Toronto OISE MA Counselling?

[Generic_Applicant]

This waiting game is killing me. Also- I hate weekends..

[Djentbot]

Likewise. I just got a reply from Todd saying that they are almost done the application review and they hope to mail out decisions soon. Despite the fact that someone's already posted their acceptance, I have hope that different profs may have different thoughts on contacting students ahead of the official acceptance. I don't know, maybe I'm holding out false hope. Either way, good luck to everyone else still waiting!

[Generic_Applicant]

Yeah I dont think a lot of profs contact students. That one student was lucky, which is why I wanted more details. Todd is probably flooded by so many emails lol. But ugh.. that means, next week, we will probably know- if that one student heard and from what Todd said.. KMN

[ToughCookie]

I saw that post with the MA acceptance too! Lol good to know I'm not the only one obsessively checking

 

Though I did get a rejection from Western a few hours ago for the MA program in counselling psych This is making me even more restless for Uoft! Sigh 

 

I wonder if the acceptances for oise go out before the rejection letters/emails?

[Generic_Applicant]

Last year I got my waitlist status for MEd and rejection for MA in the same mail.

 

I am obsessed too. I cant get off this site or thinking about my mailbox. lol

[Peace&Art]

I also received my rejection letter from Western today Not a good day.  So, I'm sending a prayer to OISE for all of us.

[Djentbot]

So it seems like we're all being equally neurotic about our chances at OISE. What do you all think of sharing qualifications so we know what some of the other applicants' CV's look like? It will either scare us all to death or give us some hope, either way.

 

Since I suggested it, I'll start:

 

UofT Psychology Research Specialist Degree

Last 10.0 Credits - 3.91

Subject GPA - 3.92

CGPA - 3.73 (but the marks that dragged it down were from 2004... I took some time off and came back a changed student, so I'm hoping they take this into consideration)

 

Research experience: undergrad thesis in social psychology, NSERC USRA recipient last year spent on a full-time summer lab manager spot, 2 other RA positions

 

Counselling experience: a year at CAMH in the schizophrenia crisis unit, and 2 years as an intake counsellor for a private clinical psych practice.

[Generic_Applicant]

Okay Djentbot.. I give up. I'm getting off the forum now. lol!

[Djentbot]

Pfft, you haven't seen my statement of intent. Pretty sure I botched it nicely. Also, not entirely sure I have the "Biological Bases of Behaviour" course requirement filled, because I only took Physiology and Psychology of Emotion for an upper year course in that category so it depends how they categorize that one. Also, the million other things that could go wrong. Can you tell I've been sitting here sweating bullets for the last month or so?

[Generic_Applicant]

lol. I've been so hopeful for some reason. My last 10 credits is a 3.7 or something but overall is a 2.7 because I almost professionally botched the first 2 years of undergrad due to personal reasons. The strongest aspect of my application is probably my personal statement letter since I have average academic qualifications but on a personal level, I have a lot of experience with counselling and issues around it. I made sure this time I explained in detail my area of interest and took a paragraph each to talk about 2 POIs and explain why I should be working with them. I am solely relying on my personal statement to get it. So.. yeah.. I'll give up hope now.

 

PS you can always take that course after your acceptance. I'd say you have a very good chance of getting in. So yay you!

[Djentbot]

Don't give up hope at all! There are so many variables in the admissions process, and a great statement of intent counts for a lot. And it's rare for people applying to an MA to have really great counselling experience, so congrats on that. Here's hoping we're all clutching our acceptance letters and laughing at our crazy worrying come the end of next week.

[Generic_Applicant]

Also, I am currently in an MPsy Counselling psych program which is very clinical but I wanted more research as well as to continue on to a doctorate so.. I hope that helps lol. I had my letter professionally edited because that's all I had to show for myself haha.

 

Yep, we'll see each other in class

[ToughCookie]

Lol you guys must have really good academic records! No wonder one of you got into Western!

 

Ok so my last 10 credits is 3.5 but my sGPA is about 2.7 or 2.8 I think. I'm not sure what you meant by subject GPA? My research experience is an independent research project in cognitive neuroscience which completed in  publication (which I got to co-author with two of my profs) and an RA for a year. My counselling related experience is working as an invigilator for the AccessAbility Resource Centre for 2 years and volunteer/work positions at a Sexual Assault Centre (Volunteer, Crisis line program assistant, overnight therapist). I am also a member with the Ontario College of Counselors, Consultants, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists. Apart from that I've done a few independent workshops in CBT, CPT and narrative therapy.

 

Although keep in mind i've applied for the M.Ed and not the MA so my research experience may not be so relevant. I also think my personal statement was very strong but that can be subjective so who knows

[Djentbot]

Sounds like you have amazing qualifications for the M.Ed! I know a couple people who've been through the program and they say that counselling experience is the largest determining factor in the application once you've made the GPA cutoff.

[Generic_Applicant]

Those are pretty amazing qualifications for the MEd. I only had 6 months at the Distress centre and personal experience and I was waitlisted last year (#10). You have a pretty strong chance too I think!

[ToughCookie]

Aww thanks *blush* Yea the impression I get is that they weigh more strongly on academics for the thesis-based program (MA) and more so on practical/counseling experience for the M.Ed. 

 

Thats why I was worrying a bit about my GPA. So if I don't get in I'm wondering if we can get in touch with the department to get more detailed feedback? Just to see where other applicants may have ranked higher? Not sure if they'd be open to that

[Generic_Applicant]

The last 10 credits seem good for you too so I wouldn't worry too much.. (easier said than done).

 

I tried that last year but Todd said they can't do that and the only thing he can direct me to is what was said on the letter re the reason I didn't get in.

 

MA is dependent more so on academics? :'( Great..

[Djentbot]

Yeah, I'd imagine it would be pretty hard for OISE to give individualized feedback on what could be done to improve applications considering the number of applications they get. It's a shame, because that would definitely be valuable information.

[ToughCookie]

Well its just the impression that I have and I may be completely wrong so lets not fret about that. Besides, you seem to have pretty strong GPA for your last 10 credits so you do have a great chance. I would think they'd like to see research potential in the student as well.

 

Awh that sucks that we cant contact the department to know more... I wish I had kept my rejection letter from 2 years ago to remember what it had said lol I had got pretty sad so it was shredded to pieces and into the garbage

[Generic_Applicant]

Yeah I balled when I saw the rejection letter too so I only think I remember what it said. I could be way off.

 

This is going to be one long weekend...

[Generic_Applicant]

Oh also- Djentbot- who did you work with at CAMH? And what kind of work did you do? I'm just getting into it so wondering.

[Djentbot]

I'm considering looking for a cryogenic freezing service and hoping that we discover a method for safely unfreezing me by Friday next week.

[ToughCookie]

Oh also, did you end up getting in touch with any of the profs you wanted to work with? I know a lot of people have suggested that it is a good idea to touch base with them

[Generic_Applicant]

Lol. I would love to rent one of those too! I emailed Todd and told him I need to know by March 20 to make a decision about another school so I'm hoping I get an unofficial response earlier. He said he would look into it and get back to me.

I emailed both the profs but no one replied.. Not sure what to make of that..

[Djentbot]

I didn't get in touch with the profs based on OISE's recommendation. They said they based their decisions on applications alone and that profs receive so many inquiries from propsective students that they see it as an annoyance. That's definitely not the case at other schools, but I figured I'd heed their advice - I hope I made the right decision.

 

Syedahum - I'll PM you the info. I probably posted too much identifying info publicly already.