psych1

Connecticut. It was cheaper to stay close to home.

I am in a school psych program for an EDS degree. I thought about the PhD and some in my program do transfer, but it's along haul and I really want to work in the school system (right now) We will see if I change my mind next year. I have heard at least in my area (East coast) that many schools hire less PhD's because even though the degree of salary is minimal (5.000 tops) they still save money and figure the person will stay rather than leave after a few years for a more academic pursuit. I'm sure this varies state to state, but it does make it something to look into. I also didn't go the PsyD route because of money, hardly anyone gave aid for that and I had loans from undergrad. I found more help for masters which is sad, but a reality.

I posted on the other forum, looking for a place to stay as a masters student, but wont have a car for a while and am thinking of staying on campus. Some of the reviews for apartments around Storrs were horrible and I don't want to spend a lot of money for a dump, just because it's close to UConn. Vernon and Manchester sound better, some students I talked too got one in Manchester and worked in Hartford. I might not have a car first semester so I was thinking of living in grad dorms (without food plan) and making do. I love UConn's programs but I wish it wasn't so isolated.

Does anyone stay at the grad dorms? (well I guess a few do) I am starting at UConn in a masters program and although I have a good chance of getting an assistantship for next year, I don't right now. I want cheap and convenient and although the dorms aren't cheap, they are close, there isn't a deposit, utilities, bad roommates, etc. I also wont have a car until late Fall or early January. Any thoughts of doing this for a year or are there major drawbacks I'm not thinking of? I'm hoping, not ever being a big partier, they are quieter than the undergrad dorms.

That's, great, re the funding. I am getting frustrated because everytime I check the FA site, they say I haven't sent in forms...which I have twice! I know they must get a lot of tax forms, etc. but I really want to see if I get any grants, etc.

Two schools I applied to had assistantships/grants for masters students but nothing was guaranteed as it would be with PhD. I can't take full loans for a masters, so I will live home if I can't get funding the first year and commute or try to find work that will pay for 1/2. I am also looking at scholarships, a long shot, but it can't hurt.

I interviewed at 3 schools for school psych, state and private, all accredited and full NASP approved. They all said and some showed me info, that their grads were working either in May or by August of the year they graduated. I admit I didn't press one school (Univ of Hartford) if they were all working as School Psychologists, full time or part time, etc. but most had good stats for jobs.

Just got into UConn...waiting on 2 others.

I'm sure it takes time to get everything in order, especially with the later dates. I didn't send it that much earlier either, which didn't help. (01/20 and 02/10) The UConn one was 01/01 deadline and I heard in Feb. Good luck to you too! I only applied within an hour or so, not knowing if I could afford to live anywhere far and not wanting to take out too many loans. UConn is so isolated, I might try to find housing there if I get in. Some say, I should have applied to more Specialist programs, but for a masters, for me, it would have been too expensive. I can't fly all over or take that much time from school, and if I don't get in, I'll work, save, and apply again. We all do what we can do.

Good Luck! Is it near you? I have one at UConn next week. The one with the 02/1 deadline keeps saying my package has to be complete to schedule and I'm getting annoyed with the incompetent staff. I'm told they have something, then they don't, then they do. I was told by a student a year ahead of me, to do everything in triplicate! The 02/15 deadline was the latest, maybe by 03/01 if they are going to call?

If the deadline was 2/1 or 2/15, when do you think interviews would be? I applied to two MA/Specialist programs with those deadlines and wondered if they waited until they were over to call/email. One keeps saying I need to send a wavier for praxis, which I sent 3 times! (I guess their filing system leaves something to be desired) I will fax it next time. I

Just got an invite to UConn.....now I'm nervous, but at least it's a start.

I wanted to apply to Lehigh's master program, but I thought it would end up being too expensive right now, even with funding. If I decide to do the PhD route in the future, I will definitely apply though. Good luck! I applied to UConn's masters program and am still waiting and a few others in CT. I know one student that started in the masters program there and switched over after 1 year, she said that isn't uncommon and sometimes easier than doing it from the start.

Re, sending GRE scores, I sent mine to 2, but if I retake and do better, I will send them to more. If I don't do better, the first 2 don't have to know, but the others will see all my scores. Did you send your scores to the colleges you are interested in?

[ I feel the same way, I can't apply too far away and if I got in, lets say a college in Ohio and they didn't give me any money, the debt would be too great. I have 4 colleges in CT that have School Pscyh programs now, (Fairfield is new) and 2 are state schools. I have one that is 10 minutes away, one that is an hour and the others are in-between. NY is an 1 1/2 train ride and I know people have commuted, although it is hard. It all comes down to money for me, I wont take out loans to add to my undergrad loans unless it's necessary. I am going to apply to one school in PA because of a program they have and maybe Delaware, but I read their GRE scores are above mine because they fully fund.