emsmith

If it shows as complete on the portal or you have other proof that they got the transcripts, you should email them. As long as you're polite it should be fine - try to include screenshots or anything that could help the admin person solve this issue. Try not to panic, sometimes technical glitches happen, sorry it happened to you.

Luckily, only 1 or 2 schools I applied to mentioned a writing sample and it was optional. I didn't submit one for the exact reason you mention. I've been out of school since 2013 and I'm a much better writer now, so any sample from school would not have been an accurate depiction of my current writing skills. If I had applied anywhere that had a mandatory writing sample requirement, I likely would have looked into whether it can be something I draft specifically for the application.
As someone mentioned, peer-reviewed papers are tricky because it's rare one person writes the entire thing without others/senior authors revising it, so it's hard to know someone's base level of writing skills pre-revision. That said, I honestly wouldn't worry that much about it. The writing sample is not going to make or break you receiving an interview and/or offer as it will likely be weighted lower than your GPA, research experience, statement letter, and maybe even references. Plus having a first author paper to even submit is a major strength for your application, so don't worry about it!

I submitted a master's thesis once (since they had that as an example of things we can send) and a second time I did a larger lit review that I had for an assignment that got very good feedback. If you have a publication that's even better, but some may ask that you are the sole author - just make sure you check the guidelines or ask the grad admin.

This is a little late in the process, but I'm interested to know what you all have been including as "Writing Samples" with your applications (for the schools that require them). Your thesis? Assignments? Lit review? 

So here it goes...
School: Dalhousie University
Type: Clinical Psychology PhD
Acceptance/Waitlist/Rejection: Acceptance
Type of Notification: Official Email
Date Notified: 1/11/22
Gaaaaah... it's only been a decade of work to get here (no, I'm not kidding) and I was starting to feel really old. 
After receiving the email I was half numb and half freaking out and kept asking everyone if it's normal. It doesn't really feel real yet and I'm still in anxious/panicky mode somewhat. However, I do plan on taking the weekend off and just unwind. Get in touch if you're considering Dal or just have questions, I'm around.

Just want to let you know that there's a discord server with resources for clinical and counseling psychology PhD applicants! It's meant to be a space where applicants can access resources, seek advice, and commune with others navigating the same process. There's also a Canada-specific channel! Here's the invite link, if anyone is interested in joining: https://discord.gg/wEcFTwxzNy

I've never heard of this podcast! Thanks for sharing, I'll check it out!

I've never heard of this podcast! Thanks for sharing, I'll check it out!

idk if you listen to podcasts but clinically psyched has an episode on interviews

School: McGill University (Clinical Psychology PhD)
Date of Invite (Initial Interview with POI): Jan 3rd
Date of Initial Interview: Jan 6th
Good luck to everyone applying! Feel free to dm if you want the POI’s initial or just would like to talk
 

I would  love for this to be true, but I think the number of applicants will be the same as previous years (hopefully less than last year in the case that a few schools had 2-3X the applicants). I think there does tend to be fluctuation in terms of how busy these forums are, so I don't really think it can be an indication of the number of applicants. Maybe there are just more lurkers or people are using older topics to look at previous year's advice, etc? 

I would  love for this to be true, but I think the number of applicants will be the same as previous years (hopefully less than last year in the case that a few schools had 2-3X the applicants). I think there does tend to be fluctuation in terms of how busy these forums are, so I don't really think it can be an indication of the number of applicants. Maybe there are just more lurkers or people are using older topics to look at previous year's advice, etc? 

I would  love for this to be true, but I think the number of applicants will be the same as previous years (hopefully less than last year in the case that a few schools had 2-3X the applicants). I think there does tend to be fluctuation in terms of how busy these forums are, so I don't really think it can be an indication of the number of applicants. Maybe there are just more lurkers or people are using older topics to look at previous year's advice, etc? 

I would  love for this to be true, but I think the number of applicants will be the same as previous years (hopefully less than last year in the case that a few schools had 2-3X the applicants). I think there does tend to be fluctuation in terms of how busy these forums are, so I don't really think it can be an indication of the number of applicants. Maybe there are just more lurkers or people are using older topics to look at previous year's advice, etc? 

Does anyone think the forum is less active this year because of less people applying? someone mentioned this to me and i cant decide if it makes sense

Thank you both for the advice! These are good suggestions! 

I have interviewed with EK at Western

Mitch's guide is a classic (https://mitch.web.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/4922/2017/02/MitchGradSchoolAdvice.pdf) and questions will probably be similar to the general psych PhD programs, with the only difference being the clinical relevant questions. So I would have a brief answer on "why do you want to be a clinical psychologist" and "why is clinical training important to your professional goals". Also "why clinical and not experimental". I would also have in mind some examples for interpersonal questions since those skills are relevant for future clinical work. You can never be 100% prepared for an interview, but having some idea of what they might ask can help. Also, most of us are probably quite anxious this time of the year, so remember you are not alone  This thread can be a good source of support or just a safe place to vent if you need to. 
Best of luck and hope this helps!

Good luck to everyone who is getting interviews!
Does anyone have any good interview prep/resources they would be willing to share? There's a lot online for general PhD programs, but not a lot for clinical psych. 
No results posted yet for any of the programs I applied to but the nerves are getting high ? trying not to freak out thinking 'are people getting interviews for these programs but nobody is posting about it?' I know it's still early but it's so easy to obsess over it.

I feel that ? as for interview tips, I've been prepping for the one I've got so far by asking around in my network for people who have gone through the process. I've DM'ed a few people in the 2020 Counselling Psychology Canada thread who posted that they interviewed at the same school, and my friend has a friend currently in the program and she introduced me to them so they could share their tips! I find this the most useful because schools might take a unique approach to their interviews - it may be more casual, they may be looking for something specific, they may focus more on interpersonal questions as opposed to professional questions, etc.

Good luck to everyone who is getting interviews!
Does anyone have any good interview prep/resources they would be willing to share? There's a lot online for general PhD programs, but not a lot for clinical psych. 
No results posted yet for any of the programs I applied to but the nerves are getting high ? trying not to freak out thinking 'are people getting interviews for these programs but nobody is posting about it?' I know it's still early but it's so easy to obsess over it.

I am in a US-based program FYI. This may vary program to program, but my experience with the clinical courses has been a combination of readings/discussions regarding the theory and practice. For instance, we would do role plays or present cases we see (de-identified) on practicum, discussing how we conceptualize the case and what the treatment plan was. In my program we had a specific course on CBT, one on Psychodynamic, and another on third wave treatments, which went into DBT, MBSR, and ACT. We've also had to submit written reports of our conceptualization of cases. If your program has a clinic, you are also likely video taped in your sessions and given specific feedback during supervision. 
Overall, I feel like my classes prepared me for practicum, which is also where the bulk of my clinical training has taken place, especially with my population of interest. 

Current student here- this question is common but imo it’s more about how well you can think through the components of a project (i.e. what could be feasible, what population would you sample from (and why), does your question show that you understand the area of research, etc.).. I was asked this question and it turned into more of a convo to learn about the lab/current projects. It’s a hard question but useful for you too it’s also important for you as an applicant to make sure they have space for your interests! 
Feel free to msg if you have more questions about this (or anything else)  

Can't provide an answer to your question, but I certainly hope they'll provide a virtual option. Especially with the rise of omicron cases, I would assume in-person interviews may be discouraged. 
I'm also a new applicant for grad programs and tbh the whole interview process is a little daunting right now. Does anyone have advice for interview prep? Any resources/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I meant interview invites, but I wasn't clear lol ?. However, it's also possible to get an early flat-out rejection (though I hope no one here has this experience). I also noticed last year some applicants for the University of Waterloo's Clinical Psych program got their invites around Dec 20th, so I'm keeping my eyes out!