2009-2010: The Numbers (# of applications, interviews, acceptances, etc)

[teo3099]

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[PsychApps2009]

I'm staying out of this one. This topic seems to end badly for me, 😉

Congrats to all admittees! 🙂 🙂

I don't think it's about you specifically (more unfortunate timing and situations). I understood where some people were coming from in the previous thread -and I was the one that suggested that a thread like this would be a more appropriate place to post such information. That way, users who do not wish to know can avoid it.

Therefore, if anyone were to criticize you for taking part in this thread that'd be ridiculousssss.

 

[Jezebel09]

Yeah, my grandma is still going strong at almost 97! so I got time 😉

Yeah, maybe we can even embark on another career at 97. 🙂

 

[mas810]

1) Area: school, clinical, counseling, other: Clinical with a health emphasis

2) # of applications submitted: 11

3) # of interview invites: 3

4) # of waitlists: not sure

5) # of rejections: 10 (8 pre interview, 2 post interview)

6) # of acceptances: not sure (waiting on one school which also happens to be my top choice)

7) GRE score: 1210 general, 4.5 writing

8) GPA: 3.5 undergrad, 3.89 masters

9) Years of clinical experience: 2 years (1 year in hotlines, 1 year at a residential facility)

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): a semester in undergrad and a year working with a psychiatrist who was studying depression

11) Information about publications, presentations: none

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)
Apply to schools where I have a better fit, Apply to a wider geographic area and get more research experience

 

[prettikittibaby]

I don't think it's about you specifically (more unfortunate timing and situations). I understood where some people were coming from in the previous thread -and I was the one that suggested that a thread like this would be a more appropriate place to post such information. That way, users who do not wish to know can avoid it.

Therefore, if anyone were to criticize you for taking part in this thread that'd be ridiculousssss.

I'll take the blame for asking the question that sparked this all.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

I don't think it's about you specifically (more unfortunate timing and situations). I understood where some people were coming from in the previous thread -and I was the one that suggested that a thread like this would be a more appropriate place to post such information. That way, users who do not wish to know can avoid it.

Therefore, if anyone were to criticize you for taking part in this thread that'd be ridiculousssss.

^^^^^agree

 

[Psyched2525]

Okay here goes….
1) Area: Clinical (all forensic emphasis or forensic faculty)

2) # of applications submitted:
This is my third year applying. In all, I think I applied to about 22 programs, 4 this year due to budget constraints)

3) # of interview invites: One (this year) in all three years.

4) # of waitlists:0

5) # of rejections: Everywhere I applied

6) # of acceptances:0

7) GRE score: 1000. Terrible I know. I have horrific GRE anxiety.

8) GPA:
BA: 3.4 Psychology Major/Criminal Justice Minor (from a very respected school). Graduated 7 years ago!
MA: 3.8 Forensic Psychology (from my top choice PhD program). Graduated 3 years ago.
PhD program: 1 year withdrew, 3.7 (It was a joke of a program and I was miserable… and my POI left the program two weeks after I got there)

9) Years of clinical experience: 1 year working in a forensic setting.

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research)

7 years of research experience (all but one project are forensic related).
3 NIH funded studies which I was paid project manager.
2 –I am the PI
2-research associate
11) Information about publications, presentations
4 publications (all first author including a book chapter), one in preparation.
10 presentations (domestic and international-mostly symposiums) (2 sat on expert panel)

Teaching experience: Adjunct professor at a University-undergraduate psychology
12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)

Rejected by all for three years!! Now, I must decide if I’m too old to continue trying (30) or give it one more try next year. I was told after my rejection post interview that the reason I was rejected was because of my GRE’s.

Should I bother applying the fourth time? Anybody on here that has applied that many times?

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Should I bother applying the fourth time? Anybody on here that has applied that many times?

Truthfully is there any way at all to up the GRE? In my opinion (for whatever its worth) thats the only hurdle for you.

If you love it or you love this field then really try and find a way to get those up and you would def get into a program!

 

[hamsterpants]

I feel like reading everyone elses stats that I'm like...not deserving. I don't understand. I'm envious of everyone's pre doctoral accomplishments

but you got in! and at the end of the day, that is what we are all aiming for. keep in mind that these are just the quantitative stats, there is a lot of stuff that makes up a competitive applicant that cannot be expressed on a message board.

 

[turtlebutt]

1) Area: Clinical (PhD)

2) # of applications submitted: 18

3) # of interview invites: 9

4) # of waitlists: 1 (high alternate at Temple)

5) # of rejections: 1 after interview (University of Oregon), 8 before interview.

6) # of acceptances: 5 (also withdrew from 2 schools after interview but before hearing back).

7) GRE score: 700 Q, 650 V, 6.0 AW, 740 Psychology

8) GPA: 3.59 (3.92 last two years)

9) Years of clinical experience: 1 semester undergraduate internship, some clinical interviewing during research position (but I am more research-focused and applied to research-oriented schools).

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 1 year undergraduate + independent thesis, 2 years full-time.

11) Information about publications, presentations: 1 publication in preparation (single author), multiple presentations at APA and ABCT (first and second author).

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle:
Could have made my essays more specific. Was accepted at first choice (which at the time of application was UCLA, but was rejected at 2nd and 3rd choices--it's a crap shoot to a certain extent). My choices also changed a good deal during the interview process.

One thing that helped was schools that asked for diversity statements--I wrote about my low income background in a way that wasn't whiney, but more about "this is why it gives me something unique to offer."

Also had excellent LORs (one from a big name in the field, others were glowing and from people who know me well and could give concrete examples).

 

[turtlebutt]

1) Area: Clinical Phd

2) # of applications submitted: 8

3) # of interview invites: 2

4) # of waitlists: 2

5) # of rejections: 3 received, 3 implied as no interview, 1 implied because 1st applicant offered a place accepted it and I was waitlisted: 7

6) # of acceptances: 0 as of now

7) GRE score: 770q, 760V, 5.0 AW, 810 subject

8) GPA: 3.3

9) Years of clinical experience: 0

10) Years of research experience: 4 years part time volunteer (after undergrad) at a medical center/ psychiatric institute

11) Information about publications, presentations: no presentations, 3 pubs but none of them came from my research experience ( I had another volunteer position where I edited manuscripts before they were submitted for publication, on three of these I was asked to contribute writing as I had some knowledge of the subject area)

12) Improve on for the next cycle:
do a better job of researching schools and finding the best fits regardless of geographic area, applying to more schools/ less competitive schools, tighten my SOP especially as regards my research interests, get research experience in a lab that matches my interests more closely (if possible), roll the dice and try my luck again!

Wow, Hamsterpants! I'm sure you will get some acceptances--your information certainly looks deserving of them!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Depending on how many post on here, I could put together a heat/density map of the numbers vs acceptances/waitlists/rejections of the SDN'ers, could be interesting to know group figures and have it plotted out.

This also depends on how bored i get here at work 🙂

 

[atkins2002]

1) Area: school, clinical, counseling, other: Clinical with Forensic Emphasis

2) # of applications submitted: 8

3) # of interview invites: 3

4) # of waitlists: 1 post interview

5) # of rejections: 5 pre-interview

6) # of acceptances: 2

7) GRE score: 1280 general, 5.0 on writing

8) Cumulative GPA: 3.85, Psych: 4.0

9) Years of clinical experience: 300 hours or so at a purely-clinical internship (I did testing). However, I get a lot of clinical contact at my research internship which is not included in that 300 hours.

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): Over 1000 hours total (I think around 1200). I started getting experience really late in the game (last summer)- so I have crammed a LOT in to the last year. But it paid off!

11) Information about publications, presentations: 2 Presentations, 1 paper is up for publication.

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)

I go to a really small liberal arts school where NO ONE has gotten into a Clinical Psychology PhD program (nor have they tried.. at least their senior year). I had to sort of figure it out alone as the process unfolded. I read a few of those "How to Get into a PhD Program in Clinical Psychology" books. I would characterize this process as a test of motivation. First, you have to get the GRE scores (which I did not the first two times I took it), and you have to research hundreds of programs to find the right fit for you. My best advice to anyone is to remain positive and just get through it. I had two programs that tied for first in my heart, and I got an offer at one of them.

 

[jetergirl]

Should I bother applying the fourth time? Anybody on here that has applied that many times?

If this is what you want--10000% yes, apply again.

How many times did you take the GRE? I saw you have anxiety about it--understandbaly.

I remember for my SAT's (which I took 3 times)-- by the third time I took them, I was so used to taking them that the anxiety wasn't there as much and although I went 6 months in between my 2nd and 3rd tests w/o studying, I got over 100 points higher I believe just be being mroe relaxed. I'm hopeful for you that something similar might work with the GRE. Even iof it takes taking them 10 times. It'll be worth it in the end

 

[RejectClinical]

Depending on how many post on here, I could put together a heat/density map of the numbers vs acceptances/waitlists/rejections of the SDN'ers, could be interesting to know group figures and have it plotted out.

This also depends on how bored i get here at work 🙂

👍Here's to hoping you are bored at work! I'd love to see the heat/density map!

 

[hamsterpants]

👍here's to hoping you are bored at work! I'd love to see the heat/density map!

+1

 

[Psyched2525]

If this is what you want--10000% yes, apply again.

How many times did you take the GRE? I saw you have anxiety about it--understandbaly.

I remember for my SAT's (which I took 3 times)-- by the third time I took them, I was so used to taking them that the anxiety wasn't there as much and although I went 6 months in between my 2nd and 3rd tests w/o studying, I got over 100 points higher I believe just be being mroe relaxed. I'm hopeful for you that something similar might work with the GRE. Even iof it takes taking them 10 times. It'll be worth it in the end

Thanks! It's just devastating after all of my hard work.

 

[Jezebel09]

Thanks! It's just devastating after all of my hard work.

I feel for you, and I've been thinking about your situation. I just reread your data. Obviously, with only applying to four programs, you severely limited your chances of admission. I understand financial constraints, but I think a very large percentage of applicants this year would have been in your same situation had they only applied to three schools. So, maybe your situation isn't as dire as you think. Part of this is playing a very strategic numbers game.

I cannot remember if you said that you have geographic constraints or not. Next year, if you can (and if you haven't aleady done this), apply throughout the country and look for some schools that are a good fit but might not be a top tier program in your eyes. As many have said on this board, opinions can change at the interview. Maybe a school you view as a safety school would be perfect for you.

I wish I could give you advice on the GRE, but the Q section is my white whale.

 

[psychnic]

I applied to 14 Clinical PhD programs.
Received 8 interview invites, 3 waitlists, 1 offer pending funding, and 3 firm offers, never heard from one program.
I was accepted at my 1st and 3rd choice programs
GRE: 700 quant and 750 verbal, 4.5 AW
GPA: 3.93
Worked for 3.5 years in labs as an undergrad, then full-time research position for 1.5 years (got both clinical and research experience in this position).
6 presentations, one publication getting ready for submission.

I think time helped the most, honestly. I applied right out of undergrad, got interviews, but was waitlisted everywhere. I think the extra experience and supportive mentors, plus the time to gain more self-efficacy, is what really made the difference for me.

 

[Aurora88]

1) Clinical PsyD

2) 7 apps submitted

3) 2 interview invites

4) 0 waitlists (thus far)

5) 2 official rejections and 3 more assumed

6) 1 acceptance (waiting on one more program)

7) 1300, 660 Q and 640 V, 700 psych

8) 3.4 overall and 3.8 psych

9) Years of clinical experience: three years at a crisis hotline, 6 months working at an inpatient facility, two clinical internships

10) Years of research experience: RA for three semesters in two different labs

11) No publications or anything of the sort

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)

My LOR were terrible (POIs commented on this.) I come from a large undergrad school. Anyone reading this who is thinking of applying: YOU MUST HAVE GOOD LORS. Get to know professors no matter what it takes. Get yourself involved in research and publications. You really can't afford to procrastinate with this. I would have gotten in elsewhere if I had done this properly. However, the schools that I interviewed at were amazing and I will be happy to go to either one in the fall.

 

[olychick65]

1) Area: Clinical

2) Applications: 16, all Clinical PhD programs

3) Interviews: 6 or 7 (I received 7, but one was canceled because my POI decided not to take any students next year so he could 'help a new faculty member with his lab')

4) Waitlists: 3 (2 with interview- eventually rejections from both, 1 without- eventually accepted)

5) Rejections: 1 post-interview, 9 without interview, 2 from waitlist- 12 total

6) Acceptances: 4, one from waitlist, one after receiving more funding

7) GRE: 800 Q, 730 V, 6.0 A, 720 Psych

8) GPA: 3.85 (3.97 psych)

9) Clinical Experience: 1 year part time, working with adults with mental and physical disabilities

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 1 year as an undergrad RA, 1 year grant-funded honors thesis working with undergraduate lab and faculty member

11) Presentations/publications: 4 national presentations, 2 school presentations (2 papers in the process of getting ready for submission, but this didn't make it onto my apps)

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)
I think my GREs, having a serious honors thesis and LORs written by people who knew me well (my research advisor, academic advisor, boss, and another faculty member) who were willing to write thoughtful, glowing LORs was really important- my thesis and my LORs was mentioned to me over and over again in interviews.

I wish I had had a clearer picture of what I really wanted to research- I had multiple ideas, and cast a wide net using those ideas, but only recently (during my interviews, in fact) realized what I really, really want to do. And only some of the places I interviewed at do it. Having known this in advance would have made my SOP much clearer and aimed more directly at my POIs.

In the end, I got into my number 2, 3, and 5 (of the places I interviewed- now I have no idea how I would have felt about everywhere else- my original number 1 doesn't have my research!!), rejected by my number 1, and then I eventually- after accepting at my number 2- got in to a dream school that never even interviewed me. I must say I thought about it, but the school I chose originally does fit me, and messing with my reputation for the sake of a prestigious school I loved but never even talked to anyone on the phone with seems... stupid. So, here we are. Going to grad school!

All I can say is: applying for graduate school is a full time job that helps you find yourself and lose all your money.

 

[krisrox]

1) Area: Clinical and School PhD
2) Applications: 12 total; 8 Clinical PhD and 4 School PhD
3) Interviews: 6 total (3 school, 3 clinical), 5 attended (withdrew from 1 clinical after acceptance)
4) Waitlists: Was on 2, both at clinical programs, but was eventually rejected.
5) Rejections: 6 pre-interview (all but 2 assumed based on no interview), 4 post-interview
6) Acceptances: 2 (1 clinical, 1 school), declined 1 (school) after acceptance at number 2 choice.
7) GRE: 760 Q, 640 V, 5.0 A, 720 Psych
8) GPA: 3.81 (3.92 psych)
9) Clinical Experience: Full-time paid internship in area of interest, 2 semesters of part-time volunteer work in area of interest
10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 2 years as a part-time paid RA for a grant-funded project, honors thesis, 1 semester of volunteer RA experience not in area of interest
11) Presentations/publications: 3 regional presentations (2 as first-author), 1 presentation for my undergrad. No pubs : (
12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)
I got waitlisted, and then eventually rejected, at my first choice school and accepted into my second choice. All rankings disappear after that. I'm applying straight out of undergrad, which I think was a disadvantage, but I did have a paid RAship and high numbers, which really helped me out. (Probably moreso the paid RAship than anything else was the clincher for me.) I also had strong LORs and a kick*ss (if I do say so myself), honest, nondramatic statement. I'm probably the only person who will say that they wished they loosened their research match a little in order to get into a program in a better location, but this is only because, through the app process, I learned that location was a much higher priority for me than I though coming into it all. Not that research match is unimportant, but I was very stingy about what profs I wanted to work with based on their research, and now I'm more sad about leaving my hometown : (

 

[krisrox]

1) Area: Clinical and School PhD
2) Applications: 12 total; 8 Clinical PhD and 4 School PhD
3) Interviews: 6 total, 5 attended (withdrew from 1 after acceptance)
4) Waitlists: 1, but it's not official. I'm just kind of waiting because the program doesn't have a waitlist
5) Rejections: 6 pre-interview (all but 2 assumed based on no interview), 2 post-interview
6) Acceptances: 2, declined 1
7) GRE: 760 Q, 640 V, 5.0 A, 720 Psych
8) GPA: 3.81 (3.92 psych)
9) Clinical Experience: Full-time paid internship in area of interest, 2 semesters of part-time volunteer work in area of interest
10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 2 years as a part-time paid RA for a grant-funded project, honors thesis, 1 semester of volunteer RA experience not in area of interest
11) Presentations/publications: 2 regional presentations, 1 presentation for my undergrad. No pubs : (
12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)
I got waitlisted at my first choice school and accepted into my second choice. All rankings disappear after that. I'm applying straight out of undergrad, which I think was a disadvantage, but I did have a paid RAship and high numbers, which really helped me out. (Probably moreso the paid RAship than anything else was the clincher for me.) I also had strong LORs and a kick*ss (if I do say so myself), honest, nondramatic statement. I'm probably the only person who will say that they wished they loosened their research match a little in order to get into a program in a better location, but this is only because, through the app process, I learned that location was a much higher priority for me than I though coming into it all. Not that research match is unimportant, but I was very stingy about what profs I wanted to work with based on their research, and now I'm more sad about leaving my hometown : (

I forgot to say that 3 of my interview invites were at school programs and 3 were at clinical programs. My waitlist is at a clinical program, and I got one acceptance from a school program ans one from a clinical program. Also, based on my experience, school programs are far less competetive than clinical programs!

 

[Jezebel09]

I'm probably the only person who will say that they wished they loosened their research match a little in order to get into a program in a better location, but this is only because, through the app process, I learned that location was a much higher priority for me than I though coming into it all. Not that research match is unimportant, but I was very stingy about what profs I wanted to work with based on their research, and now I'm more sad about leaving my hometown : (

I think that 10 years from now you will look back on your decision to prioritize research match over location as a good decision, even though it is tough now. At least, I hope so. : )

 

[terpsgirl]

1) Area: school, clinical, counseling, other: Clinical

2) # of applications submitted: 8

3) # of interview invites: 7 (only attended 5 because I withdrew after I got in ar my top choice)

4) # of waitlists: 0

5) # of rejections: 1 (pre interview)

6) # of acceptances: 5

7) GRE score: 1440 general (780 math, 660 verbal), 5 writing, 700 psych

8) GPA: 3.85 undergrad

9) Years of clinical experience: 2 summers and 2 semesters

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 2.5 years undergrad

11) Information about publications, presentations: 2 pending publications

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?): I got in to my top choice and withdrew from attending other interviews. I think my statement was what did it for me...I tried to make it less predictable by picking out very specific, intricate things about each school that drew me in...things i gathered through my own reserach (ie contact with professors and students) as opposed to what could be gotten from the websites. I also did not limit myself too much geographically.

 

[krisrox]

I think that 10 years from now you will look back on your decision to prioritize research match over location as a good decision, even though it is tough now. At least, I hope so. : )

I hope so, too.

 

[Kat 22]

Disclaimer: I'm a Canadian applicant, and only applied to Canadian Schools.

1) Clinical

2) 6 Applications

3) 7 Interviews
(I received two separate interviews with two different POIs at two schools, so I was considered for 7 different labs but technically only interviewed at 5 schools)

4) 0 Waitlists

5) 1 Rejection (No interview given)

6) 3 Acceptances
(I withdrew from the other 2 schools after receiving an acceptance offer from my first choice, so I guess I'll never know if I would have been offered a spot)

7) 1280 General (660 V, 620 Q), 730 Psych

8) 3.7 (Cumulative GPA), 3.95 (Final two years)

9) 1.5 Years in Psychiatric Clinic (volunteering & paid positions), 1 full year course placement at a Community Brain Injury Clinic. Volunteering overseas in an orphanage.

10) 2 years of part-time RAships in 3 different labs over the course of my undergrad. 3 summers of full time RAships.

11) 1 published article, 1 submitted, 1 in preparation. 4 poster presentations.

12) My honours thesis is in preparation to be submitted - that seemed to get attention. I've worked in a number of labs, and received scholarships for research placements in my undergrad. Also, while my volunteering trip isn't on my CV (because it wasn't for the purposes of pumping up my CV, more of a lifelong dream) it came up a lot in interviews because I learned a lot about myself during the trip and living in the Amazon made for good stories.

I was admitted to my first choice.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I forgot to say that 3 of my interview invites were at school programs and 3 were at clinical programs. My waitlist is at a clinical program, and I got one acceptance from a school program ans one from a clinical program. Also, based on my experience, school programs are far less competetive than clinical programs!

I think School Psych programs are not necessarily less competitive, but are looking for *different* things. I have no child research experience and very minimal child clinical experience,and I think this was a major weakness in my application, in a way it wouldn't have been at a clinical program (I had much stronger adult clinical experience). I was the only at my interviews that really lacked intensive child clinical and/or research experience..

But I still got into some very excellent programs, so it worked out in the end. 🙂

 

[Jezebel09]

I was the only at my interviews that really lacked intensive child clinical and/or research experience..

futureapppsy2:
This might be really helpful information for future school psych. applicants to have. When you were at your interviews, what kinds of child clinical experiences do you remember your fellow applicants having?

 

[futureapppsy2]

futureapppsy2:
This might be really helpful information for future school psych. applicants to have. When you were at your interviews, what kinds of child clinical
experiences do you remember your fellow applicants having?

Lots of full-time child stuff:
-ABA therapists
-teachers (therapeutic and non-therapeutic schools)
-several EdS school psychs
-special ed teacher
-autism support specialists
-RA for an academic intervention study (one of those research-clinical jobs)

I had:
-summer of volunteering at therapeutic pre-school
-summer of volunteering with summer campus at local museum
-about a year of volunteering at an educational children's museum on weekends

I had two years of pretty clinical (for undergrad, anyway) experience co-facilitating groups for college students referred for alcohol/substance use problems, but I think that got a lot less "play" simply because of the adult nature of my clients. All my research experience (and there was lots of it--one published publication, several others submitted, a paid RAship, couple of national first/second author presentations, etc) was also with adults. I decided to go into school psych relatively "late" in my undergrad career (half way through junior year or so), so that explains my relative lack of child experience.

OTOH, I did get multiple offers (including one to a very "highly ranked" program), which I think was helped by my heavy amount of research experience--including publications and presentations-- and my strong, strong interest in the area from which that research experience came, as demonstrated in my SOP. If I had to change things, I wish I would have decided on school psych earlier (to start accruing more child experience), but I wouldn't trade my research experiences, especially my paid RA and awesome mentor, for anything else. (I also wouldn't have posted anything on this board about my number of acceptances, rejections, etc. 😉)

I'm happy with my choices of programs, though.

JMHO.

 

[Jezebel09]

I also wouldn't have posted anything on this board about my number of acceptances, rejections, etc. 😉)

Thanks for the info, futureapppsy2!
I think it will be incredibly helpful to future school applicants.

On that same topic, I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would post your numbers on this thread!! No one is going to criticize you for posting here. AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY: you have the most applications, interviews, etc. of all the school applicants (maybe even all applicants)--at least for this application cycle. And, thus, you will really be helping future applicants. There are very few school psych. applicants in this forum, as compared to clinical and counseling psychology, and I think we should attempt to help future school psych. applicants as best we can.

Of course, it is entirely up to you, but it would be appreciated. : )

 

[jenn1015]

1) Area: Clinical PhD (applied to 2 combined programs, though)

2) # of applications submitted: 15 (but one was late by accident. Oops!!)

3) # of interview invites: 3

4) # of waitlists: 1 (top choice)

5) # of rejections: 7 (1 post-interview)

6) # of acceptances: 1 (second choice)

7) GRE score: 1170 (500V, 670Q) gen, 690 psych (not proud of that one..)

8) GPA: 3.73 cum, 3.89 psych

9) Years of clinical experience: none

10) At the time of apps: less than a year research experience, but at 2 places, my undergrad institution and a clinic. Also, I did an undergrad thesis, which got high honors, as well as independent study with same prof.

11) At the time of apps: I had 2 papers under review (one was 1st author), and 2 poster presentations.

 

[jenn1015]

all i can say is: Applying for graduate school is a full time job that helps you find yourself and lose all your money.

agreed!!!! 🙂

 

[nycegurl]

1) Area: Counseling Psychology

2) # of applications submitted: 2

3) # of interview invites: 2

4) # of waitlists: 1

5) # of rejections: 0

6) # of acceptances: 2 (1 off the waitlist)

7) GRE score: 570 Verbal (80%), 770 Quant (89%)

8) GPA: 3.5 overall, 3.5 psych, 3.9 previous two years

9) Years of clinical experience: 2 years as a peer health educator

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 2 1/2 years undergrad, summer RA at a non-profit, 8 months as a transcriptionist for a student's dissertation, currently collecting data for my senior thesis

11) Information about publications, presentations: While helping with grad student's dissertation helped to field questions at a symposium

12) Give any relevant information: Really tried to tailor my personal statement and I think I had a real great fit at the school I got into which was my #1 choice.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

Alright so there appear to be a decent (small) number of posts, but enough to do the map... so I will start putting that together 🙂

 

[nycegurl]

Alright so there appear to be a decent (small) number of posts, but enough to do the map... so I will start putting that together 🙂

👍

 

[jnine]

ok, since it's for for posterity!

1) Area: School Psych

2) # of applications submitted: 13

3) # of interview invites: 11 (6 declined)

4) # of waitlists: 1

5) # of rejections: 2

6) # of acceptances: 4

7) GRE score: 690 Verbal (96%), 700 Quant (72% ?), 4.5 AW

8) GPA: 2.39 UG *, 4.0 graduate (M.A. degree)

9) Years of clinical experience: <1 yr

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 10 yrs in various settings, full time, post bac.

11) Information about publications, presentations: 4 publications, 1 first author, MA thesis.

12) Give any relevant information: lots of research expereience.

*Sorry my UG GPA's gonna screw averages up unless there are more N's, i might advise leaving it out or averageing my UG and grad GPA's. i think thats what some programs did when they looked at me.

 

[AlaskanJustin]

ok, since it's for for posterity!

1) Area: School Psych

2) # of applications submitted: 13

3) # of interview invites: 11 (6 declined)

4) # of waitlists: 1

5) # of rejections: 2

6) # of acceptances: 4

7) GRE score: 690 Verbal (96%), 700 Quant (72% ?)

8) GPA: 2.39 UG, 3.5 psych (UG), 4.0 M.A. degree

9) Years of clinical experience: <1 yr

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 10 yrs in various settings, full time, post bac.

11) Information about publications, presentations: 4 publications, 1 first author, MA thesis.

12) Give any relevant information: lots of research expereience.

Sorry my UG GPA's gonna screw averages up unless there are more N's, i might advise leaving it out?

1) Its an X vs Y heat map so no worries (I will assign ranges, i.e., 2.5 - 2.9 = 1) 2) its actually equally interesting info that UG isnt always the whole story!

 

[wishinandhopin]

I'll join the bandwagon!

1) Area: Clinical and School

2) # of applications submitted: Clinical (9) School (2)

3) # of interview invites: Clinical (5 - declined 1) School (2)

4) # of waitlists: 1

5) # of rejections: 3

6) # of acceptances: 6 (4 clinical and 2 school)

7) GRE score: 660 Verbal 730 Quant

8) GPA: 3.85 UG, 3.95 psych (UG)

9) Years of clinical experience: 1 yr at a school for children with intellectual disabilities and 1 yr at a psychiatric hospital (both volunteer)

10) Years of research experience (undergrad. versus full-time research): 2 full years as undergrad, 1 1/2 years full time post bac.

11) Information about publications, presentations: 1 publication, 1 poster

12) Give any relevant information: It felt like one big game. roll the dice, and good luck!

 

[twilson]

1) Area: Social, Developmental, Biobehavioral Health

2) 6 apps

3) 3 interview invites

4) 0 waitlists

5) Assuming 3 rejections, havent heard from one of the schools

6)3 acceptances

7) 570Q 540V (1110 total)

8) 3.34

9) 1 year of clinical experience but quite irrelevant to my programs, I just love to volunteer there 😀

10) Undergrad 1 year research experience in 3 labs on various projects

11) 1 poster presentation, Senior thesis, presentation of thesis at scholars conference

12)Although my GPA is not particularly high, there was a significant increase after freshman year, so I'm assuming that was taken into perspective. Also, I have not had a lot of research experience over a period of time, but I got ALOT of experience within one year by doing working in 3 labs on various projects, doing a honors thesis, and presenting my research in various venues

I did get into my first choice school as well as a reach school

 

[TexaninDC]

1) Area: clinical

2) # of applications submitted: 11

3) # of interview invites: 4

4) # of waitlists: 1

5) # of rejections: 5 pre-interview haven't heard back from 3 (1 post, 2 pre)

6) # of acceptances: 2

7) GRE score: I'm going to provide ranges since I took the dang thing 3 times. V: 390-470, Q: 680-750, AW: 4.5-5.5 - Psyc: 560 (but took that 4 years ago and forgot to take for this app year).

8) GPA: UG: 3.23, MA: 3.77

9) Years of clinical experience: 2.5 counselor in after-school program for kids at risk (high school).

10) Years of research experience: None undergrad, 3.5 post undergrad

11) Information about publications, presentations: 3 pubs (none first author), no presentations

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?)

Well my verbal score was pretty horrible (non-native English speaker), but I felt that as long as I met the total cutoffs (1100 for some schools), I'd be ok. I did get some flat out rejections because of that. I knew going in I shouldn't apply to programs that had high GRE averages on websites. I think it really helps to match well with your POIs. I expanded my list of schools without thinking much for location and found POIs with great match of research interests. Not top programs (prestige-wise), but who can really say what makes a program prestigious? I ranked my programs in terms of fit and got into my 2nd and 3rd choice programs. My top choice POI at Pitt decided not to take any students after I applied. My PS was very specific about how my interests matched with the professors, so I would focus on writing a great PS. I would advise folks to strengthen research experience while in undergrad. I was pre-med up until my junior year in undergrad so I got a late start. I decided to do a masters because it would allow me to do research. It worked. I had to wait a few years (4) post undergrad but definitely worth the wait and work since I got into programs I'd be really happy at.

 

[childpsych479]

1) Area: Social, Developmental, Biobehavioral Health

6)3 acceptances

Which program area were your acceptances in - social, developmental or biobehavioral health? Which type are you planning to attend? (Very curious!)

 

[secretagent]

1) Area: clinical

2) # of applications submitted: 13

3) # of interview invites: 9 (one of those was by phone as they don't conduct in-person interviews)

4) # of waitlists: not exactly sure. 5 at least, haven't heard back from all schools since interviews occurred.

5) # of rejections: 4 pre-interview, 3 post-waitlist after interview

6) # of acceptances: 1 so far

7) GRE score: I took it twice. first time: 670q, 620v, 5.5 writing. one year later: 770q, 580v, 5.0 writing. 730 psych.

8) GPA: UG: 3.93 (4.0 psych)

9) Years of clinical experience: inpatient volunteer work for 3 years as an undergrad (part-time) as well as one year working as a part-time health counselor on campus

10) Years of research experience: 3 undergrad, 1 full-time post graduation as a project coordinator

11) Information about publications, presentations: 2 pubs in preparation, one as first author; 5 posters at undergrad conferences, 3 at national level

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?) The school I got into is tied for my first choice, and I am making up my mind as to whether I want to wait for the other school I want, as I'm "high" on the wait list. I applied straight out of undergrad to 8 schools and got 3 interviews, all wait lists and then rejections. This time around, I got a much better GRE score for the quant which is what I felt was a weak link, and getting those publications listed on my CV as well as full-time research experience has been a huge plus. I think also my knowledge of running a study from being project coordinator has really opened a lot of doors for me this cycle. I also applied all over the country (last time I was geographically restricted) which allowed me to pick better matches. Being one year older (not an undergrad anymore) seems to have been a big deal as well. Go figure.

 

[BuckeyeAlum]

Research is all about disseminating knowledge...so why not? 🙂

1) Area: Clinical Ph.D.

2) # of applications submitted: 13

3) # of interview invites: 7

4) # of waitlists: 3 schools notified me of waitlist status. One of these schools I never interviewed at (weird). I withdrew from another.

5) # of rejections: This gets confusing. Of the 7 at which I interviewed: 1 reject off of the waitlist, never heard from 2, and notified of rejection at one. Of course, it's safe to say I was rejected from schools that didn't give me interviews too.

6) # of acceptances: 2. I may have been accepted from a waitlist due to my position, but I withdrew.

7) GRE score: 700 V, 710 Q, 4.5 AW (2007), 720 Psych (2009).

8) GPA: UG: 3.85; Psych 3.95 (I think)

9) Years of clinical experience: Summer internship at well-known b-mod program for kids; interview and suicidal ideation training/assessment as part of post-UG employment.

10) Years of research experience: Undergrad - 2.5 years in several developmental psych. labs. I was lab manager in my 3rd year and did a senior Honors thesis in my 4th. Post-UG - by the time I enter school, bit will be a little more than 2 years. Part of my summer internship was research-oriented, and I am currently a full-time RA on a fairly large research study.

11) Information about publications, presentations: I presented my senior Honors thesis at a colloquium and a large university-wide research competition. I also have a publication under review (that has since been accepted) on which I'm a co-author with several Ph.D.s and M.D.s

12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. (Also of interest might be: Did you get into your 1st, 2nd, 3rd choice school?) I feel lucky b/c I got into my top two favorite schools. It was my second time applying (first time was as an undergrad in 2007-2008). Since then, I reallllly amped up my research and clinical experience. In turn, this helped me narrow down my interests and apply to POIs who really matched well. Taking the psych GRE expanded my options as well. Lastly, several faculty at my current position really helped with professional development. Their advice was a huge help!

 

[AlaskanJustin]

blah everytime I look at this page there are more! lol its a good thing accept that I have a lot more to enter now 🙂

 

[twilson]

Which program area were your acceptances in - social, developmental or biobehavioral health? Which type are you planning to attend? (Very curious!)

I had 2 acceptances in Developmental and an acceptance in Social.. I am trying to choose between the two developmental programs right now

 

[Nenita]

addendum:

I have started emailing professors where I was not accepted and asking for feedback. One mentioned it would be good for me to get experience in a lab that closer matches my interests. The other said my SOP was a little vague when it came to describing my research interests. A third said it was just a really competitive year and other candidates had better numbers (my GPA is a little low) and their research interests better matched the direction the lab was going in. I am also pretty sure that my GPA led to me not making the first cut at a fourth school, not sure I will ask about it since I will likely not apply there again.

I am still on one waitlist that I hope will turn into an acceptance. Several posters warned me that the schools I applied to were very competitive and I needed to broaden my search. Now I just have to figure out how to get the $ to apply to more schools. 😛

I am curious.. where all the schools you applied to in the US? what type of questions did you sent the professors?
My case...
I have applied to 9 canadian Schools
Being rejected in 5 🙁 I feel pretty dumb
Waiting to hear from other 4
My Underg GPA:3.4
My grad GPA: 4.0
3 yrs research experience... i am ready to cry..🙁

thank you,

 

[hamsterpants]

I am curious.. where all the schools you applied to in the US? what type of questions did you sent the professors?
My case...
I have applied to 9 canadian Schools
Being rejected in 5 🙁 I feel pretty dumb
Waiting to hear from other 4
My Underg GPA:3.4
My grad GPA: 4.0
3 yrs research experience... i am ready to cry..🙁

thank you,

Hello Nenita,

Yes, these were all US schools. I emailed a few professors at schools I had been rejected from, these were all people I had been in contact with before so it didn't come out of the blue. I basically just asked how can I improve my application for next year. I didn't expect responses but I did get some.

Chin up, this is a tough process, many excellent candidates don't get in the first time and you are not "out" yet.

 

[deadmau5]

I am curious.. where all the schools you applied to in the US? what type of questions did you sent the professors?
My case...
I have applied to 9 canadian Schools
Being rejected in 5 🙁 I feel pretty dumb
Waiting to hear from other 4
My Underg GPA:3.4
My grad GPA: 4.0
3 yrs research experience... i am ready to cry..🙁

thank you,

I am from Canada, and applied to 5 Canadian and 5 U.S. schools. It's much more expensive to take international applicants from Canada into the U.S.; so I don't suggest it unless you have very high marks/stellar application. I have heard back from 3 of 5 schools here. Only heard back from 1 school from the States. PM me if you want to vent! I may be able to offer some advice.

I will also contribute even though I have no acceptances:

Disclaimer: I'm a Canadian applicant, but applied to U.S. and Canada.

1) All Clinical
2) 10 Applications, 5 Can., 5 U.S.
3) 0 Interviews
4) 0 Waitlists
5) Rejections: 4 official. 6 Assumed. Very little chance of actually hearing from the last 2 Canadian schools.
6) 0 Acceptances
7) GRE: 1280 General (590 V, 690 Q; 5.0 AW), 710 Psych.
8) GPA: 3.35 (CGPA), last two years 3.61 (planning to increase both to 3.5 and 3.8 respectively over the summer)
9) Clinical Experience: Volunteering in various settings. Not too specific to psych.
10) Research experience: 3 going on 4 years in several different labs over the course of my undergrad. Current lab is a research lab in clinical psych, so may cross over with above, will have been there for 2 years in september. Graduated in 2009, so I'm technically 5th year.
11) Academic Things: 1 article (soon to be pub'd, accepted), 1 in revision for resubmission (will be accepted). No conference presentations. Possibility to present in near future (will try anyways).
12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. - I will be working on everything. I have been too focused on my job and not enough on my career goals. I will be taking the summer off work and applying myself to courses, a thesis project, my volunteer positions (may be expanding to getting paid as an RA). I want everything done by November b/c I need it to show by then. Also my personal statements were not well done. It was one thing I did NOT focus on and that was a big mistake when I read some really good examples. I restated my CV which is a big NO-NO. It's not impossible, b/c I was not flatly rejected at all schools based on marks this year (okay yes I was from the U.S. and 2 schools in Canada but I was in the applicant pool this year at several schools), just need to look a little better on paper and present myself better in the personal statement.

Any other helpful ideas would be appreciated as well.

 

[PsychPhDone]

I am from Canada, and applied to 5 Canadian and 5 U.S. schools. It's much more expensive to take international applicants from Canada into the U.S.; so I don't suggest it unless you have very high marks/stellar application. I have heard back from 3 of 5 schools here. Only heard back from 1 school from the States. PM me if you want to vent! I may be able to offer some advice.

I will also contribute even though I have no acceptances:

Disclaimer: I'm a Canadian applicant, but applied to U.S. and Canada.

1) All Clinical
2) 10 Applications, 5 Can., 5 U.S.
3) 0 Interviews
4) 0 Waitlists
5) Rejections: 4 official. 6 Assumed. Very little chance of actually hearing from the last 2 Canadian schools.
6) 0 Acceptances
7) GRE: 1280 General (590 V, 690 Q; 5.0 AW), 710 Psych.
8) GPA: 3.35 (CGPA), last two years 3.61 (planning to increase both to 3.5 and 3.8 respectively over the summer)
9) Clinical Experience: Volunteering in various settings. Not too specific to psych.
10) Research experience: 3 going on 4 years in several different labs over the course of my undergrad. Current lab is a research lab in clinical psych, so may cross over with above, will have been there for 2 years in september. Graduated in 2009, so I'm technically 5th year.
11) Academic Things: 1 article (soon to be pub'd, accepted), 1 in revision for resubmission (will be accepted). No conference presentations. Possibility to present in near future (will try anyways).
12) Give any relevant information that you think helped you to do well this cycle or that you feel you could improve on for the next cycle. - I will be working on everything. I have been too focused on my job and not enough on my career goals. I will be taking the summer off work and applying myself to courses, a thesis project, my volunteer positions (may be expanding to getting paid as an RA). I want everything done by November b/c I need it to show by then. Also my personal statements were not well done. It was one thing I did NOT focus on and that was a big mistake when I read some really good examples. I restated my CV which is a big NO-NO.

Any other helpful ideas would be appreciated as well.

Have you done any full time research work? Is your publication first-author? How about GREs...do you think you could raise them? Just the few ideas that occurred to me that might make you more competitive. I'd recommend not immediately reapplying this fall -- 2 years might give you time to really boost the credentials.