI isn’t taking on any grad students this year..) anyways, it’s an unpaid position which is ok for me atm, since I am like you working towards my liscence. I’m currently working on 2 publications and doing an independent project so it’s been amazing to still be able to be involved in research this way. I would absolutely reach out to previous professors since it might be helpful that you already have that connection. Perhaps even labs you previously worked in. You could technically apply to other labs but I’m sure that’s a bit more difficult. It will of course be even more difficult if you are looking for paid research positions. 

I also applied to Rutgers PsyD clinical and haven’t heard but given their deadline was January 9th I am guessing it’ll be next week or the week after. Super nervous since this is my first choice but it seems this year is even more competitive so I’m not counting on getting an interview. I’m quite frankly hoping I’ll even get into one of my safety schools at this point since I’ve heard nothing at all from all the 7 schools I applied to. 

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 also applied to Rutgers PsyD clinical and haven’t heard but given their deadline was January 9th I am guessing it’ll be next week or the week after. Super nervous since this is my first choice but it seems this year is even more competitive so I’m not counting on getting an interview. I’m quite frankly hoping I’ll even get into one of my safety schools at this point since I’ve heard nothing at all from all the 7 schools I applied to. 

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 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. 

Thanks for your reply. I agree, I spoke to many PhD students at Ivy League schools who said they didn’t get into any program until they applied second and third time, so I know it’s common and no reflection necessarily but I’m honestly super worried to apply with the GRE, I do extremely bad at it and it’s very hard for me to prep too (3 kids and 2 full time jobs lol) but alas I’ll have to bite that bullet like everyone else. I didn’t apply to crazy competitive programs either and I am fortunate enough to have some savings that I can use so I also decided to apply to PsyD programs. Not sure you are familiar with the schools but I am applying to Pace, Fordham, Columbia, Long Island University, Widener, Rutgers (my top choice) and Yeshiva. I honestly felt like a lot of them were doable and not an unattainable goal (except for Columbia) but at this point I’m not even sure I’ll get an interview at any of those. Can I ask which program that you applied to said they had 150 applicants? Good luck to you!

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.

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.

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.

Thanks for your reply. I agree, I spoke to many PhD students at Ivy League schools who said they didn’t get into any program until they applied second and third time, so I know it’s common and no reflection necessarily but I’m honestly super worried to apply with the GRE, I do extremely bad at it and it’s very hard for me to prep too (3 kids and 2 full time jobs lol) but alas I’ll have to bite that bullet like everyone else. I didn’t apply to crazy competitive programs either and I am fortunate enough to have some savings that I can use so I also decided to apply to PsyD programs. Not sure you are familiar with the schools but I am applying to Pace, Fordham, Columbia, Long Island University, Widener, Rutgers (my top choice) and Yeshiva. I honestly felt like a lot of them were doable and not an unattainable goal (except for Columbia) but at this point I’m not even sure I’ll get an interview at any of those. Can I ask which program that you applied to said they had 150 applicants? Good luck to you!

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 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.