Schoolzy

Hi everyone. Sorry, I am so late. I really needed to take a break from this entire experience. I just wanted to let you guys know that I chose Syracuse and let go of the University of Cincinnati. I really liked both schools and whoever is going to Cincinnati good luck! It is a fantastic program with fantastic people. Everyone good luck in starting your new journey. For those who are planning to apply again next year or not, everyone has their own journey and it starts at their own pace. So, don't give up, you guys got this and I wish you all the luck! I am also open to helping anyone next year because this journey was extremely hard, so don't be afraid to reach out. (Its important that you don't go through this alone)? Also, for those of you who I spoke to personally and remember from interviews I hope we can stay in touch.?

Better than no funding! I’m happy that there is some type of funding for you. I hope you get a different position or something else works out for the position you have. Sending all the positive vibes your way and support. I still support IU 100% for you and would be so bummed if you chose not to go just because of the circumstances that the RONA (for everyone) has caused.

They don’t have full tuition remission for the RA hourly position?

I am so excited you are accepting IU! ?

Hi, I have declined my offer to Louisiana State University, hope this helps someone! Good luck! I think I have made my final decision. This was super hard and stressful! I'll let you guys know as soon as I make things official between the last two schools. Hopefully, really soon (like in the next two days)!

I know this but like I mentioned in my previous post it depends on the school. Some schools will accept a master thesis and credits, where applicants don’t have to spend the entire 5-6 years, like 3 years instead. Since we aren’t sure if this person applied to both counseling and school psychology programs it all depends on the school he/she chose. There are many options for this person. They just have to look into the schools that they are applying to. There are some schools that will not make you start over completely. Also, from what this person wrote I am not completely sure in terms of the other programs how many credits they have taken. If they accepted more credits and this person is spending less time in that program but has to take on a lot of debt then this is a choice we can’t really help with. It will come down to time or debt and which ever is a priority to this person.

Wow! This is the most interesting case on this forum! Honestly, this is tricky! I would hate for you to have to spend more time at a university since you’ve already completed your master’s. Another 5 to 6 years is crazy, unless you really like the school and you are willing to be in school longer. If not then in this case I would recommend applying the next year as a possibility and looking into schools, who will take more credits, which they do exist but the problem is that we can’t really give you that answer in knowing how schools will transfer credits. Maybe you should contact the schools about your degree and transferring credits beforehand to get a sense of how this will look next year if you decide to do that. Not every school will do this but it’s a start. Unfortunately, this is a decision that you have to make, so spend the extra time at a school you are interested in or go to another school that will take more credits and you spend less time (once again which we can’t guarantee for you). Or you can also wait for the schools you have been waitlisted at. Also, no debt and spending more time is better than debt lol unless you think spending more time is worse than debt. This is a hard decision but for me. I would be okay with taking the debt out because I was just telling someone else in a different situation if you are going into research there are ways to get grants for research that you do that will also pay your student loans off. If that’s an option and chance you are willing to take. Also, the addition to the student loan forgiveness in terms of maybe working in underrepresented and in low income communities. Also, speaking realistically most of us will be in debt in some way for the rest of our lives and I would hate for you to waste extra time in your life because of debt too. I really wish you the best and hope I responded to what you wrote, correctly. If not you can definitely respond like no this is not what I meant. ?

No, I’m sure many of us have done the same and have had programs ranked before actually really getting to know the programs. Even after interviewing for my top program and then meeting the lab after I was accepted. I didn’t feel like it was the best school for me. Don’t feel guilty because you need to go to the school that you think represents you the best.

Hi, most schools won’t let you defer. If this is a school you’d like to attend. I would advise not to wait for the next year because if you have to reapply and they don’t let you defer, then you will not know if you’ll be accepted again next year to that school.

The first year, they are uncertain about funding. You'll have to accept before knowing if you do and they aren't guarenteeing it either.

Hi guys, I have declined my offer at Lehigh and Tulane, so good luck to those who are waiting to hear back on the waitlist! I'm still trying to make my decision with three other schools but that is because funding is still being decided. I just wanted to say if you guys are on the waitlist some schools are just trying to figure out their funding for students, which is why people aren't declining offers as soon as they can. Hang tight guys.

Lol. They asked "which one of the three unforgivable sins best describe you? ? Something along the lines of that. If I am remembering correctly. It was definitely about sins. I do think it was the unforgivable sins or some sort of sins relating to religion. What was your question?

I just wanted to ask everyone who interviewed, were any of you asked weird questions by faculty? One school asked me a weird question in my interview that had nothing to do with school psychology and my reaction was like ??

And to add onto this, you can imagine how I limited myself in terms of how many schools I could apply to. My experiences is different from yours so self-reflect and make those connections to make you stand out. Also, any of you who are reading your faculty’s papers, I hope that you are trying to connect your interest in what you want to do to their papers instead of trying to remember what their study or paper was about because I did that and that’s how I started genuine conversations to the point where my interviews didn’t even feel like an interview anymore. Take the information that interest you and elaborate off of it. CONNECT YOUR ENTIRE SELF TO IT LOL and don’t forget your application because I’m sure you wrote some amazing things in your resume and SOP. I really do hope I am helping you guys ?.

First off, I’d like to say that we all stick out differently, so if you are trying to look at your chances, that’s really hard to say. You got the interview, so you stuck out A LOT. For me, there were a few things that made me stick out to the schools that I was accepted to. First, were my research experiences. I have been working in research for over three years now since I graduated and have been able to do a lot of task that school psychologist perform, for years now. I know this gave me an edge because majority of people can’t get that experience without an Ed.S or higher and it was brought up in all my interviews. Also, I would definitely say how passionate I am about my research interest and goals. I am not sure how you chose your schools because many people do it differently but I really focused on schools who had similar research interest as me and I mean close lol not 100% but a good match and not where it seemed too broad to match. I chose schools that could honestly prepare me for my long term goals as well and who’s entire faculty could teach me something to take away that fit my interest and goals. Also, my research interest and my passion for school psychology also related to some of my experiences in life and why I came into this field because of that. I was able to explain to all the schools that I chose how I saw them being a great fit for me. I didn’t pick schools because of their rank or famous faculty. I chose where I could see myself thrive and explained that to them with the examples of why I chose their school. I know others will say something different or similar but that is what I think made me stand out. I hope this helps. I hope this wasn’t too much. Good luck! Also, if you don’t have research experience, it’s okay. If the school matches your goals and interest you should be fine as well but PLEASE EXPLAIN THAT TO THEM!

Everyone who is focused on Syracuse. I think Syracuse may still be considering applicants even though they had their interviews because they only invited like 15 of us to interview. Other PhD programs invited like 25 so there is a chance they may have to look at the people who didn’t interview, incase all 15 of us or most of us decide to go somewhere else. If you didn’t get an invite it shouldn’t mean you are out but they definitely had their interviews. Also, they may have chosen to send a small amount of interviews because they may be choosing a small cohort due to Covid. I have had a few interviews like that.

You don’t have to send thank you emails, if you don’t want to. They are going to make decisions without it and it will not affect you. Don’t stress over it. ?

I am interviewing for different Ph.D. programs. Honestly, I know how you feel, especially with the short interviews. I felt like a few schools had their minds made up a bit before the interview. I know a lot of people say no they don't, but the short interviews gave me that same feeling, like how can you get to know me the best in a 20-minute interview while I also have to ask questions. However, I do know the decision is based on fit and not just the faculty. Also, the match between the program aims and philosophy is just as important. Your experience should shine in your application, so don't forget about that. When the school's philosophy and faculty, and not just one, fit you in some way, you'll have a higher chance of getting into the schools you chose. Also, you may even communicate better with different schools depending on your interest and that match. They go back to your application, so don't lose hope because I did right after some of my interviews, and I am shook that I've been accepted to four schools so far. Don't think about how short the interview was. You did your best, and I'm sure most students may have felt the same way. (I tried so hard to make this general in a way for both Master and Ph.d interviewees. I hope this helped in someway?)

I haven't had one but the topic might be a School Psychology scenario (if that's what you are applying to) that you may have to write about. I have heard of programs doing that but not many. Maybe you should reach out and ask the school what that entails because I would want to know. They may not give you exactly what you would be writing about but they may have some type of clarification on what it is, if that helps. Good luck!

Some schools send the invites out all at once through their program director. If it was sent by faculty, then there is a possibility that they can send the invites at different times but I would assume that it’s still usually around the same week because I feel like they all work together in selecting applicants.

Honestly, I would just wait it out unless they gave you a timeframe. If they didn't tell you one, just wait and if you can't, 3 weeks because like you said you don't want to be "that student" but then again its been 3 weeks.? If they did give you a time frame, you have every right to check in after that timeframe. ?

It all depends on you. When you've figured out everything. If you know there are school's that you are not attending at all, let them know immediately. Now a lot of us are still interviewing, so if you have not finished interviewing, I wouldn't make a decision until you have completed all interviews and compared all the school, who have made offers. You have until April 15th but I would say once again, if you have made the decisions of not attending a school, let them know. Set a reasonable deadline if that makes you feel more comfortable. I set March 5th for myself because I feel that by then I would be done with the rest of my interviews and have two weeks to decide, which gives a lot of time until April 15th for other schools. I may not even need the 2 weeks. Don't rush yourself, if you're not finished interviewing. If you are then you need to start figuring out who is the best school for you and who is not. I don't think anyone needs more than two weeks to decide, if you have finished interviewing. If you are unsure contact your PI's so you can meet their team's and talk more, so you can make the decision sooner. Good Luck ☺️

I have a few things to say for those who are having a rough application season. This year is pretty competitive but you guys did it! What I mean is you passed the hardest obstacle, which is the application process and getting an interview. You all are more than qualified, if you didn't know. Being invited to an interview is a huge milestone, especially when you made it and there were over 100 or more rejected immediately. I know it may be upsetting that thing's aren't going your way but when you are interviewing, it's really about the fit and if there is genuine passion for that research interest. If I can give you any advice I would say if you can honestly reflect on some of your research interest and look at your life or things that are really important to you and connect those dots as well as connecting how the school reflects you and what your interested in doing not just in grad school but in the long term, that can be so helpful. It's really different from when you're just stating and saying things are interesting and you like it to saying why you're so passionate and so on and what you're interested in doing in the long term with that interest. Also, if you think at all that you have to apply again next year, guess what? If you didn't know you are going to be great next year, you know NOW. You got this but even if GRE or other requirements were removed or not it would not have made a difference in terms of the quality of the applicants. Low GRE doesn't automatically push people out. I know some school do but there are many that don't. Sending positive energy and I am always open to speaking to anyone, if you'd like because this is a stressful journey. Keep pushing forward guys.

This is for their school psychology phd program. No problem! Good Luck!?

Hi guys, I just want to make some clarifications since people are messaging me privately and this was part of the reason why I did not want to join because if I were to give information like a lot you guys have shared that some people didn't receive, it would bother some people. I like that everyone is able to speak on what's going on with the schools they have applied to and share information. But someone is upset that I have mentioned the dates that are set for Syracuse and that I said Michigan sent out their decisions or at least some which they really did but it's really unnecessary to try to tell me I'm lying and that I sharing information thats not true, which some of you have already stated. I don't need to lie and like I said I am rooting for everyone, especially with this forum you guys have been so helpful. Sending positive energy to all.?