ksalazar95

First, applying to programs every cycle is draining for us. I was rejected and this is my 4th cycle applying for PhDs and I've only gotten into MA programs. I've been told that it's luck location (luck with the right PI accepting applications and being aware that more popular programs receive more applications, and both of are outside of our control so it's not that there is something wrong with us rather it's how the cards were dealt. From my perspective, adding an MA to your CV will definitely boost your qualifications if you have the research and/or clinical experiences. I am in a similar boat and am accepting that I need to do an MA, which in the long-run will allow me to network and connect with researchers in a school that I'm interested in. Adding another research job may not be as valuable as having a thesis and MA degree as your CV shows you're great at research as a job, and now the MA could show that you can succeed in a rigorous research program (i.e. showing your versatility). Lastly, for me I have to remind myself that there is no race to my end goal. Because now I'm entering my late 20s and because I don't have a PhD I have to remind myself that I am not falling behind, not stupid, or not successful. Overall, I need to stop gaslighting myself into something that I "should" be doing or have. In fact, I tell myself that my winding journey will make my research more interesting one day.