The 2011 Decision Help Thread

[LKpsychology]

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Thanks for sharing! Are both or any of the two APA accredited. I know, at least from the Chicago School, that it depends on the location. I personally would not join an unaccr'd program.

The topic of stigma is an interesting point. I think there are a lot of posts referring to how Psy.D. grads are viewed in comparison to Ph.D. programs. For me, not all Psy.D. programs have the same quality, nor do all Ph.D. programs are of equal quality. Having said that, it is not only how others may see you but how YOU feel about graduating from one of the two programs you have mentioned. Overall, I truly believe that Ph.D. programs are viewed as being more prestigious, looked at more favorable, most of the time funding is much much better, etc.pp.

If you are young and have the stamina and interest in going for a Ph.D. and already second guess yourself about entering as a Psy.D. student...maybe, follow your guts. A year goes fast and if you could polish your CV etc. why not try again...better than being unhappy...also, there are excellent Psy.D. programs (e.g., Baylor, Rutgers, Loyola U, etc.) and great MS programs with a focus on experimental psych (would help for a Ph.D. appl), think twice...and maybe, apply to a couple of Ph.D. programs. Many are very successful the sec year of applying.

G'luck

It's tough to find one's place. I myself try to figure that out and will most likely attend GWU - but am wait-listed at my top choice...so, still waiting.

Thanks for the advice! Yeah, they are both APA accredited. Ph.D. was never really the route for me; I applied only to Psy.D. programs. I would be nervous about doing a masters and reapplying because I wouldn't want to lose any of the acceptances I have this year. I still have a lot to think about in a short time. Best of luck!

 

[starsinnight]

Going crazy here!!!

Not really trying to decide between 2 schools yet, because I totally know which one I'd choose....


I have an offer at my #2 and am still waiting to hear back from my #1. #1 had a very late interview date and said they'd let us know by tomorrow (approximately). I am getting anxious, worried school #2 will call me soon asking for my decision or whats going on.

How long should I wait for school #1 before emailing or asking? I was thinking of asking the GA if offers have been sent out. What do you think? I really dont like nagging and don't want them to think I'm impatient. So should I just keep waiting towards April 15th and hang tight to the #2 offer?

 

[PsychGirl07]

Going crazy here!!!

Not really trying to decide between 2 schools yet, because I totally know which one I'd choose....


I have an offer at my #2 and am still waiting to hear back from my #1. #1 had a very late interview date and said they'd let us know by tomorrow (approximately). I am getting anxious, worried school #2 will call me soon asking for my decision or whats going on.

How long should I wait for school #1 before emailing or asking? I was thinking of asking the GA if offers have been sent out. What do you think? I really dont like nagging and don't want them to think I'm impatient. So should I just keep waiting towards April 15th and hang tight to the #2 offer?

I would at least wait until Monday. If you don't hear anything tomorrow then maybe give them a call on Monday and mention that you were told you would hear back from them around this time, and ask them if offers have been sent out. Don't worry about holding on to that #2 spot yet. You may feel pressure to give them a response, but you aren't doing anything wrong by waiting. This is an important decision, and you don't want to rush anything- schools understand that. Good luck, and congrats on the acceptance!

 

[dist0rti0n]

I've got 2 programs that are basically #1a and 1b. I'm in at 1a and first alternate at 1b. I've figured out what to make of the differences between the two programs except for one thing. School 1a's program is four years of study before the internship, while School 1b's program is five years of study before the internship.

With a shorter program, I'd get out into the field earlier, but I might be more stressed out and pressed to get my coursework, training, and dissertation in a shorter period of time.

What should I make of this difference between the two programs?

 

[paramour]

I've got 2 programs that are basically #1a and 1b. I'm in at 1a and first alternate at 1b. I've figured out what to make of the differences between the two programs except for one thing. School 1a's program is four years of study before the internship, while School 1b's program is five years of study before the internship.

With a shorter program, I'd get out into the field earlier, but I might be more stressed out and pressed to get my coursework, training, and dissertation in a shorter period of time.

What should I make of this difference between the two programs?

It could be more coursework, or it could be the timeline in which the coursework is laid out, or it could be other factors that the program emphasizes other than coursework. It really depends upon the individual programs.

It's not uncommon for students in our program to be taking classes all the way 'til their fifth year when they're applying for internship; partially because there are a few extra courses that our program likes to throw in (or so I've been told b/c we're reportedly "course heavy"), and partially because our program typically offers most of the courses we really "need" in the spring semester (and those courses require pre-reqs), so we get stuck with light fall semesters (unless we choose to take some extra electives here & there) and then pile up on courses in the spring with everything else...

Why not ask your program advisor or students?

 

[kfpsych07]

I need some serious help! I haven't gotten my financial aid information from one, but I'm anticipating both programs would cost about the same.


George Washington PsyD. in Clinical
This is where my head is. I'd finish the coursework in three years and be on to predoc internship the fourth year. I like the faculty and all the students I met, and I love Washington, DC. I know it's psychodynamically framed, which is the orientation I typically think from regardless, but I'm worried that it'll limit me in the future.

University of Denver Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology
This is where my heart is. I absolutely love the city, the students in the program, the program itself, and the faculty is outstanding. SPP is what I'm truly interested in. However, do I really want to tack on additional years of school? Will this cost me more money in the long run? I know the application process is hell and I don't particularly want to do it again. Should I turn down a doctorate program, which is my ultimate goal anyway?


Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[kea2115]

I need some serious help! I haven't gotten my financial aid information from one, but I'm anticipating both programs would cost about the same.


George Washington PsyD. in Clinical
This is where my head is. I'd finish the coursework in three years and be on to predoc internship the fourth year. I like the faculty and all the students I met, and I love Washington, DC. I know it's psychodynamically framed, which is the orientation I typically think from regardless, but I'm worried that it'll limit me in the future.

University of Denver Masters in Sport and Performance Psychology
This is where my heart is. I absolutely love the city, the students in the program, the program itself, and the faculty is outstanding. SPP is what I'm truly interested in. However, do I really want to tack on additional years of school? Will this cost me more money in the long run? I know the application process is hell and I don't particularly want to do it again. Should I turn down a doctorate program, which is my ultimate goal anyway?


Any thoughts would be appreciated!

If I were you, I'd choose the latter. If you choose to practice, you really only need a masters, and that is where your heart it. To me, that is what is more important, because it is not as though your head isn't their either. Plus, even though the application process sucks, if you do decide to ultimately go for your doctorate, it will be a couple years from now and you'll forget how awful the whole process truly is 😉

 

[cinder]

I can't decide between...

The New School M.A. program (I have plans to apply for their PhD program if I go there, so I'm looking at it at the same level. Also, I'm already in correspondence with a lab there.)

or

Pace's PsyD program


Does anyone have any ideas about which one offers better training, is better regarded, etc.? Since I really like both programs (but for different reasons), I think it's going to come down to little things like this. I had a great feel at both programs, and really connected with faculty. I really have no idea what to do right now, so any extra help would be greatly appreciated! Pace's program would be nice because then I don't have to reapply, but I like how New School seems more research oriented. However, research isn't my main focus...

 

[Introspect]

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the reputation or quality of University of Montana's clinical psych program. Has anyone heard anything regarding this program, good or bad? I am considering accepting an offer there but they don't offer full funding and their match rate the last couple years was abysmal (but very good prior to that) so I have some reservations about accepting. However, there are some things I really like about the program, including my POI so I feel conflicted.

So if anyone has any insight or information they could share I would *really* appreciate it!

 

[futureapppsy2]

I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the reputation or quality of University of Montana's clinical psych program. Has anyone heard anything regarding this program, good or bad? I am considering accepting an offer there but they don't offer full funding and their match rate the last couple years was abysmal (but very good prior to that) so I have some reservations about accepting. However, there are some things I really like about the program, including my POI so I feel conflicted.

So if anyone has any insight or information they could share I would *really* appreciate it!

PM'ed you.

 

[lifesanillusion]

...their match rate the last couple years was abysmal (but very good prior to that) so I have some reservations about accepting.

I know nothing about this program, but match rates can be affected any given year by a number of student factors, including students attempting to stay locally or students who are interested in a very specific type of internship experience (both of which can limit number of applications and/or mean that the student was vying for more competitive slots). I'd ask your potential mentor (or better yet the DCT) why their numbers were low last year. I'd also ask about this year's numbers. Best wishes in your decision.

 

[saribou13]

Is anyone on here by any chance holding onto an acceptance offer for the Counseling PhD program at either University of North Texas, Texas Woman's University, or University of Denver?? I'm on the waitlist at all three programs, and would love to see some action over here!!! 😀

 

[PhDBound1]

I have one acceptance at a solid APA accredited PhD program, which is closer to home and has a much more moderate climate, but didn't seem like the best fit during my visit. I am high on the waitlist at a program where I thought I fit really well with the other graduate students and my POI's research interest, but is further from home and has more severe winters, which I am not used to at all. I have been trying to make the decision for the school that is closer to home, both because it's the offer I have already, and because it may be a better choice for my young family. However, something keeps making me want to wait. How important is "fit" really?

 

[ThirdLittleBird]

I have one acceptance at a solid APA accredited PhD program, which is closer to home and has a much more moderate climate, but didn't seem like the best fit during my visit. I am high on the waitlist at a program where I thought I fit really well with the other graduate students and my POI's research interest, but is further from home and has more severe winters, which I am not used to at all. I have been trying to make the decision for the school that is closer to home, both because it's the offer I have already, and because it may be a better choice for my young family. However, something keeps making me want to wait. How important is "fit" really?

For me, I would go for what is better for my family. Unless your research interests do not align at all, of course. A solid fit at school is not going to remain positive for too long if your family is unhappy at home.

 

[LKpsychology]

At this point, I'm trying to decide between MSPP (Mass. School of Prof. Psych) and The Chicago School of Professional Psych clinical Psy.D. programs. I'm most interested in pursuing their child/adolescent concentrations. I am soooo stuck at this point. Both schools are equal for me in terms of cost, so that isn't a helping factor. I was looking for ANY AND ALL ADVICE anyone can provide me about these programs. I'm starting to freak out since April 15 is now just a week away. Thanks!!!

Feel free to PM me if you have info that you don't want public.

Thank you all!!

 

[terpskins10]

How are the match rates? It might not seem important now, but they definitely are. This is not just a professional school problem, either.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I know someone who attended CSPP, and she was generally happy with her training, with some caveats. From what I was told, you need to be very pro-active to hunt down research opportunities and the stats training was pretty poor. The cost is obviously an issue (both the tuition and cost of living in Chicago), though she was able to land a pretty good repayment plan because she works with underserved populations in CMH.

 

[O Gurl]

I think you should carefully research both programs (funding, overall debt load, how many years it takes to complete, match rates, EPPP rates, what kinds of jobs graduates secure, everything). To be perfectly honest with you, you are setting yourself at a huge disadvantage by forgoing a university based program and attending a professional school of psychology. These programs typically under-perform, under-fund, and are not well-respected in the field. This may prove critical when you have to search and compete nationwide for internships. It is equally as tough in terms of securing a postdoc or job. Clearly, you are going to do what you want, but I would not feel right lying to you or failing to state the facts. The decision you make now will affect the rest of your career. Professional schools of psychology are bad news.

 

[jena2nsu]

Unfortunately, I have not visited the Chicago campus, only the D.C. campus.

Like you, I was accepted into the TCSPP's Clinical Psy.D. program for the fall 2011. I was broken between TCSPP and a local program at my home university. I decided to visit the campus (I just returned yesterday). I attended an open house event where I was able to tour the facility, meet with existing students, meet faculty and the school's president. I was highly impressed, to say the least.

The faculty and students I met were very engaged in the material. In fact, all faculty members at TCSPP are required to practice professionally in addition to their teaching duties. Thus, you benefit from the faculty member's full-time professional experiences.

All of TCSPP campuses offer ample study abroad opportunities during the summer months. Study abroad allows you to gain an additional understanding of how psychology varies on a global scale.

The Clinical Psy.D. program is structured in a way that provides additional benefits compared to other similar programs. First, TCSPP has ample practicum placement opportunities at all campuses. Second, you will engage in three years (most others are two) of practicum work for a total of 1800 hours over the three year period. Third, you are required to have completed your dissertation before internship. Each of this factors help you to gain an upper-hand when it comes to applying for your internship.

After visiting the campus, I was convinced this was the best option for me. TCSPP would provide a stimulating environment both on-campus and in the metro area. I paid my deposit just yesterday. A year from now, I hope to be able to report that my experiences as a full-time student at TCSPP are just as positive as this.

 

[Phipps]

Unfortunately, I have not visited the Chicago campus, only the D.C. campus.

Like you, I was accepted into the TCSPP's Clinical Psy.D. program for the fall 2011. I was broken between TCSPP and a local program at my home university. I decided to visit the campus (I just returned yesterday). I attended an open house event where I was able to tour the facility, meet with existing students, meet faculty and the school's president. I was highly impressed, to say the least.

The faculty and students I met were very engaged in the material. In fact, all faculty members at TCSPP are required to practice professionally in addition to their teaching duties. Thus, you benefit from the faculty member's full-time professional experiences.

All of TCSPP campuses offer ample study abroad opportunities during the summer months. Study abroad allows you to gain an additional understanding of how psychology varies on a global scale.

The Clinical Psy.D. program is structured in a way that provides additional benefits compared to other similar programs. First, TCSPP has ample practicum placement opportunities at all campuses. Second, you will engage in three years (most others are two) of practicum work for a total of 1800 hours over the three year period. Third, you are required to have completed your dissertation before internship. Each of this factors help you to gain an upper-hand when it comes to applying for your internship.

After visiting the campus, I was convinced this was the best option for me. TCSPP would provide a stimulating environment both on-campus and in the metro area. I paid my deposit just yesterday. A year from now, I hope to be able to report that my experiences as a full-time student at TCSPP are just as positive as this.

TCSPP D.C. Campus starts its Psy.D. program or has its first incoming class this Spring (2011). This is a brand new D.C. location, not APA accredited yet. How were you able to talk to Psy.D. students there (and faculty) who already have gained some experience they can talk about? I am confused.

When I emailed them last year, the person I emailed offered me the option to start a Psy.D. in Spring of 2011. They had still openings. When I asked about the APA status she asked me to call here...-never did.

 

[jena2nsu]

Correct, the D.C. campus is not yet APA accredited. APA now allows you to apply for accreditation the same year the first class begins internship. Thus, it's possible to be granted APA accreditation relatively quickly. And, it's usually retroactive for a maximum of two years.

The students I encountered had experience inside of the classroom. As you said, it's a new program, so all students are still in Year 1.

The school is actively working on building up their database of practicum sites. From what I understood, the process is running better than expected.

 

[KayJay85]

TCSPP D.C. Campus starts its Psy.D. program or has its first incoming class this Spring (2011). This is a brand new D.C. location, not APA accredited yet. How were you able to talk to Psy.D. students there (and faculty) who already have gained some experience they can talk about? I am confused.

When I emailed them last year, the person I emailed offered me the option to start a Psy.D. in Spring of 2011. They had still openings. When I asked about the APA status she asked me to call here...-never did.

That whole comment from jena2nsu was strange. Read much more like a recruiting pitch. LKpsychology, u should also be wary of any program that would comb forums to recruit students

 

[jena2nsu]

I'm not a recruiter. My posts represent my personal writing style. LK asked for an opinion of TCSPP and I gave it. If LK wants, she is welcome to look me up on facebook to know that I'm in the same position as she.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Correct, the D.C. campus is not yet APA accredited. APA now allows you to apply for accreditation the same year the first class begins internship. Thus, it's possible to be granted APA accreditation relatively quickly. And, it's usually retroactive for a maximum of two years.

The students I encountered had experience inside of the classroom. As you said, it's a new program, so all students are still in Year 1.

The school is actively working on building up their database of practicum sites. From what I understood, the process is running better than expected.

APA accreditation is NOT retroactive!

http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/about/program-choice.aspx?item=8

Award of 'accredited' status is effective on the final day of the site visit preceding the Commission on Accreditation’s (CoA) decision to grant such status. Students who are in the program on that date and subsequently complete the program are considered to be graduates of an accredited program, provided, of course, that the program maintains an accredited status through the date of the students' graduation. Thus, programs are accredited beginning with the site visit, and accreditation is not retroactive.

(emphasis added)

Also, I'm merging this with the 2011 decision help thread.

 

[Phipps]

That whole comment from jena2nsu was strange. Read much more like a recruiting pitch. LKpsychology, u should also be wary of any program that would comb forums to recruit students

Re: TCSPP D.C. Campus

Also, if you look up their D.C. side, the earliest for students to start as Psy.Ds was this Spring. SO, how can they really talk about their experience...I doubt it...not even sure that a class started this Spring b/c when I emailed them I had been told that they have still openings for their Psy.D. Clinical Program starting in Spring of 2011 which would be the first cohort. The person who emailed me tried to get me to apply for Spring (this was in November for start in January) wish caused me to stop communicating with them.. I felt pushed...just human nature to pull back, I guess.

 

[MadamKilgore]

If any one has any questions about the University of Denver's Psy.D program please message me and I will do the best I can to answer. I am a first year student.

 

[Venny]

Hi all! I posted about this earlier on another thread and you all were helpful but now I have more concerns.

I accepted an offer from a clinical psych PhD program ranked in the 80s by US News and 90-110 by articles that rank programs based on faculty publication/citation rates. I just discovered PhDs.org (or the new NRC data), and my school ranks darn near the bottom. However, the new NRC data doesn't differentiate between psychology subfields so my school's psych department is being compared to a bunch of developmental, cognitive, etc. programs as well. For that reason, maybe I should stop worrying, but I can't.

Also, I've been told that it's my mentor's reputation that matters, not the school's. And that's another problem; my mentor is not a big name in this particular specialty right now and his lab isn't very active. However, there is another prof there who has multiple interests - one of which is similar to my own - and he has a grant for a new promising study and publishes regularly. So maybe I should just switch to his lab? Or work in both?

I've been so stressed about this for weeks now that I've lost weight and I haven't been sleeping well. I am scared to death that I made the wrong decision, and I feel like I'm settling. If I had applied to more prestigious programs and more active labs, I may have gotten an offer; who knows? I am really concerned about my employability; if neither my school nor my mentor is famous, what are my career opportunities going to look like when I complete this degree?

What would be worse at this point? Backing out of my commitment (already accepted the offer) or going to this program, seeing what I think once I'm there, and then perhaps applying to different programs this fall or next fall?

 

[kea2115]

Hi all! I posted about this earlier on another thread and you all were helpful but now I have more concerns.

I accepted an offer from a clinical psych PhD program ranked in the 80s by US News and 90-110 by articles that rank programs based on faculty publication/citation rates. I just discovered PhDs.org (or the new NRC data), and my school ranks darn near the bottom. However, the new NRC data doesn't differentiate between psychology subfields so my school's psych department is being compared to a bunch of developmental, cognitive, etc. programs as well. For that reason, maybe I should stop worrying, but I can't.

Also, I've been told that it's my mentor's reputation that matters, not the school's. And that's another problem; my mentor is not a big name in this particular specialty right now and his lab isn't very active. However, there is another prof there who has multiple interests - one of which is similar to my own - and he has a grant for a new promising study and publishes regularly. So maybe I should just switch to his lab? Or work in both?

I've been so stressed about this for weeks now that I've lost weight and I haven't been sleeping well. I am scared to death that I made the wrong decision, and I feel like I'm settling. If I had applied to more prestigious programs and more active labs, I may have gotten an offer; who knows? I am really concerned about my employability; if neither my school nor my mentor is famous, what are my career opportunities going to look like when I complete this degree?

What would be worse at this point? Backing out of my commitment (already accepted the offer) or going to this program, seeing what I think once I'm there, and then perhaps applying to different programs this fall or next fall?

"Rank" (if you can't tell, I do not believe very strongly in rank, and think it should be taken with a grain of salt)/prestige aside, are you happy with your decision? As in, do you believe it to be a good fit, a place where you can thrive, and develop personally and professionally? If so, that's really what matters.

 

[Venny]

"Rank" (if you can't tell, I do not believe very strongly in rank, and think it should be taken with a grain of salt)/prestige aside, are you happy with your decision? As in, do you believe it to be a good fit, a place where you can thrive, and develop personally and professionally? If so, that's really what matters.

You're right. I am done stressing about this. I'm just being silly now; I need to stop. Thanks for your insight! 🙂

 

[ThirdLittleBird]

Anyone else still 100% torn between two programs?

I've literally resorted to flipping a coin, but then second guess that decision, so I flip again.

Spreadsheets, pros/cons list, etc. Nothing is helping.

 

[WJPSYCH]

Anyone else still 100% torn between two programs?

I've literally resorted to flipping a coin, but then second guess that decision, so I flip again.

Spreadsheets, pros/cons list, etc. Nothing is helping.

Social Psych research says that when you are forced to choose between two things you judge as equal, that you will later justify your choice by playing up the positives of your choice and the negatives of your non-choice (Brehm 1956 summarized here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance#The_Free-Choice_Paradigm). If feel of the campus/mentor isn't working, if money (stipend cost of living) or location don't matter or are equal, and you really can't decide then just pick one and go with it. You will likely find ways to justify your choice as the better one no matter which school you choose. Sorry that I can't be of more help and good luck!

 

[Introspect]

Anyone else still 100% torn between two programs?

I've literally resorted to flipping a coin, but then second guess that decision, so I flip again.

Spreadsheets, pros/cons list, etc. Nothing is helping.

I am having exactly the same problem! It is driving me crazy!

 

[ImGrumpy]

Anyone else still 100% torn between two programs?

I've literally resorted to flipping a coin, but then second guess that decision, so I flip again.

Spreadsheets, pros/cons list, etc. Nothing is helping.

ThirdLittleBird and Introspect.
If both truly are good options and you feel you could be happy at either one, then just choose one by tonite. Make the commitment. Notify two or three people important in your personal or professional life what the decision is so that it is a real commitment. This might mean significant other, parents or siblings, professor or mentor of some kind, etc. Then, get on with your life. Go out to dinner, watch some crappy indulgent tv, etc. Make the decision with the idea that it is final.

However, do not send anything to either university. If in two or three days you are feeling bad about your choice, then maybe you should go with the other options. If you don't feel bad and only feel relief, send that acceptance in and be joyous!

 

[ThirdLittleBird]

ThirdLittleBird and Introspect.
If both truly are good options and you feel you could be happy at either one, then just choose one by tonite. Make the commitment. Notify two or three people important in your personal or professional life what the decision is so that it is a real commitment. This might mean significant other, parents or siblings, professor or mentor of some kind, etc. Then, get on with your life. Go out to dinner, watch some crappy indulgent tv, etc. Make the decision with the idea that it is final.

However, do not send anything to either university. If in two or three days you are feeling bad about your choice, then maybe you should go with the other options. If you don't feel bad and only feel relief, send that acceptance in and be joyous!

Funny, because I did just this on Friday. Over the weekend, I did feel bad about the decision and changed my mind (again, and again). I'm getting closer...

 

[psychapps]

Anyone else still 100% torn between two programs?

I've literally resorted to flipping a coin, but then second guess that decision, so I flip again.

Spreadsheets, pros/cons list, etc. Nothing is helping.

When I was deciding between my top 2, I found that my pro/con lists kept me in a state of perpetual confusion. For me, looking at all those variables just made me endlessly cycle back and forth (well X is better at school 1 -- oh, but Y is better at school 2 -- but school 1 has Z).

What I ended up doing is throwing out all of the "meh" variables. Meaning, anything where the schools differed but not in a make-or-break way. That left me with 3 or 4 major factors that I could think through and prioritize. In the end, I realized that those 3 or 4 variables represented about 90% of my decision, which made me really regret the week and a half I spent obsessing over the other 75 factors. 🙄

 

[Phipps]

ThirdLittleBird and Introspect.
Notify two or three people important in your personal or professional life what the decision is so that it is a real commitment. This might mean significant other, parents or siblings, professor or mentor of some kind, etc. Then, get on with your life.

That's what I did after not knowing how to decide. My advisor at my current school said "just say YES" to one of the two. I did and informed others -partied and was done. No regrets so far...has been a couple of weeks now. Fact is, you do not really know how it is going to be anyhow and if two are equally appealing, ...just say yes to one and move one...

 

[Phipps]

ThirdLittleBird and Introspect.
Notify two or three people important in your personal or professional life what the decision is so that it is a real commitment. This might mean significant other, parents or siblings, professor or mentor of some kind, etc. Then, get on with your life.

That's what I did after not knowing how to decide. My advisor at my current school said "just say YES" to one of the two. I did and informed others -partied and was done. No regrets so far...has been a couple of weeks now. Fact is, you do not really know how it is going to be anyhow and if two are equally appealing, ...just say yes to one and move one...

 

[saribou13]

ThirdLittleBird and Introspect.
Notify two or three people important in your personal or professional life what the decision is so that it is a real commitment. This might mean significant other, parents or siblings, professor or mentor of some kind, etc. Then, get on with your life.

That's what I did after not knowing how to decide. My advisor at my current school said "just say YES" to one of the two. I did and informed others -partied and was done. No regrets so far...has been a couple of weeks now. Fact is, you do not really know how it is going to be anyhow and if two are equally appealing, ...just say yes to one and move one...

hopefully opening a space up for some of us whose lives are hanging in the balance on waitlists!

 

[ThirdLittleBird]

hopefully opening a space up for some of us whose lives are hanging in the balance on waitlists!

There is no waitlist for either of my programs. If there were, I would have made a decision by now.

 

[hellopsych]

I have to make a decision between Pepperdine PsyD/ Biola (Rosemead) PhD by this Friday.

Where would you choose to attend if you were me?
Do you know reputations of these two programs??