Okay, here’s my blog post about applying to Lehigh University’s Counseling Psychology PhD program:
Alright, folks, so I’ve been diving deep into the world of Counseling Psychology PhD programs, and let me tell you, it’s a BEAST. Today, I’m gonna walk you through my experience with Lehigh University’s program, specifically. Buckle up, because it’s a ride.
Step 1: The Initial Digging
First things first, I started by just Googling “Counseling Psychology PhD programs.” Yeah, real sophisticated, I know. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right? I stumbled upon a bunch of lists and rankings, and Lehigh kept popping up. So, I headed over to their program page.
Step 2: Requirement Rodeo
Then came the fun part (sarcasm alert): figuring out the requirements. Every program has its own special blend of hoops you gotta jump through. For Lehigh, I needed things like:
- GRE scores (ugh, standardized tests…my nemesis)
- Transcripts from all my previous schools. That meant tracking down a transcript from that random community college I took a summer class at, like, a decade ago. Fun times.
- Letters of recommendation. So I had to hit up my old professors and supervisors, hoping they remembered me fondly.
- A personal statement. This is where you basically pour your heart and soul onto paper and beg them to accept you. No pressure.
- And, of course, the online application itself. Which, let me tell you, is never as straightforward as it seems.
Step 3: Crafting the Personal Statement
The personal statement, oh man, that was a whole separate ordeal. I spent weeks staring at a blank screen, trying to figure out how to articulate my passion for counseling psychology, my research interests, and why Lehigh was the perfect fit for me. I went through, like, five different drafts, had my friends read it over, and probably drove them crazy with all my revisions.
Step 4: The GRE Grind
Let’s not forget the GRE. I dusted off my old prep books, signed up for some online practice tests, and basically lived and breathed vocabulary words and math problems for a solid month. It wasn’t pretty, but I managed to get a score I was (somewhat) happy with.
Step 5: Submitting and…Waiting
Finally, after all that, I hit the submit button on the application. And then…the waiting game began. It’s seriously the worst part. You’re constantly checking your email, refreshing the application portal, and basically losing your mind wondering if you’ll get an interview.
Step 6: Interview Jitters(If Get)
If all stars align you might get the chance to go to Interview. Prepare and research. I tried to prepare for any potential questions by thinking of some ahead of time and planning my answers. It’s nerve-wracking to say the least.
So, that’s my Lehigh Counseling Psychology PhD application journey in a nutshell. It’s definitely a process, but hopefully, this gives you a little glimpse into what it’s like. Wish me luck!
