gators Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I e-mailed the professor who invited me for an interview. She basically said an offer was extended to another student and she can't make any offer until she hears back from them with a decline by April 15th. It feels so terrible being so close yet so far. I should not have been number 2, I would have accepted that offer in a heart beat! Is anyone else in my boat? How is everyone coping with the April 15th wait?? Also, what are some back up plans? I'm waiting for this clinical neurpsychology phd program. My back up plan is a masters in the same field, but I feel like that would be a waste of time since I would still need to go for a phd anyways. I work in a lab so I'm considering staying another year. Any suggestions??
g_dan Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Is the backup in the same school? Is there an option to continue from master's straight into PhD? And how bad do you want to get a PhD in a school of your choice? I declined backup last year, worked on improving my application and reaaplied for this year. Now I got into the school that I had no chance of getting into last year. So if you know what you want in the long run, work towards getting it the best that you can. Best of luck!
farnsworth Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I don't know if I am number 2 or what exactly, but it is making me sick thinking about what will happen. I am naturally pessimistic, but I feel like I may get it. This just makes me feel worse because I have this hope and cannot help but think it is going to crash in front of me.
neuropsych76 Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 I e-mailed the professor who invited me for an interview. She basically said an offer was extended to another student and she can't make any offer until she hears back from them with a decline by April 15th. It feels so terrible being so close yet so far. I should not have been number 2, I would have accepted that offer in a heart beat! Is anyone else in my boat? How is everyone coping with the April 15th wait?? Also, what are some back up plans? I'm waiting for this clinical neurpsychology phd program. My back up plan is a masters in the same field, but I feel like that would be a waste of time since I would still need to go for a phd anyways. I work in a lab so I'm considering staying another year. Any suggestions?? I seriously considered clinical neuropsych at one point so I know how insanely competitive it is. That's a really tough situation, I'm sorry! I wouldn't do the masters, unless it is funded. Stick it out for one more year if you like your lab.
jynx Posted March 29, 2011 Posted March 29, 2011 Getting a Master's would be kind of a waste, since you'd basically have to start over when you started a PhD program. I'd advise taking a year to get more research experience, maybe get published, retake the GRE, or whatever it is you need to do to strengthen your application. My plan B was to try to get a research job, apply for a Fulbright scholarship and go study mindfulness in India, or if I didn't get the Fulbright, take a year off to teach English abroad before reapplying. I was pretty ok with the idea of not getting in anywhere once I made myself a plan B that I was really excited about. I imagine clinical neuropsych is similar to clinical psych in terms of how selective it is, so I definitely can relate. And, I myself was first on the wait list and I ended up getting in, so there is definitely hope for you! Good luck! Andean Pat 1
ynos23 Posted April 8, 2011 Posted April 8, 2011 i totally know how you feel!!! Im #2 on the waitlist for a phd program as well. I really like the program as well but I really Dont know what's going to happen. It's driving me nuts! I have until 4/15 to accept an offer for an MA program at a different school with a phd that i can transfer my credits to if i get in later. The MA prgm also gave me a nice scholarship. But if I get in off the waitlist for the phd program, i would def go. I probs wont find out until after the 15th. Life is tough. I e-mailed the professor who invited me for an interview. She basically said an offer was extended to another student and she can't make any offer until she hears back from them with a decline by April 15th. It feels so terrible being so close yet so far. I should not have been number 2, I would have accepted that offer in a heart beat! Is anyone else in my boat? How is everyone coping with the April 15th wait?? Also, what are some back up plans? I'm waiting for this clinical neurpsychology phd program. My back up plan is a masters in the same field, but I feel like that would be a waste of time since I would still need to go for a phd anyways. I work in a lab so I'm considering staying another year. Any suggestions??
looking! Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 To your point about feeling like you are no.2, I totally understand. I was waitlisted for one of the schools, and i did get in. But by that time I had an offer from my top choice and chose it anyways. I feel that some of it may have been because I didnt feel like accepting the school where I was a second option. However, being on waitlist simply means they want you but they need to make hard decisions if they wish to fund everyone. So dont let it affect your decision. Back up plans... I waited for a yr and worked on the weaker aspects of my profile and I would recommend the same. I e-mailed the professor who invited me for an interview. She basically said an offer was extended to another student and she can't make any offer until she hears back from them with a decline by April 15th. It feels so terrible being so close yet so far. I should not have been number 2, I would have accepted that offer in a heart beat! Is anyone else in my boat? How is everyone coping with the April 15th wait?? Also, what are some back up plans? I'm waiting for this clinical neurpsychology phd program. My back up plan is a masters in the same field, but I feel like that would be a waste of time since I would still need to go for a phd anyways. I work in a lab so I'm considering staying another year. Any suggestions??
alorsjoy Posted April 11, 2011 Posted April 11, 2011 Yes!!!! I am #2 at a great school.... the suspense is killing me.... I don't have offers anywhere else, so all of my fingers and toes are crossed! GOOD LUCK! CHagen 1
juilletmercredi Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I'm in psychology, although not in clinical. If you don't get in (which I hope you do!) I would recommend staying in the lab another year. Unless the master's degree is at the same school as your desired PhD, usually in psychology you have to start over anyway when you go to a PhD program, so you won't be gaining any time. But if you can continue to do research and get extra skills and maybe a publication, that would strengthen your portfolio without you having to shell out tens of thousands of dollars.
paleostraussian Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I'm in the same boat. Sucks. Only applied to three schools, and this one's my number one choice - so I won't know if I'm going to grad school or not until after I find out if they filled all their spots on April 15th. As for backups, I'll probably try to work in DC next year and build my resume. The idea of taking the GRE again makes me feel utterly dreadful. So yeah, all my empathy to you other #2ers. I hope we all make it. It's been a tough cycle!
Christina Brown Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 I'm in the same boat. Sucks. Only applied to three schools, and this one's my number one choice - so I won't know if I'm going to grad school or not until after I find out if they filled all their spots on April 15th. As for backups, I'll probably try to work in DC next year and build my resume. The idea of taking the GRE again makes me feel utterly dreadful. So yeah, all my empathy to you other #2ers. I hope we all make it. It's been a tough cycle! If your GRE scores are good, you don't have to take the GRE until for another 5 years.
paleostraussian Posted April 12, 2011 Posted April 12, 2011 If your GRE scores are good, you don't have to take the GRE until for another 5 years. They're good, but considering the number of spots available in political theory in universities today, I'm getting the impression that I'm going to need to get them closer to perfect.
adstatus Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 Glad to know I'm not the only one. Does anyone else feel like you're the ugly, pimple-faced kid at the prom that NOBODY wants to dance with? I'm at or near the top of the wait list of my #3 choice - they've made two offers that they don't expect will be accepted but can't move forward until those are declined (applicants are probably holding out until tomorrow). If they extend me an offer, I will definitely accept. I assume I'm wait listed at my #1 pic, but have not heard ANYTHING from them. My application status has read, "Thank you for submitting your application. Your decision is not yet available." since DECEMBER! Since I've not even received an email from them I am assuming I'm WAY DOWN on the wait list. Officially wait listed at my #5 choice, but haven't had any interview, just a brief email from the phd coordinator. I assume I'm not at the top of their list either. Had an interview with one of my safety schools that felt more like them trying to convince me why I should go there rather than why I thought I'd be good fit for their program. PhD coordinator confidently told me that she would get back to me with a decision in a day or two. That was two weeks ago and I've not heard a word. I am assuming that they didn't think I would accept an offer if they made it, so they extended offers to others. Not sure what's going on there. PhD coordinator seemed very nervous on the phone interview and was completely stumped when I asked her "what makes your program unique compared to other programs that you compete with?" I thought it was a relevant question. She stumbled for about five minutes and said "ummm..." a lot! I took it as a bad sign. Accepted at my second safety school, but at this point no funding, which means NO THANK YOU. PhD coordinator said he'd get back to me today with any additional information about if funding might become available.
adstatus Posted April 14, 2011 Posted April 14, 2011 Had an interview with one of my safety schools that felt more like them trying to convince me why I should go there rather than why I thought I'd be good fit for their program. PhD coordinator confidently told me that she would get back to me with a decision in a day or two. That was two weeks ago and I've not heard a word. Received an offer from this school today! Research assistantship and tuition waiver. CHagen 1
Talamasca716 Posted March 12, 2013 Posted March 12, 2013 I get where you're coming from I'm currently #1 on the wait list for my top-choice of programs. They only accept 3 students, and each is fully-funded plus a generous stipend. I don't see how anyone is going to turn down that offer, but I am going to spend the next month obsessively checking my inbox anyway. Everyone keeps telling me that the people who were sent offers probably received many offers that were just as good... but that's not helping my anxiety.
Knox Posted March 13, 2013 Posted March 13, 2013 I applied for Clinical Neuropsych programs as well. The competition is insane. Hopefully it all works out for you this round, but if it doesn't, I wouldn't bother with a Master's degree. Maybe if you could find one that was fully funded, but those are few and far between. From what I understand, a lot of the coursework won't roll over into a PhD Neuropsych program, so you'd essentially be starting from scratch. And you already know there's very little you can actually do with a Master's in our field. You'd be much better off getting in another year of heavy duty research and beefing up your application. I know that sucks, but application season is already only 6 or so months away, and I think you'd be happier waiting for a PhD program than settling for a Master's. (Not that I feel getting a Master's degree is settling by any means, but in the field of neuropsychology, it's a waste, let's be honest.) Hopefully this is all moot and you get that spot...good luck!
DancingHeel Posted March 22, 2013 Posted March 22, 2013 (edited) Hello friends! I'm in the same boat - waitlisted at 3 schools with no acceptances. At one school I am the #2, at another I was told I was on a "relatively short" waitlist, and I have no idea about position for the 3rd. I spend so much time and energy waiting to hear back after interviews, and now I have to wait again until April 15th. My backup plan? Apply for research assistantships (I'm coming straight from undergrad). I'd just really like to get this grad school thing started and not have to delay it for another 2 years. Advice and general kind words would be appreciated Edited March 22, 2013 by DancingHeel
JungWild&Free Posted March 23, 2013 Posted March 23, 2013 Hello friends! I'm in the same boat - waitlisted at 3 schools with no acceptances. At one school I am the #2, at another I was told I was on a "relatively short" waitlist, and I have no idea about position for the 3rd. I spend so much time and energy waiting to hear back after interviews, and now I have to wait again until April 15th. My backup plan? Apply for research assistantships (I'm coming straight from undergrad). I'd just really like to get this grad school thing started and not have to delay it for another 2 years. Advice and general kind words would be appreciated Good for you for getting so much interest right out of undergrad! You should be proud no matter what happens. Waitlists are both encouraging and awful. On the one hand, you have a chance. On the other hand, your chance depends on the chances and decisions of someone else. It's an unfortunate reality that you have to wait, but it will be over soon! There's not much you can do now (unless you have new publications or grants to add to your file) so I wouldn't stress out over what position you are on the waitlists. I applied right out of undergrad and was waitlisted at 2 places. I didn't get into either of them. What I didn't realize then, was that neither program was a good fit for me. I'm glad I didn't get in anywhere, because I got a great lab manager job that put me in a way better position for the Fall 2013 cycle. I felt the same way you do at the time, I wanted to start my life and I felt like waiting 2 years would be awful. But in the end, working for 2 years was a great experience that added a lot to my CV and got me a strong LOR. I encourage you to really think about how good the fit is between you and these programs. If you realize that it isn't good, you may want to get a research job like you said so you are in a better position in the next application cycle. I'm not saying you won't get in off a waitlist, you absolutely might. But I wish someone had told me this stuff back then. I absolutely would have taken the offer from the school that was more serious about me the first time around and I would be MISERABLE now. I dodged a bullet by being rejected. Don't be discouraged either way! If you do get rejected, ask what you could have done to strengthen your application and then make that happen before you apply again.
Talamasca716 Posted March 24, 2013 Posted March 24, 2013 Have hope! As I stated earlier, I was first on the waitlist for my first choice of schools. I got a call on Friday, and I'm in!!! CHagen 1
biogirl2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Posted April 5, 2013 Don't ever complain about being #2-- there's a number 3, 4, 5, etc. in line after you who would love even a shot at your spot. If the first choice turns it down, don't carry a chip on your shoulder about knowing you weren't the first choice. They still want you. Go, and prove that it was a great decision to admit you!
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