question about Binghamton

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I sent three last year and got an interview.
psychapps said:
Hi all,

I'm applying to Binghamton's clinical program this year. Does anyone know how many recs they'll accept? The website says 2 are "required", the checklist says "at least 2". I'm thinking of sending 3.

Those who've applied here, how many did you send? More than 2?
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this is JUST the beginning my friend.. I hate to say it but the waiting is WORSE!
Then once you actually get in... I won't even go there.Let's just say that I am writing jingles about how I don't want to do any work instead of doing my work.
 
AryaStark said:
this is JUST the beginning my friend.. I hate to say it but the waiting is WORSE!
Then once you actually get in... I won't even go there.Let's just say that I am writing jingles about how I don't want to do any work instead of doing my work.
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on topic: if they say at least 2, I don't think 3 should be a problem, since most clinical programs want that number

a bit off topic: I keep hearing that from students in their first years, that it only gets worse.. and sometimes it scares me just a bit.. what do you mean by it gets worse? especially compared to undergrad? is it too much work in general? are classes/professors way too demanding? is it the relationship with your advisor/class-mates/professors? I know it's supposed to be challenging, but I so rarely hear somebody actually enjoying at least part of this process of obtaining a Phd.
 
Blue86 said:
on topic: if they say at least 2, I don't think 3 should be a problem, since most clinical programs want that number

a bit off topic: I keep hearing that from students in their first years, that it only gets worse.. and sometimes it scares me just a bit.. what do you mean by it gets worse? especially compared to undergrad? is it too much work in general? are classes/professors way too demanding? is it the relationship with your advisor/class-mates/professors? I know it's supposed to be challenging, but I so rarely hear somebody actually enjoying at least part of this process of obtaining a Phd.
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I will answer in numbers. However, this is JUST my opinion:
1. It is worse that applying. I thought applying was horrible. Not even close.
2. It gets worse in terms of the course load and the sheer demands and expectations that people have for you in comparison to undergrad or a job. I literally some days will get to school at 8 AM come home at 6 for dinner and do work until 12. (this usually happens every Monday and I don't even have classes on Mondays)
3. It is WAY more work than undergrad. I have about 1000-1500 pages of reading that I am SUPPOSED to do (I can't even do half of that) every week. Reading, papers, assessment reports, exams, reaction papers, research etc. it's a lot of work.
4. I love my classmates and I love my adviser. I couldn't be happier with the people I am around.


So all in all, I love the people that I am around, but it's just such a daunting task week to week. However I will say : this semester has gone by SO fast because I haven't had a moment to relax.

Before I came, I just thought OH yea it's a lot of work I know I know.. but I never could truly conceptualize what it would be like. The only thing I hear from other people is that it's going to get even more intense which is fairly terrifying to me. However, I am happy with what I am doing and who I am around, so it isn't as terrible as it probably could be. Find a place with people that you like, and you will be satisfied.
 
Blue86 said:
a bit off topic: I keep hearing that from students in their first years, that it only gets worse.. and sometimes it scares me just a bit.. what do you mean by it gets worse? especially compared to undergrad? is it too much work in general? are classes/professors way too demanding? is it the relationship with your advisor/class-mates/professors? I know it's supposed to be challenging, but I so rarely hear somebody actually enjoying at least part of this process of obtaining a Phd.
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Just to contrast to what Arya said, I have two good friends currently in their first year of clinical psych programs, and both of them seem to be really enjoying it. One is at a research-heavy program with a pretty relaxed schedule, and he sounds quite happy with it. The other is at a program with a more equal emphasis on research and clinical work. She's working like crazy, but despite that, she always tells me about how interesting her work is and how much she likes her program. I can't speak from personal experience yet, but I think it's safe to say that people can have a pretty wide range of experiences in these programs. Don't get too scared.
 
I didn't say I didn't like it, nor that I didn't like the work. I do. However it is fairly overwhelming your first semester, something that you really just can't be prepared for. I have gotten used to it, but it took some time. Any program that is worth a *amn is going to be challenging. I don't mean to scare you, but I wish that someone had been pretty honest with me. You hear the "oh it's not bad" remarks. But the first couple of weeks where the work started to pour in, it was a pretty big shock. However, hearing that it "really just sucks" from other students made me feel like I wasn't the only one.
 
Thank you for your sincere answers. I really appreciate all your help. It is true, no matter how much work I have to do, if I genuinely like the field and get support from the people around me, I think I will be ok. And I do know that not everything about grad school is pink 🙂 Thank you again, and I wish you an easier workload for the end of this semester!
 
I am a little confused. The how to apply directions on the graduate school website (there is no info on the department website about this) state that a 500 word Personal Statement is required.

However, I just noticed that the checklist you are supposed to print and submit with your application materials makes reference to the Personal Statement (with a little different verbiage than the website) AND an Academic Statement.

Before contacting the school, I was wondering if anyone on here knows what is required? Maybe the checklist was never updated from a prior year?

Thanks!
 
Thank you so much! I thought I was going crazy. I had just worked really hard to bring my statement to 500 words - no mean feat and then I saw this!

psychapps said:
Ah, the Binghamton personal statement. Yeah, I noticed this myself last week. Two months ago (Oct-ish), they had one combined statement (no word limit). Then I noticed a week or so ago that they were now requiring two: the PS and the Statement of Purpose, both 500 word counts. So I started flipping out. But, no joke, two days later, I checked the site and they were back to one essay. I really thought I was going bonkers.

So I called the school. Turns out they did go to two essays (I guess sometime after Oct) but are now back to one. So it's definitely just the personal statement. I asked about the 500-word count and the guy on the phone said as long as it's two pages, it's fine. So my essay is longer than 500 words, but it fits on 2 and that's what seems to count.

As for the checklist, after I called, they put up a new checklist listing just the PS:

http://www2.binghamton.edu/grad-school/prospective-students/how-to-apply/index.html#App Checklist
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eatsleeppsych said:
Really awesome for those us who did the application during the period when the two essays were required. I wonder what they'll do with my application? I hope they don't throw it out because they made the error....
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In a way, I think you are in better shape than those like me. my one 500 word statement does not convey all that I need it to.
 
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I just realized in my rush to get this off yesterday. I forgot to check off the boxes on the checklist 😉

Hope they don't hold this against me !
 
yeah i sent the 2 statements too... i think the problem is that on the Graduate Department Site, it only says one version; on the psych one it says two versions. I found it very confusing myself... even the B# and the online payment... definitely the most frustrating application (although it wasn't that frustrating).

i even made labels with my B# and put it on everything in my package... I had a few left over so I threw them in there too... I figured if anything else I had forgotten that needs labeling!
 
deadmau5 said:
yeah i sent the 2 statements too... i think the problem is that on the Graduate Department Site, it only says one version; on the psych one it says two versions. I found it very confusing myself... even the B# and the online payment... definitely the most frustrating application (although it wasn't that frustrating).

i even made labels with my B# and put it on everything in my package... I had a few left over so I threw them in there too... I figured if anything else I had forgotten that needs labeling!
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Ha, I did that too! made a bunch of B# labels and stuck em everywhere.
 
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i got it maybe 2-3 days after I submitted the online portion - i did that quickly, b/c there was hardly anything to fill out online. then i had to google "bing pay graduate admission fee" and i finally got to the site to pay it and entered all the info... you need the B# and pin I believe.
 
lol just to let you know that I'm mailing mine tomorrow. I haven't been able to get the second reference until today.
 
My application status for Binghamton is coming up as "complete -forwarded to department," but there's no confirmation that my official GRE scores have been received (nothing listed in that box). It says they received my unofficial scores, though. I requested official scores at the end of October, and so far, all of my other schools have received them.

Do you guys think this merits concern? Is it worth a phonecall (to Binghamton and/or ETS) or should I just roll with it since I have the "all clear" in terms of a complete status?

Thanks, lovelies. 🙂
 
oh i just checked too, but I just remembered that I sent it on Thursday... so prob. getting there today/tomorrow.
 
Just a heads up, I know for a fact that students at Binghamton read this forum (and potentially faculty too). You all might want to take this into consideration before posting your grievances (especially since you made it clear about who you are because of the issues you are having)
 
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