Okay, so I’ve been digging into this whole “Masters in Community Psychology” thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. I started out just kinda curious, you know? Like, what even is community psychology?
First, I scoured the internet. I mean, I really went down the rabbit hole. I typed in all sorts of searches, trying to get a feel for what programs were out there. I looked at university websites, read course descriptions, and tried to figure out what the heck the difference was between all these different programs.
My Initial Research and Confusion
- I started by just Googling “Masters in Community Psychology” – super basic, I know.
- Then I narrowed it down by location, because, you know, I’m not trying to move across the country.
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I was overwhelmed at how I spend hours reading personal statements from people, and felt so inspired.
- I compared tuition costs, because, ouch, grad school is expensive.
Honestly, I felt pretty lost at first. There’s so much information, and it’s all kinda jumbled. Plus, every school seems to have its own spin on what community psychology actually means. I spent a good few days just trying to wrap my head around the basics.
Getting Organized
After the initial chaos, I decided I needed to get organized. I created a spreadsheet – yes, a spreadsheet! – to keep track of all the programs I was interested in. I listed things like:
- Application deadlines (super important!)
- GRE requirements (some had them, some didn’t)
- Prerequisites (did I even have the right undergrad courses?)
- Faculty research interests (trying to find people doing cool stuff)
This spreadsheet became my bible. Seriously, it helped me so much to see everything laid out in one place. I could easily compare programs and see which ones were a good fit for me.
Reaching Out and Connecting
Next, I started reaching out to people. I emailed professors whose research I found interesting. I asked them about their work, their program, and any advice they had for prospective students. Some never replied, but some did, and those conversations were gold. I also tried to connect with current students or alumni on social media, it is convenient to get some firsthand insights into what the programs were really like.
The Application Process
Then came the actual application process. Ugh, the personal statements! I spent weeks writing and rewriting mine. I tried to show my passion for community psych, I talked about my relevant experiences, and I tried to make myself sound like a halfway decent human being. I asked some friends that I trust for proofread it, and made my modification accordingly.
I gathered my transcripts, requested letters of recommendation (pro tip: give your recommenders plenty of time!), and double-checked every single detail before hitting submit. It was nerve-wracking, but also exciting.
The Waiting Game and Result
After submitting everything, it was just a waiting game. I checked my email obsessively, jumped every time the phone rang, and basically drove myself crazy. Finally, the decisions started rolling in. Some were rejections, some were waitlists, and some were acceptances! Yessss!
I have received the result, I got my ideal offer!
So, that’s my story so far. It’s been a long process, with lots of ups and downs, but I’m stoked about where I’m headed.
