Interviews?

[LM02]

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OK, I've got a new one for you all: I got an email from a prof at Oregon today. Interviews will be Feb 11th. This news comes after the grad secretary told me a couple of days ago that interview invitations wouldn't be extended until the end of this week. It's probably a variable prof-by-prof type of thing, so don't panic if you've been waiting by the phone.

I have another issue on my mind that maybe someone could help me with. I'm growing increasingly unsure about the criteria I should use to evaluate programs. My present advisor was speaking with a friend of hers that is a prof in a top 5 clinical program about the programs to which I was applying (one of them is the top 5 program, with the advisor's friend as the potential mentor, for obvious reasons). Anyway, the prof was telling my advisor that she didn't really understand why I was applying to most of the other programs that I had chosen, including some of my top choices. Most of these programs are top 25 (according to our trusty US News ranking), and feel like a decent match for me. The point is, it's a little frightening that I could be highly esteeming programs that don't have that great of a reputation in the eyes of a prominent clinical researcher. I suppose these kinds of evaluations are all basically subjective, and I know I'm just supposed to guage my "fit" with the program, but it makes me a bit nervous. Does anyone have a clue about how to get the real, down-and-dirty, of-course-everyone-knows-that kind of rankings of programs?

This is fairly ridiculous question, given that I've been reading this forum long enough to know the prevailing opinions on the issue. But I'm throwing it out there regardless. Advice, fellow applicants? Current clinical students?

Apologies for my long-windedness...

I have a possible explanation:

The professor may be surprised because the research match is not clear across programs. They may all be excellent, but for different reasons. So, for example, if you are proposing to study temperament/affect and depression (i.e., basic psychopathology research) with the potential advisor, and you've applied to another program where they are studying predictors of treatment response in CBT for depression (i.e., treatment research), the potential advisor may express confusion about what your research interests may be. In her world, these are different areas of research.

In the world of an applicant, however, they may not be. For an applicant who is still trying to hone in on his/her research interests, I think it's entirely appropriate to have a global interest in depression, acknowledging that there are several aspects of depression that may appeal to you (e.g., treatment efficacy, treatment predictors, basic psychopathology, etc.). Of course one professor isn't going to study ALL of these things, so you have no choice but to apply to different places where people study these different aspects of depression, and allow your research interests to develop over time.

Whereas you're applying to grad school to specialize, the potential advisor has already specialized.

In terms of making your decision, I think you should spend some time thinking about what your goals are for graduate study - that way, when you go on interviews, you can get your questions answered to see how well a program will be able to provide the kind of training experience you are looking for. It sounds like you've applied to programs that have excellent reputations, so I wouldn't rely on one person's subjective opinion about what's "good" and "bad." What may be a great program for one person, may be a horrible choice for another.

Good luck!

 

[arsesta]

you guys rock!! i really enjoy reading all of your posts. and it's a big relief to know that others are just as nervous about the whole process. 🙂

it seems like several of you are invited to the UCLA interview. Congrats!! I'll also be there. Feel free to e-mail me ([email protected]) if you would like to get together while there. i know i will be so nervous and it would be great to know a few faces beforehand!

schools i know that've already contacted students so i know i'm not getting an interview: duke, penn state, usc.

schools i'm still waiting on: berkeley, san diego state, teachers college, fordham, saint john's, stony brook. a professor from fordham told me they will be contacting applicants this week. has anyone heard from the other schools?

a bit about me: i have been a RA @ nys psychiatric institute (child psychiatry / ADHD) for the past year. my research interests are in family violence/aggression, parent-child relationships, and multi-cultural frameworks (esp. asian american). i applied to 10 clinical programs (most of them were child-focused).

 

[butterfli73]

Here is another question that some people might have to deal with (I hope we all have this many that its a problem). What do you do if you get interviews at 2 schools for the same weekend, and neither have alternate dates? And you really want to interview at both? Hasn't happened to me yet but I'm sure we all have that possibility.

 

[HonieButterfly]

Here is another question that some people might have to deal with (I hope we all have this many that its a problem). What do you do if you get interviews at 2 schools for the same weekend, and neither have alternate dates? And you really want to interview at both? Hasn't happened to me yet but I'm sure we all have that possibility.

Well I have heard that you would have to basically sacrafice and choose one of them

 

[Mell-Dogg]

For those who applied to UPENN...

They still having given out invitations yet. I spoke to the secretary today.

Hey HonieButterfly! So, did you get the sense that U of Penn will be conducting on-site interviews? I know Yale and Harvard are doing on-the-spot interviews by phone (no on-site meetings), but haven't heard about U of Penn. Also, who are you hoping to work with? Thanks!

Melinda

 

[Jon4PsyD]

Hey Guys...
Well I talked to a few schools about the subject test scores and they are still considering my application, they say it seems a LOT of people are having the same problem, WHEW! That includes my school with the earliest deadline (Dec 15), the University of Hartford...

But-One school wants the scores by Friday because they've already sent out invitations for interviews and want the last ones out by Friday. Their application was due January 15th...how is such a difference in these 2 schools possible??

Anyone else find this VERY quick?

Jon

 

[PsychMode]

you guys rock!! i really enjoy reading all of your posts. and it's a big relief to know that others are just as nervous about the whole process. 🙂

it seems like several of you are invited to the UCLA interview. Congrats!! I'll also be there. Feel free to e-mail me ([email protected]) if you would like to get together while there. i know i will be so nervous and it would be great to know a few faces beforehand!

schools i know that've already contacted students so i know i'm not getting an interview: duke, penn state, usc.

schools i'm still waiting on: berkeley, san diego state, teachers college, fordham, saint john's, stony brook. a professor from fordham told me they will be contacting applicants this week. has anyone heard from the other schools?

a bit about me: i have been a RA @ nys psychiatric institute (child psychiatry / ADHD) for the past year. my research interests are in family violence/aggression, parent-child relationships, and multi-cultural frameworks (esp. asian american). i applied to 10 clinical programs (most of them were child-focused).

I emailed Duke and their response was that they are still contacting people until the end of the week. I got this response yesterday, though. Where did you learn that they have finished inviting people for interviews?

 

[arsesta]

Oh that's good to hear! I spoke to someone in another research lab who was invited to their interviews last week. I assumed that since the interviews will occur in a week or so that they've contacted everyone. If you hear something else, please let me know 🙂 Thanks!

I emailed Duke and their response was that they are still contacting people until the end of the week. I got this response yesterday, though. Where did you learn that they have finished inviting people for interviews?

 

[Psychbird]

For the UMass Boston folks, interview offers have not gone out yet. They have just begun looking at apps.

 

[UMAPsych]

For the UMass Boston folks, interview offers have not gone out yet. They have just begun looking at apps.

Thanks for the info Psychbird! I'm in agreement with everyone else. This is a horrible process.

 

[HonieButterfly]

Hey HonieButterfly! So, did you get the sense that U of Penn will be conducting on-site interviews? I know Yale and Harvard are doing on-the-spot interviews by phone (no on-site meetings), but haven't heard about U of Penn. Also, who are you hoping to work with? Thanks!

Melinda

Sorry Mell I didnt ask really anything else. So I am not sure. I want to with with Dr. Paul Rozin...how about u?

 

[psyresearch]

For the UMass Boston folks, interview offers have not gone out yet. They have just begun looking at apps.

Thanks Psychbird. Did they say when they think interview offers will be extended or when the interviews will be? Thanks.

 

[UVAHoo]

Here is another question that some people might have to deal with (I hope we all have this many that its a problem). What do you do if you get interviews at 2 schools for the same weekend, and neither have alternate dates? And you really want to interview at both? Hasn't happened to me yet but I'm sure we all have that possibility.

This has also occured to me. I went from hoping to get into just one to being worried I would have interview conflicts (2 schools invited me earlier than other schools are and the weekends are what seem to be the prime interview weekends). I know it's the best problem to potentially have but how do you tell a school that you already committed to another school's interview without it leaving them thinking they are second choice when it may turn out they aren't? I actually went to an interview workshop for PhD applicants today. It wasn't only for clinical applicants but someone posed this question. The response was that you should go to the interview that asked you first and that you already committed to. They said that the programs should know you have other interviews and it makes you seem like a hot commodity (you aren't just competing, they are too). They suggested you see if there is another time you can come. I'm not sure if clinical psych programs are different in that they have a weekend set aside and maybe other PhD programs offer different days and people don't have to all come at the same time. It would be nice for someone who actually had this problem post what they did. I could only hope the program would understand and agree to allow you to come at another time. This had to have happened in the past with people.
On a different note, I was totally fine kicking back thinking I wouldn't hear from schools for a while. Then I got contacted by one program that was just really fast and on top of it and that set off my obsessiveness. Like many have said, I now check my email every 2 minutes and since finding this forum, I am completely addicted. Is the process over yet???

 

[MI2005]

This has also occured to me. I went from hoping to get into just one to being worried I would have interview conflicts (2 schools invited me earlier than other schools are and the weekends are what seem to be the prime interview weekends). I know it's the best problem to potentially have but how do you tell a school that you already committed to another school's interview without it leaving them thinking they are second choice when it may turn out they aren't? I actually went to an interview workshop for PhD applicants today. It wasn't only for clinical applicants but someone posed this question. The response was that you should go to the interview that asked you first and that you already committed to. They said that the programs should know you have other interviews and it makes you seem like a hot commodity (you aren't just competing, they are too). They suggested you see if there is another time you can come. I'm not sure if clinical psych programs are different in that they have a weekend set aside and maybe other PhD programs offer different days and people don't have to all come at the same time. It would be nice for someone who actually had this problem post what they did. I could only hope the program would understand and agree to allow you to come at another time. This had to have happened in the past with people.
On a different note, I was totally fine kicking back thinking I wouldn't hear from schools for a while. Then I got contacted by one program that was just really fast and on top of it and that set off my obsessiveness. Like many have said, I now check my email every 2 minutes and since finding this forum, I am completely addicted. Is the process over yet???

I worked as an RA last year and know that profs. at this particular school were willing to have applicants come at alternate times. It actually made the PI I worked for want the applicants who did this that much more. I say don't give up and instead, reiterate your interest in the program and say you will be flexible in order to work it out.

 

[MI2005]

Thanks Psychbird. Did they say when they think interview offers will be extended or when the interviews will be? Thanks.

Yes, thanks for posting Psychbird. I had assumed I was out of the running.

 

[UVAHoo]

I worked as an RA last year and know that profs. at this particular school were willing to have applicants come at alternate times. It actually made the PI I worked for want the applicants who did this that much more. I say don't give up and instead, reiterate your interest in the program and say you will be flexible in order to work it out.

That makes me feel better! (even though it hasn't actually happened to me, just something else I've thought about that adds stress to the process) Thanks for posting that.

 

[HonieButterfly]

university at arkansas...

Secretary said that they the clinical training committee was meeting today and invitations should be out this week or next week.

 

[Psychbird]

No problem everyone. I'm an undergrad there and asked a prof today. It might be awhile so don't lose hope. Much sympathy to everyone in this process! This is SUCH a tough time of the year. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one obsessively checking messages, e-mail, etc.

 

[psychgal]

I just received my official interview invitation from Washington University in St. Louis (February 17th-18th). I will be housed with a current student and reimbursed for up to $300 of travel expenses. That was unexpected. I was wondering if anyone else has a similiar interview housing arrangement. I was prepared to stay in a hotel, but it seems wiser to stay with a current student (I hope). I would love to hear some feedback on this issue. Congratulations to the many posters who have interview offers.

 

[psychgal]

university at arkansas...

Secretary said that they the clinical training committee was meeting today and invitations should be out this week or next week.

I also applied to the University of Arkansas. Thanks for the update. It makes the waiting more bearable. Miami University in Ohio is currently reviewing files. Offers have not gone out yet. Baylor's interview offers will go out the week of February 6th for a February 24th, 25th, or 27th interview. Has anyone heard from Kent State, Bowling Green or UVA-Curry?

 

[clinpsychgirl]

I just received my official interview invitation from Washington University in St. Louis (February 17th-18th). I will be housed with a current student and reimbursed for up to $300 of travel expenses. That was unexpected. I was wondering if anyone else has a similiar interview housing arrangement. I was prepared to stay in a hotel, but it seems wiser to stay with a current student (I hope). I would love to hear some feedback on this issue. Congratulations to the many posters who have interview offers.

Stay with the student for sure! If you guys "click" that could potentially put you at an advantage.

 

[psychgal]

Stay with the student for sure! If you guys "click" that could potentially put you at an advantage.

Thanks, that's a confirmation of how I was thinking. I am a non-traditional student (married with kids) so I just hope no one is disappointed to be matched with me for a roommate! 😳

 

[butterfli73]

I worked as an RA last year and know that profs. at this particular school were willing to have applicants come at alternate times. It actually made the PI I worked for want the applicants who did this that much more. I say don't give up and instead, reiterate your interest in the program and say you will be flexible in order to work it out.

Thanks for all the helpful comments. I also checked with a psych prof to see what he thought if this came up, and he said the same thing, that you should tell the schools what the situation is and emphasize your enthusiasm for the program. As you said, UVAHoo, they know we are competing (as are they) and it sounds like this does happen. So hopefully if you are lucky enough to have to juggle interviews, it should work out.

 

[psyguy82]

I also applied to the University of Arkansas. Thanks for the update. It makes the waiting more bearable. Miami University in Ohio is currently reviewing files. Offers have not gone out yet. Baylor's interview offers will go out the week of February 6th for a February 24th, 25th, or 27th interview. Has anyone heard from Kent State, Bowling Green or UVA-Curry?

Hi psychgal, did Miami (OH) give you any indication of when they may begin inviting?

 

[NoSleepThisYear]

To everyone... I've been told that a few schools are meeting today to determine interviewees (e.g. Emory), so we should be hearing more for places in the next few days.

 

[NoSleepThisYear]

To everyone... I've been told that a few schools are meeting today to determine interviewees (e.g. Emory), so we should be hearing more from places in the next few days.

 

[butterfli73]

To everyone... I've been told that a few schools are meeting today to determine interviewees (e.g. Emory), so we should be hearing more from places in the next few days.

Do you know which other schools aside from Emory are meeting today?

 

[UMAPsych]

University of Utah is calling people this week to conduct phone interviews first and then calling next week to invite people to the interview weekend.

 

[psychgal]

Hi psychgal, did Miami (OH) give you any indication of when they may begin inviting?

Hi, she didn't email exact dates, but it seemed as if they would offer interviews invites in the next week or two. I'll post if I hear anything else.

 

[HonieButterfly]

Yipppeeeeeeee. I was invited officially for an interview via email at the University of Arkansas. It will be Feb 19 & 20th. 🙂

 

[Mell-Dogg]

I just received my official interview invitation from Washington University in St. Louis (February 17th-18th). I will be housed with a current student and reimbursed for up to $300 of travel expenses. That was unexpected. I was wondering if anyone else has a similiar interview housing arrangement. I was prepared to stay in a hotel, but it seems wiser to stay with a current student (I hope). I would love to hear some feedback on this issue. Congratulations to the many posters who have interview offers.

Hi psychgal, I also applied to WashU, but have not yet heard anything from them 🙁. Did you receive your invitation via phone or interview? Who are you hoping to work with! Congratulations on your invitation and wish me luck!!

Mel

 

[Mell-Dogg]

Hi psychgal, I also applied to WashU, but have not yet heard anything from them 🙁. Did you receive your invitation via phone or interview? Who are you hoping to work with! Congratulations on your invitation and wish me luck!!

Mel

Oops! What I meant was... Did you receive your invitation via phone or EMAIL? I can't seem to think straight with all this admissions excitement going on!

 

[psychgal]

Oops! What I meant was... Did you receive your invitation via phone or EMAIL? I can't seem to think straight with all this admissions excitement going on!

Hello,
I received the invitation via email yesterday from the department secretary. I'm sure you could call her or email and find out if you received an invite. I applied for the developmental program not clinical, so I am not sure if clinical invites have gone out yet or not. Good luck to you- I hope to see you there!

 

[psychgal]

Yipppeeeeeeee. I was invited officially for an interview via email at the University of Arkansas. It will be Feb 19 & 20th. 🙂

Congratulations! Who did you receive an email from? The department or a professor? This is one of my favorite programs and I haven't heard anything yet, so now I'm really nervous. I did receive an invite to interview at the University of Northern Colorado for Feb. 20th just a few minutes ago. Weird. Let me know.

 

[Mell-Dogg]

Yeah, I would assume that they would send out waves of invites for the different subfields on different days, but I don't really know. I makes me feel a little less nervous to think that, anyway!

 

[HonieButterfly]

Congratulations! Who did you receive an email from? The department or a professor? This is one of my favorite programs and I haven't heard anything yet, so now I'm really nervous. I did receive an invite to interview at the University of Northern Colorado for Feb. 20th just a few minutes ago. Weird. Let me know.

I got an email from the clinical director I believe with CC to the three professors I want to work with. Well I suggest giving it a day or two before getting nervous. They said they invited 20% of the total application pool for interviews. Good Luck

 

[arsesta]

Called Berkeley this morning, and someone told me their interviews will be the last wkend of Feb. But they didn't tell me when they will contact applicants about interviews (if they haven't already).

 

[psychgal]

Hi psychgal, did Miami (OH) give you any indication of when they may begin inviting?

I just got a call from Miami (OH) inviting me to their interview. I received a call from a professor that I would like to work with. Their interviews are March 3rd or March 6th. Did you hear something as well? It sounds like they are just starting to contact people.

 

[Mell-Dogg]

I called Univ of Colorado-Boulder and University of Kansas this afternoon. CU had a Dec 15th app deadline, but will not be extending interview invites until Feb. And KU told me that apps are just now making their way to the selection committee. That's all I have for now. I plan on calling several more programs later in the week!

 

[MI2005]

I called Univ of Colorado-Boulder and University of Kansas this afternoon. CU had a Dec 15th app deadline, but will not be extending interview invites until Feb. And KU told me that apps are just now making their way to the selection committee. That's all I have for now. I plan on calling several more programs later in the week!

Thank you for posting the information! I do appreciate it.

 

[PsychMode]

Oh that's good to hear! I spoke to someone in another research lab who was invited to their interviews last week. I assumed that since the interviews will occur in a week or so that they've contacted everyone. If you hear something else, please let me know 🙂 Thanks!

I'm guessing at this point that Duke must have contacted everyone that they are going to contact.If the department is inviting people, then they must be done by now. Do you know if the person to whom you spoke was contacted by a professor or the department? To those already invited to Duke, who contacted you?

 

[psyguy82]

I just got a call from Miami (OH) inviting me to their interview. I received a call from a professor that I would like to work with. Their interviews are March 3rd or March 6th. Did you hear something as well? It sounds like they are just starting to contact people.

Nothing yet but I remain hopeful. I would think that if I dont hear today or tommorow then I probably wont be getting an interview...

 

[psyguy82]

I just got a call from Miami (OH) inviting me to their interview. I received a call from a professor that I would like to work with. Their interviews are March 3rd or March 6th. Did you hear something as well? It sounds like they are just starting to contact people.

Nothing yet but I remain hopeful. I would think that if I dont hear today or tommorow then I probably wont be getting an interview...but congrats thats awesome

 

[psychgal]

Nothing yet but I remain hopeful. I would think that if I dont hear today or tommorow then I probably wont be getting an interview...but congrats thats awesome

I know-the waiting can be so hard. I'm waiting and hoping to hear something from Arkansas today. Miami said that they are inviting 30 applicants for about 6-7 spots. I have an interview in Virginia today and tommorrow with a Psy.D. program. I really hope you get a call from Miami. Please post if you do. 🙂

 

[Rxxx]

I know-the waiting can be so hard. I'm waiting and hoping to hear something from Arkansas today. Miami said that they are inviting 30 applicants for about 6-7 spots. I have an interview in Virginia today and tommorrow with a Psy.D. program. I really hope you get a call from Miami. Please post if you do. 🙂

How was your interview. Please share your experience with us. All the best for next interview.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

Some of the Uconn folks have interviewed. Anyone care to share about those experiences?

 

[PsychMode]

I guess I can cross Duke and Boston U off my list given that I haven't heard anything by now. Congratulations to the people who got interviews at those schools.

 

[Ratch1980]

Is anyone going to the Friday morning Temple interview? I'm scheduled for that day and time. The current grad students are planning a social for Thursday night...sounds like fun.

 

[clinpsychgirl]

I requested Friday afternoon (second choice, Monday afternoon) but am waiting on a confirmation. Did you get yours today? Did Dr. Fauber call you or email?

If I end up doing Friday afternoon, we will still have that shared lunch experience together in addition to the Thursday night festivities!

 

[Ratch1980]

I requested Friday afternoon (second choice, Monday afternoon) but am waiting on a confirmation. Did you get yours today? Did Dr. Fauber call you or email?

If I end up doing Friday afternoon, we will still have that shared lunch experience together in addition to the Thursday night festivities!

Friday afternoon was my first choice too, but they were filled, so I got my second choice. Dr. Fauber sent me an email this morning to tell me. He also asked whether or not I wanted to stay with a student on Thursday night. I think I'm going to do that so I can get an idea of what it is like to be a student at Temple and so that I can get to know some of the current students.