Especially for Applicants
Q. How many applications do you receive? What is your deadline?
Numbers change each year, but in general, we expect about 150-175 applications to be completed in time for review each January. Our deadline is January 2.
Q. How will I hear about the status of my application?
About 60% of applications each year are released from further consideration after reviews are completed. Those applicants are notified in writing. Applicants who are invited to interview are notified by phone. These exchanges typically occur by mid-February.
Q. Is an interview required? - Yes; interview dates are Feb 26 and Mar 1, 2010.
Yes, an in-person interview is required. We typically schedule interviews in February. Interviews for admission for Fall 2010 will be conducted on February 26 and March 1, 2010. Offers will not be made to applicants who do not interview.
Q. How many applicants are invited to interview? How many offers are made?
Depending on the strength of the applicant pool, 30 to 36 applicants are invited to interview each year. After interviews some of those may be released. From among those remaining, we recruit to seat a class of 6 to 10.
Q. When are offers made?
The Admissions Committee typically completes deliberations during the first week of March. Offers of admission may be made immediately, but are usually made in mid-March.
Q. How are candidates and alternates notified?
Offers of admission are made by phone and confirmed in writing. There is a short list of alternates, who also are notified by phone. Some applicants may be released after interviews; those applicants are notified in writing.
Q. What about financial aid offers?
Financial aid offers are made with offers of admission: if you receive an offer, do ask any and all questions you have about financial aid at that time.
Q. If I do receive an offer, how much time will I have to make my decision?
There is a national competition deadline for clinical psychology programs; all offers must be made by April 1 and accepted or declined by April 15.
The Virginia Consortium supports the resolution adopted by the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology regarding admission: "Applicants will be notified on or before April 1, and those to whom admission is offered will be given until April 15 to accept or decline." A decision to accept must also be made in writing.
Q. I may receive other offers. What am I expected to do?
It is likely to be a busy time for you. A successful strategy for handling competing pressures is to review your offers weekly and decide between or among them, and release those in which you are no longer interested. Prioritize your options as soon as you have completed your interviews. Then if you receive an offer from number 4, notify the programs ranked below 4 that you are withdrawing. Release the offer from your fourth choice, when you get an offer from number 3 and so on.
Q. You say "prioritize your options." How can I do that?
We are glad you asked! In the best of all possible worlds, your training goals would be your single most important consideration. In reality, other factors can limit your range of choices. We understand you must weigh issues such as how long is the program, how much will it cost, how far away is too uncomfortable or too expensive.
Nonetheless, one issue you must resolve before you begin to consider offers is: "What type of career do I want? What type of work do I want to do?" Certain types of programs provide stronger preparation for clinical work, others for research or analysis. It is too late to begin deciding between research programs and clinical programs once offers are made. Offers must be accepted by April 15.
Q. If I want to accept an offer, what then?
If you find yourself considering an offer from our program, know that we are always available to discuss its merits or to answer questions. However, if you decide to accept another offer or to withdraw your application for any reason, we ask that you phone or e-mail us as soon as you have made that decision. Often others will be waiting on your decision.
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