gradchaser

I feel the same way! I am even wary of putting my GRE scores on the results search posting because in theory my POI or a grad student could figure out who I am from the information on my application. I know that I am being ridiculous and they would most likely never care enough to do that but with such high stakes I am not taking any chances!

It's really hard to find numbers out there, which can be really frustrating! I would shoot for scores above the 80th percentile. Many schools use that as an unofficial benchmark for successful applications. That being said, the GRE isn't necessarily something that will make or break your application. You definitely need to get a score high enough to meet the schools' private cutoffs, but high scores after that don't really boost your app. I did princeton review prep and took a lot of practice tests. I was really pleased with the results! The best thing I can recommend is flashcards. Try to memorize as many words as you can and you will see that reflected on your score.

Thanks for your input! I knew I was worrying for no reason. I think err on the side of overdressed, just to be sure!

This also happened to me at three of my schools. I actually just got rejected from one of them with a very nice note from the POI. I think that you can't bank on what happens, especially before they read the other applications coming through. The POI that rejected me really liked my application and interests, but someone who applied after we spoke ended up being a better fit. One the other hand, I had a professor tell me that she could not officially offer me an interview, but to keep my schedule clear for the interview weekend. And I did end up getting an invite from that school. There are a lot of factors, and although you definitely have a great chance I wouldn't count it as inevitable! That way, when you get the invite you will be even more excited!

Hey al! So sorry if this is already a thread somewhere. Now that interview invitations are rolling out, I am curious about what psychology interviewees wear to both the interview and the other events scheduled over the weekend. Here are a couple questions I have: For the actual interview, is it appropriate to wear a full suit or would it be better to wear slacks and a jacket/cardigan? The programs I've heard from all have dinners the night before with faculty and scheduled "out on the town with graduate students" events. Two of the schools have brunch and tours of campus the day after the interviews. What is appropriate for these events? I would err on the side of business causal but I don't want to be completely off base! I know I am probably over analyzing this but I live in constant fear of being over/under dressed. I would be super grateful to receive any input from those who have attended interviews this year or in previous years. What are people wearing?

Developmental Psychology and School Psychology programs are very different and lead to very different career paths, especially if you go the PhD route. My advice would be to really research those programs, and make sure each program will lead to something that you actually want to do. That being said, if you would be equally happy going both directions, it might be helpful to seek out an advisor at your current institution to learn about the rules they may have about multiple applications. Some schools will not allow you to submit more than one application in a current cycle, but most schools do. Hope this helps!

I applied to HDFS at ASU and Human development at Maryland! I'm not expecting to hear from them until late January, according to past years. The rest of my programs were developmental psych

Paint by numbers

Ones of my POIs told me that this year they are trying to get out invites early since they are competing to get the top students. He wasn't too fond of it because it forces them to pick students at the same time they are grading finals, but I suppose it might help guarantee interview weekend attendance if you are the first school to extend an invite. Maybe lots of schools are trying out this strategy.

That's not always a fail-safe method. I contacted 5 professors from a school that I was interested in and none of them were accepting graduate students! Must not have a lot of funding this year.

I agree, now that you have an interview I would let it go. It obviously didn't affect their decision enough to not extend an invite, and drawing attention to it could make them go back and re-evaluate your application.

Ask professors that you are close with at your current university. They may have an opening for a gap-year position, especially if it is a bigger lab. If they do not, they may have a better idea of where may be hiring. For example, they might have a colleague at a different university that is looking for a project manager. If they cannot pay you, ask if you can volunteer or if they would support your independent research project.

To those who received an interview and/or acceptance from Cal Riverside in Developmental Psychology, who is your POI?

You are fine! Many schools actually view regularly switching labs negatively, as it may show that you are flighty and not reliable. It sounds like you have received really great training through the professor that you have worked with, and I wouldn't be worried. It's very impressive that you have 3 authorships already, and doing a senior thesis is something admissions committees look for. In the end, the process is a numbers game, but I think you have a great chance!

They also may be using a proxy of SES for diversity quota fulfillment. Some schools do offer scholarships based on parent education levels, so the question could be used as a qualifier for that as well.