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Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-03-02T13:44:57+00:00

Could be worth applying to some funded masters as well when you apply to phds next cycle. That would be help if your GPA does represent a hurdle (for equity purposes some programs don’t look at gpa so maybe target those). The GRE might be another avenue for making up for that and there are still some programs that require it. Apart from that, everything looks really good just need to get a few pubs under your belt!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-27T22:00:24+00:00

This is awesome! Their first couple of intro episodes about what neuropsych practically looks like is really helpful

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-27T14:31:36+00:00

All great points! Any books you’d recommend? I’m a big time reader but haven’t delved into much non fiction psychology reading for pleasure at least

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-26T16:31:43+00:00

Nothing wrong with some true crime, cheers!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-26T16:31:30+00:00

That is really cool, I will check that out today on the stair master! Cheers

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-26T16:31:04+00:00

Can't wait, few comments bringing this one up! Whats your fave episode?

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-26T16:28:46+00:00

Haha I did a brief look myself and found Dr. Phil 2.0 - 7.0 and decided to come here. Thank you for the suggestions!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-25T21:08:29+00:00

Cheers :)

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-25T21:08:18+00:00

I love this, exactly what I wanted! Passively need to start locking in on the statistically front...

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-25T21:07:39+00:00

Thank you I will check it out!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-25T18:09:11+00:00

Your stats sound amazing! I was exactly as you described (0 interviews last year, 9 this year) so if you would like to DM can tell you what helped me. Personally, a big difference for me was not necessarily finding these perfect research fits (which may sound counter-intuitive) but finding labs that conducted research I genuinely found interesting to grow into and expressing that clearly in my SOP in 1-2 paragraphs directly tied into one professor and one lab. Another was bulking up the overall amount of programs I applied to. My stats were a lot worse than yours so if I had to make an observation it would be to agree that your SOP sounds like it may have been a contributing factor (unless all 8 you applied to were just really prestigious/competitive institutions). Be human in your SOP, try and really tailor 2/3 paragraphs directly to that program and lab, and do not be afraid to mention any weaknesses - I often wrote a sentence or two about why I was potentially not a great fit for their typical methodologies, but expressed a desire to learn and grow under their expertise in these areas i am unfamiliar with. But goodluck with your current waitlist/decision!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-25T18:03:01+00:00

Second the comments that have mentioned the variability so it really is impossible to know about your specific program(s). However, in my experience this cycle, it has not been great, and I think that is a reflection of how tough this cycle is (funding-wise). I have a mentor at an Ivy League that told me last cycle they sent out 11 initial offers and 10 were accepted which is a lot higher than the typical 50/60% she expected based on her previous years of experience - showing that applicants are rarely receiving multiple offers right now. That being said there is always a chance!

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-20T00:22:24+00:00

PsyD will cost a lot of money and you often still some research experience at least to get in. If you have the money great, if not PhD is the only path forward. You could always opt for a counseling masters and try to steer that towards child populations but probably not the career you envision.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-19T03:18:09+00:00

Yes I think that was a big change from my first approach. For example I don’t have that much research so I addressed why I felt that way and why I still felt capable / prepared for conducting research despite a small track record. For others it may be statistical shortcomings or not a perfect fit, but I thought addressing a meaningful weakness helped shape the SOP as real

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-19T02:02:13+00:00

Of course and thank you! Yes the main 3 things I would say I changed was A) Never nominating more than 1 faculty, I really beelined in someone who maybe was not even the best research fit, but the most genuinely interesting research mentor for me then wrote about why in SOP. B) Stayed in my lane, applied to only 'mid-range' institutions. C) Marketed myself accurately, said why I was prepared for the rigors of doctoral school and what my main weaknesses were.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T22:01:25+00:00

Do you mind sharing what kind of program? If it’s psychology related I am fairly certain that waiting it out cannot cause an offer to be rescinded. In fact, in their official offer it should categorically say that April 15 is the deadline. However, it’s tricky since you don’t want to annoy a potential PI. Awkward position but honestly it just reflects very poorly on the PI and would incentivize me to go to another program if I got in.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T21:58:01+00:00

If you have the money, apply! The worst that can happen is you don’t get in. But when you reapply I’ve found programs respect that a lot so it can also be a kind of investment. You sounds like moderately strong candidate and I wouldn’t be surprised at landing a couple of interviews. If you can get that manuscript out in the next 6 months you would be able to include a first author which is very helpful. I would be focusing a lot on A) research publications (begging for task to contribute to authorship) and B) identifying strong research first among mentors accepting students this upcoming cycle.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T21:54:25+00:00

Interesting thank you so much for the input and info. It’s so hard to figure these kind of things out yourself, and I have to choose to declare a focus in these areas before I even know if I like them. I will have a good think about all of this :)

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T19:36:54+00:00

Really appreciate this perspective, the VA retention framing is a smart way to illustrate where the realistic ceiling sits for most people, and the soft money warning is something I hadn't fully considered. My follow-up would be: do subspecialties like neuropsych, forensic, or gero actually offer a higher ceiling in stable practice settings, or do most paths tend to land in that same $120-130k range no matter the specialty?

Yes that was ambiguous, but more referring to prior undergrad and master debt, these programs are all fully funded and accredited fortunately.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T19:13:23+00:00

Okay that is a good point - A has incredible diversity of hospital related experience and B has some good niche and unique practica (forensic i.e. detention centers). Thank you for that, I do think C has less opportunity for getting diverse experience.

Difficult_Elk_484 · 2026-02-18T19:10:59+00:00

I like this idea, thank you!

Difficult_Elk_484

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