How many schools did you apply to?

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i applied to 12 and that was fine for me. 20 is a lot, but if you can really find 20 schools that fit your needs, that you'd be glad to attend, then i say go for it. if you do find that many schools that you can see your self at, remember it's not just the added cost of 50% or so more application fees, it's also the cost of flying out, hotel or car, if you get 50% more interviews.
 
I can only find five or so that are a good match. I know that it lowers my chance of acceptance, but I don't want to apply any place that I wouldn't want to attend.
 
I am sort-of in the same boat. I have some interest in anxiety disorders, particularly cognitive characteristics and treatment outcome. It feels like there are a TON of people studying this - so my list has also creeped up into the high teens.
 
asked the Q to clinpsyadvice so hopefully we'll get some info
 
13. 5 is getting dangerous, in my opinion, unless you have a killer application. Are you certain they're all taking students this year?
 
7, which seemed like a ton....but it was pre-SDN and I had little idea of everything involved!

In retrospect I should have applied to a number more.....programs are too competitive to not go for at least 8-12.
 
I am planning on applying to 17-18 PhD programs and 7-8 Master programs. Overkill?
 
JockNerd said:
13. 5 is getting dangerous, in my opinion, unless you have a killer application. Are you certain they're all taking students this year?
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Not yet.

The thing is, I don't want to apply a program just so I can get in there. I want to apply to a program because I want to attend there. It's dumb IMO to apply to more programs if it isn't a good fit, because they probably won't want me anyway.

Don't get me wrong, if I find more programs that have my research interest and are good fits, I'll apply to them. But I've searched up and down PsycInfo and haven't found any more people with my interests. Or, if I find them, the program isn't the type that I want.
 
Marissa4usa said:
I am planning on applying to 17-18 PhD programs and 7-8 Master programs. Overkill?
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I'd say yes, unless you're already wealthy.

cara susanna said:
Not yet.
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Expect to knock one or two or three off that list, then....

The thing is, I don't want to apply a program just so I can get in there. I want to apply to a program because I want to attend there. It's dumb IMO to apply to more programs if it isn't a good fit, because they probably won't want me anyway.

Don't get me wrong, if I find more programs that have my research interest and are good fits, I'll apply to them. But I've searched up and down PsycInfo and haven't found any more people with my interests. Or, if I find them, the program isn't the type that I want.
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How specific are you making your interests? If I wanted to do research on sexual performance anxiety in professional clowns, I don't need to find someone who studies sexual performance anxiety in professional clowns, just sexual performance anxiety OR professional clown issues.
 
Well, I know that. My interests are mindfulness and emotional regulation, I don't think that's too specific. But, like I said, I've searched as much as I could on PsycInfo and nothing. :/
 
When I applied I had a list of about 9 schools that were really good fits for me and I went to an undergrad professor and he told me to double it. I ended up applying to 16 schools. However, for the schools that I added on I did not go to ANY of the interviews because I got enough interviews from my original 9 schools. Now I am attending one that was in my original nine.

I did have what I think is a pretty strong application, but just be aware that quality of programs and fit will take you a long way and maybe even save you some money!

Good luck everyone!
 
is it that you haven't found enough researchers at schools that you'd like to work with, or do you find programs with profs in your field, but other aspects of the program aren't a good fit?
 
i go through these phases where i feel like i need to apply to every school i could possibly apply to. i keep reminding myself that fit is so important since i'm pretty devoted to my research interests.

this forum is the best support group
 
psybee said:
is it that you haven't found enough researchers at schools that you'd like to work with, or do you find programs with profs in your field, but other aspects of the program aren't a good fit?
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A little bit of both.
 
I'll be applying to 13 schools using the "1/3 rule."
 
I'm applying to 15-16 programs. Nine or 10 Psy.D.'s that offer at least partial funding and 5 or 6 practice oriented Ph.D.'s.
 
1/3 reach, 1/3 where your stats match the avg. applicant, 1/3 rd quite likely to get in.
 
What if there is no school where your stats, ie. GRE scores, match?
 
cara susanna said:
Well, I know that. My interests are mindfulness and emotional regulation, I don't think that's too specific. But, like I said, I've searched as much as I could on PsycInfo and nothing. :/
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Well, that's a pretty hot topic-- I'm sure you can find more than 5 people who study that! You shouldn't limit yourself only to people who have published specifically on mindfulness and emotional regulation though. People who study related topics, like ACT, DBT, and Borderline PD, or more generally on mindfulness OR emotional regulation should be a good match as well. They might be willing to expand their research to fit your goals, or they might be capable of advising independent research that you conduct on your own. It's alos totally appropriate to ask prospective advisors in your emails to them whether they think you are a good match for them.
 
Yes, I did a search with those key words as well and still couldn't find anything. If anyone knows of any good programs that do research in those areas and are a nice mix of clinical and research, please let me know!
 
psychanon said:
Well, that's a pretty hot topic-- I'm sure you can find more than 5 people who study that! You shouldn't limit yourself only to people who have published specifically on mindfulness and emotional regulation though. People who study related topics, like ACT, DBT, and Borderline PD, or more generally on mindfulness OR emotional regulation should be a good match as well. They might be willing to expand their research to fit your goals, or they might be capable of advising independent research that you conduct on your own. It's alos totally appropriate to ask prospective advisors in your emails to them whether they think you are a good match for them.
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mindfulness based therapies are also often studied in program with a health concentration (chronic illness, chronic pain, symptom regulation, etc).
 
Marissa4usa said:
What if there is no school where your stats, ie. GRE scores, match?
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That's a tough one. I'd say go for the programs that you match research interests best with. That way you can at least have that going for you. How far off are your stats from the programs you're looking at?
 
I applied for 15. All of the professors I talked to beforehand (at my undergrad institution) recommended at least 12.
 
I know multiple people who applied to 1 (yes, 1) and got in. Then there are people like myself who applied to 42 over 2 years to get in (27 in one year alone.)

Something around 15 is reasonable, but if you only find 12 that interest you, then 12 it is.

Mark
 
myelin said:
That's a tough one. I'd say go for the programs that you match research interests best with. That way you can at least have that going for you. How far off are your stats from the programs you're looking at?
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Well, my math is always right on and often above. But my verbal (430) usually is at least 150-250 below. 😡
 
cara susanna said:
Yes, I did a search with those key words as well and still couldn't find anything. If anyone knows of any good programs that do research in those areas and are a nice mix of clinical and research, please let me know!
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Well, then maybe you're being to respective on other aspects of the program. You'd be surprised how many programs there are that may at first seem extremely research oriented but offer excellent clinical training and enough flexibility so that you can adapt your training to your own goals. I don't know if you're basing a lot of your opinions on the Insider's Guide, but DEFINITELY don't do that...those ratings have some heuristic value but are hardly validated measures.
 
Markp said:
I know multiple people who applied to 1 (yes, 1) and got in. Then there are people like myself who applied to 42 over 2 years to get in (27 in one year alone.)

Something around 15 is reasonable, but if you only find 12 that interest you, then 12 it is.

Mark
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Even 5, then? Now I'm getting nervous. :/

And, no, I'm not using the Insider's Guide; I'm using information from the website. Quite a few of the programs I found pretty much said that they use the clinical science model and if you want more focus on clinical training, this program is not for you.
 
I applied to 9 schools, PhD Clinical. I mainly used the Insider's Guide to find schools that had my research interest. I wanted to remain in the southeast region of the US and applied to most of the schools that had profs doing research in my area of interest. If I wasn't limited by region I would have prob applied to at least 5 more. BTW I was offered 7 interviews, 1 acceptance, and 1 waitlist.
 
I'll be applying to 10-13 schools this fall 😀
 
Good news, guys, I found another program so I'm up to 7 😀
 
cara susanna said:
Even 5, then? Now I'm getting nervous. :/

And, no, I'm not using the Insider's Guide; I'm using information from the website. Quite a few of the programs I found pretty much said that they use the clinical science model and if you want more focus on clinical training, this program is not for you.
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Yes, even 5... more important than the number of programs is the suitability of the match. You want good matches, research, philosophical, intellectual, etc.

1 good match is worth 5-10 apps elsewhere.

Mark

PS - Cara, I would want to apply to no less than 3 schools that were solid matches.
 
Thank you. Fortunately, the one that I have just found is an excellent match, and my stats match up very well too. 😀

So, I would say that I have about four programs now that are excellent matches.
 
cara susanna said:
Even 5, then? Now I'm getting nervous. :/

And, no, I'm not using the Insider's Guide; I'm using information from the website. Quite a few of the programs I found pretty much said that they use the clinical science model and if you want more focus on clinical training, this program is not for you.
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What the program director wants on the web site isn't necessarily the feeling of individual profs. Most PhD applicants still end up in practice. I only applied to research-focused programs, but I still had profs (not my POIs) tell me at interview that they were ok with people focusing on becoming clinicians.
 
Marissa4usa said:
Well, my math is always right on and often above. But my verbal (430) usually is at least 150-250 below. 😡
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Same here - quant is OK but verbal is low at 450. Luckily I contacted the advisor I'd like to work with and they stated that while my CV and experiences look great (MA in clinical psychology may 2009), the GRE still plays a major factor in admissions and I need to get the verbal score up. I'm going to re-take the GRE again in late October. Hopefully the scores will be available before apps are due.😕
 
I applied to 5. Got interviews at 4. Cancelled interview #4 after the first 3. Was accepted to these 3 programs within a week of the interviews.

Bottom line: I applied to programs which I knew were a good match for me, and more importantly (!), I knew that I was a good match for them. So, yes, it is possible to get into grad school without applying to 12+ schools. BUT, you have to be honest with yourself - how well qualified are you for graduate study? How strong is your application? If the answers to these questions are shaky, then maximizing your chances by applying to more schools might be your best choice. If you think that you're a strong candidate and you know exactly what you want to study, then spreading yourself thin by applying to many programs may be unnecessary.
 
myelin said:
Same here - quant is OK but verbal is low at 450. Luckily I contacted the advisor I'd like to work with and they stated that while my CV and experiences look great (MA in clinical psychology may 2009), the GRE still plays a major factor in admissions and I need to get the verbal score up. I'm going to re-take the GRE again in late October. Hopefully the scores will be available before apps are due.😕
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Funny, because my quant is low but my verbal is high! We should combine our scores 😉
 
PinkSoil said:
Like me. I only applied to one.
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My point was to illustrate that "fit" while elusive is critically important. How important do you feel fit is in the case of most Psy.D. programs? There are some where I know it is critical, do you feel it was that way for you at Chestnut Hill? I don't get that feeling; from their disclosure data that shows an exceptionally high rate of attrition among the students.

Mark
 
I was told to put more second tier programs on my list as a backup. How do I find out what's second tier or not? :/
 
Wow. I'm feeling really lucky/naive right about now. I agree fit is the most important thing, don't apply just to make sure you get in somewhere. You will most likely find yourself longing for that perfect program...

I myself got recommendation letters for five schools, ended up only applying to two, and only accepted one interview because I decided it was the only program I wanted to be in, and if I didn't get in, I would just do whatever I could to make myself more competitive for that program the next year. And, here I am, in the program I really wanted!

In hindsight, it was a risky decision, but turned out to be an efficient one and even at the time I knew I didn't have an option. Quality over quantity.
 
CSnoopRun said:
Wow. I'm feeling really lucky/naive right about now. I agree fit is the most important thing, don't apply just to make sure you get in somewhere. You will most likely find yourself longing for that perfect program...

I myself got recommendation letters for five schools, ended up only applying to two, and only accepted one interview because I decided it was the only program I wanted to be in, and if I didn't get in, I would just do whatever I could to make myself more competitive for that program the next year. And, here I am, in the program I really wanted!

In hindsight, it was a risky decision, but turned out to be an efficient one and even at the time I knew I didn't have an option. Quality over quantity.
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Did you get into a Clinical Psych PHD program? Or was it PSYD or Counseling?
 
How about Psy.D schools? There are only 56 accredited ones and im generally straying away from the super religious ones (which are many). Is applying to 5-8 of them appropriate?
 
tears for susan said:
How about Psy.D schools? There are only 56 accredited ones and im generally straying away from the super religious ones (which are many). Is applying to 5-8 of them appropriate?
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I think it depends on your application strength and which 5-8 programs you choose. The first year round I applied to 5 and got zilch, went the masters route, and then this past year I applied to 14, interviewed at 9, got in 7. 14 may have been a little overkill but I wanted to err on the side of caution!
 
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