School Psychology programs (EdS/PhD)

[iPsych]

Did the director say why they need to wait until June? Or how likely it would be that you would receive funding? Or what their history of funding students has been in the past? And most of all, do you believe them?

[iphi]

I guess I was not clear about what I was asking!

I meant to say will I have to wait for funding till June I already asked the director and she said she cannot guarantee any source of funding till she finds out later...

plus if I already accepted the offer from the school, would patience and waiting be the only way of finding out financial assistance...

I hope i made my question more clear now!

 

Honestly... most schools tried to tell me that I would have to wait til summer to hear about funding and those were the schools I refused offers for. Personally, anyway, I can't take a gamble like that!

 

One piece of advice I did hear was that the earlier you commit to a program like that the earlier you can find funding, because you'll get on the mailing list and can start applying sooner!

[girbgirl]

So, I received an offer of admission and it's signed by the program director, but the email was sent by the program assistant with the director cc'd. The email asks for me to respond immediately to the email so they know I received it. I'm pretty sure they mean for me to respond to the program assistant to confirm the email was received, but I also have a question regarding my assistantship... should I ask the program assistant that in my email or contact the director directly? The email did say to contact "me to discuss any questions you may have regarding the program" which I assume is in reference to the program director since she signed the email.

 

I'm probably over-thinking this.

[iphi]

So, I received an offer of admission and it's signed by the program director, but the email was sent by the program assistant with the director cc'd. The email asks for me to respond immediately to the email so they know I received it. I'm pretty sure they mean for me to respond to the program assistant to confirm the email was received, but I also have a question regarding my assistantship... should I ask the program assistant that in my email or contact the director directly? The email did say to contact "me to discuss any questions you may have regarding the program" which I assume is in reference to the program director since she signed the email.

 

I'm probably over-thinking this.

 

I think you can put your question in and either the director will respond or the assistant will direct it to where it needs to go. Or you can simply state that you have a question and ask whom you should contact.

[schoolpsycher]

Hey guys, I need some help deciding between EdS programs! My first choice is likely too expensive, but I was wondering if anyone knows anything about William and Mary and University of Delaware. I know people made some comments earlier on this forum that Delaware is a really great specialist program, and I got that vibe as well from my interview, but I was wondering how people know that (since the programs don't rank). Is there a difference in reputation/is it that important? They're both accredited so they are probably similar, but it's hard to tell. 2 weeks till decision time--eek!

[baunlee]

school psycher sorry I don't know about delaware but i remember reading some posts about their eds program on the student doctor network so perhaps that might be worth investigating.

 

Personally I had a hard time picking which school to go to for my EDs program.

 

Right now it is between Columbia and Albany, but I'm 90% sure I'll be going to Columbia.

Likewise if anyone has information on either programs, Please let me know 

[iphi]

school psycher sorry I don't know about delaware but i remember reading some posts about their eds program on the student doctor network so perhaps that might be worth investigating.

 

Personally I had a hard time picking which school to go to for my EDs program.

 

Right now it is between Columbia and Albany, but I'm 90% sure I'll be going to Columbia.

Likewise if anyone has information on either programs, Please let me know 

 

EdS or PhD? Sorry, I can't keep everyone straight! I know I mentioned this before on at least one thread, not sure if it was this one... but I had a friend who went to TC and she says there is rarely funding. They almost always offer it to you for your first year but then once you're in they pull it away. She said it was bad enough for her (Master's) but that she knows people in their 4th year of their PhD who have to face Columbia tuition + Manhattan cost of living with NO funding from TC! Just something to consider.... I know she effectively talked me out of applying.

[schpsy92]

school psycher sorry I don't know about delaware but i remember reading some posts about their eds program on the student doctor network so perhaps that might be worth investigating.

 

Personally I had a hard time picking which school to go to for my EDs program.

 

Right now it is between Columbia and Albany, but I'm 90% sure I'll be going to Columbia.

Likewise if anyone has information on either programs, Please let me know 

 

Unless you (somehow) got massive funding from TC, I would pick Albany. No specialist-level program is worth getting in massive debt for - at least in my opinion.

[mg28]

I am just so confused on what program to choose ! Anyone on this same boat? 

I have done pros and cons for both Universities and one has more pros than the other, but I can't help still thinking about the other program. I had such a good feeling about both after interviewing. The school that has more CONS than pros on my list, I felt a little more comfortable when I was speaking to them than the other school. I am not sure if it was only because the one with more pros was my very first grad school interview and I was really nervous (lol). 

[iphi]

I am just so confused on what program to choose ! Anyone on this same boat? 

I have done pros and cons for both Universities and one has more pros than the other, but I can't help still thinking about the other program. I had such a good feeling about both after interviewing. The school that has more CONS than pros on my list, I felt a little more comfortable when I was speaking to them than the other school. I am not sure if it was only because the one with more pros was my very first grad school interview and I was really nervous (lol). 

 

I think that is a really important factor to consider! If the other one has more pros, but you're disappointed... I think you should factor it in. What are the cons? Are they major, like funding or accreditation? If not, maybe you should go for the "con" school.

[awakeisalive]

I am just so confused on what program to choose ! Anyone on this same boat? 

I have done pros and cons for both Universities and one has more pros than the other, but I can't help still thinking about the other program. I had such a good feeling about both after interviewing. The school that has more CONS than pros on my list, I felt a little more comfortable when I was speaking to them than the other school. I am not sure if it was only because the one with more pros was my very first grad school interview and I was really nervous (lol). 

 

I felt the same when I got accepted to my top 2 choices. Both are great programs in different ways, and I felt so grateful that they both wanted me that it was hard to say no to one of them! But you can't attend two schools. I went for the one that felt like a better fit for me. Is it possible for you to go visit again? Or maybe have a phone conversation with faculty? Did you talk to the current students to see how they feel about the programs?

[baunlee]

funding isnt something that I'm worried about because I have funding taken care of for whatever program I join through a private scholarship 

I was hoping people would have information to offer other than money

 

Anyways its for the eds program so if anyone has any other info other than financial thats what i'm looking for ~ thanks!

[Blue4]

I am just so confused on what program to choose ! Anyone on this same boat? 

I have done pros and cons for both Universities and one has more pros than the other, but I can't help still thinking about the other program. I had such a good feeling about both after interviewing. The school that has more CONS than pros on my list, I felt a little more comfortable when I was speaking to them than the other school. I am not sure if it was only because the one with more pros was my very first grad school interview and I was really nervous (lol). 

Which schools are you having a hard time deciding between? 

[iPsych]

funding isnt something that I'm worried about because I have funding taken care of for whatever program I join through a private scholarship 

I was hoping people would have information to offer other than money

 

Anyways its for the eds program so if anyone has any other info other than financial thats what i'm looking for ~ thanks!

 

If money isn't an issue then I would look at each school's practicum and internship placements and see which program offers placements in locations that are most similar to the type of environment you want to work in throughout your career! I'd imagine (but don't know for sure since I haven't read through their curriculum) that Columbia would be able to provide a lot of experience working in urban environments with culturally and economically diverse students while Albany would provide a mix of urban, suburban and rural environments to work in 

 

Also, I'm not sure how crucial this is for EdS programs since the focus is not research but I think faculty fit would also be important. These people will be your teachers and your advisors so it's important to consider how professional/friendly/competent they seemed during the interview process

 

And, also consider the area.  Would you rather live in/around NYC or Albany for 3 years?  Some things to consider may be cost of living, similarities/differences between where you live now and these two locations, and how far are you comfortable moving 

Edited April 3, 2014 by iPsych

[mg28]

Which schools are you having a hard time deciding between? 

 

I am having a hard time deciding between University of Florida and Nova Southeastern University. I also really liked Florida State University, but I am on the wait list, so I haven't really thought much about making a 'pros and cons' list! 

 

I felt the same when I got accepted to my top 2 choices. Both are great programs in different ways, and I felt so grateful that they both wanted me that it was hard to say no to one of them! But you can't attend two schools. I went for the one that felt like a better fit for me. Is it possible for you to go visit again? Or maybe have a phone conversation with faculty? Did you talk to the current students to see how they feel about the programs?

 

It is such an awesome feeling to be accepted from some of my top choices, but definitely makes it that much harder. Visiting again would be so hard because I am over 12 hours away (flight) and plane tickets are about 800-1000$ :/. I have only talked to UF's current students and definitely think I should contact NSU's students, but was not really sure how to go about that, should I just contact the department for a current students email? 

 

I think that is a really important factor to consider! If the other one has more pros, but you're disappointed... I think you should factor it in. What are the cons? Are they major, like funding or accreditation? If not, maybe you should go for the "con" school.

 

From what I have researched about both schools..UF has very little cons (I think location was just about the only one). Nova, on the other hand, I felt very comfortable with the faculty and felt very welcomed during the interview, but it will definitely be more expensive since it is a private university. They are both NASP accredited, which is definitely important. I was very happy with UF when I went to the campus for interview day, I think I am just one of those people who will have thoughts in the future, like 'what if I went to ___ university instead' 

[schoolpsycher]

I'm from Florida and had also researched those programs when I was applying. I think I would personally choose UF. It's a really great school, Gainesville is a cute college town, and from what I've heard, the program is extremely competitive to get into (so congrats!!!) Nova seems like a great program too, but it's definitely a lot more expensive and I've heard a lot of complaints about that from people I know who go there for grad school. Cost of living will also be much higher since it's in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area. When I was researching Nova, it also seemed like their program is a year longer than other specialist programs, if that matters to you. They're definitely both good choices though, so good luck!!!

Edited April 4, 2014 by schoolpsycher

[iphi]

Just an interjection, but if you decide not to go to UF, let them know ASAP! I know someone on their waitlist who desperately wants a spot.

[schoolpsycher]

So I'm wait listed at my first choice program and they've been really great about keeping me posted/said they should have a better idea of my chances by Monday. When I got wait listed, they told me if I was accepted I would be offered a $12,000 scholarship.. Which sounds good except their tuition is crazy and even with that scholarship I'd be paying the same for another private school that's offering me no funding. I've heard of some people doing this, but is it possible to ask for more money? I feel even weirder for asking because I'm on the wait list, but this really is my first choice program and that's not enough money for me to be able to attend.

Edited April 6, 2014 by schoolpsycher

[Blue4]

So I'm wait listed at my first choice program and they've been really great about keeping me posted/said they should have a better idea of my chances by Monday. When I got wait listed, they told me if I was accepted I would be offered a $12,000 scholarship.. Which sounds good except their tuition is crazy and even with that scholarship I'd be paying the same for another private school that's offering me no funding. I've heard of some people doing this, but is it possible to ask for more money? I feel even weirder for asking because I'm on the wait list, but this really is my first choice program and that's not enough money for me to be able to attend.

Try asking if they have any graduate assistantship positions? If they don't, ask them how students typically pay for school? 

[schoolpsycher]

Try asking if they have any graduate assistantship positions? If they don't, ask them how students typically pay for school?

They don't have assistantships, but are known for giving great scholarships. All the current students I met at the interview told me they chose the school because of the financial help and that almost everyone has a 40-50 percent scholarship (mine is more like 30%). I'm not entirely sure if it's based on merit or need, so I also want to ask that. Just not sure when it's appropriate to ask for more money and how you go about that.

[Blue4]

They don't have assistantships, but are known for giving great scholarships. All the current students I met at the interview told me they chose the school because of the financial help and that almost everyone has a 40-50 percent scholarship (mine is more like 30%). I'm not entirely sure if it's based on merit or need, so I also want to ask that. Just not sure when it's appropriate to ask for more money and how you go about that.

 

After you find out if you got accepted or not, I would be straight forward and just ask them if there is any way you can receive more financial assistance as it is your first choice school, and you really want to go there. You would have nothing to lose since you would already be accepted into the program. 

[girbgirl]

If a faculty member refers to herself by her first name, and everyone else in the program (i.e., students and other faculty members) refers to her by her first name even though she has a PhD, is it appropriate to call her by her first name? I don't know if I've heard anyone referred to as Dr. So-and-so.

 

I've got to accept my offer of admission and I hate thinking about etiquette, especially since it seems to vary program by program. Is there some guide that I'm missing? Maybe I should just default to Dr. **** since it's more formal. Oy vey. I wish I had studies to distract me from worrying about little details.

[iphi]

If a faculty member refers to herself by her first name, and everyone else in the program (i.e., students and other faculty members) refers to her by her first name even though she has a PhD, is it appropriate to call her by her first name? I don't know if I've heard anyone referred to as Dr. So-and-so.

 

I've got to accept my offer of admission and I hate thinking about etiquette, especially since it seems to vary program by program. Is there some guide that I'm missing? Maybe I should just default to Dr. **** since it's more formal. Oy vey. I wish I had studies to distract me from worrying about little details.

 

I always default to "Dr" anyway. Until they tell me, "please call me (first name) it just seems like too much of a liberty.

[SchoolPsyched]

I always default to "Dr" anyway. Until they tell me, "please call me (first name) it just seems like too much of a liberty.

I agree. You have to choose your battles on this one. I have been working with a professor for over two years now and everyone in the lab (including undergrads) refers to her by her first name, but I pick and choose when I think it is appropriate to call her by her fist name or to stay with Dr. so and so. I would keep going with Dr. until further notice. If you are working with them and will be interacting with them daily while in graduate training, I am sure there will come a day where they assure you to call them by their first name, but it is always better to be too formal than informal in this case. 

[schoolpsycher]

So I may be the only one on this thread still deciding at this point haha, but I'm kinda being hounded by a school I was accepted to about if I will accept the offer. I've probably been emailed 5 times since I was accepted in February asking where I am in the decision-making process. Even though I emailed the professor about a week ago, I was just emailed again today and am not sure how to respond. It's one of my top choices, but I've been wait-listed at 2 schools and am trying to wait those out.

 

Should I be honest and tell them they're my top choice out of where I've been accepted, but I'm wait-listed at a program where I currently live and that is a good option financially, so I'm waiting to see how that plays out? I know they just keep asking because they want to know what to tell the people on their wait-list, but I feel like I'm in an awkward place. If I do end up attending their program, I don't want them to think I didn't really want to go there.