i thought i had a really strong app.... but haven't gotten invites yet. if the rest of my schools continue as the past have, does an MS in psych help? that's really the only thing i can see to do... I have solid GREs and GPA from an Ivy school, 1 year clinical experience, 2 years research, 2 published papers....
what else can i do?? feeling a little desperate....
Wow...based on those stats, I'm really surprised you have not heard anything yet, that sounds like a really strong application! How many schools did you apply to, and how competitive are the programs?
Here's my two cents regarding getting an MS: I can only speak for myself, but having an MS has made a huge difference the second time around.
My first time, I applied to eleven schools, all clinical programs, and got two invites to interview (one was later canceled by my POI as it turned out she was not going to be teaching the next year due to personal reasons). So I only really got one interview, from which I was high wait-listed, then offered admission into the MS program when a spot did not open up. I enrolled into this program.
This time, I applied to sixteen programs, twelve clinical, four counseling. I got my fourth invite to interview last night (two are clinical, two are counseling)zas. I got my first official rejection this morning (from a counseling program); I have been unofficially rejected at four others based on reading this site and gradcafe.This leaves seven that I have not heard from. Obviously, I have no idea if I will fare better in terms of actually getting accepted, but thus far, things are looking a lot better.
So what was actually different this time around? Beside the MS itself, not much, and of those things that were different, they were primarily a function of being in the MS program anyway, not things I did in addition to it. I had received an graduate assistant position and had more research experience (not that much more, as I had had a pretty goodly amount as an undergrad). I suppose my letters of recommendation may be better than last time (2 out of the 3 are from my current program, one recommendation came from my undergrad institution). I'm doing a practicum now as part of the program, and previously I did not have any clinical experience. Of course, my SOP was different as well, and I applied to five more schools and gave counseling programs a shot this time. A lot didn't change: I did not take the GRE again; my pub status has not changed much [I'm in the process of getting ready to submit an article in a few months, but no actual publications. The caliber and competitiveness of the programs to which I applied is similar. My research interests are a little more refined, perhaps, but essentially identical. So in conclusion, it seems like the MS (and everything that goes along with it) made all the difference.
Now, I can not speak to what kind of Masters degree will serve this purpose the best. Mine is a general clinical, but other posters have recommended experimental, which I think is sound advice, especially if you're more interested in Clinical Science or really really research heavy programs. Regardless, if things don't work out this time, an MS is something I would definitely consider. I have to reiterate, though, I would be very surprised if you don't get a couple invites given what you've shared about your app. I would not give up just yet. Hang in there!