*I is stressed* venting thread for Fall 2020 Applicants

[Vanilla Bean]

Just now, 11082017 said:

I had back to back holiday emails with FSU and ASU! 

The email I was referring to came from FSU! ? By the way, have you heard anything from FSU? 

[11082017]

1 minute ago, lolhelp said:

The email I was referring to came from FSU! ? By the way, have you heard anything from FSU? 

I applied to the Developmental Program. I had an informal interview and was waiting on news about a campus visit when that email came in. I’ve since received an invite to interview on campus. 

[2ndTimeHopeful]

28 minutes ago, justacigar said:

I'm in the same boat...both of the lower ranked programs I applied to already sent out interview notifications and I did not receive one. It's disheartening for sure, especially after beefing up my application since last cycle. Trying to stay positive but it is tough!

Hang in there and try to stay positive until you hear for sure rejections from programs! (though I can't seem to take my own advice ?)

I have one invitation (from my lowest ranked choice) I’m glad to have one but I’d love to hear from any of the 16 others I applied to. They’ve definitely already sent invitations. 

[doingmybest]

I’m really starting to feel the financial strain of applying to grad schools. I’m very fortunate to have already received 4 interview invitations, but I’m having a hard time paying for flights on top of application fees, holiday gifts, and other life expenses. I wish clinical/counseling programs paid to fly interviewees out. ?

[PavlovsMonster]

4 hours ago, ImAFreudNot said:

As this appears to be a safe space for venting....WHY WOULD ALABAMA SEND OUT 'HAPPY HOLIDAY' EMAILS??????? My heart almost jumped out of my body when I saw it was UA Grad School and then it's a holiday email??? I cannot handle this haha.

Oh my god this happened to me while I was sitting in a coworker's office this afternoon. We had a good laugh, but there was still that moment of  f e a r.

[rubberduck]

Small rant:

• Thanks for the happy holiday email and the heart attack, Fordham and Georgia State
• Shoutout to UC Boulder for adding me to their prospective MBA mailing list, even though I never demonstrated any interest in business ever

[fixology]

22 minutes ago, corbeau0 said:

Small rant:

• Thanks for the happy holiday email and the heart attack, Fordham and Georgia State
• Shoutout to UC Boulder for adding me to their prospective MBA mailing list, even though I never demonstrated any interest in business ever

Yeah what’s up with those MBA emails from Boulder? That’s not even close to what I applied for lol ? 

[rainydaychai]

In the spirit of stressed and anxious venting, what the heck is going on with Nebraska?? I saw one rejection come out earlier this week and more come out today. Last cycle, they sent all initial rejections at once the day before interview invites were sent out (January 2). UNL is 100% my top choice and I barely missed acceptance last year. My application still just says "submitted" in the portal. I am s t r e s s e d. 

[CowpokeMT]

39 minutes ago, fixology said:

Yeah what’s up with those MBA emails from Boulder? That’s not even close to what I applied for lol ? 

Wait I'm not even getting their MBA advertisements? Guess I'm real fcked lol

[MiddleOfSomeCalibrations]

14 hours ago, 11082017 said:

I had back to back holiday emails with FSU and ASU! 

I got FSU's holiday email also. In the email, they also mentioned the dates that the school will be closed. I'm guessing that might be the real reason for the email.

[Justice4All]

2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th) time applicants- do you feel an added pressure?

 

This is my second time applying. The first time I applied to clinical psych phd programs,  I thought I had a "good enough app" decent GRE (low quant), large amount of research experience, etc. I applied during the fall of my senior year to 3 programs but did not even receive an interview. It was possibly the worst feeling I've ever had. I had imagined myself in a program, didn't have a plan b, and felt like a failure. It was so hard watching friends get into med and law programs. Even though I knew those programs were statistically easier to get into than clinical programs, I felt so inadequate not having gotten into the program of my choice. UGH. I didn't even celebrate my graduation because I was so down. I took it really hard. My best friend is in a clinical psychology phd program which also stung, I compared myself constantly. I am also a racial minority, sometimes, there's an added stress of succeeding for my race. When I didn't get in, I felt like all the negative stereotypes of being a Black woman piled on top of me.

This time, I'm feeling much better but I do wonder if the same thing will happen again. I did all the typical things someone does in their gap year like volunteer, research (I work for a large research company, not one lab), and up my scores. Still, I am SO STRESSED especially after knowing the bitter taste of rejection. The hardest part was believing in myself again. Rejection from dream schools can make you question yourself, your passions, and your ability to achieve your dreams. A gap year has done wonders for me, and I do not regret it necessarily. But as other posters mentioned- I miss learning and want to dive deep into my career already. It will all work out for all of us though, I'm very positive of that.

Anyone relate?

Edited December 22, 2019 by Justice4All

[scared_and_a_freud]

20 minutes ago, Justice4All said:

2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th) time applicants- do you feel an added pressure?

 

This is my second time applying. The first time I applied to clinical psych phd programs,  I thought I had a "good enough app" decent GRE (low quant), large amount of research experience, etc. I applied during the fall of my senior year to 3 programs but did not even receive an interview. It was possibly the worst feeling I've ever had. I had imagined myself in a program, didn't have a plan b, and felt like a failure. It was so hard watching friends get into med and law programs. Even though I knew those programs were statistically easier to get into than clinical programs, I felt so inadequate not having gotten into the program of my choice. UGH. I didn't even celebrate my graduation because I was so down. I took it really hard. My best friend is in a clinical psychology phd program which also stung, I compared myself constantly. I am also a racial minority, sometimes, there's an added stress of succeeding for my race. When I didn't get in, I felt like all the negative stereotypes of being a Black woman piled on top of me.

This time, I'm feeling much better but I do wonder if the same thing will happen again. I did all the typical things someone does in their gap year like volunteer, research (I work for a large research company, not one lab), and up my scores. Still, I am SO STRESSED especially after knowing the bitter taste of rejection. The hardest part was believing in myself again. Rejection from dream schools can make you question yourself, your passions, and your ability to achieve your dreams. A gap year has done wonders for me, and I do not regret it necessarily. But as other posters mentioned- I miss learning and want to dive deep into my career already. It will all work out for all of us though, I'm very positive of that.

Anyone relate?

I definitely feel that, I'm also a racial minority and the child of immigrants. So when I decided to become a psych major there was this implicit understanding that I would go on to be a doctor in some way. In my first round of applications I was still in undergrad and thought I wanted to do clinical psych but I wasn't really sure and I think that the people who interviewed me realized that. Since then I've narrowed in on the work that I want to do and the population that I want to do it with and I'm pretty excited at the way things are going right now. I kind of feel like I had to fail before in order to get here, so I guess all that blood, sweat and tears were worth it. But the stress is definitely there, and the pressure is on, I really don't feel like I can disappoint my people twice. 

[Modulus]

38 minutes ago, Justice4All said:

2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th) time applicants- do you feel an added pressure?

 

This is my second time applying. The first time I applied to clinical psych phd programs,  I thought I had a "good enough app" decent GRE (low quant), large amount of research experience, etc. I applied during the fall of my senior year to 3 programs but did not even receive an interview. It was possibly the worst feeling I've ever had. I had imagined myself in a program, didn't have a plan b, and felt like a failure. It was so hard watching friends get into med and law programs. Even though I knew those programs were statistically easier to get into than clinical programs, I felt so inadequate not having gotten into the program of my choice. UGH. I didn't even celebrate my graduation because I was so down. I took it really hard. My best friend is in a clinical psychology phd program which also stung, I compared myself constantly. I am also a racial minority, sometimes, there's an added stress of succeeding for my race. When I didn't get in, I felt like all the negative stereotypes of being a Black woman piled on top of me.

This time, I'm feeling much better but I do wonder if the same thing will happen again. I did all the typical things someone does in their gap year like volunteer, research (I work for a large research company, not one lab), and up my scores. Still, I am SO STRESSED especially after knowing the bitter taste of rejection. The hardest part was believing in myself again. Rejection from dream schools can make you question yourself, your passions, and your ability to achieve your dreams. A gap year has done wonders for me, and I do not regret it necessarily. But as other posters mentioned- I miss learning and want to dive deep into my career already. It will all work out for all of us though, I'm very positive of that.

Anyone relate?

If we want this, we will make it happen.

I'm on 4th round (okay... 5 if you count that year I applied to 1 school because of geographical restriction).

And it took me all these rounds and 7 years post-undergrad to find my niche and own it. While I certainly don't want anyone else to have to wait this long and spend all this time and money, I just want to say that persistence (and self-discovery) are key. 

[Justice4All]

38 minutes ago, Modulus said:

If we want this, we will make it happen.

I'm on 4th round (okay... 5 if you count that year I applied to 1 school because of geographical restriction).

And it took me all these rounds and 7 years post-undergrad to find my niche and own it. While I certainly don't want anyone else to have to wait this long and spend all this time and money, I just want to say that persistence (and self-discovery) are key. 

Most definitely. To clarify, I'm a woman of great faith and like I said, I do not regret having to take a gap year. I firmly believe that my life will work out the way it is supposed to. I was just trying to see if anyone could relate to those more negative emotions I experienced after my initial rejection because it's hard to be sunny 24/7.

You have 8 interviews so I am sure this is your year. Congrats!

[NewSeason]

Feel like I can't breathe till I have at least one acceptance. I'm a second round applicant, and I don't have it in me to try a third time. Loads of informal interviews at this time, but really hoping these turn into in-person invites and/or acceptances. 

[Schy]

UCF emailed me this afternoon.....................................requesting I take a survey.........its fine i'm fine

[Schy]

21 hours ago, Justice4All said:

2nd (and 3rd, 4th, 5th) time applicants- do you feel an added pressure?

 

This is my second time applying. The first time I applied to clinical psych phd programs,  I thought I had a "good enough app" decent GRE (low quant), large amount of research experience, etc. I applied during the fall of my senior year to 3 programs but did not even receive an interview. It was possibly the worst feeling I've ever had. I had imagined myself in a program, didn't have a plan b, and felt like a failure. It was so hard watching friends get into med and law programs. Even though I knew those programs were statistically easier to get into than clinical programs, I felt so inadequate not having gotten into the program of my choice. UGH. I didn't even celebrate my graduation because I was so down. I took it really hard. My best friend is in a clinical psychology phd program which also stung, I compared myself constantly. I am also a racial minority, sometimes, there's an added stress of succeeding for my race. When I didn't get in, I felt like all the negative stereotypes of being a Black woman piled on top of me.

This time, I'm feeling much better but I do wonder if the same thing will happen again. I did all the typical things someone does in their gap year like volunteer, research (I work for a large research company, not one lab), and up my scores. Still, I am SO STRESSED especially after knowing the bitter taste of rejection. The hardest part was believing in myself again. Rejection from dream schools can make you question yourself, your passions, and your ability to achieve your dreams. A gap year has done wonders for me, and I do not regret it necessarily. But as other posters mentioned- I miss learning and want to dive deep into my career already. It will all work out for all of us though, I'm very positive of that.

Anyone relate?

this is my second time applying, no masters, horrible GRE (schools really need to rid themselves of this classist and racist standardized test lol), but I have a lot of research experience. I personally feel pressure because I've put this timeline on myself. I'm 24, will be 25 and while my friends are in their careers, I'm still working towards mine. It's so HARD not to compare, I know how much it sucks and I'm sorry you're doing the same ? It can definitely be discouraging. 

I'm terrified of doing another gap year (I decided against a masters) because I'm so READY to just be back in school and working towards the big picture, rather than working towards being able to have the opportunity to work towards the big picture? (lol). I decided for myself that if another GAP year is needed, I'm going to continue growing my CV, I'm going to work my ass off for that stupid test, and I'm going to enjoy just being a young woman lol. I plan on travelling a lot if this happens and there'll be no time like the present to do that!  

[Psychological Yam]

everyone please enjoy your holidays (if you celebrate) or your days off of work/school (if you have them!) - we can rest easy that it is unlikely we will hear anything for at least a couple of days, so no need to keep refreshing your inboxes! ❤️

[ImAFreudNot]

7 minutes ago, Psychological Yam said:

everyone please enjoy your holidays (if you celebrate) or your days off of work/school (if you have them!) - we can rest easy that it is unlikely we will hear anything for at least a couple of days, so no need to keep refreshing your inboxes! ❤️

I went to DePaul for undergrad and peer mentored in the psych department, so I know the I/O faculty pretty well. Let me know if you have any questions!

[Vanilla Bean]

3 hours ago, Schy said:

this is my second time applying, no masters, horrible GRE (schools really need to rid themselves of this classist and racist standardized test lol), but I have a lot of research experience. I personally feel pressure because I've put this timeline on myself. I'm 24, will be 25 and while my friends are in their careers, I'm still working towards mine. It's so HARD not to compare, I know how much it sucks and I'm sorry you're doing the same ? It can definitely be discouraging. 

I'm terrified of doing another gap year (I decided against a masters) because I'm so READY to just be back in school and working towards the big picture, rather than working towards being able to have the opportunity to work towards the big picture? (lol). I decided for myself that if another GAP year is needed, I'm going to continue growing my CV, I'm going to work my ass off for that stupid test, and I'm going to enjoy just being a young woman lol. I plan on travelling a lot if this happens and there'll be no time like the present to do that!  

Honestly even if you spend a gap year volunteering in a research lab or something, I still see it as an opportunity to work towards the big picture? You need to accumulate research experience anyway, and I think my master's program really helped me do that! I wouldn't be so against doing a master's, and think about it if you end up having to do another gap year. 

[Schy]

6 minutes ago, lolhelp said:

Honestly even if you spend a gap year volunteering in a research lab or something, I still see it as an opportunity to work towards the big picture? You need to accumulate research experience anyway, and I think my master's program really helped me do that! I wouldn't be so against doing a master's, and think about it if you end up having to do another gap year. 

I’m lucky enough to be employed at a research lab. I 100% believe if it wasn’t for that than I would definitely be on board with a masters! 

[MiddleOfSomeCalibrations]

I just had my first "unofficial rejection" (interview notification deadline passed and I didn't hear anything from them). Kinda bummed but oh well. I'm stressing more about the fact that I haven't heard anything from a school where the POI's research interests match with mine *extremely well*. A few people here have already heard back from that school, but I haven't heard anyone say they heard from my POI yet.

[2ndTimeHopeful]

5 hours ago, MiddleOfSomeCalibrations said:

I just had my first "unofficial rejection" (interview notification deadline passed and I didn't hear anything from them). Kinda bummed but oh well. I'm stressing more about the fact that I haven't heard anything from a school where the POI's research interests match with mine *extremely well*. A few people here have already heard back from that school, but I haven't heard anyone say they heard from my POI yet.

Which school? 

[MiddleOfSomeCalibrations]

38 minutes ago, 2ndTimeHopeful said:

Which school? 

My "unofficial rejection" was from Oklahoma State. I'll DM you about the other school.

[NewSeason]

6 hours ago, MiddleOfSomeCalibrations said:

I just had my first "unofficial rejection" (interview notification deadline passed and I didn't hear anything from them). Kinda bummed but oh well. I'm stressing more about the fact that I haven't heard anything from a school where the POI's research interests match with mine *extremely well*. A few people here have already heard back from that school, but I haven't heard anyone say they heard from my POI yet.

Experienced this as well recently for a couple of schools. Stings!