iphi Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Well I heard from my last school today! I guess there are technically two that have not gotten back to me, but since I wasn't invited for an interview, I assume they are rejections. Still, I have six acceptances, and that brings me to my question.... how do you choose?!
SchoolPsyched Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 I have narrowed mine down to two. I have heard that it is not respectful to hold on to more than two at a time. Try and narrow it down to 2 or 3. When are you going to finalize your decision by? I have set the date to make a decision by March 21. I know we have until April 15th technically, but I would feel bad waiting until then if I were rejecting the offer because I would want someone else to have it. More so, I would be afraid of how I looked if I did accept the offer but also waited so late to accept. With all that being said, would any of you say that the date I set to decline and accept offers is too late? I want to be as respectful as possible, but I want to also make sure that I have enough time to make this important decision.
SchoolPsyched Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Well I heard from my last school today! I guess there are technically two that have not gotten back to me, but since I wasn't invited for an interview, I assume they are rejections. Still, I have six acceptances, and that brings me to my question.... how do you choose?! Also, Congrats on all the acceptances! I was shooting for University of Northern Colorado, but did not get in!
iphi Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Also, Congrats on all the acceptances! I was shooting for University of Northern Colorado, but did not get in! Thank you! Are you on the alternate list? I am unlikely to accept...
mg28 Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 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! Thank you ! That is good to know that I am not the only one, but still stressed over the wait. I read that posting, during my UF interview, I heard that it was only 15 minutes long and not worth it. I totally agree flights are extremely expensive. I only flew for one interview and will be doing the rest through Skype/phone, I cannot keep affording the 1,000$ flight :/ However, I did not know about them not offering a phone or Skype interview and that is really upsetting as it was in my top 3 choices. Thanks again and good luck to you as well
mg28 Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 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! Thank you so much for your help !
SchoolPsyched Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Thank you! Are you on the alternate list? I am unlikely to accept... No, I was never invited to an interview. What about Denver are you still considering the PhD even though it is not accredited? I am thinking about accepting the EdS and then going into their fast track PhD program for EdS professionals afterwards, but ONLY if the funding situation and mentor support is comparable to the PhD offer I have.
iphi Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 (edited) What about Denver are you still considering the PhD even though it is not accredited? I am thinking about accepting the EdS and then going into their fast track PhD program for EdS professionals afterwards, but ONLY if the funding situation and mentor support is comparable to the PhD offer I have. I realllly like Denver, but am not sure what to do about the accreditation. I emailed and they told me they started the process for NASP for the PhD, and will start trying for APA soon. Depending on their timeline for getting NASP (i.e. if it would happen by 2016) I would probably still go. I also got a notice saying they will nominate me for a fellowship so, accreditation issues aside, it's looking like a good option for me. Edited February 27, 2014 by iphi SchoolPsyched and iphi 1 1
SchoolPsyched Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 I realllly like Denver, but am not sure what to do about the accreditation. I emailed and they told me they started the process for NASP for the PhD, and will start trying for APA soon. Depending on their timeline for getting NASP (i.e. if it would happen by 2016) I would probably still go. I also got a notice saying they will nominate me for a fellowship so, accreditation issues aside, it's looking like a good option for me. That's awesome. And I totally didn't mean to give this post a thumbs down. I am not sure how to reverse that, so sorry!
renvi012 Posted March 1, 2014 Posted March 1, 2014 (edited) 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? Edited March 1, 2014 by renvi012 mg28 1
Marycontrary Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 What criteria is everyone using to determine which program to attend. Or, what criteria did you use to determine which programs to apply to? Just curious :-)
iphi Posted March 3, 2014 Posted March 3, 2014 What criteria is everyone using to determine which program to attend. Or, what criteria did you use to determine which programs to apply to? Just curious :-) Funding (Tuition remission? How many years of funding? Salary viable for area cost of living? Do students EVER have to pay out of pocket? If yes, dealbreaker.) Research fit Accreditation Prestige of program Paid internship rates (100%, 60%?) Length of program (but you have to look at the average graduation rates, not what they claim you can complete the program in! In my experience these can vary significantly) Location/cost of living Professor mentorship/support Right kind of training (do they focus on sending their graduates into academia but I want a job in the schools? Or vice versa.) I'm sure I'm missing a few, but those are the basics for me! indigoing 1
schpsy92 Posted March 4, 2014 Posted March 4, 2014 For me, it's pretty much all about location and funding. Also, I'd prefer to get a doctorate, but I'm also considering masters-level programs. I'm only considering NASP/APA accredited programs.
schoolpsycher Posted March 5, 2014 Author Posted March 5, 2014 For those of you that had a writing test as part of your interviews, do you have any tips or topic ideas? I've had one interview with a writing prompt so far and spent so much time trying to think of a good idea that I kinda messed it up. Writing is one of my strengths, but I HATE timed writings haha. And I'm getting nervous cause my last 2 interviews have them too!
HicklePickle Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 For those of you that had a writing test as part of your interviews, do you have any tips or topic ideas? I've had one interview with a writing prompt so far and spent so much time trying to think of a good idea that I kinda messed it up. Writing is one of my strengths, but I HATE timed writings haha. And I'm getting nervous cause my last 2 interviews have them too! Writing tests?! Why would they do this? Isn't that what the GRE writing section is for? Sheesh. Were you warned before the interview that you would have to write? For the one that didn't have a writing prompt, were you told to just...write?
schpsy92 Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 Writing tests?! Why would they do this? Isn't that what the GRE writing section is for? Sheesh. Were you warned before the interview that you would have to write? For the one that didn't have a writing prompt, were you told to just...write? I have one interview coming up, in which they told me in the interview invitation email that there would be a writing exercise. I feel like most schools wouldn't try to blindside applicants too much (hence leaving a bad taste in their mouths), but I still think the writing sample is kind of ridiculous as well.
schoolpsycher Posted March 5, 2014 Author Posted March 5, 2014 (edited) Yep the three schools I have one at all told me a writing exercise would be included, but I still don't like it haha.. isn't that what the GRE AND your personal statement are for?! The one I already had did have a writing prompt (sorry if I wasn't clear in my last post), but I think the one I have today is going to be a response to an article. Edited March 5, 2014 by schoolpsycher
Marycontrary Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 A non-APA accredited doctoral program has admitted me -- they are working on their accreditation. Is this too risky? What happens if they don't get the accreditation? Who else is considering an non APA accredited program?
iphi Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 A non-APA accredited doctoral program has admitted me -- they are working on their accreditation. Is this too risky? What happens if they don't get the accreditation? Who else is considering an non APA accredited program? I am. But it's a little risky to me too. I am considering them because 1) their EdS program is already accredited, and 2) they will get their accreditation by my 2nd year. I'd rather go to the non-accredited program, but am thinking I should play it safe and go to the doubly-accredited one I was accepted to (with funding) instead. My thinking is (academically) I would never regret going to the doubly-accredited program, but I might have plenty of chances to regret going to the non-accredited one!
Marycontrary Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 What happens if the program never gets the APA accreditation? How does that hurt my job prospects? My other offers are EdS (with accredited doctoral programs...should I ever apply...) -- so this is my only PhD offer.
HicklePickle Posted March 5, 2014 Posted March 5, 2014 So I feel silly now-I just finished an interview and there was a writing test. Hah! It was pretty simple and short. But I still do wonder why it's necessary...
schpsy92 Posted March 6, 2014 Posted March 6, 2014 What happens if the program never gets the APA accreditation? How does that hurt my job prospects? My other offers are EdS (with accredited doctoral programs...should I ever apply...) -- so this is my only PhD offer. Well if you only want to work in the school system as a K-12 school psychologist, I doubt that not having APA accreditation will hurt you. I've never seen a K-12 school mandate that a school psychology applicant is from an APA accredited program (some will prefer NASP or NCSP applicants though). If you are more interested in working in community based organizations like a hospital, then it would probably hurt you. For private practice, I'm not sure how that would affect you.
Blue4 Posted March 8, 2014 Posted March 8, 2014 I applied to Northern Arizona University, but have yet to hear back from them. Have heard from NAU? Not yet!
iphi Posted March 9, 2014 Posted March 9, 2014 I have a request! We have talked about it before, but can we please discuss (in a non-biased way please) the importance or unimportance of attending an accredited PhD program? We could do it for EdS too, I suppose, but that seems more cut-and-dry. I would love to discuss the effect a non-accredited program has on the following career options (after a doctorate in SP has been attained): Working in K-12 schools or districts Working in hospitals/public health settings Becoming a professor (academia) Private practice Other (aka whatever I missed!) "Accredited = good, non-accredited = bad" is what I have in my head, but why? I realized I don't know the actual barriers that come with graduating from a non-accredited PhD (or PsyD) program? One of the schools I was accepted to is not accredited for PhD but has a 100% paid employment rate. So where's the catch? We can also discuss NASP vs. APA if people want to.
schoolpsycher Posted March 9, 2014 Author Posted March 9, 2014 (edited) I had my last interview yesterday (woohoo, finally)! At the interview, I had an individual interview with someone who attended the program 7 years ago (she isn't a part of the faculty, but apparently has been doing interviews for the last few years since I guess they don't have enough faculty to individually interview everyone). I wanted to send her a thank you email but can't locate her email since she isn't a part of the faculty. Should I just email the director of the program, even though I didn't get a chance to meet with him individually? Or should I ask him/someone for her email? This is my first choice program right now, so I want to leave the best impression! Edited March 9, 2014 by schoolpsycher
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