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To be honest, it's probably a good idea to contact your schools and ask them directly. They may all have different opinions and requirements, and you don't want to get stuck with an 'incomplete' application after it's too late.

OK, so I am aware there is a thread like this from last year's application cycle, but I thought I'd go ahead and kick start the new potential grad students going for a MA/Ed.M or PhD in Counseling Psychology, Clinical Mental Health or School counseling for Fall 2012. I'm hoping to start a MA or Ed.M in Clinical Mental Health counseling, and am applying to Columbia TC, McGill, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Penn, Denver and NYU. I haven't found too many people in this boat and just thought I'd ask people where they are applying, and how the whole application is going so far! =)

I have to emphasize on this - while I haven't applied anywhere yet, my scores are in the lower range (around 1250) and every school I talked to said it really shouldn't hinder too much as long as your GPA is good, with a great SOP and LORs. I would try not to worry too much about it and focus on the other parts of your application. After all, you could have a 1600 GRE but if you're not right for the school, and the rest of your app materials aren't up to par, you wouldn't get a second look anyway.

That's right...with the ApplyWeb system, which many schools operate these days, your LOR requests get sent as soon as you "save" your recommender's details. However, one of the schools I'm applying to doesn't submit anything to the LOR writers until you submit the application, but if that's the case they usually make it obvious.

See I'm not so sure - I have dual Canadian/British, but lived in Italy for most of my life (long story). I'm not sure what the differences may be with graduate admissions, but I did my undergrad in the UK (having never actually lived in Britain) and got charged home fees. I would try to apply as a home student unless the school itself judges otherwise - it's a LOT cheaper.

Yep, right there with you with excel spreadsheets, which has been surprisingly helpful! I actually consult it regularly, which is much easier than looking at a file or checking the school website.

I'm totally there with you - I just submitted my first app 10 minutes ago (it's a rolling admissions app, wanted to get it in sooner rather than later), and it's kind of scary/relieving,anti-climatic. So yeah, the process of waiting has begun! Sigh, this is going to be a long few months.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) is supposed to be excellent. I visited the school this summer and everyone is really nice and helpful - I obviously don't know what your exact program would be like, but I would definitely look into if you haven't already.

Haha I'm sure you have a solid chance of getting in, GRE scores aren't everything But yeah I remember reading about the admission essay requirements...I also remember them having a fairly high GRE minimum requirement, which is unusual for the field..but yes I have heard good things about it! Good luck!

I'm actually not applying anywhere in London as the only good MA level programs available in the area is at Birkbeck College, which is where I'd doing a part-time post grad course at the moment, and the Anna Freud centre, which is supposed to be excellent, but I just want to try somewhere new to be honest And yeah, for licensure there are a number of pathways, the most common of which is obtaining a certificate to practice as a psychotherapist, or an M.S in counseling with there being a min. number of internship hours etc. So I see you're applying to Northwestern...I was very close to applying there too, but then discovered they wanted like 2 autobiographical essays and laziness overcame me...ha! The program is supposed to be great, though.

Well I am in the process of applying for next fall as well so, obviously I'm no expert (yet!); but from what I understand from several months of research, is that it's not too different from applying to any other M.A/MS program - essentially, they're looking for fit, to see if your theoretical viewpoints on counseling psychology match up with their research interests etc etc, they want people who are aware of what the profession really entails. They want you to have some work/volunteer experience in the field and for you to know what you want. Though I've noticed some programs have strict minimum requirements (e.g. min. 3 years of work experience) while some don't really mind as long as they think you'll fit well..really depends

Hah, ok maybe I wasn't too clear. I definitely agree that waltzing into the building and asking to see someone at random is a bad idea. And by 'admissions counselor' I'm not talking about some dude whose job is filing paperwork and showing prospective students around - I'm saying having a personal one-to-one talk with the department's admissions director. This is someone who knows the program inside out and sits on the admissions board. From my personal experience, these people have guided me in terms of helping me get in touch with the faculty members based on your interests etc. That's all I'm saying -

OK, so I realize I do not belong to the English department, but I have to say I disagree with asleepawake; I am hoping to start a masters in the Fall so I visited Harvard this summer and yes, perhaps the staff might be a bit busy, but if you even just went to talk to an admissions counselor, they are more than happy to hear you out. Even they said they like putting a face to a name. Besides, if you're taking the time to go visit a school in the first place, chances are you are a serious applicant and have as good a chance as anybody else of being admitted - indeed perhaps more so, as you took the time to introduce yourself.

Thanks guys - that helps. I will get in touch with my recommender to see if he is able to change the letter. And yeah, I will probably check twice to get the name right in the SOP for this school..ha!

I'm not sure if this is a British thing, but I have been shown all three of my letters. Granted they were sent to me in a format so that I would not be able to edit them - but I don't see why you shouldn't be able to *see* it.

Hey guys - your thoughts would be appreciated on this. I'm applying to do an M.A/M.S in Counseling Psychology to start in Fall 2012 and basically, by means of a set of circumstances, I am almost certain that one of my LORs customized for School A was submitted to School B. The thing is that the LOR itself wasn't necessarily aimed at any one program, it was mainly a general praise of my qualities as a student etc etc, however the last paragraph did include the name of one school when in fact it was submitted to another. I was contemplating contacting my recommender to see if it was possible to correct it, but I have a feeling once they click "submit" there is no going back =( So the question is - how damaging is this to me, the applicant? I haven't quite finished the SOP for this program and it is not one my top choices, probably not even my 2nd or 3rd. So I'm thinking, if it's going to dampen my chances, maybe I should not apply and save myself $80? On the other hand, if they won't punish me for this, I would still like to give it a shot. Ideas and opinions are welcome.

I think I speak for all academics and scholars when I say "Always answer the question". Obviously it's a good idea to read sample SOPs to get a feel for what is well received by adcoms, but from what I understand, answering what you're programs asks of you, being original and showing fit are good things to remember. Usually the statement questions tell you how long it should be, generally ranging from 500 words to 1500 words. Though if you ever have any doubts, I would contact the program director or the department's admissions counselor - it's always worth asking rather than regretting, besides, it's never a bad idea to get your name out there! =)

If you're willing to put a couple bucks into it, I found Donald Asher's book "Graduate Admission Essays" incredibly helpful. He gives honest and down to earth advice on the good, the bad and the ugly of applying to grad school in general. There are also a ton of samples to take a gander at.

See, while I think the GRE can be useful for predicting dedication and certain aspects of intelligence, I don't think it's a measure of graduate success. Let's face it, being able to do basic high school math and knowing a few obscure words does not mean you're going to succeed in life.

Yeah that could be a good point. I mean, say you're applying to Harvard, but then list a bunch of schools that aren't Ivys, they may not take you seriously as a candidate, or perhaps shrug you off as a "oh, well we don't have to take her as she will probably get into one of the less prestigious programs listed". Ironically, HGSE requires you to either fill in other schools or say you're not applying anywhere else, without the option to leave it blank. I'm considering doing the latter, but meh, it's not too reassuring.

Thanks Orst11, that makes sense. I suppose it comes to no surprise how political this candidate selection system can be.

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

Hey all, I know this may seem trivial, but what is the catch with certain schools asking which other programs you're applying to? I mean, does it hurt/look good to admit you're applying to more prestigious/less prestigious departments..? What about leaving these areas blank? Just thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone had any ideas and/or concerns! =)

Thats cool, thanks

That does make sense, but a lot of the programs in counseling, for instance, offer internships affiliated with the school itself. Maybe it matters slightly more in a clinical psychology context?