Maziana

Try Robert Sawyer for philosophy/consciousness.

haha... I also can never stick to my food budget. Maybe if some month I never eat out (or if I cave and make my budget more realistic).

After taking another look at your stats, I wouldn't worry too much. I'm pretty sure you can get in somewhere decent as long as you fulfill all the basic application recommendations (apply to enough schools, have good reccs, etc) and identify an area(s) of IO psychology that you'd like to focus on. When writing your personal statement, you could try to think about how your previous research guided you to IO psychology, prepared you for grad school, or how your previous research might be related to IO psych - in terms of statistics, general research questions, future applications of your past work, etc. I work in a psycho-linguistics lab. I started out with research that wasn't related to my interests, but now I'm working on a project about individual differences in reading and measurement of reading-related variables. My thesis was more social psychology oriented, but like Munashi, I added some workplace behavior measures to my survey battery. I'm going to be entering an IO program this fall, where I'll be focusing on a lot of measurement issues in personality and cognitive testing, individual differences in the workplace, and personnel selection.

Think about what areas in IO psychology that you're interested in, and do some outside reading about these topics. Maybe you can direct one of your research projects to be related to these interests. Having a specific research area is very important. However, professors tend to be understanding if you don't have experience directly related to IO, since so many schools don't have IO psychology programs/classes. Personally, I worked in a cognitive lab and never had an IO class, but it is such a broad field that I was able to direct my research towards my interests in IO psychology. I think you have a definite chance!

I can listen to anything when I'm doing data analysis (sometimes podcasts!), but when I'm reading or writing papers, either instrumentals, nothing, or the sound of rain. SimplyRain is nice.

I guess it only is 2 months, so it's not so bad. But I do think that someone who does not immediately clean up dog pee/poop needs to know that is not normal/alright. One of my past roommate's would leave cat throw-up on the floor for days... I think that's less smelly/gross, but equally unacceptable. In my case, I think she knew that not cleaning up after her cats was not ok. She did a much better job when living with people who she felt mattered more than me (significant others, for example). I just don't think it's good to let people pretend like your hygienic concerns are not valid! Because I think either (a) they *know* it's not ok but know you'll deal with it or ignore it, so they don't clean, ( they know it's not ok but have their own issues that make it hard for them to clean, © they have no idea this isn't normal and that's perhaps a bigger issue that I fortunately have not run into.

That's disgusting. I'm sorry. I once had a dirty roommate, but at least she tried to clean every once and a while. Seems like you have a decent relationship with her - are you sure you can't talk to her about this? Does she have mental health issues? My previous roommate had some issues that caused her to procrastinate on cleaning. It's not normal to live with dog crap and pee everywhere.

My High Sierra backpack is kind of ugly after 5 years, but it has a feature that I find so useful that I'm loathe to get rid of it - it has a plastic covering and a little pouch for it in the bottom of the backpack that I can pull over the backpack when the rain is coming down hard. Useful for keeping my electronics dry. I do have a small Sherpani backpack for when I don't need much stuff. It's very nice - can't find its exact design online though. My friend recommends timbuk2 for bags.

So, should first or second years just not say anything? Or is there another term to use? Just curious; thanks!

Archive-binging incredibly long webcomics instead of doing work. Also, chocolate.

Hmm, my roommates once found a place in Chapel Hill in May, but that's because they needed to move in June. This year, I signed a lease in mid-July to move in Aug 1. That was cutting it way too close, but hey, it worked. In the past, I've known people who signed a lot earlier than I have... Try putting up a craigslist ad looking for roommates and/or places. You may get responses. If not, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I wouldn't recommend waiting until July, though. But I don't think Chapel Hill is as bad as some other places where you have to start really early.

Yes! One POI at my second choice school seemed like he *really* wanted to work with me. The department head, after I declined, said something like "we're all disappointed that you aren't going to be joining us; but we understand..." Oh, the crushing guilt. I hope it won't be too awkward when I see them at conferences!

Thanks for the input, you guys!

Yes, it would make sense if the part that covers tuition is either the same or more for the fellowship. I would definitely say go with the fellowship! I am guessing that they offer everyone (or nearly everyone) a TAship, but they offer fellowships for people they want to support more. I would guess that most first years take 3 classes (3 credits each, 9 credits total), and that the fellowship will be in effect as long as you take the normal amount of classes. If first years normally take 2 classes, or something less than the minimum number required to have the fellowship, then I might reconsider, based on how able you think you are to take and do well in multiple classes. I'm not a grad student yet though, so if anyone else has advice, feel free.

Is the fellowship equal to the TAship in terms of amount of funding? Edit: how many credits do first year students usually take? You may find that they normally take 8 already. I would personally go with the fellowship, because of the reasons you mentioned (focusing on studies; time to acclimate; later opportunity to teach).

I'm thinking ahead to applying this fall... Would it be reasonable to get a letter of recommendation from my current advisor at grad school, and retain two others from undergrad? What did those of you applying in your first year of grad school do?

Personally, as a NC native, I'd say Food Lions are cheap but sometimes a bit eh. They tend to have most of what you want though, and lately most of them have had small (but not too tiny) healthy/vegetarian sections. I forgot about the Food Lion in Carrboro, but yeah, that's a good sized one. I mostly remember there's an ABC store nearby, if you want liquor! Harris Teeter is super nice, with free samples and all, but you pay for it. I'm a fan of Krogers and Trader Joe's, myself... a nice balance of selection, healthy options, and price.

Groceries: There is a Harris Teeter in Carrboro. Also, Weaver Street Market. Those are a bit pricey. If you live in the right place in Chapel Hill, you may manage to be near a Food Lion - I'd use Google Maps for that; there are a few around. If you want to take the bus down Franklin St, you can reach a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. It will take a little while though, depending on where you live. If you have a car, you can get to a Kroger somewhere. I also often take the bus to Target, Walmart, and the mall - be warned, buses generally don't run on Sundays, and have limited Saturday schedules. Buses around campus are free (the ones with letter names) and ones with number names (go to Durham, the airport, etc) cost, usually $2. Grad students don't have to live in Carrboro; there are other places! (not that I'm a grad student yet) Be sure to thoroughly check out apartment complex ratings online before you commit - there are some places with bugs, or other issues. I've lived in Laurel Ridge; I believe they have 3 bedroom apartments for $1100 - 1400. Very nice, no issues, quick to come out and maintain the area. The J bus can get crowded (Laurel Ridge is off a highway, and there are lots of other complexes around there) but it goes to and from campus fairly often compared to other routes. Also, there's a little back trail you can take to get to Harris Teeter and Carrboro if you want exercise/food. Quiet neighborhood. I've also lived in University Gardens. The owner, Eric Plow, is laid back and reasonable, does his own maintenance. Some of these apartments are a bit less nice, but we got a nicely painted one for $800 (2 bedroom townhouse). Personally, I thought the garden style places were a bit weird (underground); but I like the townhouses. This complex is north of Franklin St. Buses run less frequently, but you could walk 20-25 minutes. Lots of families and students live here; it's fairly quiet. We had our own washer and dryer, though not sure if all of the apartments do.

I had one school send me an official letter that didn't mention funding, while they had previously sent an unofficial letter with funding. I think you should check with the program director to be sure, because having things in writing is always best. But I am guessing that you will get funding, maybe in a later letter.

Thank you. That's good advice. Something I really need to consider. ...haha, I didn't want to be one of the people creating this kind of forum, but as the deadline approaches I am getting anxious! I really wonder if the advice I've seen about not going into debt for grad school holds true for IO psychology, especially since I'm not interested in academia... maybe some debt is okay if you're entering a growing field, in a grad school that will likely get you a decent job? oh, I don't know.

Basically: Low-funding + high fit vs. high-funding + slightly lower fit dilemma. I've seen no funding vs funding dilemmas, but I think this is somewhat different since it's probably *possible* to survive off stipend A offers - but I'm worried about having to take out loans, factoring in visits back home, conferences, and living costs. I don't think I'd need *that* much in loans though. However, it's kind of a selling point that school B wants me so much they offered me a generous fellowship. (Also, School B probably has more funding for things in general)

I’m struggling to decide between school A and B in IO Psychology. Some people know or can guess which schools I’m talking about, but I’d rather keep a semblance of privacy in this thread please! School A has always been my first choice. Both are great schools, I’m certain I could get a great job after each program, and everyone I met there seems super nice. A pros: · There are 3 professors who do work closely related to my research interests, who I’d love to collaborate with. There are 2 other professors who I could possibly collaborate with, in other departments. · I like the general program culture there better · I like the city better – better transportation system, more internship opportunities in the city, etc. · I could go a bit early (funded) and do some research, which might let me submit a paper/poster to SIOP (main IO Psych conference). B pros: · Has an area of research that I used to not be interested in, but now I’m thinking I’d like to branch out and study this a bit. Overall, this program has many more faculty members. Their department focus is in areas I’m not interested in, but there are 2 people whose research interests closely match mine, and there are so many faculty members that I think it won’t be hard to find someone to work with at any time. · Offered me a generous five year fellowship that would make funding not an issue. Also, lower cost of living. A cons: · Not sure if I could survive on the stipend for years 2-5 (I was offered a higher stipend for the first year, so I’m not worried about that year). Higher city cost of living than school B. · 18ish hours away from my home. I’m concerned about moving. (school B is maybe 11 hours away, so not much better, I admit) · Awful weather. (not that school B has great weather, but it’s slightly less bad!) B cons: · Not a huge fan of the program/city culture, although it’s not bad. · I think it’s less strong in quantitative psychology, although I got mixed opinions talking to people. Also, less strong in my area of interest. · Would need a car sooner in order to do summer internships – also, plane flight costs are higher - but with their generous funding, maybe I could afford one sooner? Honestly, I was hoping I would get the NSF fellowship, which would have allowed me to go to school A, but because I’d love to work with any of the professors at both programs, research interest is not a big issue. I can’t really say which is better – the narrower research interests that match mine at A (and multiple people I could work with) or the 2 people strong in my research interests in school B, plus a wide range of other research. I could apply to the NSF again if I went to school A, but that’s a crapshoot. It seems relatively easy to get summer internships at least in my 3rd year at school A, which would help. Just… uncertainty. Funding is an issue for me because 1) I don’t have a car, and really need one at least eventually. 2) My family cannot provide any financial support. I have some money saved up, but I'm gonna need a good chunk of that for moving/school fees/apartment/etc. Any thoughts? Ideas of what I should ask grad students/professors? I'm gonna ask grad students from A about if they have loans and if there are alternative ways I could get funding.

Not recommended. I certainly understand, but it bugs me that I got a F/F E/E E/G - and that the reviewer who gave me fairs gave me no comments at all. Really? You won't even give me a vague sentence about what I can improve in case I decide to apply again? :/ Also, one of the reviewers misspelled a few words (obvious ones too). Did they even spend time looking closely at my application? Also, looks like only one person in IO Psychology even won an award. That is highly discouraging. Aww, I'm sorry and wish you the best of luck... You could always apply for the NSF next year, maybe? I'm disappointed because I might have to give up attending my first choice, but I'm incredibly lucky to have a second choice with funding.

I just looked - looks like there was someone at the University of Maryland. Sigh. Only one though.

Personally, I think my personal statement is very strong - but I'm not sure if my research idea was as well backed up by research as it could have been - tailoring the essay to an IO psychology committee was a bit hard since I didn't have anyone in the field to help me back then. But my perceptions could be completely off, especially since I refuse to look at my essays again.