I got rejected from more schools than you did! (Rejection Humor Thread)

[Hawkeye08]

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If it makes you feel any better, my number one choice accidentally emailed the entire pool of applicants travel information to the interview, so I thought I was given an interview when I really wasn't. The graduate coordinator tried to recall the email three times, and then emailed everyone saying it was an electronic mistake (merging function didn't work or something along those lines). I haven't heard anything since...I'm assuming its an unofficial rejection since I wasn't one of the ones who was supposed to receive travel information. *sigh* 😕

Let me guess...University of Florida? I got that same mass email, and I was definitely not invited for an interview. Now I just laugh about how silly the whole thing was

 

[Ollie123]

Don't write UF off yet.
Insider info has it that they were NOT done sending out invitations when that happened, and are now trying to sort out the mess.

Doesn't guarantee anything, just thought I'd mention that all is not yet lost😉

 

[RileyG]

Don't write UF off yet.
Insider info has it that they were NOT done sending out invitations when that happened, and are now trying to sort out the mess.

Doesn't guarantee anything, just thought I'd mention that all is not yet lost😉

Oh, Ollie...I was just starting to be ok with the fact that I didn't get an interview to UF, and then you had to go and say something like that. Let the nervous sweating begin again...

 

[childphdapp]

Sorry to hear that! I recall my first rejection which actually came from the school where I did my undergrad (summa cum laude at that). And I swear, their rejection was emailed to me nearly immediately after I hit that "Send application" button.

On a related note.... that's something I haven't thought of before--telling EVERY program I applied to that they are my #1 choice! I wonder if you would've felt better if you did that?

Aren't you supposed to tell everyone that they are your #1 choice???

I don't think it would make you feel any better. I told every school they were my #1 (and you know what, it's not ENTIRELY a lie - they COULD be my #1 after interviews) and explained the strong fit and reasons why I was applying. I am LEARNING to cope that there is a 99.9% chance that I've already been rejected from my top choice and it doesn't feel ANY better that I've gotten other interviews. You still feel like complete crap that you were not their #1.

 

[BorntoRun]

I don't think you're supposed to say they're your #1 unless you mean it -- makes it REALLY awkward come acceptance time, when they've given you an offer and then you hold out for a month waiting for your *actual* #1. Just seems like poor form to me.

Aren't you supposed to tell everyone that they are your #1 choice???

I don't think it would make you feel any better. I told every school they were my #1 (and you know what, it's not ENTIRELY a lie - they COULD be my #1 after interviews) and explained the strong fit and reasons why I was applying. I am LEARNING to cope that there is a 99.9% chance that I've already been rejected from my top choice and it doesn't feel ANY better that I've gotten other interviews. You still feel like complete crap that you were not their #1.

 

[Sarahanne]

Just when I had come to terms with it, Ollie you go and give me renewed hope. ah well I know everything will work itself out in the end Goodluck to everyone else who's hoping on UF, I got my fingers crossed!

Don't write UF off yet.
Insider info has it that they were NOT done sending out invitations when that happened, and are now trying to sort out the mess.

Doesn't guarantee anything, just thought I'd mention that all is not yet lost😉

 

[childphdapp]

I don't think you're supposed to say they're your #1 unless you mean it -- makes it REALLY awkward come acceptance time, when they've given you an offer and then you hold out for a month waiting for your *actual* #1. Just seems like poor form to me.

I guess I should be more clear -- I didn't flat out say "you are my number 1" in my statement to each program. Though, I did make it as clear as possible that I wanted to go there and that they were a strong fit for reasons XYZ. I mean, isn't that the point of your personal statement -- to convey that you are a good fit and that they are a good match with you? Would you write a less convincing statement to choices 2-12 than choice 1? I am still talking about personal statements here ... once you get your interviews, it's a whole different ball game, especially since your ranking of desired schools might change anyways. I would never hold onto an offer from Desired School 5 just for kicks and tell them they were #1 ... but when you are in the process of applying, you definitely need to put as much work into EVERY application as your #1 choice. Just my .02.

 

[BorntoRun]

Okay, I definitely misunderstood. I completely agree, you should treat every app as if it's your #1 in terms of the amount of work you put in, finding things you like about the program, etc. I was thinking in terms of speaking with someone at an interview and saying flat out "this school is my top choice" if it's not (provided that it hasn't become your top choice due to a lack of interviews -- in that case, all bets are off).

I guess I should be more clear -- I didn't flat out say "you are my number 1" in my statement to each program. Though, I did make it as clear as possible that I wanted to go there and that they were a strong fit for reasons XYZ. I mean, isn't that the point of your personal statement -- to convey that you are a good fit and that they are a good match with you? Would you write a less convincing statement to choices 2-12 than choice 1? I am still talking about personal statements here ... once you get your interviews, it's a whole different ball game, especially since your ranking of desired schools might change anyways. I would never hold onto an offer from Desired School 5 just for kicks and tell them they were #1 ... but when you are in the process of applying, you definitely need to put as much work into EVERY application as your #1 choice. Just my .02.

 

[Ollie123]

Sorry, wasn't trying to torture you UF applicants, just wanted to make sure what I have heard was known😉

 

[EquestriAnn]

I win. Last week I got an email from one of my schools saying that due to insufficient funding, they cannot accept anyone into the program this year. I emailed my POI (who I had communicated with months ago and seemed very interested) and he confirmed that it was true and that he was very sorry. Unfortunate, but stuff happens.

Today, they sent me a rejection letter! What the heck!??! You can't reject me after you told me you can't afford to accept anyone! How rude....

 

[psychanon]

I win. Last week I got an email from one of my schools saying that due to insufficient funding, they cannot accept anyone into the program this year. I emailed my POI (who I had communicated with months ago and seemed very interested) and he confirmed that it was true and that he was very sorry. Unfortunate, but stuff happens.

Today, they sent me a rejection letter! What the heck!??! You can't reject me after you told me you can't afford to accept anyone! How rude....

If you don't get an acceptance letter, you'll get a rejection letter. Once I had an offer at a school I was excited about (years ago), I withdrew my application from places that weren't as good matches for me. Still got rejection letters! It's kind of like, you can't fire me, I quit!

 

[WaitingKills]

I win. Last week I got an email from one of my schools saying that due to insufficient funding, they cannot accept anyone into the program this year. I emailed my POI (who I had communicated with months ago and seemed very interested) and he confirmed that it was true and that he was very sorry. Unfortunate, but stuff happens.

Today, they sent me a rejection letter! What the heck!??! You can't reject me after you told me you can't afford to accept anyone! How rude....

Thats brutal! Are they at least going to refund your application fee? I'd be soooo choked!

 

[dontknowitall]

Thats brutal! Are they at least going to refund your application fee? I'd be soooo choked!

Sounds like they could use all the money they can get . . . 🙄

 

[EquestriAnn]

Sounds like they could use all the money they can get . . . 🙄

That's what I've been jokingly saying! I decided not to press about getting my money back, I may want to apply for post-doc or a job there or something, I'd rather not burn any bridges for $50.

 

[PsychED00]

From..... UMASS Boston Clinical.... & Boston College Counseling!

AWESOME😡

 

[xlittlemissalix]

From..... UMASS Boston Clinical.... & Boston College Counseling!

AWESOME😡

I'm sorry. 🙁 This process blows.

Just wondering when you got your rejection E-ail from UMass Boston's Clinical program? I applied there and didn't get an invite, but didn't get rejected yet (the case with 9/10 of the schools I applied to). Was it from your POI or the graduate secretary?

 

[LeeS]

LOL! I had finally to join in...

I too got the UF mass interview email...

... and then became paranoid about the recall, cross referencing emails on the recall email with the apology email on an excel spreadsheet to doublecheck they sent the apology email to the same number of people!!! (yes, I know that is taking this whole process a bit far)

But I am rolling right along with the rejections. UCLA sent a lovely rejection (not being sarcastic it was pretty well phrased). Was also rejected by George Washington. It would have been nice to get an email at least saying that a decision had been made but alas no...I found out through my own morbid curiosity....

I now have that sickening feeling that I overestimated my chances of being accepted at my so called "safety" schools...

No interview invites so far...

Burn....

 

[deleted176373]

LOL! I had finally to join in...

I now have that sickening feeling that I overestimated my chances of being accepted at my so called "safety" schools...

No interview invites so far...

Burn....

It's not too late to still get interviews, but yes, things are gonna start winding down here soon. If you don't get an invite by March 1st, that's usually pretty late in the cycle. I would start looking at your contingency plan, although some slots inevitably fall through and become available. I was offered a slot at a university I did not even interview at after students fell through... and this was a state university program that was fairly decent.

So it's not over till it's over.

Mark

 

[PsychNerd3]

Well I received my first rejection from a school I interviewed at today. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was happy to tell me that I was not recommended for admission...wasnt on the top of my list but geez it still hurts. This adds to my rejection (without an interview) that I received from University of Illinois-Champaign.

Cant figure out if I would rather get a rejection without an interview or at a school that I actually did interview at.....grrr, I spent too much money traveling to Wisonsin!

Heres to hoping that this is the last bit of bad news I get.....

 

[chinaKat]

I'm sorry. 🙁 This process blows.

Just wondering when you got your rejection E-ail from UMass Boston's Clinical program? I applied there and didn't get an invite, but didn't get rejected yet (the case with 9/10 of the schools I applied to). Was it from your POI or the graduate secretary?

Yeah, same here. I've written UMB off b/c I was under the impression that all invites were to be extended by 2/8.

Maybe our apps are in a (hopefully very, very small) waitlist.

Or, maybe our emails bounced... 😉

 

[GiantSteps]

grrr, I spent too much money traveling to Wisonsin!

Did you at least go to the used bookshop in the airport? How many cities have an academic oriented used bookstore in the mall? That could justify the whole trip. Future travelers to Milwaukee will be able to see the now planned bronze statue of the Fonz from Happy Days - 👍 AYYYYYY!

 

[lucyguard]

It's not too late to still get interviews, but yes, things are gonna start winding down here soon. If you don't get an invite by March 1st, that's usually pretty late in the cycle. I would start looking at your contingency plan, although some slots inevitably fall through and become available. I was offered a slot at a university I did not even interview at after students fell through... and this was a state university program that was fairly decent.

So it's not over till it's over.

Mark

mark,

was that a clinical program that offered admission without the interview? I keep hoping I will get a late call after the official interview date, like some other people in the forum. Or better yet just get an offer later in the game after they realize their interviews sucked.

But somehow that still seems unrealistic and far fetched for decent clinical programs. Your story, if it's clinical is a huge comfort.

 

[xlittlemissalix]

mark,

was that a clinical program that offered admission without the interview? I keep hoping I will get a late call after the official interview date, like some other people in the forum. Or better yet just get an offer later in the game after they realize their interviews sucked.

But somehow that still seems unrealistic and far fetched for decent clinical programs. Your story, if it's clinical is a huge comfort.

lucyguard,

I posted this on another thread I think you check, but if not - it is possible to get a random invite in April without an interview. I know someone who has. It's not likely, but it IS possible.

 

[lucyguard]

lucyguard,

I posted this on another thread I think you check, but if not - it is possible to get a random invite in April without an interview. I know someone who has. It's not likely, but it IS possible.

Thanks!!! It is a little comforting to hear that. I think that maybe my mind just wants to be skeptical to avoid further hope/stress...lol....

On another note, got a rejection letter from Denver today 😛 That means 3 official rejections out of 8 applications, 1 interview. 2 rejections coming from really competitive shools, 1 coming from an ok program...not so competitive (ouch!!)

 

[cara susanna]

Well I received my first rejection from a school I interviewed at today. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee was happy to tell me that I was not recommended for admission...wasnt on the top of my list but geez it still hurts. This adds to my rejection (without an interview) that I received from University of Illinois-Champaign.

Sorry to hear. I'm not applying to Milwaukee because they like people to have their MA.

 

[BorntoRun]

Do most school send rejections via e-mail, or via letter? If you had an interview at a school, would that make a difference in the way the rejection was communicated? I would guess that as it gets closer to April 15th, communication would tend to be more e-mail- and phone-based - anyone have a sense about that?

 

[AlairaK]

I was at an interview recently, minding my own business during lunch...when suddenly another person at the table (who, incidentally is interested in the same area of clinical psych that I am) starts discussing his interview the previous week at Texas A&M.

Of COURSE, Texas A&M just happened to be a school to which I had applied, had heard nothing from, but was completely confident that I would be invited to an interview any day. It was one of my target schools, I matched well, and I had no doubt I would at least be asked to interview.

It was all I could DO to keep from falling to pieces in the middle of THAT interview day!

What a way to find out...

 

[xlittlemissalix]

I was at an interview recently, minding my own business during lunch...when suddenly another person at the table (who, incidentally is interested in the same area of clinical psych that I am) starts discussing his interview the previous week at Texas A&M.

Of COURSE, Texas A&M just happened to be a school to which I had applied, had heard nothing from, but was completely confident that I would be invited to an interview any day. It was one of my target schools, I matched well, and I had no doubt I would at least be asked to interview.

It was all I could DO to keep from falling to pieces in the middle of THAT interview day!

What a way to find out...

I feel you. My friend was at an interview 2 weeks ago and asked who my POI at my #1 choice school was. I told her and she was like "Oh, I just met a girl who said she interviewed with him 2 or 3 weeks ago." My heart sank. Obviously. But I also found out he interviewed someone else after her so... who knows?

 

[aroundthwaygirl]

i've been rejected from northwestern, upenn, ucla, berkeley, and waterloo (in ontario). haven't heard from umass boston, boston university, university of miami, ut austin, york (in ontario), cuny, yale or american (which makes me assume i should write those off too. am i right about that? have one interview only -- at teachers college columbia, which is my first choice but come on. don't think i stand a chance when i'm being rejected left and right.

the whole process is very strange and demoralizing, especially considering that the job of "psychologist" will probably be extinct in 15 years anyways. you work so hard, and what do you get.

feels like a waste. i should have done an MSW instead of a clinical MA. at least i could be practicing right now.😳

 

[EquestriAnn]

Update: I applied to 11, one of them sent out an email that they didn't have funding for any new students and then they sent me a rejection. I have 1 acceptance and 2 interviews, I'm 99% sure I won't hear anything from 5 of them (interviews already happened), and I'm still waiting on 2 of them with Jan 15th deadlines but it's getting kind of late. So, even if I got the last 2 interviews (so not going to happen), I'd be rejected from more than I am accepted! I think that's how it is for most people though...

 

[AlairaK]

EquestriAnn-

Agreed. I applied to 7, got 1 rejection so far, 1 acceptance, and 2 more interviews (one this past Friday and one on March 1 at U of Houston clinical [congrats, by the way, on your acceptance there!]). I haven't heard from the other three, but I am certain since all their interview dates have passed that I was rejected from them.

Considering most schools accept approx. 5 out of 300 applicants, the odds are against most of us. This statistic isn't commonly cited, but getting into a clinical psychology Ph.D program is actually more competitive than getting accepted into medical school right now (probably because medical schools accept so many more people)

 

[deleted176373]

mark,

was that a clinical program that offered admission without the interview? I keep hoping I will get a late call after the official interview date, like some other people in the forum. Or better yet just get an offer later in the game after they realize their interviews sucked.

But somehow that still seems unrealistic and far fetched for decent clinical programs. Your story, if it's clinical is a huge comfort.

Yes, it was without an interview. Yes, It was a clinical Ph.D. at a State University... It would be like the University of (Pick a State) calling you up and saying, "If you aren't busy next year, we were wondering if you might like to come and join us."

To make things even more entertaining, I am attending a school which emailed me the following:



Your application for the Navy position in the Clinical Psychology Program at
the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences was carefully reviewed, but
regrettably, you were not selected. I want to express my sincere
appreciation for your interest in the Navy and the effort you put into
preparing the application. The applicant pool was unusually competitive
this year. Given the small number of students we are able to select, we were
not able to accommodate many well-qualified applicants.

You were among our finalists in a very competitive selection process and,
for that reason, I would like to encourage you to apply for a commission in
the Navy at a later date. The Navy selects interns each year for our two
internship programs and offers active duty positions to licensed Clinical
and Counseling Psychologists. After you have completed your pre-doctoral
studies, please consider the Navy among your career options. I wish you
every success in the near-term and hope to hear from you again in the
future.


None the less, this is where I attend school. I was offered this slot on April 10th after being rejected March 6th.

Mark

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

You were among our finalists in a very competitive selection process and,
for that reason, I would like to encourage you to apply for a commission in
the Navy at a later date. The Navy selects interns each year for our two
internship programs and offers active duty positions to licensed Clinical
and Counseling Psychologists. After you have completed your pre-doctoral
studies, please consider the Navy among your career options. I wish you
every success in the near-term and hope to hear from you again in the
future.


None the less, this is where I attend school. I was offered this slot on April 10th after being rejected March 6th.

Mark

Just as an aside....my friend did the Navy internship and really liked it. They have excellent training and the money and benefits are excellent during the internship/post-doc, etc. I'm not sure if he is staying on after his commitment (I owe him a phone call!), but he seemed pretty happy during the last time we spoke. They seemed to have pretty good flexibility with him being able to req. where he wanted to go....though that is obviously YMMV as they can tell you when push comes to shove.

 

[lucyguard]

Yes, it was without an interview. Yes, It was a clinical Ph.D. at a State University... It would be like the University of (Pick a State) calling you up and saying, "If you aren't busy next year, we were wondering if you might like to come and join us."

To make things even more entertaining, I am attending a school which emailed me the following:



Your application for the Navy position in the Clinical Psychology Program at
the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences was carefully reviewed, but
regrettably, you were not selected. I want to express my sincere
appreciation for your interest in the Navy and the effort you put into
preparing the application. The applicant pool was unusually competitive
this year. Given the small number of students we are able to select, we were
not able to accommodate many well-qualified applicants.

You were among our finalists in a very competitive selection process and,
for that reason, I would like to encourage you to apply for a commission in
the Navy at a later date. The Navy selects interns each year for our two
internship programs and offers active duty positions to licensed Clinical
and Counseling Psychologists. After you have completed your pre-doctoral
studies, please consider the Navy among your career options. I wish you
every success in the near-term and hope to hear from you again in the
future.


None the less, this is where I attend school. I was offered this slot on April 10th after being rejected March 6th.

Mark

WOW!!! What a story! Did you have any acceptances in the old fashioned way? I mean application-interview-acceptance??? LOL.... I guess it's not over not even when you get a rejection letter...lol.... From now on I will wait for an acceptance until schools starts!!! JK

Although my rejection letters were more along the lines of "sorry but you're just not goood enough for us", as opposed to "you're awesome but we just happened to have a few people who were slightly more awesome than you". It sounds like in you case they were really sorry they had to let some good applicants go (like you) and then when a spot opened up they were like "we know exactly who to call".👍

 

[deleted176373]

WOW!!! What a story! Did you have any acceptances in the old fashioned way? I mean application-interview-acceptance??? LOL.... I guess it's not over not even when you get a rejection letter...lol.... From now on I will wait for an acceptance until schools starts!!! JK

Although my rejection letters were more along the lines of "sorry but you're just not goood enough for us", as opposed to "you're awesome but we just happened to have a few people who were slightly more awesome than you". It sounds like in you case they were really sorry they had to let some good applicants go (like you) and then when a spot opened up they were like "we know exactly who to call".👍

Actually, to be honest... No! I didn't have any acceptance that was even remotely normal!

Texas A&M accepted me after a brief phone interview (30 mins) in early January, and that was the closest thing to normal. I was accepted prior to the invite for the real interview because they wanted to put me in for a fellowship. If they put you in for a fellowship, you had to be accepted first. Weird deal.

You saw the Navy one, and the other University called me after the 15th. It was a real roller coaster. I thought for sure April 9th I was going to A&M, a little disappointed that I didn't have any choices and that my #1 (USUHS) and #2, #3 (Alabama & Kansas) had slipped away from me. I was also excited about A&M because it was close to home and it was a great program. UT, A&M, and Baylor rounded out spots #4, #5, and #6. I was pretty proud of myself to get interviews at all those schools except UT.

I didn't make my final decision until April 12th or 13th because I had to get medical waivers for my laser surgery on my eyes.

Mark

 

[Ollie123]

the whole process is very strange and demoralizing, especially considering that the job of "psychologist" will probably be extinct in 15 years anyways. you work so hard, and what do you get.

People keep saying this, but does anyone else feel like the field is expanding rather than shrinking? Or is it just me?

We're collaborating more and more with other health fields, we're making discoveries at a never before seen rate, we're moving beyond our traditional roles and being integrated into a huge number of fields for a wide variety of purposes.

I'm excited to see what the future holds - I don't foresee psychologists disappearing anytime soon.

 

[BorntoRun]

People keep saying this, but does anyone else feel like the field is expanding rather than shrinking? Or is it just me?

We're collaborating more and more with other health fields, we're making discoveries at a never before seen rate, we're moving beyond our traditional roles and being integrated into a huge number of fields for a wide variety of purposes.

I'm excited to see what the future holds - I don't foresee psychologists disappearing anytime soon.

An emphatic "ditto" - psychology is increasing in popularity as an undergraduate major, just one piece of evidence that the field is garnering more interest and continuing to expand. I have no concerns about the permanency of psychology (and as an obvious extension of that, psychologists).

 

[Hain Adam]

People keep saying this, but does anyone else feel like the field is expanding rather than shrinking? Or is it just me?

We're collaborating more and more with other health fields, we're making discoveries at a never before seen rate, we're moving beyond our traditional roles and being integrated into a huge number of fields for a wide variety of purposes.

I'm excited to see what the future holds - I don't foresee psychologists disappearing anytime soon.

I don't know about other fields but the demand for I/O Psychologists are increasing and is expected to keep increasing for the next 25 years.

An emphatic "ditto" - psychology is increasing in popularity as an undergraduate major, just one piece of evidence that the field is garnering more interest and continuing to expand. I have no concerns about the permanency of psychology (and as an obvious extension of that, psychologists).

That could also be because a lot of people see psychology as an "easy major" and they decide to go for it just to get a degree. Also a lot of freshmen don't even know that they need to have a Ph.D in order to become a psychologist, and when they realize that it's usually too late to change majors for them.

 

[deleted176373]

That could also be because a lot of people see psychology as an "easy major" and they decide to go for it just to get a degree. Also a lot of freshmen don't even know that they need to have a Ph.D in order to become a psychologist, and when they realize that it's usually too late to change majors for them.

Yep, I know far too many people with B.A.'s in psychology that have little prospect for the future outside of HR and Starbucks. I had one friend of mine call me up crying because after graduating she didn't know what to do with her degree, she felt betrayed because she had gone to college only to find out that her degree had not prepared her for a specific career and that she was unable to either afford or gain admission to a Ph.D. program.

Fortunately with a little nudge in the right direction, she ended up in a human resources position where her being bilingual is really paying off. (I might add that if she were not bilingual she probably would be working at starbucks too!) There would be a lot fewer psychology undergraduates if they knew what their future prospects held (not that human resources is a bad job). It's the fact that they are unprepared to enter the job market at a competitive wage when compared to an engineering or computer science major. The lack of "specific" skills kills any hope that psychology majors have in the market place.

I have other psychology friends, seems that many of them have taken jobs bar tending. I know that's not what they spent 4 years of their lives preparing for!

Mark

 

[lucyguard]

isn't th job of an academic advisor to tell students what their opportunities are for the major they are choosing? I mean, if you are helping someone choose classes and decide on a major you should at least help them make an informed decision. Tell them to go look up the opportunities in the field and what their interests may be after getting the degree. It really is unbelievable the number of people who have no clue what they are doing in college. I even met a guy once who didn't know he had to take specific classes to graduate. He spent 3 semesters taking random classes he thought were interesting, easy and had a good schedule only to realize later that he had to have a purpose....

 

[Ollie123]

Are there seriously people who think they can be a psychologist with a BA?

I'm torn between blaming their advisor and them. Do they seriously not do ANY research on a career before deciding what they want to do with their life? Do they just pick a major out of a hat? I find it hard to have much sympathy for folks like that.

But yes, its very true you have few options with the BA in psych. Its alot like philosophy, english, etc. I really don't understand why people major in something like that when they don't plan on doing well enough to go to grad school. If I was going to get Cs I'd at least do so as an engineering or CS major so I can still be employable when I'm done.

But yes, at least for those of us who plan on PhDs, I really do think our situation will improve. In all areas of psychology, not just I/O too🙂 Though I have some tangential I/O interests (Occupational health psych) so I'm excited about that too.

 

[deleted176373]

isn't th job of an academic advisor to tell students what their opportunities are for the major they are choosing? I mean, if you are helping someone choose classes and decide on a major you should at least help them make an informed decision. Tell them to go look up the opportunities in the field and what their interests may be after getting the degree. It really is unbelievable the number of people who have no clue what they are doing in college. I even met a guy once who didn't know he had to take specific classes to graduate. He spent 3 semesters taking random classes he thought were interesting, easy and had a good schedule only to realize later that he had to have a purpose....

While not all academic advisors are bad, most of them, well... they suck. You would think that it would be these peoples job to inform and educate students in their charge, but that rarely happens. I find they are, in general, no more help than a high school guidance counselor.

Mark

 

[EquestriAnn]

isn't th job of an academic advisor to tell students what their opportunities are for the major they are choosing? I mean, if you are helping someone choose classes and decide on a major you should at least help them make an informed decision. Tell them to go look up the opportunities in the field and what their interests may be after getting the degree. It really is unbelievable the number of people who have no clue what they are doing in college. I even met a guy once who didn't know he had to take specific classes to graduate. He spent 3 semesters taking random classes he thought were interesting, easy and had a good schedule only to realize later that he had to have a purpose....

My school has 30,000 undergrads, if you don't make an appointment with career services, they're not going to hunt you down and offer free advice! I have found them more or less worthless, but I've been in to ask about grad school stuff that is a bit over their head. If you want to know "what can I do with a B.A. in psychology?" they can probably help. That would be quite disappointing if you didn't know that the answer is "not much without grad school".

 

[cara susanna]

There are also a lot of people who go "Oh crap, I'm graduating soon. Hmm, I should go to grad school. Okay, clinical sounds cool" and they just apply without really knowing what they're in for in terms of competition.

Or so my unofficial advisor/mentor (who used to be on a clinical admissions committee) told me.

 

[SpiceyT]

I applied to 8 schools and have 2 acceptances, 4 rejections and 2 still considering me. Of those last two, I'm no longer considering one of them because they've so badly botched my application materials - sending "field placement verification" forms to my current employer, lost my CV, lost my copy of my license, changed the terms from having a master's degree to having obtained one in the last 7 years..

But, responding to safety schools - I got the rejection from my undergrad school in no time, don't even think it got past the secretary. And I also got rejected from the school I got my master's from! It does give one a sense of humility when you get rejected from the school you think you're a shoe-in for!

 

[Total Shrinkage]

But, responding to safety schools - I got the rejection from my undergrad school in no time, don't even think it got past the secretary. And I also got rejected from the school I got my master's from! It does give one a sense of humility when you get rejected from the school you think you're a shoe-in for!

I am sooo with you on rejection from your undergrad! Why is it that they are so quick too? 😳

 

[EquestriAnn]

Hmmmm I got rejected from 9/13 schools! But, in my defense, 4 of them were because of funding woes, it sounds like I would have had a shot otherwise. 1 of them rejected me flat out and the others probably put me on an unofficial wait list or something because I still haven't heard back. Oh well, don't want 'em anyway 🙂

 

[kamo]

This is my second year applying. I was rejected from 10/10 schools last year, and this year I applied to 17. I have been rejected from 14/17 so far, but I am happy to report I have had two offers (and yes, I did turn down the less desirable offer for those on the waitlist) and am still waitlisted at one school. But yeah, I would say I have a pretty high rejection rate.

 

[socialcog]

Applied to 10, 8 rejections, 1 application withdrawal and 1 acceptance. I have a nice fat collection of rejection letters. 4 of my 8 rejections were because the faculty were not accepting new students--which was stupid and expensive on my part in retrospect, I should have made certain to save everyone time and effort and money.

Whatever. It's over. Thank God.

 

[islandgirl1]

one of the schools I applied to this year made me laugh out loud.

first, the director sent an email saying i was waitlisted, post interview, but higher than the wait list (whatever that means)

second, i replied, stating i would like to be removed as i'd decided on somewhere else

third, the director sent an email saying they decided to accept me

fourth, the director sent an almost immediate followup saying they did not realise i had decided to decline

fifth, a month later, a letter dated april 21 arrived in the mail saying i was rejected.