School Psychology programs (EdS/PhD)

[HicklePickle]

This process is just mind blowing. I keep wanting to look up stats or information about the process but I feel so stuck! I don't even see others that applied to the schools that I applied to so I feel like I'm waiting all alone.

I'm feeling so impatient haha!

[summerbreeze09]

Does anyone know anything about William and Mary's EdS program?

  

I was actually looking into that program earlier, and one thing I didn't like about the program was that you had to apply to be elevated to the EdS program once you're in the master's program (if you don't already have a master's degree), so maybe those who didn't attend got accepted directly into an EdS program? Also, I'm not entirely sure how great their funding is...that would probably be a big reason why some people might not attend...

I agree that you should apply if you like the school. William and mary school of Ed is ranked highly, and the school has great funding. Almost everyone in a cohort gets an assistantship for either full tuition or half tuition, and if you do then you qualify for in state tuition.

As for the admissions statistics, I'm not sure how typical that is for other programs. Do you think the numbers include waiting list? Idk. But I thought it appeared more selective (70 applicants for 10 slots) than most other eds programs I was looking at on the east coast.

Also, I spoke with a professor who said they have like never not accepted someone from the masters program to the eds program. They use it as an opportunity to review your coursework and portfolio. Just my opinion but I was impressed with the program.

[amandacarol1215]

Hey guys! I hope applications are going well! I wanted to stop in an introduce myself and see if there were any last minute questions I might be able to help with. I'm a third year doc student at Mississippi State University and I love it here! We are a very behavioral program, which definitely influenced my decision with coming here. Anyways, feel free to ask any questions, and best of luck in the application process!

[schoolpsycher]

This might be a stupid question, but I'm just wondering if you should always include why you want to attend that specific school/program in your SOP. One school's question is "A letter of intent describing an understanding of school psychology practice and detailing personal career objectives." Should I include what I like specifically about their program, or only answer what it asks? Also, any ideas on how long an SOP should be if there is no word limit given?

[Ettenav]

It is difficult to gauge what is an appropriate page/word limit. Were you only given one prompt? Also, I think it is helpful to the admissions committee for an applicant to articulate his or her reasoning for applying to a given school. Although this question will most certainly be asked during the interview process.

 

Edited December 25, 2013 by Ettenav

[SchoolPsyched]

I was invited to an interview at LSU, Baton Rouge! I was contacted by the POI in the School Psych department. Woo HOO! Good luck everyone.  

[iphi]

I was invited to an interview at LSU, Baton Rouge! I was contacted by the POI in the School Psych department. Woo HOO! Good luck everyone.

 

Congrats! That's great news.

[schpsy92]

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good book to read concerning current issues / trends in school psychology? I'd like to learn more about the field and some of its "hot terms" (e.g., RTI, FBA, IEP etc) before interviews.

[schoolpsycher]

I second mcvcm92's question!

 

Also, I've found differing info on this, but how did you guys format your SOPs? Single or double-spaced? The ones I submitted so far were single-spaced, but none of my schools seem to specify (although they have page-limits, so I'm not sure how to interpret that..)

Edited January 4, 2014 by schoolpsycher

[iphi]

I second mcvcm92's question!

 

Also, I've found differing info on this, but how did you guys format your SOPs? Single or double-spaced? The ones I submitted so far were single-spaced, but none of my schools seem to specify (although they have page-limits, so I'm not sure how to interpret that..)

 

I think mine were 1.5 I thought it made them look more neat. Only one school specified for me, the rest were word limits, so it didn't really seem like it mattered much.

[iPsych]

Hi everyone! I'm glad to see there's a thread on here specifically for school psych!

 

I'm applying to 9 PhD/PsyD School Psych Programs (two are dual School Psych and Clinical Child Psych).  4 have been submitted and 5 remain. I finished undergrad in 2013 with an okay cumulative GPA but a great psych GPA, a year of undergrad research experience, 2 years of volunteer experience in high schools and a summer of work in a preschool.  Since graduating I've done field research, worked in a preschool and worked as a crisis counselor.  I'm hoping that my experience is enough to make my application stand out...fingers crossed!

 

Iphi---I noticed you're applying to UWM and USU.  I am from Milwaukee and I'm currently living in Utah.  If these end up being contenders, let me know if I can offer you any tips on the areas! 

Does anyone else just get stuck on the "Why do you want to be a school psychologist question?" It seems like such a basic question, and something I'm able to articulate clearly and passionately in person, but when it comes to sitting down and answering it for SOP's I just go blank!  I think its a combination of trying to make my answer stand out and catch the reader's attention mixed with this "ohmygod this is the most important question in the world to me right now and my future depends on how I answer it" sort of pressure.  Woof. I can't wait until this part is over. Hope to be done by Thursday!  

Hope everything is going smoothly for y'all! 

I definitely struggle with this question.  For me, I'm always trying to think of a better way to say "I love working with kids." But I think that if you answer honestly and coherently it will captivate the reader!  Just write what you imagine yourself saying to an interviewer in person.

 

Best of luck to everyone!!

[schoolpsychlove]

Just wanted to wish everyone luck on their applications/interviews  I'm a current junior, so I'll be in your shoes around this time next year.  Reading all of your posts is super helpful!

 

Does anyone have a suggestion on a good book to read concerning current issues / trends in school psychology? I'd like to learn more about the field and some of its "hot terms" (e.g., RTI, FBA, IEP etc) before interviews.

 

I really enjoy Rebecca Branstetter's blog and books...definitely check them out if you haven't already.

[iphi]

Mini-rant coming... I'm just so frustrated and don't know who else to vent to!

 

I applied to 10 universities, all of which had a deadline of 1/1 at the latest. Out of those 10, guess how many have me listed as having a "complete" application? Two! Part of the problem (which probably gave me an ulcer) was one of my letter writers not turning in seven of her letters before going on vacation without internet access. I completely understand that she is busy and that I am low on her list of priorities, it's just that it's so frustrating to think that your application might not be read because of something that's out of your control.

 

But a lot of the problem was with the schools themselves. Almost every school I applied to seems to be missing either one of my two transcripts, or my GRE scores. All of which I sent in early November. So I have called and emailed admissions offices about this, just to find out that they miraculously find the missing piece after I contact them! Today a woman told me, "I have it right here, I'm not sure why the department hasn't seen it!" Argh! I'm just frustrated that it takes such effort, and that all this is coming after the deadline, so it looks as though I'm not prepared, or -- worse case scenario -- I won't be considered by committees at all because of silly oversights or errors.

 

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm just sitting here, sick and half delirious, hoping to get interview requests and realizing that that can't happen because schools haven't even seen my files yet (if they ever will). There needs to be a more depressed emoticon than just the sad face.

 

(Because this post was depressing, I totally want to hear HAPPY news! If you received an interview invitation or something else positive, you should post about it so I can live vicariously through you .)

Edited January 6, 2014 by iphi

[schoolpsycher]

Mini-rant coming... I'm just so frustrated and don't know who else to vent to!

 

I applied to 10 universities, all of which had a deadline of 1/1 at the latest. Out of those 10, guess how many have me listed as having a "complete" application? Two! Part of the problem (which probably gave me an ulcer) was one of my letter writers not turning in seven of her letters before going on vacation without internet access. I completely understand that she is busy and that I am low on her list of priorities, it's just that it's so frustrating to think that your application might not be read because of something that's out of your control.

 

But a lot of the problem was with the schools themselves. Almost every school I applied to seems to be missing either one of my two transcripts, or my GRE scores. All of which I sent in early November. So I have called and emailed admissions offices about this, just to find out that they miraculously find the missing piece after I contact them! Today a woman told me, "I have it right here, I'm not sure why the department hasn't seen it!" Argh! I'm just frustrated that it takes such effort, and that all this is coming after the deadline, so it looks as though I'm not prepared, or -- worse case scenario -- I won't be considered by committees at all because of silly oversights or errors.

 

Has anyone else had this problem? I'm just sitting here, sick and half delirious, hoping to get interview requests and realizing that that can't happen because schools haven't even seen my files yet (if they ever will). There needs to be a more depressed emoticon than just the sad face.

 

(Because this post was depressing, I totally want to hear HAPPY news! If you received an interview invitation or something else positive, you should post about it so I can live vicariously through you .)

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one!! It's so ridiculous. I've only had one deadline so far (Dec 15th), and I actually think I probably won't get in because 2 of my recommendations were late and my transcripts were floating around in the main admissions office (although those did get to the school on time). They also magically found everything while I was on the phone with them after me calling back and forth between admissions and the department every day for DAYS. It seems like, especially at huge schools, they're pretty disorganized this time of year and things get lost on the way from admissions to the actual department. I'm nervous about the same thing happening at the rest of my schools too. I submitted another application last week, and they actually sent me an email the next day that my application was complete, and I was basically in disbelief that it was so simple that time haha. I'm so sorry this is happening to you too and that your recommender sent the letters late It's so unfair if the schools penalize you for something that's completely out of our control. We can be on top of our recommenders, but we can't literally send it for them! I really hope it doesn't end up affecting you!

[MN111]

I talked to someone at The University of Northern Colorado, regarding their School Psychology PhD program.  Apparently, the faculty is reviewing applications either this week or next. I'm getting anxious!

[iphi]

I talked to someone at The University of Northern Colorado, regarding their School Psychology PhD program.  Apparently, the faculty is reviewing applications either this week or next. I'm getting anxious!

 

 

Probably means next week, then.

 

Do they do interviews? Did they tell you if they're sending invitations or is it just a straight acceptance/rejection sort of thing?

Edited January 10, 2014 by iphi

[MN111]

Yes, they have interviews. I think she said a day long interview? Don't quote me on that but I know interviews are for sure part of the process!

[iphi]

How is everyone holding up? I am going crazy with waiting! Two stories from today.

 

1. I was at jury duty (super fun) and on their crappy internet. Not once, but twice(!) at separate times while there I recieved an email from one of the schools I applied to with the subject line along the lines of "(Your) application". The WiFi was so terrible that they each took a minute to load and I nearly had a heart attack waiting and imagining what they would say! Turns out both were just telling me my application had been forwarded for review. Which is a good thing after my panic about my materials not arriving, but still a blow since I was really crossing my fingers for an interview invite!

 

2. I logged into my LinkedIn profile today for the first time in ages and saw that a current grad student at one of the programs I applied to had viewed my page! I know that the grad students are often the ones who start out by sorting the applications, so I spent some time reading about her research interests just for the heck of it.

 

I may be a bit obsessive/have a problem.

Edited January 10, 2014 by iphi

[MN111]

That is so exciting! The professors wouldn't ask the current students if they were not already interested in you!

[iphi]

That is so exciting! The professors wouldn't ask the current students if they were not already interested in you!

 

Oh no, actually it's the opposite. Lots of schools (especially big ones) have the grad students weed out the bad apps and then only forward the decent ones on to professors! That's where knowing a prof helps, they'll tell them to send your application through without screening. My partner is a grad student in psych at a big university and that's how they do it. Profs don't even see some apps at all - so depressing.

Edited January 10, 2014 by iphi

[schpsy92]

I hate this "waiting game", but hopefully we'll all start to hear back from some schools soon about interviews / open houses! I don't expect to hear from the Ed.S programs that I applied to this early, but maybe the doctoral ones!

[iphi]

Did anyone apply to programs outside of School Psych? I got an interview for a Counseling Psych program today!

[MN111]

That is so great! Congratulations!

[schoolpsycher]

That's awesome, congrats!! I just got an email inviting me to register for an "Open House" at one of the schools, but I haven't heard back about interviews or anything. But the date of the Open House is after their application deadline, so that seems a little weird. Seriously hoping for good news!

[MN111]

This waiting may be just as hard as actually applying to graduate school.  I can't focus on anything!