2017 Psych PhD Interviews & Offers

[ellieotter]

Hey guys! Today I received an offer to come for an interview from Southern Mississippi's counseling psychology program. I am super excited since I get to meet with my desired faculty member but is it strange that I'm already hearing back after I just submitted my application last week? How long do you guys think I should wait to reply so I don't seem too desperate? I wasn't expecting to hear back from any of the schools until January so I'm still a little in shock.

I figured we could use this thread to hear where everyone is getting in and for any questions we may have about the interview process!

[xyz212]

This was from a counseling program, not clinical. But anyway, there isn't a reason to wait to respond; you aren't going to look "desperate." It definitely doesn't look bad at all to be excited to have an interview. They want you to want to go there! I got 8 clinical program interviews last year, multiple acceptances, and often responded within minutes! Some programs review applications before the holidays, others after. Nothing weird going on.

[ellieotter]

46 minutes ago, beyondnervous said:

Hi. There has already been a thread created for Fall 2017 Clinical Psychology Applicants: 

 

Yeah I didn't post in that thread since it was labeled "clinical psychology" and some of the programs I applied to are counseling. I figured this could be for any of the psych programs instead of one select group. Thanks for responding though! I do keep up with that thread as well.

[ellieotter]

26 minutes ago, xyz212 said:

This was from a counseling program, not clinical. But anyway, there isn't a reason to wait to respond; you aren't going to look "desperate." It definitely doesn't look bad at all to be excited to have an interview. They want you to want to go there! I got 8 clinical program interviews last year, multiple acceptances, and often responded within minutes! Some programs review applications before the holidays, others after. Nothing weird going on.

Thank you for the advice! I think I was apprehensive to respond because I thought I'd hear back from most of my programs around the same time. I have to make a decision by the 19th (so obviously before I'll hear back from the majority) and I will be accepting the offer. This is my first time applying so I think I just feel a bit nervous!

[ellieotter]

1 minute ago, beyondnervous said:

Maybe @FacelessMagecan change the title of it? Could you add/edit "Counseling" to the title, so PhD psychology applicants applying to those programs can participate in the thread too?  I know some applicants have applied to both clinical and counseling- That'll allow more applicants to contribute to the thread I'm sure..

That would be great!! I didn't want to post in there and someone be like man this girl is in the wrong thread

[FacelessMage]

32 minutes ago, beyondnervous said:

Maybe @FacelessMagecan change the title of it? Could you add/edit "Counseling" to the title, so PhD psychology applicants applying to those programs can participate in the thread too?  I know some applicants have applied to both clinical and counseling- That'll allow more applicants to contribute to the thread I'm sure..

I tried to change it. Sadly, it's been too long since I posted it and the edit button has disappeared....

[lovepsych]

On 12/9/2016 at 6:28 PM, psychlife4me said:

Hey guys! Today I received an offer to come for an interview from Southern Mississippi's counseling psychology program. I am super excited since I get to meet with my desired faculty member but is it strange that I'm already hearing back after I just submitted my application last week? How long do you guys think I should wait to reply so I don't seem too desperate? I wasn't expecting to hear back from any of the schools until January so I'm still a little in shock.

I figured we could use this thread to hear where everyone is getting in and for any questions we may have about the interview process!

Congrats on getting an interview offer! I think this is a great thread because it's more general than some of the others I've seen. I understand hearing back from programs way earlier than expected (I've heard from three!). Hopefully, you've responded to their interview invitation by now (you won't seem desperate). Good luck 

[MarineBluePsy]

On 12/9/2016 at 10:57 PM, FacelessMage said:

I tried to change it. Sadly, it's been too long since I posted it and the edit button has disappeared....

I think the moderators can change it if you pm them and they aren't super busy.

[ellieotter]

22 hours ago, lovepsych said:

Congrats on getting an interview offer! I think this is a great thread because it's more general than some of the others I've seen. I understand hearing back from programs way earlier than expected (I've heard from three!). Hopefully, you've responded to their interview invitation by now (you won't seem desperate). Good luck 

Thank you! I am pretty excited but still in shock, being my first time applying I honestly had low expectations on getting invitations. Who have you heard from so far?? And congrats on THREE interviews, that is amazing!

Edited December 12, 2016 by psychlife4me
misspelling

[stereopticons]

Can the people who got FSU interviews PM me? I'd love to know who your POI is! I haven't heard anything yet. 

[Slothanos15]

Could the people who received FSU interviews also PM me their POI's? Thanks in advance!

[hd397]

I'm also interested to hear what PIs from FSU have contacted people! I applied there as well, so please let me know!

[JacobW83]

I just got an email invitation to interview with Texas A&M's Clinical Psych program! I had a couple tech issues getting all my app materials together so I was kinda thinking I wouldn't hear anything from them at all, and especially not so early, so this is a very pleasant surprise!

[JacobW83]

9 minutes ago, byn said:

I didn't apply to any of the programs you applied to, but I had a question for you! Did you follow up with your POIs extensively before and after the application period? 

I had several difficulties with my application through one program (my top program, of course).. so I'm a little bit scared. My application is still missing the GRE scores, they are telling me they haven't received them for some reason. I feel that if your POI had you on his mind, his decision to interview you was made during your e-mail interactions - and not necessarily wether or not your application was completed by the Dec. 1st deadline? My POI had a copy of all of my materials, including my GRE scores/self-report from ETS, by the application deadline because I provided it to him...

I look forward to your feedback on this. I'm extremely nervous!

So I currently have 2 interviews (UH Counseling and A&M Clinical) and I had a small amount of contact with my POI at UH, but none with my POI at A&M. I emailed my UH POI prior to applying to make sure he was taking students and then I followed up with a quick "Thank you" after I applied; I didn't have any contact with anyone at A&M though-- I tried calling Admissions but didn't get through to anyone. I'm guessing that my tech issues (Letters of Rec going through, and some other document not appearing as Received) were just resolved without me hearing back about it.

 

If your POI already has your materials then you might be okay, but it's odd that Admissions doesn't have them. Regardless, I don't think *my* emailing had any effect on my offers, but maybe yours will compensate for the issues. 

[ellieotter]

6 minutes ago, byn said:

Yep, ETS apparently sent it to the school's Clinical Psych program (Adding a 2001 code in addition to the school code) so it has been a huge mess trying to locate them. The anxiety of having a complete application at the time that adcoms review packages is killing me. But thank you so much for your feedback, you sound like a very competitive candidate I hope you rock your interviews  

ETS sent my scores to the wrong dept at one of my schools too! I caught it a couple days before apps were due. It let me submit my app but I have no idea if the dept "okay'd" them or not... so stressful since it's one of my top schools too. I am feeling your pain!

[ellieotter]

1 minute ago, byn said:

I already hate the ETS/GRE system, so having them screw up (by adding an additional dept. code without my approval) and sending them somewhere else other than the grad school has me FURIOUS. I don't want to make a negative impression on my top program's adcom, you know? I am so devastated... This entire process sucks ugh :'(

SERIOUSLY. I entered in my school's correct code directly after my test a few months before apps were due so it was completely out of my mind. Then of course I don't notice until I go to submit, soooo frustrating! I saw someone got an interview from that program but I have no idea if maybe more offers will be sent out. I'm so upset because my POI is my dream POI, you know?

[stereopticons]

Now I'm freaking out that my GRE scores didn't make it. I know I checked them but the anxiety is getting the best of me. Ughhhh. 

[ellieotter]

2 minutes ago, stereopticons said:

Now I'm freaking out that my GRE scores didn't make it. I know I checked them but the anxiety is getting the best of me. Ughhhh. 

We are definitely not helping anyone with our horror stories! lol Fingers crossed for all of us to get multiple interviews!!

[ellieotter]

1 minute ago, byn said:

I'm completely with you, trust me. At the moment, none of the programs I've applied to have sent out invites so I feel some kind of false security.. lol. And I know what you feel about your POI being your DREAM POI - I feel this exact way too, the program/the faculty, the institution itself and all of the training they provide, I am just in love. You just feel like you would fit in so beautifully, especially after devoting so much to making yourself competitive enough to even be considered. 

Lucky for you, you at least already have another interview/school to fall back on.. So even if you don't hear from your dream POI, other POIS still would love to work with you. If only 1 invite has been sent out, I wouldn't worry about it, perhaps another POI sent out an invite.. so you're still being considered hopefully!!!!  

Thank you for the pep talk, that is the beauty of this forum! Everyone is SO supportive! And yes, I am so grateful another school is considering me, let's just hope I can nail my interview because this is also a top program for me. If I can get two more interviews, I will stop stressing but until then, bring on my nerves!

I was not expecting so many schools to have such a quick turn around with offers (I was thinking we wouldn't hear till at least Jan!) so the stress is real right now. I will keep my fingers crossed for you, good luck!!!! Def let me know WHEN you get an offer because I'm sure you will!

[stereopticons]

I finally have something to post!! I have a phone interview with my POI at Miami University next week!

[ellieotter]

20 minutes ago, stereopticons said:

I finally have something to post!! I have a phone interview with my POI at Miami University next week!

Congrats stereopticons!!

[academicbirb]

Anyone heard from Boston College or UMass Boston? I know the deadline was literally 16 days ago but I'm already freaking out. 

[carebear12345]

On 12/15/2016 at 2:42 PM, byn said:

I didn't apply to any of the programs you applied to, but I had a question for you! Did you follow up with your POIs extensively before and after the application period? 

I had several difficulties with my application through one program (my top program, of course).. so I'm a little bit scared. My application is still missing the GRE scores, they are telling me they haven't received them for some reason. I feel that if your POI had you on his mind, his decision to interview you was made during your e-mail interactions - and not necessarily wether or not your application was completed by the Dec. 1st deadline? My POI had a copy of all of my materials, including my GRE scores/self-report from ETS, by the application deadline because I provided it to him...

I look forward to your feedback on this. I'm extremely nervous!

I had a similar issue with one school with GRE scores not showing up and also a letter of rec at another.  However, I just kept emailing the coordinators and calling the school concerned that they weren't registering on my end, and eventually, they miraculously registered as there for reasons I don't think anyone ever identified.  One coordinator even emailed me personally in a new email later to say that the problem is now resolved and my application was complete and it would be reviewed shortly, because she remembered me from my concerned interactions before.  

My thinking was I figured at least if there was a log of my actively trying to figure it out and they remembered who I am, then maybe it would count for something in terms of the deadline, or at least couldn't hurt.  I didn't let the POI know at one school because it was clear that he sent a generic email to every applicant that emailed him so I assumed he didn't want to be bothered because he did this generic email.  At the other school, I had a phone interview before I submitted my application at all, so I did email that POI about the problem as she had previously stated to contact her with any questions or concerns and indicated she was open to more contact with me throughout the process.  I'd say to go by the personality of the POIs and what you can determine about how involved they want to be with you at this stage.  Some don't want to be at all, and others do--it's just a matter of reading their personality on an individual case basis.

I feel that as long as you are not being ridiculous or impolite about it, it's okay to contact the coordinators as much as necessary to make sure things are complete.

[Psychoplasmics]

School Name: University of Oregon
Date Interview Invite Received: 12/13/16
Degree: PhD
Type: Counseling Psychology
Notified via: Email
From: DCT
Interview Date: 
Friday, January 27th
Additional Info: Dinner January 26th, Student Social to follow interviews

 

School Name: University of Houston
Date Interview Invite Received: 12/13/16
Degree: PhD
Type: Counseling Psychology
Notified via: Email
From: Assistant to DCT
Interview Date: February 10
Additional Info: Student Social February 9

[stereopticons]

@schizometric I'm excited for you and your interview offers, but was it really necessary to post this exact thing in three different threads in the same forum?