MIK3

I'd put 3.7. And, you can substantiate that by re-sending your transcripts after this semester ends if you'd like. They'd get there before admission decisions were made, I'd assume.

Fuzzy, I've read that Kiss of Death article, it sure is an advantageous read. I've began a first draft of my statement and am realizing just how horrible of a template I initially had. I've witnessed that while writing mine, it is basically paragraphs that include substantiating reasons as to why I would be an ideal candidate and focuses on my intent as a potential graduate student @ X university. I have taken your suggestions into consideration (virtually all of them). Being a fan of logic and a current MIT student...I deem you a valuable source. I'd post a rough draft of my SOP so far, but am paranoid of potential professors of the universities that I am applying to finding them or having this thread come up on a plagiarism-catching website... And to everyone: Thanks again. Contributions are always a plus.

Wow. That was an amazing response. I appreciate the effort you put into that fuzzylogician and will consider it all. I think one of the most important parts is keeping it all within context in a very defined and condensed manner. You points seem to stress this very well. As I'm sure you can notice, I am very prose when writing. Something I very much need to improve upon. \ Once again, thank you! Your response is exactly why I posted it. Revision #2 is on its way.

Below is a template I am going to base my SOP/LOI off of. I think this will help with my structure and keeping it CONCISE (big flaw I had last time). Any and all commentary, constructive or otherwise is welcomed My Template: 1. Introduction a. Creative quotation/realization/question b. Brief family background c. The reason I chose Cognitive Psychology was… 2. Your Intent as a Graduate Student @ University “X” a. Why did you choose the university? b. Who do you want to work with? c. Why do you want to work with this individual? d. What type of research has this individual done? e. How does this parallel your interests? 3. Personal Traits that Contribute to Becoming a Grad Student a. Meticulous attention to detail b. Continuous need to improve a current study c. Contemplative nature d. Inventive e. Heavy use of causal inference f. Highly anticipatory of outcome/results 4. Professional Traits “…” a. 2 years experience as a Behavioral Health Specialist b. 2 years experience with a geriatric crowd (nursing home) 5. Academic Traits “…” a. Lead Researcher – Embodied Cognition – Mirror Neurons b. Lead Researcher – Effective Thinking – Causal Reasoning c. Research Assistant – Social Cognition – Aversive Motivations d. Co-Author of poster presented @ Annual Cognitive Neuroscience Society meeting e. Minor in Philosophy f. Society of Automotive Engineer Member (Formula); Sponsorship/Website/Build g. Psi Chi – Psychology Honors Society member 6. Discrepancies/Inconsistencies Worth Mentioning a. Projected GPA upon graduation b. GPA not as high due to taking core classes first, electives later c. Have since realized standardized tests do not reflect capabilities 7. Conclusion a. Formal thanking b. What you have learned in reapplying to graduate school c. Reiterate why you are the candidate they are looking for d. State why you stand out among the rest of the applicants e. Close with something refreshing

Thanks for the responses. Has anyone else been in a similar predicament and have noticed certain improvements/techniques worked well? Going into this, I feel a lot more confident than I did a year a go, and I think this will help.

Thanks for the reply. What methods did you noticed worked for you your second time around, if you don't mind me asking?

Greetings, I have lurked this very informative and helpful forum for about 2 years now and am finally deciding to post. Background: I am current senior (5th year) at Arizona State University. I have my B.S. in Psychology and a Minor in Philosophy. I am currently conducting research in the topics of Effective Thinking and Embodied Cognition. I plan on obtaining my MS/MA and then my Ph.D. in a Cognitive Psychology related area. Cognitive Psychology has always been my forte. What happened last year: I applied to some pretty top-tier schools, respective of psychology and the programs were all Ph.D's in either Cognitive Science/Cognitive Psychology or Psychology. They are as follows: 1. University of California | San Diego 2. University of Nevada | Reno 3. University of California | Irvine 4. Stony Brook University | New York 5. Colorado State University 6. University of Colorado | Boulder 7. University of California | Riverside 8. University of California | Merced My Status Then: - My GPA at the time was a 3.43 and my GRE Math was a 610, Verbal (disclosed due to embarrassment) and AW 4.5. - My LORs were from three of the top professors within the department and were more than likely my strongest application point. - My SOP was self written with a little review from two of my professors, but not a great deal of effort was put into it (unfortunately). - My research at the time involved 1.5 years of Effective Thinking research, .5 years of Social Cognition research and 1 year of Embodied Cognition Research. - I was also a member of the Psychology Honors Society and was working as a Behavioral Health Specialist for a little over a year at the time. My Status Now: - Come application time, my GPA will be above a 3.5 (which still isn't outstanding, but I am glad to remove that .4 from sight). - I will be studying immensely for the GRE this time around. I know for a fact I can improve my Math score, as I was able to achieve 700's during the PowerPrep tests. My AW can improve as well, as I do much of that in my Effective Thinking research. I have since taken up reading and have finished several books and read journal-type magazines to improve my vocabulary as well. I have noticed on here that one of the leading ways to improve your Verbal score is to read, read and read. - I have added 3 math classes and another statistics course to my line up. - I have switched one of my LOR writers from a high end professor that barely knew me, to a professor that I have known on a personal level for my duration as an undergraduate. - I have since joined an extracurricular club. SAE (Student Automotive Engineers) Formula segment. Cars have always been a passion for me, and this is a very exciting club to be in. - At the time of application, I will have been a Behavioral Health Specialist for two years. - I have been promoted to Lead Researcher in my Embodied Cognition research, examining mirror neurons on a behavioral level. - I am listed as a co-author to a poster which has been presented at the Cognitive Neuroscience Society annual meeting which presents our first year's findings on our Embodied Cognition research - Most importantly, I have updated my schools to a more realistic list: 1. CSU-Long Beach MA-PR Psychology 2. UN-Reno PhD Psychology 3. Claremont Grad. University PhD Psychology 4. Col. St. Univ. PhD Applied Developmental Science 5. Ariz. St. - Poly MS Applied Psychology 6. SDSU MA Psychology 7. George Mason University MA Human Factors/Applied Cognition 8. UC Merced PhD Brain and Cognitive Sciences 9. U of Utah I have realized many things since my previous application process: 1.) Shooting high with out the proper credentials is simply a no-go. 2.) A lack of thorough research prior to application is also a no-go. I have since researched each program and professor and know that they are both financially capable of taking in new graduate students and actively seeking induction of new graduate students to their research/labs. 3.) Not spending enough time on a proper SOP will prove detrimental, as was in my case. 4.) Study for the GRE. Study with a passion and not because it's simply an obligatory part of grad school applications. 5.) I have extended my geography, which is important. My last list was so centralized in CA. CA is a highly sought after location for school for many reasons. I'm not sure what I was thinking. So, with that said, does anyone have further insight as to what I can do? I have ready many a case where people have gone from MA --> PhD. I have no problem taking an extra two years to obtain my MA if it means my chances of getting accepted to a PhD program increases in the slightest. How likely am I that I will at least land one program in the above list given my current credentials? Thank you in advance.