psychgrad123

O but it's an easy issue to address empirically.

I assume your "film" focus in your profile is fake and that you applied to experimental psychology programs because I am restricting my claim to phd experimental psychology programs (mostly social and cognitive and clinical).

If we define most as a simple "majority of" and we look at the top 50 (or 100) phd experimental programs in psychology, I would best that most require some form of interview.

And we have access to most of the data in these forums in a different thread that posts the interview/recruitment weekends for many universities.

The rest of the data can be obtained easily other ways.

Haha we just need to find someone who wants to do that work because neither one of us Id imagine wants to.

False. Most experimental psychology programs (social, cogntiive, etc) require an interview. It has been a recent trend in the field, but most of the programs that I applied too, with the exception of one, required an interview before an offer or acceptance. Terminal masters psychology programs typically do not require an interview process, but I think it is also moving in the direction of having one before acceptances.

Since interviews are winding down and offers are being made, I thought it may be a good idea to share each other's decision process. I actually would like to know what variable you think is the most important. What's least important? I actually plan to sit down and really think it through. I figured I owe it to myself to really consider my options and not just go with the peripheral route, so that I won't think question my decision in the future. Here are a few things I will consider when making a decision in no particular order:

-Adviser personality fit
-Research fit
-Graduate student culture
-Oppurtunites for collaboration with other faculty/students
-Grant writing training/support
-Mentorship and academic service oppurtunities
-Quality of life
-Availability of kareoke bars and dance clubs
-Oppurtunites to learn new methodology
-Teaching oppurtunities
-Funding

What's on top of your list?

How's interviewing going for everyone?
 
Anything surprising or unexpected coming up?
 
I'm pretty exhausted already and still have three more interviews to get through. Any words of wisdom?

(delete)

This is my second year applying. Last time I applied to 9 schools, and I received one interview (from my last choice), and 9 rejections. This year I understood better what I wanted to research, and added many accomplishments to my CV, as well as earned a strong LOR from someone noteworthy in the field (not to mention that this time around I sent emails to POIs at 9 of those schools, both asking whether they are taking students, as well as demonstrating a knowledge of their research). However because of my fear for rejection I still applied to 10 schools. So far I have three official interviews, plus a probable two unofficial ones, and I believe I have a good chance of hearing back from at least 2 or 3 more schools. Of all the schools I applied to three are my top schools, and to date I have an interview offer from one of them (plus one that isn't one of my top three is still an institution that I would be 100% happy to attend. I also don't think that the other two programs have sent out invites yet), so I am pretty thrilled . Since I really like so many of the institutions I think that when I actually visit and meet people I may even change my mind about where I want to go. All in all what a difference a year can make!

Perhaps we could stop inundating the thread with these PM requests? Another idea, instead of asking someone to PM you info, PM them and ask them for the info.