From the 2nd+ time applicants to those who didn't get in

[islandgirl1]

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Firstly, congrats to all 2nd+ timers who got accepted this year.
I thought it'd be nice to have somewhere to offer words of empathy as well as advice to those who haven't gotten in this year.

I know, in comparison to my first time applying, this time I was more successful because of the wealth of clinical experience I got in the last year in the concentration area I applied to.
My first time, I was applying as a senior and now, I realise, most seniors pretty much look the same on paper to programs! Having a chance to get in the field as a graduate can give you exposure and thus, an edge.

Also, my first time, I wasn't as obsessed about finding the right fit schools.
If I could give any advice to an applicant, I would say to compare yourself with the program's incoming student data and if you're far off, then your chance is slim. sad but true. save yourself $50.

 

[blindchaos]

I think this thread got buried but I figured it could be very helpful to whomever is preparing for a second go around (or wondering what to do next which is kinda where I was two years ago...)

If you didn't get into a doctoral program but were accepted into master's programs, I would strongly suggest at least considering that option. I'm not saying it's for everyone and it's not the cheapest route to go, but it can be helpful in boosting your clinical and/or research skills and can later help prove to doctoral programs that you can handle graduate work (if you have a good grad GPA). At some point down the line if you still want to pursue a doctorate, take a good look at yourself as an applicant and try to find things you can improve on. Some things like undergrad GPA can't be improved after the fact, but general and subject GRE scores can improve, you can gain clinical and/or research experience, perhaps submit some articles, and really look into doctoral programs to find ones that are a good fit for you even if they seem like a "reach" school to you.

One or two years can really make a HUGE difference in your success as an applicant provided that you are dedicated to becoming a more competitive applicant and finding places that are really right for you. It can be very hard to see this initially (recalling the sob-fest I held two years ago when the final rejection came rolling in....🙄), but *not* getting in can lead you into helpful experiences you never would have had if you had gotten in. This is certainly not the path I had planned for myself two years ago but looking back now, I know there are things that I experienced (both positive and negative but all at the very least learning and growth opportunties....as corny as it sounds) that never would have happened if that last letter was an acceptance. Alright...time to end the "silver-lining" rant... anyway, best of luck to everybody!!! Feel free to PM if you'd like. i fully endorse sob-fests too - maybe it's just me but it was helpful just to get it all out. I'd rather sob for 20 minutes than be upset/sad/brooding for months! 😎

 

[islandgirl1]

One or two years can really make a HUGE difference in your success as an applicant provided that you are dedicated to becoming a more competitive applicant and finding places that are really right for you.

so true!
I heard it first hand from a professor at a school I interviewed at a couple weeks ago. She shared that they interview an array of people but the people who they accept tend more to have been out of school a year or two and working in the field.