PhD/PsyD The first rule of SDN is: You do not talk about SDN

[bcliff]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I've brought up SDN in passing at a couple interviews (e.g. I've read online... I've heard people say... etc.), and I've had other people (applicants and students) eagerly agree (I read that too!), and then we sort of give each other the look - The you're-probably-obsessed-with-SDN-too look. I really appreciate how anonymous SDN is especially given it's relatively low levels of trolls and a**holes, so I of course never pry any further than maybe innocuously asking "are you on SDN?", but I've been wondering lately what % of students and applicants are on SDN, and if other people have had similar SDN run-ins too.

 

[cara susanna]

Oh yeah. It comes up more and more as you progress through training, especially internship apps because so many people use it just for that. I especially loved when professors were like "Don't read that message board while waiting to hear back (for internship)! It will drive you crazy!" I disagreed because I felt like SDN actually really helped me during that process.

I also enjoy when I catch glimpses of it on office-mates' computers. 😉

 

[erg923]

Did SDN blow up my apartment?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It didn't exist (the clinical psych forum at least) when I was interviewing at programs. 🙁

 

[crazypsychstudent]

I mentioned it to my professors and during doctoral interviews. They all tell me not to use it and about the type of people who frequently use it.

 

[erg923]

They all tell me not to use it and about the type of people who frequently use it.

People who are dedicated and passionate about the field and guiding/advising undergrad and grad students? Yes, we should just let students fend for themselves. **** em...

 

[CheetahGirl]

I mentioned it to my professors and during doctoral interviews. They all tell me not to use it and about the type of people who frequently use it.

I'll tell you who uses SDN...overachieving, well-prepared individuals who want to be adequately informed prior to their novel experiences. Yeah, those type of people suck and are awful influences...said no one ever.

Well...Briarcliff, you said it and it's also my rule: "First rule of SDN is do not talk about SDN."

I used to talk about SDN with my colleagues in training and some of them (with particularly more OCD features than most) would say they avoided it because they would've found themselves glued to it, spending exorbitant amounts of time, and/or generally feeling temporarily dissatisfied vs satisfied, depending on the post or info garnered. I used to be worried that once I started talking (in person) about SDN (at interviews, work, classes), people would discover my online identity which is TOTALLY paranoid and a little narcissistic on my part. Overall, I now chose not to discuss SDN (in person) because I enjoy my anonymity here - I can be free to voice my opinions (right or wrong) without fear of ramifications to my program, internship or future possibilities (unlike Facebook/Instagram selfies using your real name on your account & with low security settings for all your professors/future employers/patients to see). Frankly, I like keeping my virtual world and real world separate sometimes. I haven't been on here in a while, and it seems like catching up with old friends and foes (you know who you are...you, non-psychodynamic, rigid folks...and for those folks, I'll have you know I've been doing A LOT of EBTs and CBT on internship...lovingly mixed in my psychodynamic case conceptualizations that has served me very well in building alliances for short-term treatment). Ha.

 

[WisNeuro]

Eh, I tend to think this site is a bimodal distribution.

 

[CheetahGirl]

SDN's bimodal distribution, friends or foes - you were all missed... all the same.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I spoke with a 3rd year, who frequents the board. Its kind of weird, if they can figure out who you are.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I don't mention SDN professionally, yet it is responsible for a good 5 or so of my publications, via collaborating with folks I've met on here.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

I don't mention SDN professionally, yet it is responsible for a good 5 or so of my publications, via collaborating with folks I've met on here.

If thats the case, people collaborate with me! lol

 

[bcliff]

SDN got me a (short lived) research position a couple years ago. Even though the contract only lasted a few months, being able to say I've worked with veterans is a huge on my CV. Thanks SDN!

 

[kestrelcry]

I found out what all I needed to do to become a clinical psychologist on SDN and someone on this site told me about the PI with whom I got a position research coordinating, which, in turn, is what made me competitive for grad school. I second the "Thanks, SDN!"

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I've published one article and had some opportunities for further collaboration with people who I first met on SDN. These were all organic encounters based on shared interests, much like you sometimes find when serving on a committee or meeting at a conference….though the conversations are akin to talking to someone in a crowded mall food court, as you never quite know who may also pop in and share their two cents. 😉

 

[CheetahGirl]

SDN (specifically Jon Snow) was instrumental in my decision to hold-off for a funded PhD (vs a non-funded program), saving me over $100K in debt! PsychMama (who is long gone from this site) encouraged/inspired me to carry-on when parenting /grad school was overwhelming. Therapist4Change (along with many VA psychologists here) inspired/critiqued my points of view/modeled what I want out of training and influenced my decision to be at this terrific VA internship site (I adore working with these Veterans & staff and feel I'm really serving my country - secondary gain).


And not to mention the overwhelming support during program & internship application times! Holy Smoke!

I can honestly say I <3 SDN.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I also think SDN has kept me motivated and humble throughout grad school, tbh. Seeing the qualifications of many posters here have always motivated me to improve mine and to remember that there are a ton of extremely well-qualified people out there, many much more qualified than I am.

 

[Rivi]

I have never met anyone IRL who told me that they use SDN. However, I have seen several people allude to it, especially the internship interview threads. I wish more people used SDN, as our field could really benefit from an open forum to discuss our issues.

 

[SharkBait13]

His name was Robert Paulson...

Okay I couldn't resist, sorry.

But yeah, this forum has helped me immeasurably. Both the "Don't go into this profession" posts and the encouraging ones. I feel like I have a balanced view of the future. Not to mention all the advice I received when applying to programs and preparing for interviews. Thanks everyone, I definitely plan on paying it back over the next few years by helping other prospective students.

 

[FLpsychstudent]

I think this forum is very helpful but a lot of people have a negative view of it only because of the posts with dates of hearing back from grad school programs/internship sites. Those posts are a little nerve-wracking but personally I appreciated having the knowledge 🙂 And the rest of the posts here are not like that really.

 

[bcliff]

At an interview recently, the faculty provided us with a copy of the 'Hidden Gems in Clinical Psych' article, and I saw @MCParent's name listed as an author. I felt like I was in elementary school, and I had just ran into my teacher at the grocery store.