A month and the stress is getting to me.

[MissAva]

I am really frustrated right now. It has absolutely nothing to do with being a LIW. I am working on finishing my essays for my grad school applications. However I am at a stand still. I have about half of the essays completed. I am unsure of how to complete some of the secondary essays. I keep getting stuck and often only have odd moments to work on them. I cannot seem to focus and get it together. I think it is because the questions which I struggling with are ones that are about me. Not my favorite topic.
Any suggestions?
I have tried taking them apart. I know what I want to say but when I try to say it....

 

[icekid]

well, having been through this myself... and completed a couple applications that require 8 essays EACH, I know it can be tough to get out what you want sometimes. My advice is just to start writing, and eventually you''ll get in a groove and then you can go back and change the beginning if need be.

 

[MissAva]

Date: 10/30/2005 9:20:06 AM
Author: icekid
well, having been through this myself... and completed a couple applications that require 8 essays EACH, I know it can be tough to get out what you want sometimes. My advice is just to start writing, and eventually you''ll get in a groove and then you can go back and change the beginning if need be.

Thanks, it is good to hear that I am not the only one who finds this to be a slow going process. I mean 5 pages about me? Can I include pictures of my dog?
I am doing okay with the other ones but I am a private person by nature so talking about myself feels a little weird.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Hey Mat - couple of things. First, a suggestion from one of the deans of my undergrad school: get your hands on a recording device of some kind, and find someone you are comfortable with to talk to, tell them what you need to do, and then talk about yourself. It helps if its someone who can ask leading questions and who you feel comfortable with (interestingly, this is how my FI and I first go to know each other - I didn''t end up applying for that fellowship, but I had such a good tiem talking to him it brought us closer...). Anyway, back on track, second thing is to e-mail family and friends and ask them to described you in some way - you could say to pick a story they think is memorable, or three adjectives that describe you, or why they think you would make a good psychologist, or whatever. I think one of those two - the talking and/or the getting ideas from people might help unblock your block. Finally, I don''t know how different it is for psychology vs. biological sciences, but for us, the essay really didn''t matter - your grades, test scores, research experience and most importantly recommendations got you in the door for an interview, and then it was just a question of whether you were a good fit for the program, in most cases.

GL and feel free to PM me if you want any other information re: writing essays - I''ve always hated and been really bad at personal essays, so I really feel your pain!

 

[peonygirl]

Matadora, are you applying for psych programs? I''m a second-year PhD student in clinical psychology, so maybe I can give you some advice.

 

[MissAva]

Yes I am! I am applying for clinical psychology programs. Where are you in school? What are you specializing in?
I am interested in child psychology and the interactions of families, and other intimate relationships personal and in terms of psychical space.
Any advice you have, any warnings you have…all ears!

 

[MissAva]

Date: 10/30/2005 2:26:42 PM
Author: peonygirl
Matadora, are you applying for psych programs? I''m a second-year PhD student in clinical psychology, so maybe I can give you some advice.

Didn''t I read that you are 22, and a second year PhD....you must be brillant!

 

[MissAva]

Date: 10/30/2005 11:44:14 AM
Author: AmberGretchen
Hey Mat - couple of things. First, a suggestion from one of the deans of my undergrad school: get your hands on a recording device of some kind, and find someone you are comfortable with to talk to, tell them what you need to do, and then talk about yourself. It helps if its someone who can ask leading questions and who you feel comfortable with (interestingly, this is how my FI and I first go to know each other - I didn''t end up applying for that fellowship, but I had such a good tiem talking to him it brought us closer...). Anyway, back on track, second thing is to e-mail family and friends and ask them to described you in some way - you could say to pick a story they think is memorable, or three adjectives that describe you, or why they think you would make a good psychologist, or whatever. I think one of those two - the talking and/or the getting ideas from people might help unblock your block. Finally, I don''t know how different it is for psychology vs. biological sciences, but for us, the essay really didn''t matter - your grades, test scores, research experience and most importantly recommendations got you in the door for an interview, and then it was just a question of whether you were a good fit for the program, in most cases.

GL and feel free to PM me if you want any other information re: writing essays - I''ve always hated and been really bad at personal essays, so I really feel your pain!

I have not seen you in ages! I am glad you are back. How are things going for you? I will proably be PMing you.

 

[peonygirl]

Cool, that's so great! I'm a student at Northwestern University, and I study internalizing disorders (depression, anxiety) in childhood, as well as temperament models of mood disorders. The process of applying for clinical psych program is definitely not fun, and I feel your pain. I applied during my senior year of college so I had school stress on top of application stress though. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is that the #1 thing schools are looking for is lots of research experience and expertise. Having a paper published in a scientific journal or a poster presented at a big conference is really, really helpful, but even if you don't (I didn't) you can still get in to a good program if you have worked in psych labs for a couple of years and can get good recs from the primary investigator. The other thing that's really important is that your research interests match those of your potential advisor. Instead of applying to X University, you're really applying to a professor working at that school, and it's really important that your previous research experiences and current interests match him/her. Clinical experience like working on a mental health hotline or as a peer counselor isn't going to be very helpful (unless you're applying to PsyD programs).

Grades and GREs matter to the extent that you'll need AT LEAST a 3.6 and 1350 to be competitive, but even if someone has a 4.0 and 1600, he/she won't get into anywhere without research experience. I had stellar grades (from an Ivy) and GREs, but I only got interviews at about 1/4 of the schools I applied to because 2/3 of my research experience was in areas outside of clinical psych and I didn't have any publications/posters. I also made the mistake of applying to lots of big names in psych (like David Barlow) without considering that there would be a lot more competition to work in those labs. Anyway, good luck to you, and please let me know if you have any more questions.

Edited to add: Yep, I'm 22 but only because I skipped kindergarten years and years ago. In your essays you won't have to share any super personal stuff, you'll mostly be discussing your research interests, why clinical psych is a good match for you, and how you'd fit well into your advisor's lab. Good luck, and keep me posted!

 

[MissAva]

My grades are flat out terrible. When I started off in college I was pre-med but I did not think I would ever do anything with my degree, I wanted to be a pilot and was well on my way there having earned my first two tickets. I transferred from Emory to UA so I could be a Human Development major and shortly thereafter lost a portion of my hearing. I can no longer pass the pilots physical.
All of a sudden school became a more serious function for me and the loss of credit hours scary. So my major is Psychology and my minor Human Development.
I have chosen my programs based on who I want to work with. I really want to counsel children and look at family systems type of thing. I am not applying to all that many school because of my grades, only programs where I think I have a solid chance of entry and a program that I want to study in. The list is fairly small; Baylor, Auburn, University of Arkansas, and the University of South Carolina.
Advice and prayers... and hopefully I will be a student in a doctorate programs this time next year.
I accept that there is a chance I will not be accepted into any of my programs. My first due date is the first of December first for USC, I am going to have them all done by then so I can enjoy my Winter Holidays. Or enjoy them as much as any girl can who is on pins and needles about being engaged.

 

[peonygirl]

Good luck girl! Have you considered PsyD programs at all? Or even master''s programs in counseling or marriage and family therapy? In a PhD program you''ll mostly be doing research and only a little clinical work. That said, there are some people who go into PhD programs secretly planning to be clinicians after they graduate; since many PhD programs waive tuition and provide a living-wage stipend, I''m sure many people do this for financial reasons.

If you still want to apply to PhD programs though, don''t tell them you want to be a clinician since this is very looked down upon and will definitely hurt your chances for admission. Best wishes!!

 

[MissAva]

Baylor is a PysD program and would be such a wonderful place for me. There is man there Keith Sanford and I would just love to work with him. And my grades and GREs are in line with their program.
I have the best chance, based on numbers to go to either Baylor or Auburn. But I am a possible for any of the four programs. I worked with Dr. Braverman over the summer and did some neat stuff with her. I will have co-authorship of a paper about some of those things, but I am not sure when it will be published. I am very excited

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/30/2005 6:48:30 PM
Author: Matatora

I worked with Dr. Braverman over the summer and did some neat stuff with her. I will have co-authorship of a paper about some of those things, but I am not sure when it will be published. I am very excited

Good for you! That''s pretty much how my summer before grad applications looked like too. The book I worked did not go as far as the authors hoped... but all the relevant points (recommendations, etc) did not depend on it. For me, that experience was a blast.

I still have nightmares about writing my applications. And... it''s been a while.

How come yours are so long? I sort of remember the longest allowed word count for me was lie 750 words or so. Five pages would have KILLED me. Blessed be, writing those was more an exercise in diplomacy ... well, very impersonal, professional prose.


If there''s anything I can do, I''ll be watching PMs

Fingers crossed here ! Best of luck!

 

[MissAva]

I do not know why they are so long, I even (and this is shocking) called my sister and asked how long hers had been. Her opinion was they want us to talk about ourselves so they can see what sort of information we provide and in what manner.
I have a completed outline for my Baylor essay, 1/3 of it is to be devoted to my family and I did not want to put anything in the essay which they did not approve of. We are a very private family. I tried working on it today but my dishwasher and kicthen sink overflowed. I was so shocked that bubbles came out I took pictures.
I am really good at getting people to open up to me in person. I know this is not an uncommon thing, but I do think it is relevent to my feild. I can talk to children rather then talk at them and I love them. I am not sure I want any of my own but I really want to be able to help as many as I can have as pleasant of a life. I think mental health ought to be at the same level as medical health. If you have a problem go and it taken care of. I wish I could be so plain spoken in my essays, I may not be a great test taker, but I know I could be a great psychologist.

 

[Shay37]

Mata, I feel for you. I did not go to grad school (no need for my major). I cannot possibly know how you feel except that I always have deadlines in my job. They are extra irritating to me. I sometimes jump right in and begin, and it''s over before I realize it. Other times I just can''t seem to get motivated to even turn on my laptop.

I just wanted to wish you well and hope that you get the school you want most and will be the best opportunity for you.

shay

 

[stacyQ]

Girl, I have five of my ten essays done, all of my rec letters and ordered my transcripts. parts of my hair are turning white!

My suggestions: Without knowing in particular what is causing the writers block, here are some generalities (these came from the people at the med school i work at, which i also applied to) 1. the most important thing that your essay should convey is your "fit" into the program. Tailor that essay to a couple of Profs in the program that you want to work with. Take language out the professors own CV or research interests listed online (tweak it of course).
2. Essays really reveal your writing style, and the committees just want to see that you are literate, which I can tell from the boards is not a problem for you. Do not stress about this aspect! Just be sure to have several people read it before you hit send (I have made that mistake already! AACK!) You want to be all about content right now.

3. If it is the personal stuff hanging you up, see if your boyfriend or a good friend can help you with the writing. My boyfriend wrote a lovely intro for me.

4. Check your PM. I would be more than happy to help you out with some specific stuff.

 

[MissAva]

I cannot thank everyone who has posted to this thread enough. The amount of caring and support that is offered here floors me. Thank you.