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.

Me too, I used power prep and Kaplan and some of it was very hard, but I scored higher.I know being tired took points from the verbal, but the average GRE scores are around 500, so many don't ace it. I think Math can be higher for many because the vocab is so ridiculous, you have to memorize so much. I suppose they feel they have to make it challenging to help eliminate people but I don't think it is given as much weight by everyone. I also looked at School Psych programs and except for 2 of them, I am okay, but I'd like to be better. Are you applying to a lot of schools? I'm not applying to a large number myself.

Well after 2 hours sleep (anxiety?) I didn't do as well as I thought. My verbal was better on my practice tests but my math was over 600, which was similar. I don't know if I will re-take, I'll decide at school. I wont be able to study the words like I did at home, but I know I could do better. I was so tired and afterwards slept for 5 hours. From what I could see most masters programs don't have high GRE scores and as long as I keep my GPA up and try to be a well-rounded applicant, I'll give it my all. I hope others did well and are relieved it is behind you.

Taking my GRE tomorrow too...haven't been able to concentrate on very much else with my app, so I'm glad when it is over with. I know with a PhD it matters more how high your score is, but even applying to MA/Specialist, I hope to have a decent number. Good Luck to anyone else taking it this month!

I am going through the same thing, some aspects of the PhD are intriguing, but not enough right now to push me fully in that direction. I also don't have a lot of research experience going to a small LAC. I am interested in a couple of multi-cultural programs that have both PhD and Specialist and might apply to one PhD and see how it goes. I am mainly interested in programs in the north east so it limits it to some degree. I am also struggling with my SOP, but at least am working on my CV for my LOR professors. I unfortunately have to work to help pay my tuition and in this economy wasn't able to get positions, paid, that were as attractive an unpaid. I did work with young adults and older adults with disabilities but also had a cashier position to help save some more money. Unpaid internships just weren't going to work. I feel things will work out in the end, whether I have to take another year or settle for a school that isn't my first choice but partially (or fully!!) funded. The end result is working in the schools, doing what I know I will find enjoyable. Sometimes the path is curved but starting for me is the hardest!

I was looking at Northeastern's new School Psych program and might apply next fall. Did you find out how much your assistantship is yet? Good luck to you, sounds like a great school.

I am also applying to School Psych programs this Fall and am mainly doing Specialist programs. I was encouraged to do some PhD by my professors, but don't know if I have enough research experience or want to do that for 5 years. (the funding is attractive though) I am applying close to home unless the program states it has some funding for tuition, I just can't afford to pay tuition and R/B. You also hear conflicting info on how a PhD effects getting a job in the school system, some say they have many in their area, others say, they are "overqualified" and without working experience, can't get the director positions. I know though, it depends on where you live, the economic times and just luck sometimes. How was your GPA? Did the schools you applied too accept only a few students, many apply as you know and sometimes it's not you, it's just they can't take any more students. I've only done 1 research project at my small LAC and plan on 1 more next year and an honors thesis. That will be it I think. I have a volunteer job with adults with special needs but need to work at a non-psychology type job over the summer to help pay my tuition.

I have a question on applying for PhD or masters programs. I am torn because I'm a Pscyh major with a 3.92 GPA and a 3.66 overall GPA (junior year) I am minoring in Spanish if that matters. I did a research project this year for my Research Methods class and will do an honors thesis next year and hopefully another project with my advisor.(no lab work this year) I don't have a lot of opportunites at my small LAC but make the best of it. I have to work for money over the summer but will do volunteer work with teens/adults with special needs. I took all the required courses that the program suggests and should have good recs. GRES.....who knows, but I hope to do well. I wanted to apply to School Psych programs and I was looking at masters programs because of my lack of research. I was nudged by one professor to try for a PhD and see what happens, I don't need to do some material over again (he said I would see that in the beginning) and he thought it would open up more opportunities later in life. He also said that he would let the school be the judge on my readiness. He stated in some programs, masters are for students that need help in grades, but in school psych, I think it is just how soon you want to work and how much freedom you want in your work options. My question is if I apply to a PhD program at one school, if they reject me, would they offer me a masters spot? I've read some posts that stated they were offered MA spots at Columbia when they didn't get in the PhD program, but not all colleges do this. At my state school, you have to pick one and if you mention the other, aren't thought of as "focused" on your career path. So if you don't get in, you can't apply for a masters position unless you wait another year. Is this the norm? I am also a student that had to take full stafford loans every year and I know the professor was also thinking of funding issues. Does anyone have any info on how most programs work...are you usually just rejected without another offer if they have masters programs in your field?

I will do that, I suppose you never should assume anything with applications and schools. I know my state school is okay, but others might not be. I was told by a student from there that applying to both programs would probably kill or put a dent in the PhD application, showing divided interests. I just wanted a crack at both, if my research wasn't enough. It might be different at certain schools, one poster on another forum said he did that and since the PhD results come out first, knew he got in and then took back his Masters application.

Funding will be important to me because I had to take out loans in my undergraduate years (full government stafford). If I add to that significantly, and expect one day to have car loans, mortgage/rent, and other bills, I don't want to feel buried. I wish sometimes I went almost "free" to my local state school, but the reputation as a 4th tier college and apathetic students wouldn't have prepared me as well as my LAC. Choices.....they can have you lose sleep!

I'm a first generation junior at a small LAC and very interested in being a school psychologist. I was going to just research MA specialist programs but have been encouraged by my professors to look into PhD programs as well. My psychology gpa is 3.90 (3.6 overall) but I haven't taken the GRE's yet and a don't have a lot of research experience. (one project this year) I have to work over the summer to pay my tuition but will have another project next fall. I was told that funding for MA programs is slim, although some schools like the University of Delaware will fund Masters with more generous aid. I can't afford a lot more loans and am discouraged that the APA Psychology book lumps the FA together with the PhD so you can't see the differences. How important is funding to anyone interested in this program? Did it help decide where you might apply? I also wonder if anyone knows if it is advisable to apply to an MA and PhD program at the same school? I know someone who did and he realized he got into both when the PhD program accepted him in April (the MA was later) Because he got excellent funding, he took the PhD offer, but this doesn't seem to be the norm for most students. Thanks for any feedback!