PhD/PsyD Sort of an issue

[CHooves]

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Hey all,

So this is my first time posting, as I've had an issue come up that I'm really struggling to understand. I interviewed at VCU (Clinical Child) on 1/29-30, and felt like I did really well (as many people typically feel). I sent my follow up thank you's, and then didn't hear anything. I started seeing offers extended on TGC in early March, and after a bit of hesitation contacted my POI and asked if there were any updates. She responded, on 3/11, saying that she had no updates as they were still in the decision making process; additionally, I remember hearing rumors that she might be taking on two students (so maybe it's a funding issue). That being said, it's now March 23rd and I haven't heard any updates, at all.

I'm usually a trusting person, and I have been operating under the "no news is good news" mentality. However, it's pretty late in the game to not just being unaware of wait-list or rejection status, but to also have actually no information given when the POI was contacted. Basically, what do you think is going on? Do you think that I'm really just wait-listed as a low-ranked alternate and they are for whatever reason keeping me in the dark about this?

Essentially, and I hate asking this, but is it plausible that I'm being sort of... strung along? I really didn't think this could be the case, as I assumed it would be extremely unethical for a program/POI to lie to an applicant; however, after discussing this with my sister-in-law (who is a Clinical Psychology Professor, and has been giving me a lot of advice through this process), a lot of issues were raised as she felt this was a really strange and unique situation. Apparently, she also seemed to believe that dishonesty may play some part in what's happening, which completely blew my mind.

Anyway, sorry for the long post -- if anybody has any sort of take on this, please let me know. I really want to just accept that it didn't work out and move forward, but it's crazy hard with this much ambiguity surrounding this last part of the application process.

 

[bostongal109]

Hey all,

So this is my first time posting, as I've had an issue come up that I'm really struggling to understand. I interviewed at VCU (Clinical Child) on 1/29-30, and felt like I did really well (as many people typically feel). I sent my follow up thank you's, and then didn't hear anything. I started seeing offers extended on TGC in early March, and after a bit of hesitation contacted my POI and asked if there were any updates. She responded, on 3/11, saying that she had no updates as they were still in the decision making process; additionally, I remember hearing rumors that she might be taking on two students (so maybe it's a funding issue). That being said, it's now March 23rd and I haven't heard any updates, at all.

I'm usually a trusting person, and I have been operating under the "no news is good news" mentality. However, it's pretty late in the game to not just being unaware of wait-list or rejection status, but to also have actually no information given when the POI was contacted. Basically, what do you think is going on? Do you think that I'm really just wait-listed as a low-ranked alternate and they are for whatever reason keeping me in the dark about this?

Essentially, and I hate asking this, but is it plausible that I'm being sort of... strung along? I really didn't think this could be the case, as I assumed it would be extremely unethical for a program/POI to lie to an applicant; however, after discussing this with my sister-in-law (who is a Clinical Psychology Professor, and has been giving me a lot of advice through this process), a lot of issues were raised as she felt this was a really strange and unique situation. Apparently, she also seemed to believe that dishonesty may play some part in what's happening, which completely blew my mind.

Anyway, sorry for the long post -- if anybody has any sort of take on this, please let me know. I really want to just accept that it didn't work out and move forward, but it's crazy hard with this much ambiguity surrounding this last part of the application process.

.

 

[mm2009]

Personally, I would scratch that program, regardless of the holes and lack of closure. I'd guess you're on the waitlist, and yes, being strung along.

If you want to continue perusing: could you contact the DCT or administrative assistant? Anyone who is not the PI who could at least let you know if all offers have been extended? Or rejections?

At any rate, it's been almost two months since you've interviewed. I'd rather go to a program that really, truly wants me. And lets me know with confidence. We have more of a say in this process than we might think.

 

[clip.clop]

It's hard to say. I am in a similar situation and am just as unsure as you. I interviewed at a newly-accredited program on 2/20 heard back about 1.5 weeks later saying they were still making decisions. This last Thursday I asked for an update and was told by my POI that no students have been admitted to that lab but they're also at a spot where they can't make me an offer, and that they'd know in a couple weeks if they could make me an offer or not. I've mentally adopted the mindset that I'm not getting in, but who knows? That being said, this school historically hasn't made offers until mid-March at the earliest, so it's not as odd as your situation. But it still sucks. All I know is if this ends up being a situation where the POI doesn't take anyone, then this will be the second time I've interviewed for a lab that didn't take anyone anyway, and I'm going to be pissed.

 

[FLpsychstudent]

Idk, I don't think it's that weird. Maybe just check in one more time in early April. It is possible she is waiting on funding or whether or not she is allowed to take 2 students. I don't think it's a big deal if you are someone's 2nd choice and I wouldn't not go somewhere because of that. If there are other red flags then maybe. It sucks that she is not being totally honest and updating you about the situation but maybe she doens't want to get your hopes up if she's really not sure.

 

[dearhrt14]

I know that in some programs there is a ranking of faculty members such that those at the top of the list can make offers to students, and then if those don't work out faculty further down the list can make offers. This tends to happen when a program has more faculty who want students than funding is available, and they use this system instead of a wait list. I don't know anything about VCU's program, so I can't say whether their admissions process is like this, but from what you're saying my guess is your POI is a little further down that kind of list and others were able to make their offers first. It's also possible that your PI is waiting to hear back on a grant or some other internal source of funding before fully making an offer. I would still hold out hope (especially for after April 15th)!

 

[aly cat]

I'm a grad student who has been on the observation side for 5 application cycles. There are so, so many variables to be accounted for behind the scenes that factor into these decisions. I do not have a hypothesis for your specific situation, but everything from waiting on hearing about external funding, to waiting on a faculty member who has higher priority, to seeing if any of the applicants receive a university fellowship (and thus reduce the burden on the department for furnishing assistantships), etc. I know it is incredibly stressful and may feel like you are being strung along, but I sincerely doubt that is the case. VCU is a respected program and I fail to see what purpose concealing that you are a low ranked alternate would serve. Hang in there, and I think no news is still good news.