2009-2010 Grad School Interview Invite Thread!

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I'll make it easy: mine are Shankman and Abela (respectively). PM me if you dare! 😉

Well if it makes you feel any better mine too was Shankman and he probably wasnt taking a student... at first he was, but upon further communication it appears he is not... or he just doesnt love us 🙂
 
Does anyone know if U Houston or U Iowa (clinical) are done sending invites?
 
I know this is getting a bit old...but has anyone heard from, or know anyone who has heard from SUNY Albany Clinical with any news good or bad?
 
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I know this is getting a bit old...but has anyone heard from, or know anyone who has heard from SUNY Albany with any news good or bad?

When I called SUNY Albany Counseling the secretary said they are extending interview invites next week.
 
New to this forum, and to the whole application process. I've received one rejection letter and one interview so far, and as for the rest of the schools I've heard nothing. Some of them have posts on here that invites already went out, should that be assumed as a rejection? Or do they sometimes do a second round of interviews? Thanks in advance.
 
Well if it makes you feel any better mine too was Shankman and he probably wasnt taking a student... at first he was, but upon further communication it appears he is not... or he just doesnt love us 🙂

That does make me feel better. He def. was taking one when I emailed him but that was in October or so.
Unfortunately this seems to be a common theme among my POIs this year. 🙁

At least I can blame it on the economy!
 
That does make me feel better. He def. was taking one when I emailed him but that was in October or so.
Unfortunately this seems to be a common theme among my POIs this year. 🙁

At least I can blame it on the economy!

Me, too. I've had two POIs tell me they would have invited me if they had funding - and they HAD had funding as of about three months ago. Two of my favorites, in fact, and one of the best of all possible matches. I tried not to whimper.
 
Hey, I saw a post about Columbia's Clinical program, but Has anyone heard from the counseling program yet? If so was it POI email or mass invite? :xf:
 
New to this forum, and to the whole application process. I've received one rejection letter and one interview so far, and as for the rest of the schools I've heard nothing. Some of them have posts on here that invites already went out, should that be assumed as a rejection? Or do they sometimes do a second round of interviews? Thanks in advance.

I feel like a lot of schools say they might do a second round just to quiet the masses, but it pretty much never happens. It's possible, however, that those schools are still inviting. After the interview invite date has PASSED, however, there's less chance. At that point, I wouldn't assume rejection because you never know, but I also wouldn't count on that program anymore.

Remember though, the later we get in this process, the more acceptances go out. As a result, people might decide to turn down interviews they previously accepted, which could free a space for someone else. Personally, though, I like to give every program a chance (especially if I already booked my flight 😉).
 
Me, too. I've had two POIs tell me they would have invited me if they had funding - and they HAD had funding as of about three months ago. Two of my favorites, in fact, and one of the best of all possible matches. I tried not to whimper.

I feel your pain. It was some of my best matches too and another thought she would be accepting two students and ended up being only able to take one.
 
I am actually thinking that I am not going to hear from any other schools! So far, only one interview. I haven't heard back from anywhere else! I am getting very nervous.

I know it sounds cocky, but I thought I had a good application and great letters!
At what point should I give up hope? Some of my deadlines weren't until Feb. 1, but I know they are interviewing already.

very frustrating and disappointing
 
Me, too. I've had two POIs tell me they would have invited me if they had funding - and they HAD had funding as of about three months ago. Two of my favorites, in fact, and one of the best of all possible matches. I tried not to whimper.

My #1 best match isn't taking a student this year either... sigh.
 
I am actually thinking that I am not going to hear from any other schools! So far, only one interview. I haven't heard back from anywhere else! I am getting very nervous.

I know it sounds cocky, but I thought I had a good application and great letters!
At what point should I give up hope? Some of my deadlines weren't until Feb. 1, but I know they are interviewing already.

very frustrating and disappointing

Yeah, I went into this process thinking I was for sure going to get accepted... how naive, right? 🙄 I have great GRE scores, solid GPA, research experience, clinical experience, etc.... but nothing yet. All I can say is that it's been an enlightening experience, and I know exactly how to improve on my applications next year. Good luck to you, and I hope you hear from more schools! :luck:
 
I also applied TC counseling Ph.D. I have not heard anything. You are not the only one. According to someone's post a few days ago, the committee would make a decision who to invite by Feb 3 and then send invitations the end of this week or next week. I thought it would be the end of this week. If not, not getting the interview?--;;
 
I am actually thinking that I am not going to hear from any other schools! So far, only one interview. I haven't heard back from anywhere else! I am getting very nervous.

I know it sounds cocky, but I thought I had a good application and great letters!
At what point should I give up hope? Some of my deadlines weren't until Feb. 1, but I know they are interviewing already.

very frustrating and disappointing


It's not time to give up hope yet, especially since you have one interview and some of your application deadlines were on February 1st. This is a long-haul process. Stay optimistic! : )
 
Yeah, I went into this process thinking I was for sure going to get accepted... how naive, right? 🙄 I have great GRE scores, solid GPA, research experience, clinical experience, etc.... but nothing yet. All I can say is that it's been an enlightening experience, and I know exactly how to improve on my applications next year. Good luck to you, and I hope you hear from more schools! :luck:


Where do you think you could improve?
 
I received a call from VCU this morning. I applied counseling. This program's deadline was Dec.1. it took a while. Before that I received 2 rejections (clinical) and one from counseling. This year is my round 2. It took me 3 years to reapply. I know a invitation does not mean that final admission. I will do my best. I believe that everyone has a different talent. We will do things that we want in sometime near future. Keep our fingers crossed!🙂
 
I also applied TC counseling Ph.D. I have not heard anything. You are not the only one. According to someone's post a few days ago, the committee would make a decision who to invite by Feb 3 and then send invitations the end of this week or next week. I thought it would be the end of this week. If not, not getting the interview?--;;

So, I'm the annoying person that keeps calling the program to ask, but you will all be happy to know that they have not sent out invites yet and plan to do so by the end of next week! They're very late this year, but no reason to think you didn't get an interview. And if anyone doesnt' know, the interviews are either 2/25 or 2/26.
 
Received another interview invite.. So far i've heard from 3 out of 6 schools

Hoping to hear from the rest:xf:
 
I feel like a lot of schools say they might do a second round just to quiet the masses, but it pretty much never happens. It's possible, however, that those schools are still inviting. After the interview invite date has PASSED, however, there's less chance. At that point, I wouldn't assume rejection because you never know, but I also wouldn't count on that program anymore.

Remember though, the later we get in this process, the more acceptances go out. As a result, people might decide to turn down interviews they previously accepted, which could free a space for someone else. Personally, though, I like to give every program a chance (especially if I already booked my flight 😉).

Thanks for responding. I'll try to realistically hope 🙂
 
Where do you think you could improve?

Definitely more research experience. I had some experience in undergrad, and I know the professor I worked with wrote me a great letter of rec, but I know more experience would be better. I'm fortunate to live in an area with several universities and one very well-known teaching hospital, so I've been contacting people to see if I can volunteer or work in their labs (I don't know why I didn't think of doing this when I moved here after college). Its tricky, because I work full-time and I already volunteer as a telephone crisis counselor on weekends, but I will find a way to make it work.

I am also expanding the number of schools to which I will be applying (I was really limited this year because of how expensive this process is), and asking for more letters of rec. I had one person who said he would be happy to write me a very positive letter of rec (his exact words), and then went completely MIA on me, so I had to scramble last minute to find a replacement for him. Luckily for me, my replacement was very accommodating, and I think I will be asking him again.

Also, this whole process has made me do a lot of self-reflection, and I can see now where I can write an even stronger personal statement (although I must say, I thought it was pretty strong to begin with...).

Some people on this forum have suggested taking 2 years off before applying again, and I'm still not sure about that. Maybe its a personal thing, because I'm at the age where suddenly ALL of my friends are either in grad school or getting married, and its making me panic.

However, I do still have one school left that hasn't sent out invites yet and won't until the end of the month. :xf: Here's hoping one of those invites comes my way...
 
Definitely more research experience. I had some experience in undergrad, and I know the professor I worked with wrote me a great letter of rec, but I know more experience would be better. I'm fortunate to live in an area with several universities and one very well-known teaching hospital, so I've been contacting people to see if I can volunteer or work in their labs (I don't know why I didn't think of doing this when I moved here after college). Its tricky, because I work full-time and I already volunteer as a telephone crisis counselor on weekends, but I will find a way to make it work.

I am also expanding the number of schools to which I will be applying (I was really limited this year because of how expensive this process is), and asking for more letters of rec. I had one person who said he would be happy to write me a very positive letter of rec (his exact words), and then went completely MIA on me, so I had to scramble last minute to find a replacement for him. Luckily for me, my replacement was very accommodating, and I think I will be asking him again.

Also, this whole process has made me do a lot of self-reflection, and I can see now where I can write an even stronger personal statement (although I must say, I thought it was pretty strong to begin with...).

Some people on this forum have suggested taking 2 years off before applying again, and I'm still not sure about that. Maybe its a personal thing, because I'm at the age where suddenly ALL of my friends are either in grad school or getting married, and its making me panic.

However, I do still have one school left that hasn't sent out invites yet and won't until the end of the month. :xf: Here's hoping one of those invites comes my way...

Thanks for sharing!! Yes, I hope you do hear from your one remaining school. It only takes one yes. : )
 
An ideal situation would be getting some full-time research experience in. 2 years allows you to get a good letter from your PIs there, and potentially accumulate some pubs and presentations. Grad school is a step in your career -- not an obstacle! Just because your friends may have started sooner doesn't matter...what matters is how you finish.

Definitely more research experience. I had some experience in undergrad, and I know the professor I worked with wrote me a great letter of rec, but I know more experience would be better. I'm fortunate to live in an area with several universities and one very well-known teaching hospital, so I've been contacting people to see if I can volunteer or work in their labs (I don't know why I didn't think of doing this when I moved here after college). Its tricky, because I work full-time and I already volunteer as a telephone crisis counselor on weekends, but I will find a way to make it work.

I am also expanding the number of schools to which I will be applying (I was really limited this year because of how expensive this process is), and asking for more letters of rec. I had one person who said he would be happy to write me a very positive letter of rec (his exact words), and then went completely MIA on me, so I had to scramble last minute to find a replacement for him. Luckily for me, my replacement was very accommodating, and I think I will be asking him again.

Also, this whole process has made me do a lot of self-reflection, and I can see now where I can write an even stronger personal statement (although I must say, I thought it was pretty strong to begin with...).

Some people on this forum have suggested taking 2 years off before applying again, and I'm still not sure about that. Maybe its a personal thing, because I'm at the age where suddenly ALL of my friends are either in grad school or getting married, and its making me panic.

However, I do still have one school left that hasn't sent out invites yet and won't until the end of the month. :xf: Here's hoping one of those invites comes my way...
 
An ideal situation would be getting some full-time research experience in. 2 years allows you to get a good letter from your PIs there, and potentially accumulate some pubs and presentations. Grad school is a step in your career -- not an obstacle! Just because your friends may have started sooner doesn't matter...what matters is how you finish.

Thanks for the advice. Deep down I know its true,which is why I haven't ruled out taking another year off. If I am able to work in the lab with one of the people I've contacted, I would be very, very happy.

Of course, the pressure to get married is coming from my mother, not from me! haha...
 
Thanks for the advice. Deep down I know its true,which is why I haven't ruled out taking another year off. If I am able to work in the lab with one of the people I've contacted, I would be very, very happy.

Of course, the pressure to get married is coming from my mother, not from me! haha...

I would also recommend full-time research experience. If you are doing something unrelated, it could be interpreted as a lack of commitment,a nd you don't need ANYTHING working against you in this process.
 
I would also recommend full-time research experience. If you are doing something unrelated, it could be interpreted as a lack of commitment,a nd you don't need ANYTHING working against you in this process.

IF - and I stress IF - you need to reapply next year you definitely want to get into someone's lab. Working full-time will teach you new skills, solidify those already in place, and help you better develop what you want to get out of your career, all of which will strengthen your CV and personal statement. In addition, you will be making connections with the research world which we all know gives us a major leg up in this application process. With that said, certainly don't give up before this year's process is over - good luck!
 
IF - and I stress IF - you need to reapply next year you definitely want to get into someone's lab. Working full-time will teach you new skills, solidify those already in place, and help you better develop what you want to get out of your career, all of which will strengthen your CV and personal statement. In addition, you will be making connections with the research world which we all know gives us a major leg up in this application process. With that said, certainly don't give up before this year's process is over - good luck!

I agree don't count yourself out yet.

Also, don't discount fit with the program. Obviously, your research interests should match with a faculty member or two. Your post-PhD interests should also meld. Are you interested in pursuing private practice when 100% of the graduates from program X are pursuing academic careers? You probably won't get in. . . . Fit is every bit as important as the other criteria mentioned by other posters.

Good luck! I hope you get an invite THIS year.
 
Haven't seen it on the list yet but anyone waiting on Wichita, I heard they started invites on Wednesday this week for their Clinical program.

This was my 'safety' and I haven't received a call yet.🙁

Still waiting to hear from:
Utah State (Combined)
Nova (Clinical PhD)
Colorado (Counseling)
 
Has anyone heard from Nova or U of South Florida yet (Clinical)?
 
Invited to interview at the University of Houston PhD Counseling program. Interview date is Feb. 26th. Got e-mail from POI.
 
Well, as I've expected for awhile now, I got my official rejection to Drexel. But get this - the following was copied and pasted from my rejection letter:

"Please note that we very occasionally conduct a second round of review and
make later invitations to interview days (Feb. 15th and 19th). Therefore,
you have not yet been formally eliminated from consideration. However, it
is important to stress that the chances that you will be granted an
interview are very small."

How cruel is that?!?! Give you JUST enough hope to make you crazy. Thanks, Drexel. Thanks.
 
I agree don't count yourself out yet.

Also, don't discount fit with the program. Obviously, your research interests should match with a faculty member or two. Your post-PhD interests should also meld. Are you interested in pursuing private practice when 100% of the graduates from program X are pursuing academic careers? You probably won't get in. . . . Fit is every bit as important as the other criteria mentioned by other posters.

Good luck! I hope you get an invite THIS year.

Yeah, money is tight, so I didn't waste my time or money applying to programs that I wasn't a good fit with research-wise or to schools that I didn't think I would be happy at. That being said, I am going to have to suck it up and look at schools in areas that are geographically undesirable to me the next time I apply.

The labs I'm contacting are involved with research that is directly related to my interests, so I'm hoping I can work with them. I wish I had thought about this earlier... or that I had discovered this forum when I was in college! It has been a wealth of information! 🙂
 
Well, as I've expected for awhile now, I got my official rejection to Drexel. But get this - the following was copied and pasted from my rejection letter:

"Please note that we very occasionally conduct a second round of review and
make later invitations to interview days (Feb. 15th and 19th). Therefore,
you have not yet been formally eliminated from consideration. However, it
is important to stress that the chances that you will be granted an
interview are very small."

How cruel is that?!?! Give you JUST enough hope to make you crazy. Thanks, Drexel. Thanks.


I was wondering what everyone meant by informal rejection. CRAZY!!!

So, is this worse for you than not knowing anything about where you stand with a program?
 
Yeah, money is tight, so I didn't waste my time or money applying to programs that I wasn't a good fit with research-wise or to schools that I didn't think I would be happy at. That being said, I am going to have to suck it up and look at schools in areas that are geographically undesirable to me the next time I apply.

The labs I'm contacting are involved with research that is directly related to my interests, so I'm hoping I can work with them. I wish I had thought about this earlier... or that I had discovered this forum when I was in college! It has been a wealth of information! 🙂

Did your university not have any person or program that could advise you on stuff like this? My school definitely did and it was invaluable.
 
I was wondering what everyone meant by informal rejection. CRAZY!!!

So, is this worse for you than not knowing anything about where you stand with a program?

Good question. I think it's better than not knowing anything, but worse than a formal rejection. I just want to know the answer! Even if it's bad news!

As far as USF goes, I haven't heard anything yet! But then again, I'm at the end of the alphabet so I'm usually last. For the person who got the invite, was it a mass email?
Good Luck All!
 
Good question. I think it's better than not knowing anything, but worse than a formal rejection. I just want to know the answer! Even if it's bad news!

As far as USF goes, I haven't heard anything yet! But then again, I'm at the end of the alphabet so I'm usually last. For the person who got the invite, was it a mass email?
Good Luck All!


It was not a mass email. It was a general email sent individually by the DCT. However, it didn't say anything about specific POIs.
 
.... and asking for more letters of rec. I had one person who said he would be happy to write me a very positive letter of rec (his exact words), and then went completely MIA on me, so I had to scramble last minute to find a replacement for him. Luckily for me, my replacement was very accommodating, and I think I will be asking him again.
Yes, that's excellent advice! This is my second time applying, and both times I've had a letter-writer go missing or flake out at the last minute. Not fun. If you can possibly get an extra person to write you a letter, do so. Having an extra letter is never a problem, and it'll save you a lot of grief if another letter-writer drops out on you.
 
Did your university not have any person or program that could advise you on stuff like this? My school definitely did and it was invaluable.

You're lucky! In my experience, our advising office was a joke. The most help I received from them was that I should take a few extra classes to be more competitive (which I did take), but they had no advice to give on the process or anything.
 
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