RubyBright

Perhaps social and personality programs are different, but in many of the PhD programs in my subfield of psychology (Human Factors), it is possible to bring in credit for a completed master's. The catch is that it has to be a master's with a thesis that is examined by the PhD school and deemed acceptable. You may lose anywhere from 3-12 credits, but yes, there are definitely schools that will let you start as a brand new "third year" as if you had done your master's there as part of their combined 5-year MA/PhD program. However, I'd like to stress again that this is my experience with HFac programs, not social or personality. This type of information (and any rules governing credit transfer) is usually available in the student handbook, which you should be able to find on the department website of a given school. I also agree with juilletmercredi - just because you applied to master's programs doesn't mean you have to attend one. You could use an extra year to get more research experience and make yourself more marketable to PhD programs.

This has been... a very entertaining thread, I must admit. As for me, I'm in a kind of off, kind of on relationship, where we are waiting for school for both of us to finish, especially since he's attending school in another state... As for kids in the future? Maybe. Could aggravate some health problems, so maybe I'd rather adopt. And certainly that's a fine option for me if I don't get married until I'm a bit old to have my own children. Regardless of how this relationship or future ones turn out, I'm getting this degree because I'm really interested in this field, and I want to be able to support myself. I'm not interested in using school as a hunting ground for a husband - I'm after my MA (and possibly my PhD), not a "MRS" degree. My three closest friends are married, engaged, and engaged, respectively, and I'm very happy for them (our relationship dynamics also didn't really change since when they were single, so I don't feel left out - they're just not as available as often to get together). I want that too, someday, but there's time. Besides, grad school is rather all-consuming right now. I'm glad my aforementioned off/on friend is good with being a supportive friend right now, and understands. Honestly, I'm just excited to get a dog or two. Works just fine for me.

My advice would be to talk to a financial aid counselor at your school. They would be best able to advise you based on your situation as an international student. Good luck!

My understanding was that, per new insurance laws, all insurance plans must cover pre-existing conditions, as long as there is not a gap in coverage (i.e. between your old plan, and starting the new one). Perhaps I am misinformed, but I looked this up specifically because I am on prescriptions that I could not afford out of pocket, and a lapse would be... dangerous at best.

I agree with the above posters... I have seen people try to "diagnose" friends and family members simply because they didn't like specific personality traits of the person, and hoped that they could label it as something that needed to be "fixed." In addition, a suggested diagnosis (which would most likely be inaccurate, since no one on this website has met the person in question or objectively assessed them), also would not provide any constructive treatment options if something is actually wrong. However, if you are truly concerned about the person, you could take them to see the family doctor. He or she should be able to tell you if it is worth going to see a psychologist/psychiatrist or not.

Which CSU are you talking about? Also, what was the trend in your grades (i.e. did they rise towards the end)?

It can be a little overwhelming at first, but a good way to figure out what types of research you're interested in are the program/faculty pages. For example, you might go to the website of a university you're interested in, find the developmental program, see which faculty are part of it, then look at the research each of them is doing. Or social, or whatever else you like as a broad field. What you're looking for is a professor whose lab is doing specific research projects that you would want to be a part of.

I PMed you, danman8511.

Yes. Believe me, I am well aware of all of this, and I already feel guilty for even considering leaving halfway through. I'm not quite going in absolutely planning to transfer out, though - it's something that I'm considering, as probably my only chance to work towards a PhD. It's also something I really don't WANT to do. We'll see what happens over the next year, especially regarding funding. For now, my main concern is figuring out how to make this master's something that really works for me.

I'm considering the possibility of applying to transfer to a combined MS/PhD (funded) program next application cycle (i.e. leaving halfway through the master's if I were accepted) if I find that I don't like it much. I know that transferring is a much bigger deal in grad school than in undergrad, but the big problem for me is that this master's is totally unfunded, so if I stay for the duration, I will likely have too many loans at the end to embark on a PhD. Maybe the transfer scheme will work out; maybe it won't. I think I will be okay in either case. I debated waiting a year and reapplying later, but I decided that getting started on graduate work is the best option for me right now. Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions so far!

Well, when all was said and done, I found myself without funded PhD offers thanks to sequestration cuts. So I'll be starting a master's program at my undergrad school in the fall. It wasn't what I was expecting, and it wasn't what I was hoping for; after four years, I was pretty ready to move on. But this is my new grad school, so I want to make the best of it. The question is, how do you get excited about a school you've already been at for four years, and an area you've been living in for far longer? Anyone have experience, or in the same boat?

No, it is a two year. But it is a thought - trying for a PhD afterwards. The only problem is that it's mostly industry-oriented, not really meant to put you on a PhD track. That's why it was my backup. Still, I guess it is what you make of it. And thank you, Sweetpearl. This is why I keep coming back to GradCafe - the community is not only awesome, the people here actually understand what you're going through.

Ah, if only. I had to decline one of my acceptances because they weren't offering funding. The other is for a master's at my undergrad institution. I guess I have to decide if I want to go that route or reapply elsewhere next year.

Just rejected from the waitlist - funny how all the professors were in direct contact with me, talking up their program, but when it comes to rejection, I get a generic form letter... I'm going to go cry in a corner before I go in search of ice cream. Best of luck to the rest of you.

Ahhhh! Congratulations!!