Okay, so you wanna hear about my journey applying for a clinical psychology PhD at Suffolk? Buckle up, it’s a ride.
Phase 1: The “Am I Good Enough?” Freakout
- Started with some serious soul-searching. Like, really staring into the abyss of my GPA and GRE scores.
- Did a bunch of research. Hit up gradcafe, you know? Saw some scary high scores, felt instantly deflated.
- Talked to my undergrad advisor. She was cool, told me to focus on my strengths. Which, let’s be honest, wasn’t the GRE.
Phase 2: The Application Grind
- First thing, the personal statement. Ugh. Spent weeks just brainstorming. What even is my story?
- Wrote like a million drafts. Seriously. Had friends, family, even my barista read it over. Got some killer feedback.
- Tracked down my recommenders. Emailed professors I hadn’t talked to in years. Felt awkward, but gotta do what you gotta do.
- Transcripts! Those were easy, just a pain to order and pay for.
- GRE scores – sent those bad boys in, tried not to look too closely at the quant section.
- Filled out the online application. So. Many. Boxes.
Phase 3: The Waiting Game (aka Insanity)
- Hit refresh on my email like it was a full-time job. Seriously unhealthy.
- Joined some online forums, obsessed over other people’s application statuses. Don’t do this. Seriously, it’s terrible for your mental health.
- Tried to distract myself. Binge-watched shows, hung out with friends, anything to avoid thinking about it. Failed miserably.
Phase 4: The Interview Invitation! (and More Freakout)
- Got the email! Almost had a heart attack. A good heart attack.
- Immediately started prepping. Researched Suffolk’s program, the faculty, everything.
- Practiced answering common interview questions. “Why clinical psych?” “What are your research interests?” Knew those answers cold.
- Did a mock interview with my advisor. She grilled me. It was terrifying, but super helpful.
- Picked out my interview outfit. Professional, but also comfortable. Important!
Phase 5: The Interview Itself
- Went to Boston, tried not to look like a tourist. Failed, I’m sure.
- Met the faculty. They were all super nice, which helped calm my nerves. A little.
- Answered their questions, tried to be myself, and showed my passion for clinical psychology.
- Asked them questions too. Showed I was genuinely interested in the program.
- Left feeling… okay? Hard to tell. You never really know.
Phase 6: More Waiting (Still Insane)
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- Back to refreshing my email. Ugh.
- Tried to be patient. Failed again.
Phase 7: Acceptance!
- Got the acceptance email! Screamed. Happy cried. Called everyone I knew.
- Said yes! Obviously.
Phase 8: Reflecting on the Process
- It was brutal. Seriously. The most stressful thing I’ve ever done.
- But also, totally worth it. I’m so excited to start this next chapter.
Key Takeaways:
- Start early. Seriously, don’t procrastinate.
- Get feedback on your personal statement. It’s crucial.
- Don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on your own strengths.
- Practice your interview skills. Be prepared.
- Be yourself. Authenticity is key.
- And most importantly, don’t give up. It’s a long and tough process, but if you’re passionate about clinical psychology, it’s worth fighting for.
Hope this helps anyone else going through the application process. Good luck!
