FacelessMage
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Posts posted by FacelessMage
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I just used the Kaplan book, supplemented with Google. I scored above the 90th percentile after studying for around 2.5 weeks (and that's after I've been out of undergrad for 4 years). There's a lot more I/O psych questions on the test than when I previously took in 2010, so maybe some study material on that would be helpful.
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If you don't mind going international, Carleton has a great experimental forensic program. Even better, you don't need the GRE to get in.
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Ugh quant on the GRE is killing me! I write the real deal on Saturday, but can't pull it above the 50th percentile in practice no matter how much practice and review I do. I dunno if it's worth spending the money to apply if I can't do well on it.
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Hey everyone!
I was thinking of applying to their clinical program this coming application cycle. Are there any current students or people who've applied before that could help shed some light into the application process? I'm a non-traditional student, so I'm trying to decide if it's worth spending the money to apply here, especially since the acceptance percentage is so low.
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This will be my fourth, and likely last, time applying to clinical programs. I'm applying to every school as possible within my research area (forensics). The majority of POIs have been good matches for research interests (I work in multiple topics, which helps). I met a lot of the people I'm applying to at conferences, and other ones I've found by googling programs that do research in my area. I do intend to apply for research-based clinical programs because 1) I love research, and 2) I want to keep my options open in terms of career goals.I'm applying to around 15 programs this time around. I already have a Master's degree in experimental psych, so a government research position will likely be my back-up in case it still doesn't work out for me. Either that, or I'll get an experimental PhD.
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15 minutes ago, MarineBluePsy said:
You're a nontraditional student right? One of the SOP workshops I attended last year talked about how nontraditional students can unintentionally present themselves as a bad risk by going on about undergrad, family background, struggles during gap years, etc. We were blatantly told no one cares, focus on what you're doing now. I should mention this particular workshop was aimed entirely at nontraditional students, whereas those I'd gone to in prior years weren't and said nothing like this. When I got home and took a look at my SOP I saw how I spent too much time on these very areas, and even though the early years helped me get where I am now what I have been doing in recent years was far more interesting.
It was also suggested that we be more specific about what we might consider for dissertation research. Meaning instead of just stating a population you'd like to study for your dissertation research actually pose possible questions regarding that population to explore. You're not going to be held to it because your questions are expected to change as you go through your program, but it's a way to show you're thinking, if what you're interested in is studied by everyone or only a few, and if your questions can be answered in 5-6 years.
I'm sure other things will pop into my head, but you're welcome to pm me and I'm happy to read your draft if you're in need of another set of eyes.
Hmmm. Yep, I am a nontraditional student at this point. I've tended to focus my last two rounds of applications on what I was doing in my Master's, since I felt that research would be more applicable than anything I did during undergrad (I'm applying to supervisors in clinical programs in the same research area as my experimental Master's degree research). The problem is that I'm not really doing anything right now (unemployed for a few months, been publishing some papers but that's it). I wonder if it's worth mentioning why I want to make the transition from experimental to clinical, as I feel like this will be important for my application. I'll also specify more specific research question with regards to my proposed dissertation research.
In any case, thanks for your help! I'll most likely be prevailing upon your help at some point!
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23 hours ago, MarineBluePsy said:
Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone luck with this application season. It's a ton of work and stress, but it is all worth it once an acceptance letter rolls in.
@FacelessMage I strongly suspect your SOP is in need of a revamp. I'm not saying it is terrible as it is, but that there is room to go from great to excellent. I went through this last season and as sucky as it was to start all over with only a couple months before apps were due it was totally worth it. I also second the suggestion that you apply to more programs if you can at all generate the funds to do so. At the start of last season I was asked if I wanted to go somewhere or if I want to keep applying. Somewhere would mean casting a wider net and continue to apply would mean spending an absurd amount of money year after year. Now I'm somewhere and I couldn't wait to pitch all that app stuff in the trash lol.
I've thought about revamping my SOP, but I'm not sure where to start. Any tips?
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1 hour ago, St0chastic said:
Maybe have some friends and/or professors look over your application materials and provide helpful feedback? They might be able to spot improvements you can make to your SOP and CV. The SOP forum here on Gradcafe might be helpful, too. If you haven't already, try reaching out to the PIs you want to work with. Send them a brief email telling them a bit about yourself (2-3 sentences max) and why you're interested in working with them. If they reply back, ask if they would be willing to look at your CV. They can tell you whether you would be competitive and if they would consider taking you as a student.
I suspect the programs you're applying to are very competitive, so another tactic is just to apply to a huge number of schools--at least 15. While this can get pricey, if it helps you get admitted somewhere it's worth it!
Also, it doesn't hurt to have a plan B. Apply to Master's programs if necessary and/or lab manager positions.
I've been doing all of this for a few years with varying levels of success (this is my fourth time applying). I have been told that I am a competitive applicant (strong GPA, good GRE scores, excellent research experience), but it seems that the more I do to improve, the worse my outcomes have been. Clinical psych applications are the worst.
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Ugh application anxiety is already setting in. I'm not sure where I can improve my application over previous years, so I'm very stuck.
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7 hours ago, forensicpsych2017 said:
You applied to quite a few schools I'm interested in when I apply this upcoming year. Did you talk to any professors you were interested in working with before applying to get a feeling for what they were looking for in a potential student?
I met with the majority of the profs I was interested in working with at conferences prior to applying (I got some good face to face time with them). I had also emailed all of them asking if they were accepting students for the upcoming year.
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18 hours ago, soc.studyhermit said:
Have you tried Lakehead University?
Is there anyone who does forensic-based research? I think I've looked at them before but didn't see anyone.
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39 minutes ago, Piagetsky said:
Congrats, Faceless! I hope you report back with some great news. I get the feeling that Ryerson is particularly funding-sensitive...best of luck!!!!
Thanks! Ryerson has been the only resounding no I've gotten (blah blah blah PhD spots are for our own grad student blah blah blah). Personally, I'm hedging my bets on New Brunswick or Saskatchewan, but we'll see. I may also contact the folks at Carleton to see if they'll consider an application after the deadline given the fact that I had funding.
To be honest I can't believe that this is happening to me again (had the same situation with my Master's SSHRC).
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58 minutes ago, soc.studyhermit said:
YES!!
Any suggestions on how to approach POIs?
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Does anyone have any advice for contacting POIs/programs that rejected in the hopes that they'll reconsider because I won the award?
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So I've been rejected from all 8 clinical programs that I applied to. However, yesterday I found out that I won the Doctoral CGS SSHRC award (at the level of 35K/per year over 3 years).
Would it be worth contacting programs or individuals POIs from the programs that I was rejected from to see if those rejections could possibly be overturned? I don't want to turn down an award that I rightfully earned.
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I'm in a similar boat to you, applied to 8 schools and was rejected across the board. I'm trying to gain leverage into a program because I just found out that I won a 100K doctoral scholarship from the government, so that may change. In the meantime, I'm studying for the GRE (my scores expire) and trying to push through more publications before next year.
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20 minutes ago, crackers said:
35k one is a big deal, have you tried contacting the schools again?
Not yet. I'm going to try to see if maybe a program can squeeze an extra spot for me. I was able to do it for my Master's (same deal, won the award, rejected everywhere), so hopefully I'll be lucky again.
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Awarded the 35K award (letter arrived at my parent's house in Calgary)! I'll likely have to turn it down to because I wasn't admitted anywhere. It's a big disappointment,
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It's bittersweet for me getting the results as I didn't get accepted to any of the PhD programs I applied to. Wish they'd let you know earlier on so you can use the award as leverage. :/
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11 hours ago, forensicpsych2017 said:
Make sure that if you plan on applying to Drexel to study for the LSAT since it's a required test if you want to go the forensic route and the Psych Subject test if you plan on applying to John Jay! I don't want to go a law school route which is the only reason Drexel is not on my list, otherwise that would be my top school since it's an amazing program. Good luck!
I though the LSAT was only required if you're going to go the PhD/JD route. You can apply for just the PhD for the forensic concentration.
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Congrats to whoever got the Saskatchewan acceptance! I'm so jealous!
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3 hours ago, Plasticity said:
That is the way to go and focus on clinical program's that are more research based and a clinical science model of training.
Do you think it is an issue of fit/research interests or your application?
I don't think it's an issue of fit or research interests. I specific applied to programs that had POI's of research that I've read/cited in my research. I'm not sure if it's a problem of something like like personal statements or something else not being up to par.
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11 hours ago, FeelTheBern said:
You are seriously my hero! I wish I had the same perseverance!! Keep it up
Have you ever been a Lab Manager/Research Assistant at a university working under a professor whose work you are interested in? I would imagine it is good experience and the connections within the field couldn't hurt either!
I did a few Research Assistant stints in my undergrad that weren't exactly my area of research (they were in eating disorders and I/O psych), but I got some good experience out of that. Most of my recent RA work has been for the federal government. I've been working with a clinician in corrections on a research project for the last two years or so that we're hoping to submit for publication soon. He wrote a reference letter for me this past application cycle.
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I'll be reapplying this coming fall as well after a disastrous application season this time around. This will be my 4th time applying, and I'm honestly just out of ideas as to how to improve my application.
Fall 2017 CANADIAN clinical psychology
in Psychology Forum
Posted
The pressure is on!!!