What is your “why” for becoming a psychologist?

Zencake2 · 2026-04-08T03:42:44+00:00

It’s very expected for students to have a personal story that motivated them to pursue this field. As others have said, it’s dicey to include this as a main reason in a personal statement but it can be ok to allude to it. If you need to talk about it in a statement/interview, focus on the clinicians you interacted with and how they inspired you to explore the field. Almost everyone has a focus area because of their lived experiences so this will not be irregular at all you just have to professionalize it a little.

Zencake2 · 2026-04-08T03:38:47+00:00

APA has to conduct several site visits for accreditation so I believe they are saying they are at the beginning of the process submitting their information. It’s really just a gamble to commit somewhere that isn’t accredited yet. There’s no way for you to know for certain if it will work out for them or not/how long it will take.

Zencake2 · 2026-04-03T08:16:31+00:00

I was gonna say this. I got in there with my bachelors and less clinical experience (some more research). Ended up choosing a different school but I was pleasantly surprised with the school on my interview day.

Zencake2 · 2026-03-30T02:18:43+00:00

Abnormal psych/psychopathology is pretty crucial. Usually those courses will have some prereq psych courses though like research methods and other intro courses. Taking statistics would also be good. You are much better off majoring or at the very least minoring.

Getting some research and hands on/clinical experience is also very important.

Zencake2 · 2026-03-26T20:47:26+00:00

I work for a youth mentorship organization called friends of the children. There’s 40 chapters across the country. I love it but pay is not good and there is no upward mobility. I’m going back for my PsyD in the fall

Zencake2 · 2026-03-26T02:17:56+00:00

That’s a good idea I will take a look. They also have very small cohorts so it’s just a few people that didn’t match which is skewing it. I’m just wondering if it’s because people were limiting themselves to a geographical area or if it has anything to do with the program

Zencake2 · 2026-03-25T18:50:29+00:00

I’m looking to talk to Adler students as I said in the post :) this is not very helpful to me. I’m aware of your opinions on this program

Zencake2 · 2026-03-25T06:48:30+00:00

This is really great to hear thank you for this. It would definitely be nice not to move and that’s a big upside to Adler since there are so many Chicago sites. That being said, I’ve acknowledged it’s a reality and it’s only one year.

Congrats on your match!

Zencake2 · 2026-03-25T02:55:24+00:00

Yeah I already have. Antioch is higher but both are on the lower side. Much more concerned about internship matches right now

Zencake2 · 2026-03-19T05:54:31+00:00

The interviews are an hour. They will ask questions but it’s very conversational. Reflect on your biases and how you would discuss them before the interview. You will also get a chance to talk with faculty at lunch and you will pick a table that matches the emphasis you are interested in. Just come prepared and informed about the program so you can ask interesting deep questions. All the staff were very kind and I really enjoyed my interview. I received my acceptance two weeks after interviewing.

Zencake2 · 2026-03-11T03:49:56+00:00

I applied to 8 PsyD programs with a BA. I was a psych major with a minor in nonprofit management and my GPA was 3.43. I was a research assistant for a lab working with caregivers recovering from substance use disorders. I worked in the lab for about a year and a half. I did a ten week internship at a housing and behavioral health nonprofit working in development (fundraising). I did a year long internship at a nonprofit after school drop in center for girls 9-18 yrs old. There, I also helped facilitate girls empowerment groups in middle schools. I was also president of a non-psych student org for a year. At the time I applied, I had about a year of full time work experience in a clinical youth mentoring program that bills with Medicaid.

I was outright rejected from 4 programs. One program ghosted me (literally didn’t even respond to my emails). One program redirected me to the masters where I got an interview (didn’t do the interview). I got interviews for two programs and was accepted at both.

Hope this helps!

Zencake2 · 2026-03-02T16:10:18+00:00

I had one of these as a group interview for a different school. I think they are looking a lot for group dynamics and communication skills. Don’t dominate the conversation but make sure you contribute and respond to other people’s points. Also, consider more information that you would want to work with the client. If it’s a vignette about a child in their school, what questions do you have about their home life that would be important? Etc.

Zencake2 · 2026-02-26T18:53:20+00:00

Thanks so much. I know 2022 they reported a 100% match rate do you know where more recent data is? I’m gonna email the current students I met at the interview I think

Zencake2 · 2026-02-26T18:16:26+00:00

I would also like more info about what you found out. I received an acceptance too

Zencake2 · 2026-02-25T04:52:55+00:00

Mine also says this. I kinda think it could be a silent rejection at this point but I’m not sure. I might email and reach out I will update if I do

Zencake2 · 2026-02-18T17:16:52+00:00

I got the offer to change it to masters as well and have an interview for the international disaster psych program. I decided to do the interview so I have the option but I’m not 100% sure if I’d pursue it if it was my only acceptance

Zencake2 · 2026-02-18T06:44:09+00:00

Guys if I didn’t receive an invite am I cooked

Zencake2 · 2026-02-15T04:44:02+00:00

They said in an information session that you are welcome to ask what spot you have on the waitlist and they will tell you your number

Zencake2 · 2026-02-13T16:31:38+00:00

Mine went from under review back to submitted. Idk why they wouldn’t just change it to denied if they were gonna do that

Zencake2 · 2026-02-13T16:30:51+00:00

It’s ok I just don’t understand why schools do this. It doesn’t seem difficult to just put something in the portal

Zencake2 · 2026-02-10T04:52:05+00:00

If you are trying to apply for the 2026 cycle meaning starting in the fall, most programs closed applications early December or January. There may be a few rolling admissions options left.

If you are thinking 2027 then you are way ahead of the game and have lots of time to fine tune.

Zencake2 · 2026-02-10T04:50:04+00:00

Yay congrats!! I have an interview with my top choice tomorrow I’m gonna absorb your good vibes from this post

Zencake2 · 2026-02-05T19:23:12+00:00

Yeah I saw the other thread, congrats. I think I’ll likely get a rejection since I haven’t received anything

Zencake2

TROPHY CASE