Munashi

I'll be starting there this fall as well.

PS4 has been on my wish list for a while! I enjoy both console and handheld (3DS, PSP, etc) games.

The above is very good advice. Your stats are solid, and I do think you'd have a pretty solid shot at admission. When I applied for Fall 2014, I didn't have specific I/O experience (most of my research was in clinical/social psych) and I had never taken an I/O course either. Like others have said, see what you can do to start demonstrating I/O-specific interest. I took an online MBA course in Management (I don't know how much this helped me, but I mentioned in my SoP). At my job as a research coordinator I was given the chance to add a measure or two of my choosing into another research project, so I picked some I/O-related things and talked about the research question a bit in my app. I read I/O journals and checked out text books from the library. This helps when trying to decide which POIs you want to work with, etc. I think most I/O programs understand that the field is still pretty small and that not everyone will come in with I/O-specific research, etc. You just need to know enough to be sure this is really where your interests are, and to intelligently discuss potential research projects. Even if a school as specific requirements, check with the program directors! I applied (and was accepted to) a program that required an I/O class for admittance. I wrote to the director and explained that my UG institution didn't offer this, etc. He suggested explaining what I've done to supplement that gap in my SoP, so I did. It went well! If you have any specific questions about anything I've said, feel free to PM me.

Agreed that this probably doesn't matter. I went to an undergrad that only awarded B.A. degrees (even in STEM subjects) and I don't think it's created any issues for me at all. Echoing the sentiments of others - gaining the relevant research experience is going to matter the most for graduate school

As always, people are welcome to disagree with me, but here goes. I do not consider "mind-body dualism" a "foundation" of the field of psychology. In my area, the "foundation" is more along the lines of, say, the scientific method. Empiricism. Not any particular theory or concept. Based on your descriptions of your experience & other comments you've made, it sounds like you've had far more exposure to the Cognitive side of things than Social. Perhaps this is part of the issue leading to your uncertainty about which path to take. I'm also seeing a major contradiction between: "Wow.. this is so boring. I can't imagine myself living like this everyday" and "I love research as well" - which is it? ------------------------- Aside: When you reference "the ego" above, please tell me we are not talking about Freud..... The use of the word "psychotherapy" is also somewhat concerning, but perhaps that's just me being picky about diction.

On a related note, a couple of people tried to look at the impact of prospective students' names when emailing potential POIs. There are some methodological issues here, but it was an interesting thought. http://blogs.nature.com/news/2014/04/discrimination-starts-even-before-grad-school-study-finds.html

I think this may be a factor for my SO and I, now that you've mentioned it. We compliment each other, both intellectually and in other areas. Together we almost make a functional human being! (I jest.) I said this in my original response, but since bsharpe asked specifically, I'll reiterate - my SO is a software engineer.

Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can do at this point except hope that a spot opens up.

My SO only has a high school diploma. They started college, but were unable to finish for financial/family reasons. They are successful in their current career (software engineer) and it has never been an issue between the two of us. My SO is more intelligent than many people with PhDs I've interacted with *shrugs*. I've also met GED holders with more innate intellectual ability than I have. Education level isn't always the best measuring stick for brain power. Like the other replies mentioned, I think compatibility in terms of life view, etc is more important. My SO and I are both nerds, very curious, and driven. I never, ever notice a "gap" created by our differing educational levels. We've been together many years now - so I feel confident putting that out there. Hell, I make use of SO's expertise all the time: I get help with my code on occasion if needed. I do think that if I felt smarter than my SO, this would create a problem (for me. This may not be the case for every couple). But for us, that isn't an issue. This varies on a case by case basis - your milage my vary. (Edit for clarity)

Do your best to find a conversation partner. Finding people online willing to help you practice once in a while is an easy way to do this if you can't find anyone in-person (hooray skype). Also, consume media - movies, tv dramas, even anime if you enjoy that.

Never done it personally. Laptop in the bathroom sounds kind of cumbersome to manage.

Also working until the move. We're relocating at the very end of June. Once we're settled, it's possible I might start working in my lab. But if not, I'm happy to relax for a couple of weeks

As others have said, there is no reason not to start talking to your letter writers about the process. You can also start working on your personal statement. Having this prepped, or at least drafted, can help your letter writers - especially ones who may not be as aware of what you've been up to in recent years.

This sounds very dangerous. Are you planning to do things like publish or attend conferences? I'd imagine so. This type of thing would make it very easy for the school you deferred to discover you were enrolled somewhere else. Your current institution would also be very upset to find out you were STILL holding a spot at another program. As TheGirlWhoLived said, neither program would be happy. At all. I've never heard of this situation occurring, but I imagine the consequences would be very severe. This is not a good idea.

My department hasn't sent me anything about housing, I did my own search. Talk to current students in your program and see if they can recommend anything. I know someone who lives in The Allenway (downtown, right by campus) without a car, but renting there is very competitive and they may already be full.

Home run

Going nowhere

I am pretty bad about this, I spend quite a bit on food. Probably $50/week or so.

Surely you read academic journal articles, which are littered with references in text? I don't mean to come off as snarky, but you're going to have to learn to read around references. By leaving it to the end, you are creating more work for yourself. As fuzzy suggested, look into using something like EndNote for the future.

Well at least there are other people here who graduated under a tent! I went to a small school in the northwest USA.. It was rainy. The tent seemed impractical at the time. lol

Definitely get in touch with this office and see what they can do for you in terms of parking. Parking at large universities is often a pain, I refer to the parking permits as "hunting licenses" because finding a spot can be challenging. Ask them point blank what you are supposed to do if you need accommodations for your disability and all the handicapped parking spots are filled, perhaps they have some kind of contingency plan in place for situations like this. They may or my not actually be much help, but definitely reach out to them.

I heard about this study recently as well. I'm not sure that I've experienced or witnessed these issues personally, but I'd also be interested in hearing if any one else has anecdotes or opinions to share.

You have good advice here. Meet them in person and then decide. Some people just come off rudely in text. My undergrad advisor was like that - lovely in person, very terse-sounding over email for whatever reason. That said, I would put my feelers out and check with other students about how common/"easy" it is to change primary advisors in your program. Also ask if there are political ramifications - in some programs it is easily doable, but still extremely frowned upon. You could also speak with your advisor's current students and find out from them how they find his mentoring style, etc.

I know people who have done moved away from the program while ABD and successfully completed their dissertation. However, are you intending to enter academia after you earn your doctorate? If so, the benefit of staying at your university is that you're much more likely to be more productive in terms of publications - which would come in handy for you down the road. Ultimately though, it's up to you and your advisor.

My graduation from undergrad was outdoors. Held under a large tent/canopy thing. That was relatively odd to me.