School Psychology Fall 2017

[Necrovex]

7 hours ago, maester said:

I hope everyone is doing okay in this process!! I've been a constant ball of stress and can't wait to have (some) apps in finally!  Does everyone have a solid list of schools yet?

It was a fantastic feeling submitting my applications. It will feel even better once my last reference submits his letter later today. The final schools I applied to were FSU, UF, and USF. USF is my top choice, partly for funding, but a lot of my interests stems from the university's focus on HIV for school psych. That's what I've been teaching on for the past couple years in Peace Corps!

[DLS]

@maester from my knowledge on APA accreditation, I think it plays a role in licensure. Each state has their own standards for how you can gain licensure. I would play it safe and only attend a school that is APA and NASP accredited.  APA in general just has higher standards for what constitutes a psychologist. 

[DLS]

@Necrovex they work very hard to find their students

[maester]

@Necrovex That's awesome and it sounds like a great fit! I'll be rooting for you!! I'm sure your experience with the topic will come in handy on interview day too.

@DLS Thank you for the clarification on APA as well - that makes a lot of sense and helps a lot!

I'm finally getting letters squared away. I'll still have a strong one from my mentor in the department and have another confirmed one from a professor I know well, but the third never responded to me (which is something that has happened in the past with people who have asked for a LOR from them). Since my soonest deadlines are two-ish weeks away, I asked my supervisor at my job at the library (she has her MS and was in a PhD program, it's just unrelated). I know they can say great things about me and talk about my interpersonal skills and work ethic, but I'm thinking of mentioning it in my statement as well that I know it's unconventional to have a non-academic reference. Does anyone know whether this seems like a generally okay idea? It's not an ideal situation, but I'm hoping to make the best of it!

[hellokrs]

Does anyone have any experience/information about UC Berkeley's program? Specifically whether students are funded and the research opportunities available? Thanks!

[cherry12055]

Hi guys! 

I need some help navigating what I should do if I were to get an interview on a day where I already have an interview scheduled (I haven't yet, but I'm anticipating it because I applied to a lot of schools). What is the best way to ask for a skype interview/other day/ explain that I already have an interview scheduled? Also what if I care more about the school that schedules an interview after I have already committed to one?

[transfatfree]

On 11/29/2016 at 5:37 PM, maester said:

@Necrovex That's awesome and it sounds like a great fit! I'll be rooting for you!! I'm sure your experience with the topic will come in handy on interview day too.

@DLS Thank you for the clarification on APA as well - that makes a lot of sense and helps a lot!

I'm finally getting letters squared away. I'll still have a strong one from my mentor in the department and have another confirmed one from a professor I know well, but the third never responded to me (which is something that has happened in the past with people who have asked for a LOR from them). Since my soonest deadlines are two-ish weeks away, I asked my supervisor at my job at the library (she has her MS and was in a PhD program, it's just unrelated). I know they can say great things about me and talk about my interpersonal skills and work ethic, but I'm thinking of mentioning it in my statement as well that I know it's unconventional to have a non-academic reference. Does anyone know whether this seems like a generally okay idea? It's not an ideal situation, but I'm hoping to make the best of it!

2

I'll choose a non-academic LOR over no LOR. You won't even make the cut without the required number of LORs.

[transfatfree]

On 12/6/2016 at 1:55 PM, hellokrs said:

Does anyone have any experience/information about UC Berkeley's program? Specifically whether students are funded and the research opportunities available? Thanks!

Heard that funding is limited but not offered to every student (Well I guess the whole UC system struggles). Also, if you care about APA-accredited internships, Berkeley is NOT the place to be because students are required to do a two-year half-time internship instead of a one-year full-time internship. 

[Necrovex]

Got my first interview request from The University of Florida for next month. I'm glad to see my application is strong enough to get pass the rudimentary stage. Had to get Skype for the interview due to living overseas. The excitement of this is happening hasn't landed yet!

[Love3]

On 12/7/2016 at 0:16 PM, cherry12055 said:

Hi guys! 

I need some help navigating what I should do if I were to get an interview on a day where I already have an interview scheduled (I haven't yet, but I'm anticipating it because I applied to a lot of schools). What is the best way to ask for a skype interview/other day/ explain that I already have an interview scheduled? Also what if I care more about the school that schedules an interview after I have already committed to one?

My advice would be to make sure your top schools get priority no matter. When changing your arrangements, be honest because most schools already know why you are suddenly asking for a change of date. Some schools don't mind fighting for a competitive candidate and others will give you a hard time and make you decide which interview you'd prefer. Always go with your top schools and where you would fit when prioritizing interviews. The other ones can be Skyped and honestly depending how many schools you applied to/get interviews for you may have to reject some interviews. 

[Love3]

On 12/17/2016 at 5:40 AM, Necrovex said:

Got my first interview request from The University of Florida for next month. I'm glad to see my application is strong enough to get pass the rudimentary stage. Had to get Skype for the interview due to living overseas. The excitement of this is happening hasn't landed yet!

Congrats! 

[Andrebenjamin]

Hi everyone!

I'm wondering if anybody is currently enrolled in any online programs and what they think of pursuing advanced education through those means. I'm moving to Chicago in a couple of weeks so my three schools I'm sending applications to are The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Loyola, and National Louis. If anyone knows anything about those school as well I'd love to hear!

[Schoolpsychforthekids]

On 9/13/2016 at 1:57 PM, Anxiousapplicant01 said:

I'm a School psych phd first-year in a program with both phd and eds students (NASP and APA accredited). Feel free to ask me questions, although if they are specific about my experience that might be best addressed by PM 

I know I am late to this thread but I just received an interview from a doctoral program in school psychology which is APA accredited and their specialist program is accredited but not their doctoral program....does that change anything?

[AuntieGrandma]

Applied to 7 PhD programs and may apply to 3 specialists programs as back ups if necessary. Applied to UCSB, Univ of Washington, Univ of Oregon, Univ of Texas- Austin, Berkeley, Univ of Northern Colorado, and Univ of Arizona. GPA-3.89, V-166, Q-166, W-5. Anyone else applied to any of these? Any input or advice? So far, a Skype interview with UCSB and invite to on campus interview day in January and invited to on campus interview day at Univ of Arizona. No word from any of the others yet. 

[sch00lpsych]

Hi Everyone New to the thread and happy I found it.

For my peace of mind I want to basically spell out my resume and see if anyone could give me honest brutal feedback on my chances. So if you don't feel like reading another post like this, please skip ahead!

GPA: 3.5 | GRE Verbal: 150, Quant: 145, Writing: 4.5  

On the numbers side, I'll admit I'm average (maybe even below average). But I think I make up for it a lot considering my extracurriculars:

Research experience: school psych research lab, neuropsychology lab, community-based research during a study abroad experience 

*However, only one poster presentation and 2 pending for the NASP annual conference 

Practical experience: art therapy, behavioral health services volunteer, grief counseling, Jumpstart (reading/literacy program), 3 teacher's aide positions, one to one aid for children with disabilities, social skills/positive behaviors program with fellow Ed. S. students, comprehensive sex ed program with juveniles at a detention center, Big Brothers Big Sisters for 4 years, school psych mentor for undergrads

If I could include my statement I would lol, but I'll just tell you guys I worked super hard on it to compensate for my low numbers. My letters are strong.

Ed.S. programs I'm applying to: Lehigh Uni, UMass Boston, U of Cincinnati, U of Albany, Redford Uni, Cali State Uni - Long Beach, U of Delaware, and James Madison University. (SIDE NOTE: If you are applying to these schools, let me know!)

I think I applied to average-competitive schools. Also, not really interested in research (not opposed to it either), but definitely going for more behavioral programs.

Thoughts? Am I good enough? What am I lacking in? Constructive criticism, please! I'll return the favor if wanted lol. THANK YOU

 

 

Edited December 27, 2016 by sch00lpsych

[Love3]

On 12/23/2016 at 5:17 PM, Dompsycholog said:

I know I am late to this thread but I just received an interview from a doctoral program in school psychology which is APA accredited and their specialist program is accredited but not their doctoral program....does that change anything?

You might want to proceed with caution if the doctoral program is not APA accredited especially depending on your future goals. The accreditation does not usually carry over between programs. You can always ask about it during your interviews. Congrats!

[AuntieGrandma]

1 hour ago, sch00lpsych said:

Hi Everyone New to the thread and happy I found it.

For my peace of mind I want to basically spell out my resume and see if anyone could give me honest brutal feedback on my chances. So if you don't feel like reading another post like this, please skip ahead!

GPA: 3.5 | GRE Verbal: 150, Quant: 145, Writing: 4.5  

On the numbers side, I'll admit I'm average (maybe even below average). But I think I make up for it a lot considering my extracurriculars:

Research experience: school psych research lab, neuropsychology lab, community-based research during a study abroad experience 

*However, only one poster presentation and 2 pending for the NASP annual conference 

Practical experience: art therapy, behavioral health services volunteer, grief counseling, Jumpstart (reading/literacy program), 3 teacher's aide positions, one to one aid for children with disabilities, social skills/positive behaviors program with fellow Ed. S. students, comprehensive sex ed program with juveniles at a detention center, Big Brothers Big Sisters for 4 years, school psych mentor for undergrads

If I could include my statement I would lol, but I'll just tell you guys I worked super hard on it to compensate for my low numbers. My letters are strong.

Ed.S. programs I'm applying to: Lehigh Uni, UMass Boston, U of Cincinnati, U of Albany, Redford Uni, Cali State Uni - Long Beach, U of Delaware, and James Madison University. (SIDE NOTE: If you are applying to these schools, let me know!)

I think I applied to average-competitive schools. Also, not really interested in research (not opposed to it either), but definitely going for more behavioral programs.

Thoughts? Am I good enough? What am I lacking in? Constructive criticism, please! I'll return the favor if wanted lol. THANK YOU

 

 

Hello,

Your experience has to be a strong asset in your favor. I am applying to mostly PhD programs but am applying to 3 specialist programs as "back-ups". They are Northern Arizona Univ, Humboldt State and CSU Long Beach. It appears that Long Beach does get quite a few applications and might be a bit competitive. That is the only program that you mentioned that I am familiar with. Good luck to you!

[AuntieGrandma]

On 12/24/2016 at 0:42 PM, AuntieGrandma said:

Applied to 7 PhD programs and may apply to 3 specialists programs as back ups if necessary. Applied to UCSB, Univ of Washington, Univ of Oregon, Univ of Texas- Austin, Berkeley, Univ of Northern Colorado, and Univ of Arizona. GPA-3.89, V-166, Q-166, W-5. Anyone else applied to any of these? Any input or advice? So far, a Skype interview with UCSB and invite to on campus interview day in January and invited to on campus interview day at Univ of Arizona. No word from any of the others yet. 

Sorry about my mistake above! I wish my quant score was 166! It is only a 151! Sorry about the mistake!

[schwilliam]

Applied to two School Psych Ph.D. programs - Temple & UT Austin. V=162, Q=160, W=3.5, 4 years of teaching special ed with Master's degree. Recently got an interview invite to Temple. 

Has anyone heard back from UT Austin yet? Their website says invitations are typically sent out early January, but it seems from the results page that some people already got invites.

If anyone is willing to share, I would love to hear any insight/advice with interviews. 

[AuntieGrandma]

I also applied to UT Austin and haven't heard anything yet

[cherry12055]

I applied to UT Austin and was notified two weeks ago that I was invited for an interview in February :/ 

I am not sure if they sent out all their invitations but it seemed like they potentially did. :////

[AuntieGrandma]

Has anyone heard from School Psychology PhD programs: Univ of Washington, Univ of Oregon, Univ of Northern Colorado or UC Berkeley? 

[LMG123]

I'm in the midst of applying to 7 programs in Texas, 1 EdS (Baylor), 2 MA (SFA, UTSA), and the rest SSP (Texas Woman's, Sam Houston, TAMU-Commerce, Texas State). Has anybody else applied to these schools this round? I looked at the past discussions but there wasn't much talk about schools in Texas so I was curious if anyone had more information.

My GPA is a 3.66, GRE V: 161, Q: 154, W: 4. I have experience working as an RA in a lab that is somewhat related to school psych and worked at a summer camp for 3 years. 

If anyone has constructive criticism or advice, I'd love to hear it. 

 

[Schoolpsychforthekids]

On 12/26/2016 at 10:47 PM, Love3 said:

You might want to proceed with caution if the doctoral program is not APA accredited especially depending on your future goals. The accreditation does not usually carry over between programs. You can always ask about it during your interviews. Congrats!

Oh sorry I realized that I did not write it properly. I am going for a doctoral interview where it is APA accredited but not NASP approved. The specialist program is NASP approved though. What are the drawbacks from a non-NASP approved program but it is APA approved?

[transfatfree]

1 hour ago, Dompsycholog said:

Oh sorry I realized that I did not write it properly. I am going for a doctoral interview where it is APA accredited but not NASP approved. The specialist program is NASP approved though. What are the drawbacks from a non-NASP approved program but it is APA approved?

 

 

Those programs aim to train researchers only and you cannot become an NCSP automatically. You should note that many PhD students found out that they're more interested in practice instead of research in the middle of their studies. Going to a non-NASP-approved program doesn't give you the convenience if you decide to become a practitioner. Of course you can still apply to become an NCSP if you fulfill all the requirements but it's just more troublesome.

Edited January 3, 2017 by transfatfree