Munashi

Some academic jobs in my area will want to see your transcripts, but I'm not clear on how much weight they put on the grades themselves. I'm not sure about non-academic jobs, though.

Reading rainbow

Are the funding situations comparable at each institution?

I feel like no matter what, people have something to criticize with this. Not married? Get married! No kids? Well, get to making those babies! You DO have kids? You're abandoning your children by being so career focused! -or- Are you really happy giving up a career for your kids? You just can't win.

Oh, here's another: Pho.

I am in the same boat as you - cross country move with an S.O. for my graduate education. We've been together many years and have been through moves together before. Although I can't yet speak to maintaining a relationship in grad school, I found that with moving the toughest part is just finding a new job (in this case, my SO will be the one looking since I have my stipend from school). Once they get re-settled in terms of employment, the "on edge" feeling tends to disperse. The rockiest part is always right at the beginning of a move, I think. Moving is stressful, so is finding work! But given that we've done it before, I think it's doable. Good luck to you both!

Most MS or MA programs in the US are unfunded, so don't feel like it's a result of your background of school ranking. Funded MS degrees are pretty rare. There are sometimes opportunities to get funding for an MS, such as through an RA as you mentioned. Often these are competitive. I would send emails to your adviser (if you have been given one at this stage) and the program director to ask (1) if these kinds of opportunities are available and (2) how commonly they are awarded. Also, try to get in contact with some current students (your adviser or the director can probably give you some contact info if you ask) to talk with them about how the program is and if they know of any funding sources that students at your program can make use of.

Magnum, P.I.

I didn't apply to FIU, but I am curious. In a case such as this, would a department refund the application fees they collected?

Not so much lazy, but I'm distracted. I'd rather be getting ready for my move than doing any of the things I'm supposed to be doing.

Wow. What a good way to not get any more dates. As others have said...

I don't think a polite phone call or email would hurt either. It's not as if you're demanding an answer right then and there. A simple question about the process timeline is not unreasonable.

Agreed. The interview thing is not only something that varies by field, but varies by program as well.

I get a lot of crap from co-workers for having this sentiment. But as I explain it to them: If you enjoy bacon and I don't, there is more bacon for you!

If they are someone you're really interested in working with, it can't hurt. You may get a lot of replies centered on "You're welcome to help out, but I can't pay you", but you never know. Sometimes PIs need a hand and just haven't gotten around to posting job listing...

Here is one that I think many people will disagree with: Bacon.

This is going to vary by field. Just because a school sounds like a "no named state school" doesn't mean it isn't going to be a top program in your chosen area of psychology. Example: in I/O, two of the top ranked PhD programs are at Minnesota State and Michigan State. Supposing that your strategy is to simply apply to lower ranked programs and hope that they'll be less stringent in their admissions... well, sure - you might have better luck getting admitted. But what about funding? Lower ranked programs are less likely to fund you fully, or even to fund you at all. If you are willing or able to take on the debt for that, then it might be okay for you. LIke green90 said, getting a sense of your "chances" is hard with just your GPA. Do you have anything on your C.V. that might help make up for that? Lots of publications and/or research experience, for example?

I had a notification on a Saturday too. It came from the program director.

Mayonnaise

I don't think the rejection is a result of anything that you did wrong - emailing or not. It sounds like your POI was not able to get support for you and was unable to offer an acceptance, even though he was interested in working with you. I'm sorry this was the outcome! But again, I don't think you did anything wrong. This kind of situation is not uncommon. Please don't blame yourself!

Thanks for the info! That's... markedly higher than what I pay now. I know for a fact the apartment has electric heat, so I appreciate you giving some info on what to expect in the cold months!

I think having a place to post these kinds of resources is a good idea. True that no one will just hand you a job, but it might help people get an idea of where to start. I'll add a few tidbits that I don't think anyone else has mentioned yet. I don't know of anything specific right now, but definitely talk to your adviser(s) at your undergrad institution, even if you already graduated. Professors are sometimes on listserves that send around notices advertising for these types of positions. Additionally, check the job postings on various university websites. They sometimes list openings there.

Try not to be disappointed! You have a couple of acceptances, which is awesome! And as others have said, GMU is a highly ranked program in this field. I think you should be proud. Congratulations!

Here is another "bill" question. The place my S.O. and I are renting uses electric heat. Pennsylvania gets cold. Anyone know what the average monthly electric bill looks like in State College if you don't use gas heating?

I've pondered this myself and I do occasionally wonder how big of a factor it is. I am sure they have methods in place to select candidates at a nice intersection of "awesome candidate" and "likely to accept".