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Tams

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    Psychology

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  1. My best tip for finding the right programs is reading articles that you like and then looking up their authors. More than likely, they are professors, often at amazing programs. I was going crazy trying to find interest matches (to the point of questioning whether I should even do psychology grad school), until I found ONE interesting article that was like a gold mine...from finding the author, co-author, some of the reference articles, then their other research and collaborators, I opened a whole new world of Social Psych I had no idea about. Before you know it, you will have more programs than you can shake a stick at! Nobody can really tell you what programs are best for you. Just remember that fit is absolutely key.
  2. Thanks IOPsych, you have actually confirmed my leaning toward SF for the very same reasons. I am doing Social, by the way, but I am certain the same general sentiments apply.
  3. Of course, everyone should apply only to programs they absolutely want to get into, but obviously not everyone knows the circumstances under which they will get in (i.e. funding, housing, status, etc.) Trust me, I understand the difference in timelines, as I applied to both Canadian and U.S. schools. I could go on about the points made here, but I am just too flustered at a couple of the replies... HisRoyalHighness, math123, you HAVE to be kidding with that rhetoric. "shocking", "disgusting", "amoral people"? Did you ever learn the difference between a healthy debate and personal attacks and judgment? Please spare us your exaggerated self-righteous remarks. 2400 actually sought honest opinions because he/she is in a very agonizing predicament. I don't know if you have found yourselves in that situation before, but regardless, you have no right coming in here and pouncing on people with such unnecessary attacks. "SHAME" on you. Ignorant voices are indeed always shrillest. By the way, for your information (not that you seem to care about that much, since your morals are so high and mighty), programs usually account for students rescinding their offers, as this happens every year for a variety of reasons, foreseen or not. They were not born yesterday. They caution you against doing so for the purposes of their administrative processes, as it is a pain for them to close the file of a student whose status was accepted/gave intent. Especially for MA programs, professors are usually not even aware of who came and went, and bitter feelings and bad reputations are unlikely to result. This is particularly true if you give a reasonable explanation. Yes, I did ask two reliable sources in academia about this. Don't worry, though, you can still keep your world black and white the way you like it. 2400, best of luck to you and I am truly sorry you are in this situation. That's just how it works, I guess...they dictate your application deadline and your decision deadline...and many deadlines to come Please do try to get an extension though. And please, people, can we act like potential/current grad students and stop the counterproductive insults?
  4. Thanks so much for the input, guys! I am so glad I stumbled upon this forum, it has really helped calm me down and get better opinions than "Go to San Francisco! It's closer and I can visit you!" I definitely think I am leaning toward SF, which seems more sensible. I absolutely agree with the stepping stone angle (and the money of course), I think the glamor of U of Chicago and the diverse course offering is just taunting me. Still welcoming more comments thanks again.
  5. Burning bridges and being "unethical" is bad, yes...but cheating yourself out of proper options because of programs' selfish and equally unethical deadlines is worse. I say, if they don't explicitly tell you not to, take the offer and see. That is what I will be doing, as I was left with no choice but that. They'll live.
  6. If I were in your position, I would absolutely opt for the PhD. I was also accepted into MAPSS (my dilemma post is actually just before this one), and the only reason I am even considering it is because the other program is a 2-year MA at a State School. People with a PhD goal usually only attend MAPSS if they did not get into PhD programs and want to improve their qualifications. I have heard mixed reviews about the MAPSS experience as well, to put it softly (try searching for it in the forums). Some people hated their experience at MAPSS and/ or still didn't end up getting into their choice PhD programs. A fully funded PhD offer is GOLDEN right now, no matter what the university name. Worst case, you can transfer to a different PhD program, probably with advanced standing because your qualifications will obviously be improved after taking graduate courses. You will have room to wiggle. If you don't mind the additional debt, are a fast-paced/persistent/pushy person (you will need that to get face time with profs at MAPSS and bang out your thesis in a timely manner), and are not sure exactly what track you want to take in the Social Sciences, go for MAPSS...but don't expect any guarantees afterward. Remember, their placement stats come from before the economy went down, as well. If it helps, even I am leaning toward a no-name 2-year MA program rather than the crap shoot that is MAPSS. By the way, the name will probably matter less than your level of achievement, research and publications for potential academic jobs after after GW (what university name is that, by the way?)
  7. I can't believe how overwhelming a decision between two programs you didn't really want that much can be! Ideally, I want to pursue a PhD but have been rejected as a BA-to-PhD applicant. Now, two of the MA offers (which have almost nothing in common) are duking it out and it is bloody... Time is ticking...and I am losing my sanity. One is the somewhat controversial-very flexible- expensive (40k)-single year-"Master of Arts in Social Sciences" (MAPSS) program at the prestigious UChicago and the other is a run-of-the-mill-2-year-fully-funded MA in Psychology at San Francisco State University. The factors are too many to list, but I was wondering if anyone has had experiences in one of these programs that can give me some fresh perspectives...or even reiterate old perspectives. Between my time-cost-prestige-location-curriculum-degreename equations, I have been flip-flopping constantly and cannot come to a decision for the life of me! I just can't believe I'd be passing up a U of Chicago degree for a Cal State school... I know, I have to stop being so elitist but I finished a prestigious undergrad school and can't get it out of my head that the name matters in the long run...any thoughts? Thanks so much for reading!
  8. I saw many threads about MAPSS in other disciplines, but not psychology...so my fingers are crossed that you're out there. Even if you don't know about these programs, any objective input would be golden. I can't believe how overwhelming a decision between two programs you didn't really want that much can be! Ideally, I want to pursue a PhD but have been rejected as a BA-to-PhD applicant. Now, two of the MA offers (which have almost nothing in common) are duking it out and it is bloody... Time is ticking...and I am losing my sanity. One is the somewhat controversial-very flexible- expensive (40k)-single year-"Master of Arts in Social Sciences" (MAPSS) program at the prestigious UChicago and the other is a run-of-the-mill-2-year-fully-funded MA in Psychology at San Francisco State University. The factors are too many to list, but I was wondering if anyone has had experiences in one of these programs that can give me some fresh perspectives...or even reiterate old perspectives. Between my time-cost-prestige-location-curriculum-degreename equations, I have been flip-flopping constantly and cannot come to a decision for the life of me! I just can't believe I'd be passing up a U of Chicago degree for a Cal State school... I know, I have to stop being so elitist but I finished a prestigious undergrad school and can't get it out of my head that the name matters in the long run...any thoughts? Thanks so much for reading!
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