2008-2009 Application Thread

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racek said:
Hi All,
I was wondering if anyone recommends submitting a cover letter with the supplemental application materials (e.g., LoRs, transcripts). What's the protocol here? Stick them all in an envelope and send?
If you have written such a cover letter, I am seeking advice on what to say.
Thanks for the time 🙂
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i so reccommend--if only to check yourself against before you mail out your package! i included a photocopy of my GRE scores just in case ETS futzed up my scores and so especially when adding extra materials, having a cover letter was a good idea.
 
thanks so much! will definitely photocopy my GRE scores. after 2 months of phone calls just in order to change a birthdate error in ETS's database, I am taking no chances.
 
racek said:
thanks so much! will definitely photocopy my GRE scores. after 2 months of phone calls just in order to change a birthdate error in ETS's database, I am taking no chances.
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they screwed up sending my scores multiple times. as in, to multiple schools and also many times to the same school! but i think admissions officers are used to ets problems--because i had the photocopy, my applications were able to move forward. good luck!
 
psybee said:
they screwed up sending my scores multiple times. as in, to multiple schools and also many times to the same school! but i think admissions officers are used to ets problems--because i had the photocopy, my applications were able to move forward. good luck!
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I am also worried about ETS. When I was applying to Masters programs two years ago, they messed everything up. Psychbee, did the admissions officer contact you to explain they were missing? I am just concerned about having ETS screw up and then remaining unaware while my application is marked "incomplete" and then removed from the pile. This happened with my Masters programs. I was NOT contacted by two admissions officers last time, but luckily became aware of the problem when one was decent enough to let me know. Do you recommend calling all the programs and asking if they've received the GRE scores? It is hard because they're doing a lot of processing now with matching everyone's apps, so when I called one program last week, they couldn't accurately tell me. Some programs (i.e., Yale) say to never call them! Thanks so much for the advice on the photocopy--I did include that in all of my applications.
 
Olivia101884 said:
I am also worried about ETS. When I was applying to Masters programs two years ago, they messed everything up. Psychbee, did the admissions officer contact you to explain they were missing? I am just concerned about having ETS screw up and then remaining unaware while my application is marked "incomplete" and then removed from the pile. This happened with my Masters programs. I was NOT contacted by two admissions officers last time, but luckily became aware of the problem when one was decent enough to let me know. Do you recommend calling all the programs and asking if they've received the GRE scores? It is hard because they're doing a lot of processing now with matching everyone's apps, so when I called one program last week, they couldn't accurately tell me. Some programs (i.e., Yale) say to never call them! Thanks so much for the advice on the photocopy--I did include that in all of my applications.
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No one called--i spent the $ and had every packet I sent include signature delivery confirmation, and called within a week of delivery. no one ever called me to tell me there were problems--i cannot strongly enough recommend keeping track of when the packages arrive and calling shortly after to confirm, and getting that persons name. if they don't call (might be a good thing to find out your school's policies on that) then enclose a self adresssed, stamped postcard for them to pop in the mail when they get your application, so you will at least know it did arrive. you can't control if they lose things in your packet once they open it, which is why it's good to have copies and extras of everything you send out.

the last packet i sent out, i broke my own rule and wasn't vigilant in checking up (wasn't a top choice but still a fine school). i had dealt with so much i got lazy and thought, "they've screwed up so many of my other schools, this one had tons of time between taking the tests and ordering the reports, and while i was dealing with the other screwed up tests i caneck to make sure this one was sent off" i put off calling and wouldn't you know, by the time i called to confirm they got it, 3 weeks later, sure enough, no gre scores. luckily photocopy in packet plus apologies allowed that app to be looked at, and i later got an invite.
 
So I'm being totally paranoid now.. I had a couple of packets sent out last week, with USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation. These were for Dec 1 deadlines so I didn't think I needed to spend all that money to overnight it or anything, so I went with the 2-3 day one.. Just checked the status of the delivery and it says: "We attempted to deliver your item at 9:51 AM on November 22, 2008 in MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455 and a notice was left. It can be redelivered or picked up at the Post Office. If the item is unclaimed, it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later."

That would totally suck if they sent it back.......
 
I'm sure you're all already doing this 🙂, but make sure you call all your programs to verify that ETS did not screw you! I am thankful I started doing this, because they appear to have screwed up on 50% of my schools so far. And I tried to be compulsive and sent TWO copies of my scores at different occasions to avoid this problem, yet they have a magical way of still messing up 😡
 
bellecalle said:
So I'm being totally paranoid now.. I had a couple of packets sent out last week, with USPS priority mail with delivery confirmation. These were for Dec 1 deadlines so I didn't think I needed to spend all that money to overnight it or anything, so I went with the 2-3 day one.. Just checked the status of the delivery and it says: "We attempted to deliver your item at 9:51 AM on November 22, 2008 in MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455 and a notice was left. It can be redelivered or picked up at the Post Office. If the item is unclaimed, it will be returned to the sender. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later."

That would totally suck if they sent it back.......
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I'm guessing that nobody was there on Saturday to sign?
I bet you it's delivered today!! 😀
 
bludreamz said:
I'm guessing that nobody was there on Saturday to sign?
I bet you it's delivered today!! 😀
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Hahah you're right! I didn't even put 2 and 2 together that that day was Saturday.. oops!

Well, on another note, 90% of my schools are claiming not to have my transcripts OR gre scores. This is quite the uphill battle I must say, even having done this process last year. Last year everything went very smoothly for me in terms of sending transcript and GRE scores, and this year I hoped it would be that way as well, but nope.
 
Just mailed out all of my applications. What a process! It's nice to have relief. :laugh:
 
ack 🙁 (my current sentiments about applications)
I can't wait until it's over!! (but hopefully it'll be just the beginning)


Happy soon-to-be holidays everyone!
 
Last edited:
Hey guys,
Hope applications are going well. What do you guys think of applying to PhD programs right out of undergrad? Anything about this that can hurt your chances?
 
nl2008 said:
Hey guys,
Hope applications are going well. What do you guys think of applying to PhD programs right out of undergrad? Anything about this that can hurt your chances?
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Nothing at all, except that you may be competing with people who have Master's degrees and/or full-time research assistant positions under their belts. Still, many (if not most) first-year graduate students are right out of undergrad. Provided you've managed to get quality research experience as an undergraduate, it shouldn't be a problem.
 
Hey all,

I applied to Michigan State's school psych PhD program (due 12/1) and was curious if anyone here is also applying to school psych programs. I have perused these forums and haven't noticed if there was a specific one for School Psych applicants.

I haven't shown my face on this board since last years demoralizing massacre :diebanana:(I was the banana, hence my reapplying), and I thought I remember school psychers also posting on the clinical application thread.

Good luck ladies and germs. And may the best of us not apply to the programs I am! 🙂

Cheerio

Gabriel
 
Hi everyone!

I'm almost done! I just have to mail out a few more supplemental materials. 😀
 
DONE!!
19 Applications are DONE!!
Now it's time to sit around and wait, huh?

Anyone else applying where I am?

Clinical:
Pepperdine
Alliant- L.A.

Counseling:
BC, Northeastern, Buffalo, Albany, NYU, Columbia, Fordham, UConn, Seton Hall, WVU, OLLU, Northern Colorado, Carlow, St. Thomas, Minnesota, Colorado State, & Indiana State?
 
I am just waiting for my favorite person to review my statements and I will be sending everything!

Maybe it will happen the second time around!
 
Jon4PsyD said:
DONE!!
19 Applications are DONE!!
Now it's time to sit around and wait, huh?

Anyone else applying where I am?

Clinical:
Pepperdine
Alliant- L.A.

Counseling:
BC, Northeastern, Buffalo, Albany, NYU, Columbia, Fordham, UConn, Seton Hall, WVU, OLLU, Northern Colorado, Carlow, St. Thomas, Minnesota, Colorado State, & Indiana State?
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Wow, that's amazing! 🙂 Congrats! NYU's autobiographical essay was so elaborate (I'm also applying there.) It took me forever!
 
YAY ---- ALL my applications are in!!! 7 clinical psychology ph.d. and 2 MPH programs. 😛 now I just have to sit, pray and hope that I get an interview! At least one.
 
Anyone want to help me decide what to do now?

The work I've just finished is being reviewed. Preliminary reports back from the prof who gave me the opportunity are positive and he wants to use his contacts to secure me a year's funding to take it further.

So, should I mail in these grad apps as planned? Maybe do this research somewhere out there during a doctoral program if I can re-tool things and find a mentor who can help guide the work???

Or, should I take the year's guaranteed funding, do what I can with finishing this up, apply in a year?

The research topic is broad enough that it's something I could work on for an entire career and still never have pared it down enough to be "finished" and the primary focus is a treatment combination that hasn't yet been published by anyone else... so it's a good opportunity IF it turns out I have good data on a larger sample.

Still, it feels like more program evaluation than psychology... Ok, thanks for letting me talk it out, any opinions appreciated. One professor contacted me and wanted my app in his hands today even though his deadline passed the 1st... I didn't give him the app... because I'm just not sure anymore and I don't want to waste anyone's time. Thanks again for hearing me out.
 
WannaBeDrMe said:
Anyone want to help me decide what to do now?
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Preliminary reports are not a guarantee. If you feel your applications are strong now, send them in.

That's my two cents 🙂
 
So I am totally in avoidance of finishing my last two applications. Maybe I need a day or two to recharge from finals. Anyways, here is my app list:

Clinical:
Clark Univ
Univ of Montana
PGSP
Sam Houston
Simon Fraser
Univ of Windsor

Counseling:
Univ of Florida
New Mexico State Univ
Northeastern
Univ of Utah

Combined:
UC Santa Barbara

I hope everyone else is more motivated than I am right now.
 
Thrak said:
Preliminary reports are not a guarantee. If you feel your applications are strong now, send them in.

That's my two cents 🙂
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Thanks, I came to the same conclusion during my restless dreams. Ha. I think my mind processed a thousand outcomes while I was trying to sleep.

I need to just move forward... if it's truly a good project, the opportunity will be there later... and maybe with better options once I choose a program.

Thanks again. To FedEx, I go, Monday....
 
Ilovethebrain said:
YAY ---- ALL my applications are in!!! 7 clinical psychology ph.d. and 2 MPH programs. 😛 now I just have to sit, pray and hope that I get an interview! At least one.
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Which MPH did you do? I ask b/c I went to a pretty well recognized program and would be glad to answer any questions via pm. I'm trying to keep it off the main boards where I went and where I'm going... I'm still a little weary of public info. Maybe one too many of my past clients were great stalkers/detectives for my liking!

Good luck.
 
rmenoch:
So we're both applying to Northeastern, maybe we'll see each other at the interview (hopefully). I also thought about New Mexico State but my list got too long so I had to cut it out!

Good luck in the process🙂
Jon
 
I mailed out everything! It's DONE! Assuming they get the materials, of course.
 
I have a few questions regarding interviews:

1. When, approximately, should I expect to hear whether or not I will be interviewing?

2. Will I receive notice that I didn't get an interview or simply a rejection in March/April?

3. How do programs notify students of interviews? Email, letter, etc.? From POI or program?

Thank you for your help!
 
I heard from schools for interviews from the end of December through the beginning of February. You can check last years admissions thread to gauge when the biggest influx of responses is. I would guess throughout January. Only got one flat out rejection and it was pretty late in the game (end of Feb-ish?). Some people hear right away. Most likely you'll be checking this forum everyday and you'll figure out you didn't get an interview once a bunch of other people did.

Oh, and I mostly got e-mails informing me of interviews. One call and one letter saying I might get a phone interview (basically if there in-person people really suck).
 
HeyJude said:
I heard from schools for interviews from the end of December through the beginning of February. You can check last years admissions thread to gauge when the biggest influx of responses is. I would guess throughout January. Only got one flat out rejection and it was pretty late in the game (end of Feb-ish?). Some people hear right away. Most likely you'll be checking this forum everyday and you'll figure out you didn't get an interview once a bunch of other people did.

Oh, and I mostly got e-mails informing me of interviews. One call and one letter saying I might get a phone interview (basically if there in-person people really suck).
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End of December?? Wow. Were those for schools with Dec 1 deadlines?
I thought I'd have atleast 2 months of squirming. 😀
Maybe that should be a frowny face...
 
Haha, I think its better to just get it over with! 😛 Yes, the first was from a school with a 12/1 deadline (Marquette U counseling PhD, if you're curious). Their interview is early as well (end of Jan?). That's another clue, check out when their interview day is to get an idea of when you should here from them.

I know you probably can't imagine, but try to get as much out of the interviews as you can. When I applied, I just wanted to be accepted SOMEWHERE but once you're in you're stuck there for half a decade.
 
bludreamz said:
End of December?? Wow. Were those for schools with Dec 1 deadlines?
I thought I'd have atleast 2 months of squirming. 😀
Maybe that should be a frowny face...
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I think the earliest last year was Dec 16ish and I got a call on Feb 13th (ish) so it can really be whenever.
 
The earliest I heard last year was in the first week of January from UCSB (Dec 1st deadline last year) and i think their interview was around the end of january
 
Alright, I have finally completed and mailed my first application! Only 13 more to go...
 
helga,
did you apply to UCSB clinical/counseling or for experimental?
 
hey everyone... I was just wondering if anyone volunteers to start an interview invite thread. I would love to manage it but I'm afraid I won't have the time to keep it updated. It is extremely helpful to have that thread and know which programs have invites out, so if no one out there is willing, I'll start the thread. Just thought I'd check first.

Any takers???? 😉
 
All of my applications are out! Good luck, everyone!

...but not so much good luck to those of you applying to work with the same people as me.

:xf:
 
hi all,

i am new to this whole forum, but it seems like a good resource! i just applied to 8 PhD programs in Clinical Psych. I took the GRE psych subject test in Nov though, just got my score by phone on Fri and found out I did horribly!!! 🙁 My GRE general scores are decent and my grades from undergrad are good, went to a great school. But I didn't major in psychology, I've been taking my prereqs out of college and have a 3.8 GPA in those, got some research experience, good letters of rec (hopefully!). Do you think I am doomed?? How important is the subject test regarded? Or will someone be like, maybe she just had a bad day? Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
saribou13 said:
hi all,

i am new to this whole forum, but it seems like a good resource! i just applied to 8 PhD programs in Clinical Psych. I took the GRE psych subject test in Nov though, just got my score by phone on Fri and found out I did horribly!!! 🙁 My GRE general scores are decent and my grades from undergrad are good, went to a great school. But I didn't major in psychology, I've been taking my prereqs out of college and have a 3.8 GPA in those, got some research experience, good letters of rec (hopefully!). Do you think I am doomed?? How important is the subject test regarded? Or will someone be like, maybe she just had a bad day? Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What's your score and percentile? Did all your schools require the subject test?
 
saribou13 said:
hi all,

i am new to this whole forum, but it seems like a good resource! i just applied to 8 PhD programs in Clinical Psych. I took the GRE psych subject test in Nov though, just got my score by phone on Fri and found out I did horribly!!! 🙁 My GRE general scores are decent and my grades from undergrad are good, went to a great school. But I didn't major in psychology, I've been taking my prereqs out of college and have a 3.8 GPA in those, got some research experience, good letters of rec (hopefully!). Do you think I am doomed?? How important is the subject test regarded? Or will someone be like, maybe she just had a bad day? Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

When you send your scores to schools, you have the option of not sending your psych GRE scores, so you could consider that for the schools that don't require it. A bad psych GRE certainly won't help, but based on the rest of your stats it shouldn't doom you most places.
 
Unfortunately all but 2 require it, and one of the ones that does not "require" it says it is "STRONGLY recommended, especially if your undergrad major was not in psychology." So that stinks. I got a 510, and while that's not great, the percentile was extremely low, unless the automated phone thingy read it wrong. It seems like, from what I've seen, that should be around 40th %? but it was even lower than that. Ugh!!!!
 
Depends on how well everyone else does. A 700 is only in the 80th percentile, so...
 
I just got my first interview request!!!! It's for Sam Houston's Clinical Program (Forensic emphasis)!!! Hopefully I'll see some of you at the interview weekend.
 
rmenoch said:
I just got my first interview request!!!! It's for Sam Houston's Clinical Program (Forensic emphasis)!!! Hopefully I'll see some of you at the interview weekend.
Click to expand...

Please make sure to post this in the interview thread!!!
 
rmenoch said:
I just got my first interview request!!!! It's for Sam Houston's Clinical Program (Forensic emphasis)!!! Hopefully I'll see some of you at the interview weekend.
Click to expand...

Congrats! What a good feeling!
 
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