2022-2023 Clinical Psychology Applications - Canada

[peachpits]

1 minute ago, psychy999 said:

Congrats!!! Do you know if all the acceptances were sent out? I'm still waiting to hear back after the interview  @peachpits

No idea, I just got the email from the graduate school office + letter attached to the app portal. Nothing from the department yet. So it should be soon! 

[PsychGiraffe]

On 2/8/2022 at 9:48 AM, hopelessbuthoping said:

Just got my rejection email from Windsor’s adult clinical track. I also applied to child clinical but no word back yet and no interviews. My first update on any of my applications? Sending others hugs and good vibes.

Came across this post randomly as I was looking at the forums, and not sure if someone has already told you this, but it is generally not a good idea to apply to both adult and child at the same school within these programs (and more broadly, your own research interests). Happy to discuss further in DMs or zoom call if you want.
FYI, speaking as someone who's made that mistake, applied for 3 years, and finally got in this year.

[SoundofSilence]

2 hours ago, Hope466 said:

I received exciting news today that I was accepted off the waitlist for the McMaster Clinical (RCT) program! It's my second cycle and I am still in disbelief. My DMs are open for anyone who wants to chat!

Congrats!! Always so awesome to hear some waitlist good news ?

[skowall]

On 2/18/2022 at 4:36 PM, hopelessbuthoping said:

Well friends I think that’s the unofficial end of this admissions round for me. I didn’t get any interviews, got my rejections from Windsor last week, and reached out to my POI at USask to ask if I was still in the running and I am not. I think it’s safe to say I didn’t get in at UVic or McMaster as I haven’t heard anything from them. This is my first cycle applying, last year I got rejected from social work, I knew it was dumb to get my hopes up and apply but I’m still crushed. I don’t really feel anything yet but I’m sure it will hit me soon. Good luck to everyone wishing you fantastic studies ???

I'm in a similar boat! First cycle applying and I'm assuming rejection. Cheers to getting more experience and trying again later!

[PsychGiraffe]

29 minutes ago, skowall said:

I'm in a similar boat! First cycle applying and I'm assuming rejection. Cheers to getting more experience and trying again later!

The process is brutal and is unfortunately getting more difficult by the year. Just when I was already making plans to start working on applications for next year (4th time applying) I got interviews and two offers...
EDIT: keep at it and strengthen your CV.

Edited February 24, 2022 by Rawulf

[skowall]

Looking for advice from those who have been accepted. (Congrats btw!)

This is my first cycle applying and I'm looking for suggestions on how to improve my CV for the next round of applications if anyone has any ideas! Here's a brief overview:

Age 21, currently completing honours thesis, 4 years of volunteer RA experience, 6 months of clinical volunteer work, about to submit one paper for publication and may potentially submit my thesis for publication. Also have completed the UofM research summer school. Looking to retake my GRE and possibly get a second RA position. Also looking to present at conferences or posters etc but I'm not sure what is out there. GPA is approx 4.15/4.5 but may go up after this term. 

Let me know if anyone has any suggestions! Congrats again to everyone who got interviewed or accepted!

[PsychGiraffe]

13 minutes ago, skowall said:

Looking for advice from those who have been accepted. (Congrats btw!)

This is my first cycle applying and I'm looking for suggestions on how to improve my CV for the next round of applications if anyone has any ideas! Here's a brief overview:

Age 21, currently completing honours thesis, 4 years of volunteer RA experience, 6 months of clinical volunteer work, about to submit one paper for publication and may potentially submit my thesis for publication. Also have completed the UofM research summer school. Looking to retake my GRE and possibly get a second RA position. Also looking to present at conferences or posters etc but I'm not sure what is out there. GPA is approx 4.15/4.5 but may go up after this term. 

Let me know if anyone has any suggestions! Congrats again to everyone who got interviewed or accepted!

I think it's a safe bet to say that this post summarizes poignantly what all applicants are thinking. The application process is a combination of having the right resources (CV, LOI, experiences, etc.) and a crapshoot. A crapshoot is how I had the process described to me by almost a dozen clinical students (both MA and PhD). I know people that got in right after undergrad (almost never happens), and I also know of people that got rejected from the program having already completed a second PhD and had several publications. This is not to discourage you, but rather, to juxtapose the state of things as they are.

A typical application cycle at YorkU for ClinDev was ~250 applicants for 8-10 spots; this was when the GRE was still in place. This year, when I received a rejection from YorkU, it came so early (about first week of January), I was certain there was a system error. I contacted the school and they told me they had 1000 applicants for 7 spots... think about that. So many well-experienced students such as yourself in a pool of 500-600 (I halved it as a lot of applicants aren't eligible based on GPA, not having an Honor's Thesis, unrelated degree, etc.) and profs have to choose 7. That ratio is insane.

The point of this is for you to decide what you really want to do. If this is it, bear down, tie your shoes real tight, keep doing what you're doing (all your other experiences are great btw) and keep being involved in research. You might even consider doing a second Master's degree (your choice entirely; the YorkU and Windsor DCTs have told me that most incoming students already have another master's but don't treat this as the holy grail of getting in as it doesn't guarantee anything). If this is what you really want to do, keep at it; ALL THE WHILE not putting your career and academics on hold.

I realize this is a lot of info and I can't fit on here everything I want to say in which case happy to zoom to discuss further if you'd like.

[skowall]

10 minutes ago, Rawulf said:

I think it's a safe bet to say that this post summarizes poignantly what all applicants are thinking. The application process is a combination of having the right resources (CV, LOI, experiences, etc.) and a crapshoot. A crapshoot is how I had the process described to me by almost a dozen clinical students (both MA and PhD). I know people that got in right after undergrad (almost never happens), and I also know of people that got rejected from the program having already completed a second PhD and had several publications. This is not to discourage you, but rather, to juxtapose the state of things as they are.

A typical application cycle at YorkU for ClinDev was ~250 applicants for 8-10 spots; this was when the GRE was still in place. This year, when I received a rejection from YorkU, it came so early (about first week of January), I was certain there was a system error. I contacted the school and they told me they had 1000 applicants for 7 spots... think about that. So many well-experienced students such as yourself in a pool of 500-600 (I halved it as a lot of applicants aren't eligible based on GPA, not having an Honor's Thesis, unrelated degree, etc.) and profs have to choose 7. That ratio is insane.

The point of this is for you to decide what you really want to do. If this is it, bear down, tie your shoes real tight, keep doing what you're doing (all your other experiences are great btw) and keep being involved in research. You might even consider doing a second Master's degree (your choice entirely; the YorkU and Windsor DCTs have told me that most incoming students already have another master's but don't treat this as the holy grail of getting in as it doesn't guarantee anything). If this is what you really want to do, keep at it; ALL THE WHILE not putting your career and academics on hold.

I realize this is a lot of info and I can't fit on here everything I want to say in which case happy to zoom to discuss further if you'd like.

This is super helpful! Thank you! I don't think I will get a different master's degree in the meantime just because I'm 100% invested in clinical but it definitely is something to consider if admissions don't work out in the next 1-3 years. 

[stella18]

16 hours ago, Rawulf said:

I'm glad you brought up these points. The MA funding is indeed abysmal as you said, which is why my POI told me they would fund me as if I was PhD level from their own lab money. So that takes care of that. But that was the other concern I had - about practicums. I realize the GTA is full of good practicum placements.
Definitely gave me something to think about and therefore leaning more towards OISE now. Also curious about SSHRC funding as I only applied for that at Western.

Who was the PI? Also feel free to DM if you want more info! That's great since they do not offer funding. It is very rare to do you PhD practicums elsewhere (they are pretty prescribed in the program). I know alot of my friends who are currently in the PhD program only started doing assessments in their second year, and practicum placements where a bit shocked by the lack of training. Did you apply to OGS? 

[PsychGiraffe]

2 minutes ago, stella18 said:

Who was the PI? Also feel free to DM if you want more info! That's great since they do not offer funding. It is very rare to do you PhD practicums elsewhere (they are pretty prescribed in the program). I know alot of my friends who are currently in the PhD program only started doing assessments in their second year, and practicum placements where a bit shocked by the lack of training. Did you apply to OGS? 

Won't share PI here in forums, but yes I did apply to OGS as well as SSHRC. I'm worried about being granted SSHRC or OGS at Western and not at OISE though; I'm inclined to pick OISE due to the training available and the (somewhat exclusive) collaboration with the TDSB.

[psyc2020]

15 minutes ago, Rawulf said:

Won't share PI here in forums, but yes I did apply to OGS as well as SSHRC. I'm worried about being granted SSHRC or OGS at Western and not at OISE though; I'm inclined to pick OISE due to the training available and the (somewhat exclusive) collaboration with the TDSB.

I am not sure if this has been mentioned but I believe others have said that OISE provides a stipend for the first year of the MA program? Then, you can apply to OGS and SSHRC this upcoming fall competition that would be held for MA year 2. I have also heard that if you do not receive SHHRC or OGS during the application cycle that it is easier to get once you are actually in your MA as you may possibly have a more clear project idea/research direction (due to your thesis) and have the help from your PI as well.

[PsychGiraffe]

4 minutes ago, psyc2020 said:

I am not sure if this has been mentioned but I believe others have said that OISE provides a stipend for the first year of the MA program? Then, you can apply to OGS and SSHRC this upcoming fall competition that would be held for MA year 2. I have also heard that if you do not receive SHHRC or OGS during the application cycle that it is easier to get once you are actually in your MA as you may possibly have a more clear project idea/research direction (due to your thesis) and have the help from your PI as well.

Yes you're right and I already knew about that. Will have to play it by ear once I get both offers in a couple of weeks and decide swiftly.

[when]

On 2/22/2022 at 9:29 AM, babooshka said:

Waitlisted for SFU and UTSC. Bit of a bummer but so it goes, and I'm grateful to have gotten this far this time! Has anyone else been through the waitlist process, and how likely is it that you'll actually receive an offer? Looking at the UTSC stats I'm not super hopeful! Thanks all

I don't know how likely it is to get off a waitlist this year or at those specific schools, but I did get accepted off the waitlist at Ryerson back in 2014. They were also able to tell me how many people had to decline an offer before I'd be accepted (I think it was something like two at the time). Judging by this thread, things have gotten more competitive in recent years. Good luck!

[hopefulK]

Hi guys, does anyone know (maybe from past experience) how likely it is to get off the waitlist at OISE for the SCCP program? does it depend on the number of spots available in total/ for that specific prof?

Thanks!

[PsychGiraffe]

2 hours ago, hopefulK said:

Hi guys, does anyone know (maybe from past experience) how likely it is to get off the waitlist at OISE for the SCCP program? does it depend on the number of spots available in total/ for that specific prof?

Thanks!

Afaik, a professor takes on 1 student per cycle, very rarely 2 students. I think the waitlist is designed for students that get multiple offers so that if someone declines an offer they can move on to the waitlist to grab another student. So to answer your question, I reckon you'll be grabbed off the waitlist contingent on someone declining their offer and where on the waitlist you're positioned.

[clinicalpsychhopeful5]

.

Edited February 25, 2022 by clinicalpsychhopeful5

[hopefulpsyc]

Any news on McMaster? I continue to get the emails that say my application is under review. 

[clinicalpolarbear]

6 minutes ago, hopefulpsyc said:

Any news on McMaster? I continue to get the emails that say my application is under review. 

According to the Discord, official offers have gone out already.

[ClinicalPsychBean]

Just got accepted to UVic Clinical Lifespan stream! Message for PI

[carlrogersfan98]

Just realized I never posted an update for OISE CCP. I emailed my POI and he said things are "approaching the recommendation stage", and there's apparently a delay because they're changing administrative systems. Super vague, but hey, they're working on it haha

[PsychGiraffe]

I know each school has a different deadline, but GENERALLY, do we know what the absolute deadline is to tell schools whether you accept or decline their offers? Was it April 1st? 10th?

In parallel to that, the announcement date for CGS-M is...April 1st as well?

[clinicalpolarbear]

16 minutes ago, Rawulf said:

I know each school has a different deadline, but GENERALLY, do we know what the absolute deadline is to tell schools whether you accept or decline their offers? Was it April 1st? 10th?

In parallel to that, the announcement date for CGS-M is...April 1st as well?

CGS-M: April 1

To accept an offer to a program: April 15

[clinicalpolarbear]

Formal rejection from University of Manitoba via automated email asking me to check my status on the application portal. Congrats to those admitted!  

[PsychGiraffe]

18 hours ago, bolthammer said:

Hi all! 

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post- I'm new to the forum! I'm looking to apply for Fall 2023. If anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it!

Stats- undergrad in psychology, on Dean's list. Previously- college diploma in social services

10 years of experience in residential, 6 years experience in school as an EA. As well, experience providing social skills education to children and youth (my own business). 

Currently volunteering at lab to get research experience, plus honours thesis. 

I have about five MA programs that I'm applying to, one PhD, and one PsyD. It's all a little daunting, and to be honest I'm very unsure about my chances of getting in anywhere. Any helpful shoves in the right direction?

The process for these schools is arduous at best. Your third point is likely what you'll have to strengthen more (even if it is currently strong; assume you need more - competition is brutal).

Having high stats grade and GPA are key as those are some of the earliest criteria clinical programs use to rate your application. After which its research experiences and all its forms (talks, posters, publications, etc.), and believe it or not, some schools grant a point in their applicant rating pool for diversity (this is confirmed after I spoke to a clinical student who helped design the rating excel sheet for one of the universities I applied to).

"The right direction" you speak of largely depends on what you want to do with your future. C.Psych. and Psy.D. programs are quite different in their training model and career outcomes. In short, C.Psych. programs follow the scientist-practitioner model with a heavy focus on research (your research informs your practice and your practice informs your research), whereas Psy.D. programs are course-based only with little to no research component (this did not appeal to me personally due to my background in research and believing that research is how we advance and inform our therapeutic approaches; just my two cents).

Glad to zoom about this further if you'd like (DM if so).

[admissionsrhard]

Would anyone be able to share the discord link again please? Last link posted has expired unfortunately