*I is stressed* venting thread for Fall 2020 Applicants

[andhowdoesthatmakeyoufeel]

3 minutes ago, justacigar said:

Yeah I'm envious, but after buying one plane ticket and almost having a stroke at the price, maybeee not that envious ?

I bought my second set today (two are local for me) and I'm literally dying

[PsyZei]

34 minutes ago, justacigar said:

Yeah I'm envious, but after buying one plane ticket and almost having a stroke at the price, maybeee not that envious ?

The money thing is honestly killing me. Very much woohoo for interviews, but money is an issue and flying is too expensive. I've worked out that I'm driving between 3.5 and 6 hours to three of mine, doing a video interview for one, and taking a train to and bus back from the one that's the farthest away.

On top, almost every interview is meaning I'm missing one or more classes this semester &/or work. I'm in a MFT master program and I really don't want to stay into the summer to finish up clinical hours (or thesis). Only one person in the cohort before mine didn't stay through the summer to finish clinical hours, and only I and one other person in my cohort is on track to be graduated by May (instead of August)- so that's a very "in the front of my mind" stress.

THEN I'm also a parent and all of these interviews are on school days and most are going to be overnight trips. Working out the kids being taken care of and getting to/home from school has been stressful.

*I is stressed* is basically my life this semester! *Deep Breath* Just been trying to remember to "trust the process" and trust it will all work itself out.

[jazzgirl]

Do most schools conduct informal interviews before sending out invites? I’m usually not good at interviews. I had 2 Skype interviews but did not get invited for the in-person interview  I’m worried if it will be the same for the other schools that I applied... 

[hopefulgrad2019]

2 hours ago, jazzgirl said:

Do most schools conduct informal interviews before sending out invites? I’m usually not good at interviews. I had 2 Skype interviews but did not get invited for the in-person interview  I’m worried if it will be the same for the other schools that I applied... 

It seems more schools are conducting informal interviews this year but it’s a program/PI preference. I did mock interviews with the post doc in my lab before going on interviews to get some practice and feedback if there’s anyone who could do the same for you! 

[MiddleOfSomeCalibrations]

3 hours ago, jazzgirl said:

Do most schools conduct informal interviews before sending out invites? I’m usually not good at interviews. I had 2 Skype interviews but did not get invited for the in-person interview  I’m worried if it will be the same for the other schools that I applied... 

I don't think so. This also varies by the POI. Most of my in-person interview invitations were not preceded by a phone/Skype interview.

[Lioness]

So I haven't had an interview invitation yet, but in the spirit of obsessing... my top program typically does two interview weekends and you can choose which one to attend. Assuming there is no scheduling conflict, is there a strategy to which one is better? Going first to make sure you are among the first faces they see, or last so you are fresh on their minds as they make the decision? Any psych theories on this? ?

[ur.future.therapist]

Alright so super quick rant- I was super excited about UMass Boston's Clinical program and I worked so hard to perfect my application for it; like my ideological and research fit with the program was just *chef's kiss*. But I have been in a correspondence hell with them since over a month now because I sent my official transcripts TWICE to them but they have not received either of them (I sent both copies to the correct address I triple checked). Without a "complete" application, the graduate department does not forward applications to be reviewed, so I emailed them with my unofficial transcript and requested them to at least forward my application to the faculty while I sent over the third set of transcripts. And they said no. So now, after all the high hopes and a steep application fee ($100 I believe), I am unsure that my application will even be read because it will be "incomplete". I will be sad in my corner but if you feel sorry for me my love language is memes (brownie points if you DM me psychology memes) ,, thanks rant over 

[justacigar]

1 hour ago, Lioness said:

So I haven't had an interview invitation yet, but in the spirit of obsessing... my top program typically does two interview weekends and you can choose which one to attend. Assuming there is no scheduling conflict, is there a strategy to which one is better? Going first to make sure you are among the first faces they see, or last so you are fresh on their minds as they make the decision? Any psych theories on this? ?

I've thought about this too, and I really think for something like PhD interviews they aren't giving preference (intentional or not) depending on the interview weekend. I'm pretty sure they rate applicants as they go, so your rating would be the same regardless of which weekend you attend. But who knows!

[emdreaming]

 

I have been able to keep myself from stressing and have avoided this board for months to try to not increase my stress level. BUT. Now I can’t chill anymore. I know one of my schools sent invites starting yesterday last year, and another started the 15 last year,and the 3rd was the 23rd last year. So now I am freaking.the.ef.out. Like guys, just jump on it and send out invites already. How do they not remember the torture of waiting? Also patience is not a virtue of mine. 

[emdreaming]

Also, my work computer has this site blocked ? so I’m creeping with my phone below my desk, semi-obsessively refreshing results and my email. Everything is normal over here. 

[Schy]

19 minutes ago, emdreaming said:

Also, my work computer has this site blocked ? so I’m creeping with my phone below my desk, semi-obsessively refreshing results and my email. Everything is normal over here. 

I'm VERY happy the IT guy at my job has no idea what this is and I hope he never finds out because he would definitely block it ?

[emdreaming]

Just now, Schy said:

I'm VERY happy the IT guy at my job has no idea what this is and I hope he never finds out because he would definitely block it ?

Haha I couldn’t believe they had it on the blocked list!!! You’re lucky!

[379337933793]

I almost had an aneurysm because someone from Columbia looked at my LinkedIn but upon further review it seems to be unrelated to this process. Really, truly spinning my wheels here!

[justacigar]

3 hours ago, pranali said:

Alright so super quick rant- I was super excited about UMass Boston's Clinical program and I worked so hard to perfect my application for it; like my ideological and research fit with the program was just *chef's kiss*. But I have been in a correspondence hell with them since over a month now because I sent my official transcripts TWICE to them but they have not received either of them (I sent both copies to the correct address I triple checked). Without a "complete" application, the graduate department does not forward applications to be reviewed, so I emailed them with my unofficial transcript and requested them to at least forward my application to the faculty while I sent over the third set of transcripts. And they said no. So now, after all the high hopes and a steep application fee ($100 I believe), I am unsure that my application will even be read because it will be "incomplete". I will be sad in my corner but if you feel sorry for me my love language is memes (brownie points if you DM me psychology memes) ,, thanks rant over 

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that. What a nightmare!

Could you reach out to the program or your POI to tell them what happened? That seems super unfair they wouldn't get your application after all that work.

[Schy]

4 hours ago, pranali said:

Alright so super quick rant- I was super excited about UMass Boston's Clinical program and I worked so hard to perfect my application for it; like my ideological and research fit with the program was just *chef's kiss*. But I have been in a correspondence hell with them since over a month now because I sent my official transcripts TWICE to them but they have not received either of them (I sent both copies to the correct address I triple checked). Without a "complete" application, the graduate department does not forward applications to be reviewed, so I emailed them with my unofficial transcript and requested them to at least forward my application to the faculty while I sent over the third set of transcripts. And they said no. So now, after all the high hopes and a steep application fee ($100 I believe), I am unsure that my application will even be read because it will be "incomplete". I will be sad in my corner but if you feel sorry for me my love language is memes (brownie points if you DM me psychology memes) ,, thanks rant over 

I have secondhand trauma from this oh my god I'm so sorry 

[ELS]

Was anyone approved for 50% more time? If so, how long did it take for you to get the "official" letter. 

[merpppy]

After being rejected from (almost, hopefully NOT ALL!!!) the schools I applied to, what makes me the most sad is having to go through this process AGAINNNN.... next year.... and possibly having to take the GRE again. ugh. anyone else have this fear? I'm having many moments of dread over here!

[ImAFreudNot]

Just now, merpppy said:

After being rejected from (almost, hopefully NOT ALL!!!) the schools I applied to, what makes me the most sad is having to go through this process AGAINNNN.... next year.... and possibly having to take the GRE again. ugh. anyone else have this fear? I'm having many moments of dread over here!

Same boat! Technically I only have one official rejection, but we all know how it feels to see interviews rolling in while your inbox remains empty. I'm vacillating wildly between getting over myself, studying to retake the GRE, focusing on publishing, and refining my research interests or completely changing everything and maybe applying to law school or international fellowships. It depends on the day! 

[PsyZei]

1 hour ago, ImAFreudNot said:

Same boat! Technically I only have one official rejection, but we all know how it feels to see interviews rolling in while your inbox remains empty. I'm vacillating wildly between getting over myself, studying to retake the GRE, focusing on publishing, and refining my research interests or completely changing everything and maybe applying to law school or international fellowships. It depends on the day! 

I got rejected or waitlisted for all the PhD programs I applied to two years ago. I went into a masters program instead and applied again this year- and I've gotten 5 interviews out of applying to 8 schools so far. I used my same GRE scores (162/165/4.5), since it had been less than 5 years. I honestly wouldn't take the GRE again unless you think your scores are a big reason for not getting offers (I didn't have any research experiences, so I knew that was what I needed to fill in).

When I decided to do a master program I got a lot of conflicting info on if that was a good idea, but for me doing one was a really good decision. It let me really narrow down what my research interests and populations of focus are and become a lot more knowledgeable about them (and get extra credentials towards those). When I did applications this year it was a lot easier to demonstrate that I really was a good fit with the programs I chose to apply to or a POI in the program and why- and my research, credentials, clinical internship, and etc all backed up what I was saying.

I basically used that first year of applying as a learning experiences for how to apply and what I needed to be a competitive applicant. Further, I actually ended up applying for different kinds of programs than I did the first time around (when I just did clinical psychology all the way through) because I realized that while my research interests and populations could fit in with clinical psychology just fine, there were other programs that they fit much better with what I want to do with my career.

[SocPsyPhDWannabe]

2 hours ago, merpppy said:

After being rejected from (almost, hopefully NOT ALL!!!) the schools I applied to, what makes me the most sad is having to go through this process AGAINNNN.... next year.... and possibly having to take the GRE again. ugh. anyone else have this fear? I'm having many moments of dread over here!

I feel you! I haven't heard a peep from any schools. I have a Masters, 10 publications, and a decent GPA. BUT my GRE scores are below average. I took it in 2014 and got 150/153/4.5 and figured it didn't matter now considering I've already proven I can handle graduate work....by having a graduate degree. The radio silence from my schools has me concerned that I underestimated the admissions team...or maybe gave them too much credit for using the "whole person" concept. 

[2ndTimeHopeful]

2 minutes ago, SocPsyPhDWannabe said:

I feel you! I haven't heard a peep from any schools. I have a Masters, 10 publications, and a decent GPA. BUT my GRE scores are below average. I took it in 2014 and got 150/153/4.5 and figured it didn't matter now considering I've already proven I can handle graduate work....by having a graduate degree. The radio silence from my schools has me concerned that I underestimated the admissions team...or maybe gave them too much credit for using the "whole person" concept. 

I agree. Did extremely well in my masters program. 161/161/4 on GRE. Published, 2 years research post masters. Won awards. Blah blah blah. I will have to retake the GRE as well for next year. I don’t understand the process. Also, I have very strong recs.  

[SocPsyPhDWannabe]

2 minutes ago, 2ndTimeHopeful said:

I agree. Did extremely well in my masters program. 161/161/4 on GRE. Published, 2 years research post masters. Won awards. Blah blah blah. I will have to retake the GRE as well for next year. I don’t understand the process. Also, I have very strong recs.  

It blows me away that people in the field of psychology are totally okay relying on a single standardized test to determine if a person is capable of attaining a PhD. It's a racket.

[justacigar]

20 minutes ago, SocPsyPhDWannabe said:

I feel you! I haven't heard a peep from any schools. I have a Masters, 10 publications, and a decent GPA. BUT my GRE scores are below average. I took it in 2014 and got 150/153/4.5 and figured it didn't matter now considering I've already proven I can handle graduate work....by having a graduate degree. The radio silence from my schools has me concerned that I underestimated the admissions team...or maybe gave them too much credit for using the "whole person" concept. 

It looks like you are social psych so it's probably a bit different for you, but unfortunately those GRE scores might be a dealbreaker for certain programs. It SUCKS. It's also totally dependent on how much weight your programs put on the GRE. Some will just toss out applications under a certain percentile.

[SocPsyPhDWannabe]

1 minute ago, justacigar said:

It looks like you are social psych so it's probably a bit different for you, but unfortunately those GRE scores might be a dealbreaker for certain programs. It SUCKS. It's also totally dependent on how much weight your programs put on the GRE. Some will just toss out applications under a certain percentile.

That's kind of what I am figuring. I didn't decide to apply until October, so I had no time to study and retake the GRE. I am just hoping that I get into any program so I don't have to review Algebra again. I'd rather stay sharp on stats. I am assuming I'll hear something next week from my schools. After that, I can probably just assume that a PhD isn't in the cards this year.

[CatastrophizingNerd]

I just got my plane tickets!

To Greece... where I'll be bartending until the next application cycle.