State of the world - 2026 applications

Kinda crashing out a bit. I’m applying for clin psych PhDs this upcoming cycle (fall 2026 entry). I’ll have done 3 years of full time post bacc research work by the time I’d start grad school, and I’m starting to feel like I’ve outgrown my role and I’m ready to move forward. I feel like I’ve been spending every waking (and honestly sometimes sleeping lol) moment thinking about apps or doing something to prepare for apps or working on posters and pubs. I’m just so nervous that with this administration’s attacks on higher ed and science there just won’t be funding and despite my best efforts I won’t get in (not to mention the probability that I won’t get in because it’s already so competitive and everyone else is putting in their best efforts lol). And if I do get an offer, that means being stuck somewhere for at least 5 years with the threat of funding being taken away or the department crumbling (or worse) hanging over all our heads.

I know no one can really give, like, practical advice because there are no answers or guarantees and we’re all going through this simultaneously. I guess I’m just looking for commiseration/anyone’s two cents/people to be nice and say we’ll be ok and there’s a life beyond applications and grad school and one’s career lol. And I guess I also want to make space for other ppl planning to apply this upcoming cycle to express thoughts and worries.