My Stint Looking into St. John’s PhD Program
So, I wanted to share a bit about my time looking into the Clinical Psychology PhD over at St. John’s University. It feels like ages ago now, but I remember the whole process pretty vividly. It started when I was deep in that phase of figuring out my next steps after my Master’s. You know how it is, searching online, talking to people, trying to find the right fit.
I first seriously considered St. John’s because, well, New York City. Seemed exciting, right? Plus, a professor I respected mentioned they had a decent program, particularly if you were interested in working with underserved populations, which definitely caught my eye. So, I decided to dig a little deeper.
I spent a good few evenings glued to my computer, clicking through their department website. It wasn’t the flashiest site, let me tell you, but I found the info I needed. I looked at the faculty profiles, trying to see whose research clicked with my interests. Some names popped out, people doing work that seemed genuinely interesting, especially in health psychology and child stuff. The program structure seemed pretty standard, heavy on research but with solid clinical training built-in. That balance felt right to me at the time.
The Application Hurdle
Deciding to apply is one thing; actually doing it is another beast entirely. Gathering all the materials was a real chore. Here’s roughly what I remember doing:
- Transcripts: Had to request them from my undergrad and Master’s institutions. Always feels like pulling teeth, waiting for those things to arrive.
- GREs: Yep, had to take the GRE. Studied for weeks, felt like my brain was melting. Not sure if they still require it, but it was a big stressor back then. Got the scores sent over.
- Personal Statement: Oh boy. Staring at that blank document was intimidating. Trying to summarize your whole life, your passion for psychology, why this specific program… it took several drafts. I tried to make it genuine, talking about some experiences that really pushed me towards clinical work.
- Letters of Rec: This part always makes me nervous. Reaching out to professors, hoping they remember you well enough and have the time. I gave them plenty of notice, provided my CV and statement draft, basically tried to make it as easy for them as possible. Had to send a couple of polite reminder emails too.
- The Application Form Itself: Filling out all the online boxes, double-checking everything. It felt tedious but necessary.
I remember St. John’s application having a specific essay or prompt asking about diversity or working with diverse populations. I spent extra time on that, trying to be thoughtful and connect it to my own background and goals. Felt important to get that part right, given their location and apparent focus.
Waiting and What Happened Next
After hitting submit, the waiting game began. That period is pure anxiety. You check your email constantly. You try to distract yourself, but your mind keeps wandering back. Did they get everything? Was my statement good enough? Are my GRE scores competitive?
Months went by. Then, I actually got an email inviting me for an interview! I was thrilled, honestly. Flew out there – or maybe it was virtual, my memory’s a bit hazy on that detail now. The interview day itself was intense. Lots of talking, meeting faculty, meeting current students. Everyone seemed smart, maybe a little stressed, but generally welcoming.
In the end, though, I didn’t get an offer from St. John’s. Got the rejection email a few weeks after the interview. Yeah, it stung a bit, no doubt about it. You put all that effort in, get your hopes up. But looking back, the interview process itself helped me clarify what I really wanted. Maybe the specific research fit wasn’t quite perfect, or maybe the vibe I got just wasn’t the exact match for me long-term.
So, that was my journey with the St. John’s application. It was a lot of work, a bit of a rollercoaster. Didn’t end up there, but the process itself taught me a lot about navigating grad school applications and figuring out my own path. Just part of the whole messy process of finding your way, I guess.
