iphi

This is a time to not necessarily focus on work! Relax and talk about yourself. Tell them where you're coming from, and what the place you're at is like. Ask about the community, the city, the university.... don't just talk about work. That's the #1 mistake I see with prospectives at these things. We want to gauge if you'll be fun to hang out with and talk to. Sometimes that is as important as your research background!

PSA: NASP Conference is this week, so you may not hear much for the rest of the week! Everyone is partying it up down in Florida!

I lived with my SO in a studio for the first three years. It was hard, but do-able! I personally hate a long commute, so the studio would be preferable. You can also see if you can find a month-to-month lease while you learn the area and decide what's right for you - that way maybe you can move again. As for the space I always wanted more - mostly because my SO has a lot of junk so it was cluttered - but really it was fine. I would say factor in: an SO (if living with you), any pets, the weather (for potentially walking to school), bus routes, your budget and length of lease into your decision!

If the program is NASP accredited you can apply for NCSP licensing (can easily move states). Tuition depends on in-state/out of state, public or private school. Expect to pay about $30k total, I would say.

If all three are similarly ranked (and I am assuming they are, although I have no knowledge of your field) you should go by fit. Which POI could you see yourself working with (or for!) those 6 years? Where are the grad students the happiest? Where has the weather or people or whatever that you like the most. Which department has that feeling of camaraderie (or whatever you're looking for). Don't forget, this place is going to be your home and work and basically your entire life for 6 years. So don't choose based on some arbitrary ranking of #1 over #2 that could change in a few years anyway. Consider where you will have the best chance of being happy.

Can't help you, but if they gave you a firm date you can feel free to call/email them!

Are you asking if, because they're paying for you, you will be accepted? You should not expect anything, no. Just go there and do your best. Treat it like an interview.

Totally depends on your field. That is completely normal for PhD students in my discipline. You may be part of a larger overall cohort depending on the circumstances (like specialty areas within psychology, for example).

It depends on if you got an interview! If you had an interview, then yes it can go out in waves. If you had no interview (and others did) that is an unofficial rejection. Waitlist stuff can happen after April 15... but usually you will know before.

No. I have spoken to this before but I had 4 phone and 3 in-person interviews and got into all of them no matter what the interview method.

In my department there is almost always hourly work available for students in the summers. It's not as good as a stipend but at least you can work more hours.

It really doesn't matter that much at all. Did you also send them your scores or was every part of the app self-report?

Oh good! And you can reschedule with the school, I am sure.

Please tell me you also told the grad student you were supposed to stay with!

No, you should not ask. What you can do is talk to the first school and tell them you are waiting to hear back from other schools. If they still don't care, then just accept the offer and withdraw if you are accepted to Western.

Well, it depends on what is important to you. Do you want to own a home? How about a car? Are you worried about school districts for when your kid is older? Does your SO need a job in the area? I spent several years living and working in both areas (Berkeley 3 years, Palo Alto 1 year), with an SO who is a grad student, so I am familiar with the schools and cities. I would say first off that overall Stanford has a lot more money, and their campus definitely reflects that. However, I think it's easier to get around (both in the town itself and in the area more generally) when you live in Berkeley. I would think that cost of living would be slightly lower in Berkeley, but that's really just a guess. I think both places offer family housing, if that's something you want to look into. Generally my impression as a non-native is that PA is a little "glitzier" and Berkeley is more understated. But you can get out of them whatever you want!

If you are able to arrange a visit with the school for another day, then do so. Otherwise, just try to get a skype interview and do lots of research online about the campus, and get the email of current students to ask them questions about their experiences.

What a lot of people in psych try to do is take gather a ton of data during their graduate studies, then take a post doc for the year or two after graduation. Then they churn out a ton of publications during that time.

I think it's fine if it's understated. If when I look at you I notice it immediately, it's too much.

Congrats!

That's exactly right! Just ask him questions, thank him for the offer and tell him you are excited about it and will get back to him before April 15.

It sounds like a good sign, but all you can do is sit and wait. None of us can shed any real light. You'll have to wait and see! But the good news is you usually hear very soon after interviews. 1-2 weeks at the most.

Just a reminder to everyone to be respectful to everyone you come in contact with, even grad students. I was supposed to host a prospective student who NEVER replied to my emails. Not even to tell me when their* flight was. It was a constant struggle to get information. They emailed me (after someone from my school told them to) and said "sorry I've been so busy". Guess what? We're all busy! They finally cancelled and didn't even bother to tell me. I found it SO RUDE. I told a prof the whole story and he agreed that they should not be accepted. If you can not work well with others, if you deal with only the people you see as important and don't bother with the rest? Well you won't get in. Also, their "busy" comment rankled the prof, he said "they think they're busy now?!" That person hasn't had their phone interview yet, but they are done. *trying to be gender neutral!