School Psychology programs (EdS/PhD)

[iPsych]

Who also applied to University of Central Florida that posted on the results search?! I'm deciding whether to go to this interview because it's only 15 mins with no opportunity to meet current grad students/tour and I'm coming from Boston with very expensive flights.. They don't seem to offer a skype or phone interview either. Ugh.

 

That is nuts! 15 minutes is hardly any time at all, especially considering how far you're traveling.  Is the program really appealing to you?

[HicklePickle]

Ladies, what did you all wear (or are you planning to wear) to your interviews?

I was reading the women's interview outfit thread, and it seemed to vary by field.

[Rosy_Retrospection]

Ladies, what did you all wear (or are you planning to wear) to your interviews?

I was reading the women's interview outfit thread, and it seemed to vary by field.

Most people that I've interviewed with wore black blazers with dress shirts underneath and pants/skirts. I also dress that way, even in Skype interviews! I actually like dressing up really formal because in a strange way it makes me really aware of my posture and it feels kind of empowering...

[SchoolPsyched]

Ladies, what did you all wear (or are you planning to wear) to your interviews?

I was reading the women's interview outfit thread, and it seemed to vary by field.

Good question! For the PhD inteview, I wore black dress pants with a matching black blazer with a button up shirt underneath. Most people were wearing suits or like suit-type dresses. I think if you wore a pencil skirt with a top and blazer you would be fine, but I would definitely make it look like the blazer and pants/skirt came in a set and the skirt should be very conservative (i.e., right below the knee and with pantyhose) I got my interview attire at Express during their 40% off sale. 

 

As for shoes, comfort is the key. Nice flats are perfect, but if you wear heals, make sure that they are comfortable enough to wear all day/walk around campus in. I had a campus tour on two of my interviews, so I was thankful to be comfortable. My shoes were black oxfords that had about a two inch heal, but were super comfy. 

 

Some programs say "business casual", but it's okay if you "overdress", you are there to impress. In this case, I would probably drop the blazer and just wear the pants and maybe a nice conservative top or sweater. Or, you could wear a nice conservative dress with tights and a cardigan if the weather is nice.  

 

Hope this is helpful!

Edited February 19, 2014 by SchoolPsyched

[HicklePickle]

Sooooo helpful, thank you!

Dumb follow up question: is there a difference between pants / matching blazer and a suit?

[schoolpsycher]

For my EdS interviews so far, I wore a black pencil skirt, blouse, gray blazer, tights, and flats, and I felt like I was appropriate compared to everyone else! One of my interview days was almost all EdS applicants, and everyone was dressed similar to me (some less so, with a cardigan instead of a blazer, etc.), but my other interview day had mostly PhD applicants and I did notice they were dressed slightly more formally- almost all matching black pants/skirt suits. 

Edited February 20, 2014 by schoolpsycher

[HicklePickle]

So I'm realizing that this season is about over for many PhD applicants. Now it's just the specialist level left! I've definitely noticed that these boards have been slower these last few days.

Just when my apps are picking up, too!

[iPsych]

Mine are picking up too! I have three interviews next week! I think that because of the snow causing office closings and delays in processing apps plus the NASP conference this week most schools in the north east have waited till now to really get the ball

[schpsy92]

Yeah, I think the snow really slowed things down in the Northeast, especially in NY! I have two interviews this week, and two next week (two doctoral-level and two specialist-level)

Edited February 23, 2014 by schpsy92

[HisGlory]

Sorry to be rude about the answer - basically I posted some things on this forum and went to a group interview and someone had used some of the things I posted, leaving me in kind of a pickle. I'm more careful now! 

 

My acceptance to Denver is for PhD, but I just found out that their PhD program is not accredited (their EdS is). So while I am interested, I am also wary! Their website says that they are "in the process" of accreditation, but I am not sure what that means - i.e. when that will happen.

 

Hey Iphi, I'm kind of in a similar situation. I just realized that the school that I am absolutely in love with, and which I have an interview coming up for, is not accredited by NASP for there PhD program. They are, however, accredited for there EdS program. Have you made up your mind on what you will do about the situation, since you've at least been admitted? Also, does anyone know how "bad" it is to graduate from a program that does not have that accrediting from NASP?

[baunlee]

hey guys, 

 

looking for some advice.  One of my schools has offered me acceptance but requires that I respond/accept by March 3rd.  I feel this timeline is unreasonable for the program because I would still be completing interviews during that week.  Since it is my earliest/first acceptance I still want to keep the offer on the table just in case (very unlikely I won't get in at other schools but I just like a sure thing).

I don't want to pay the couple hundred dollar deposit but right now I'm thinking I'll have to ...since they force you to decide before you have even explored all your options to make sure they are a right fit.

Besides, I have already spent so much money on the process, including plane flights out of state that it would be crazy for me to just accept this school in money and mind just yet.

 

So that forces my next question, if I were to accept this school in the money sense (paying the deposit) and giving into the unreasonable timeline,

• Would it look even worse to not go there after I accept their offer?          <<I feel like this would happen to them a lot just by nature of having such an early deadline but who knows
• Should I pay the deposit but make it known that I have not done interviews at all of my schools??      <<Just to make it less awkward/ more professional if I later go elsewhere? 

 

I assume this might happen since I have all of my other schools to go to (and I haven't even heard from albany yet).  I feel like it is unrealistic for this school to ask for a decision so soon after my interview but also when school psych programs are well known to still be interviewing students.  This type of thing makes me think maybe they don't really care about their students finding a best fit and weighing their options but maybe I'm just being too critical.  Anyways shoot out your opinions guys.  At this point I think I'm just going to put in the deposit since I have no other offers (yet) but not sure how this would look if I back out later.

Edited February 26, 2014 by baunlee

[iphi]

hey guys, 

 

looking for some advice.  One of my schools has offered me acceptance but requires that I respond/accept by March 3rd.  I feel this timeline is unreasonable for the program because I would still be completing interviews during that week.  Since it is my earliest/first acceptance I still want to keep the offer on the table just in case (very unlikely I won't get in at other schools but I just like a sure thing).

I don't want to pay the couple hundred dollar deposit but right now I'm thinking I'll have to ...since they force you to decide before you have even explored all your options to make sure they are a right fit.

Besides, I have already spent so much money on the process, including plane flights out of state that it would be crazy for me to just accept this school in money and mind just yet.

 

So that forces my next question, if I were to accept this school in the money sense (paying the deposit) and giving into the unreasonable timeline,

• Would it look even worse to not go there after I accept their offer?          <<I feel like this would happen to them a lot just by nature of having such an early deadline but who knows
• Should I pay the deposit but make it known that I have not done interviews at all of my schools??      <<Just to make it less awkward/ more professional if I later go elsewhere? 

 

I assume this might happen since I have all of my other schools to go to (and I haven't even heard from albany yet).  I feel like it is unrealistic for this school to ask for a decision so soon after my interview but also when school psych programs are well known to still be interviewing students.  This type of thing makes me think maybe they don't really care about their students finding a best fit and weighing their options but maybe I'm just being too critical.  Anyways shoot out your opinions guys.  At this point I think I'm just going to put in the deposit since I have no other offers (yet) but not sure how this would look if I back out later.

 

You need to talk to the school who made you the offer, and talk to the other schools you applied to. I was told by one school that April 15 is the date you should have to choose by. They reinforced that to make you choose earlier is highly unethical, and asked me to let them know ASAP if another school tried to bully me into doing so.

 

I would start by writing to the school who made you the offer and say that you're supposed to have until April 15, and that since your other schools are operating under that timeline, you would like to have until then to make your decision.

[Marycontrary]

HELP! Advice needed.

 

My top school has admitted me into their EdS program. It has professors doing exciting research (all of them!), it's a highly ranked school for education and educational psychology, and my husband attends here. However, as of right now, it offers NO funding. Nothin'. 

 

Another program, less nationally known and more clinically focussed, has offered me admission with a graduate assistantship and stipend. I'll likely graduate from this school with NO debt. Only one professor interests me research-wise, which is only concerning if I decide to pursue the PhD track down the road.

 

 

Both are NASP and APA accredited. 

 

Thoughts? Advice on how to figure this out?

[iphi]

HELP! Advice needed.

 

My top school has admitted me into their EdS program. It has professors doing exciting research (all of them!), it's a highly ranked school for education and educational psychology, and my husband attends here. However, as of right now, it offers NO funding. Nothin'. 

 

Another program, less nationally known and more clinically focussed, has offered me admission with a graduate assistantship and stipend. I'll likely graduate from this school with NO debt. Only one professor interests me research-wise, which is only concerning if I decide to pursue the PhD track down the road.

 

 

Both are NASP and APA accredited. 

 

Thoughts? Advice on how to figure this out?

 

Well, what is your financial situation like? Is no funding a deal breaker?

Where is the other school? Close to your husband or would you have to be apart?

If you did a PhD would you attend the same school? Or at least, would you HAVE It's not really a problem to not have similar research interests for just a Master's.

[schpsy92]

hey guys, 

 

looking for some advice.  One of my schools has offered me acceptance but requires that I respond/accept by March 3rd.  I feel this timeline is unreasonable for the program because I would still be completing interviews during that week.  Since it is my earliest/first acceptance I still want to keep the offer on the table just in case (very unlikely I won't get in at other schools but I just like a sure thing).

I don't want to pay the couple hundred dollar deposit but right now I'm thinking I'll have to ...since they force you to decide before you have even explored all your options to make sure they are a right fit.

Besides, I have already spent so much money on the process, including plane flights out of state that it would be crazy for me to just accept this school in money and mind just yet.

That's crazy that a school is forcing you to make a decision so early. Like iPhi said, schools are supposed to give you until April 15th to make your decision. I would tell them politely (even though they sound rude) that you would like until that date for your decision. If they deny it, decide if you like the program enough (like in your top 2 or 3 schools) to put the deposit down -- you can always withdraw if need be and yes you're not supposed to do that but they are forcing you to make a premature decision so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

[Rosy_Retrospection]

I hate to be Debbie Downer, but I've heard this April 15th deadlines is only for offers with financial support (https://www.cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution). Also, it depends on if the school signed the April 15th resolution.. here's a list of schools : https://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf. I mean it covers basically every major school  but if the school didn't sign this, I don't think they have to abide by the deadline...

 

Regardless, I think you should still talk to the school to see if the date is flexible and tell them about your situation. March 3rd is an insanely early time to decide where to go (like you said, interviews are still in full swing!). 

[HicklePickle]

Guys! I heard back from my fourth school! I have a group interview with Lewis and Clark on March 13! Yeehaww!

[baunlee]

Now I don't know what to think.

 

The school is on the list, 4th one down   https://www.cgsnet.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/CGS_Resolution.pdf

 

Also they offered half tuition assistantship.//Maybe it does not apply to masters level?

 

Maybe the list could be an old version?

Edited February 26, 2014 by baunlee

[iPsych]

The April 15th deadline for commitment is a rule for APA accredited schools.  Is the program accredited?  I agree that it is crazy to commit to a school this early in the game if you haven't gone on all of your interviews yet.  

 

Like you said, I'm sure they expect that many students will take the offer then go for another program with more funding.  I wouldn't worry about it "looking bad"

Edited February 27, 2014 by iPsych

[iPsych]

Guys! I heard back from my fourth school! I have a group interview with Lewis and Clark on March 13! Yeehaww!

congrats!!!

[baunlee]

yeah ipsych i just didn't want to pay the 200 deposit if I'm going to go somewhere else because this whole process is already breaking the bank

 

~~it's nasp but not apa (it's a masters program so they wouldnt be apa but their psyd program is apa)

Edited February 27, 2014 by baunlee

[mg28]

Has anyone applied to or know anything about the Ed.S programs at Seattle University, Eastern Washington University, and Northern Arizona University? 

I'm still waiting to hear back from the University of Montana after the phone interview. 

 

I applied to Northern Arizona University, but have yet to hear back from them. Have heard from NAU?

[mg28]

Wow! I am so glad I found this forum, but only wish I knew about it during my application process. I am totally stressed out over the waiting game and trying to fit the interviews with my current schedule (especially the time zone difference). I applied to 9 schools (mostly Ed.S). I have heard from all except I have not heard back from University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Nevada - Las Vegas. Should I be concerned? 

[iphi]

Wow! I am so glad I found this forum, but only wish I knew about it during my application process. I am totally stressed out over the waiting game and trying to fit the interviews with my current schedule (especially the time zone difference). I applied to 9 schools (mostly Ed.S). I have heard from all except I have not heard back from University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Nevada - Las Vegas. Should I be concerned? 

 

Check the Results Search! It should tell you if people have heard from those schools yet. Be sure to check if they applied to Master's and not PhD. I applied to PhD and I only have one school left to hear from!

[schoolpsycher]

Wow! I am so glad I found this forum, but only wish I knew about it during my application process. I am totally stressed out over the waiting game and trying to fit the interviews with my current schedule (especially the time zone difference). I applied to 9 schools (mostly Ed.S). I have heard from all except I have not heard back from University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Nevada - Las Vegas. Should I be concerned? 

 

I got invited for an interview at University of Central Florida in a couple weeks, but I know someone that got an interview there almost 2 months before me so it does seem like they're doing it on a rolling basis since their final app deadline isn't until March. I'm also probably not attending the interview since (as I mentioned earlier in this forum) the interview is only 15 minutes and flights are very expensive, and the program won't do a phone or Skype interview. Good luck with your other schools!