KW58D

I will also be applying to a slew of schools during this coming cycle. I've looked into a bunch of those schools, and occupational outcomes from what I have seen are generally good. Obviously positions in academia are limited, but there is no shortage of available positions if you are flexible on some facets. I will also be applying to some human factors programs, though very few. I have my M.A. in organizational psychology, so I/O has always been high on my list of potential doctoral options.

From what I've seen for the majority of schools, is your application arriving early doesn't matter. Some schools (very few) will look at your application early and even have a shortlist for those applicants. Usually the school will have this written on their web page though. Since I won't have any immense changes to my CV this fall I will be sending all my apps out around OCT/NOV timeframe. Wait 2-3 weeks, then verify that all my materials were received for each school. Then........wait.....wait some more......and in early spring hope for some interviews and acceptances.

I've been talking to some. The vibe I get is that it is still early. Probably late summer early fall is a good time frame. Some have gone as far to contact me back and say talk to them again in late August.

I set my upper limit at 15. Past that point I think I'd be running into diminishing returns. I weeded this down from nearly 20. The amount of "safety" options I had was silly. I know that in this field (competitive schools) there is no real safety school, but if you'd potentially turn down the acceptance anyway then do NOT apply. Total waste of time and money.

I'll be applying to somewhere around 15 programs this fall. I have been working on my SoP's as well. I seem to never be satisfied with it. Have been pursuing my letters and volunteering at a psychology research lab. My CV is pretty set so we shall see. Plan on sending all my apps out in October so then I can do the 5 month extended waiting game.

IMO if you were willing to apply to Emory thinking you would go if you got in then you should go. It sounds like a serious role of the dice to apply again next year and hope for the best. Like you said, you could end up with no options.

Are there funding options after the first year? Some funding is better than none, but that year will go fast. Don't want to get buried in loans.

Thanks for the heads up! I guess I can pull them off my application list for later this year. I wonder what the reasoning is behind this.

I have heard of people getting acceptances well into April, but they are the rare occasions. I also looked into IIT since I am from IL, but the funding situation is VERY hazy. It doesn't affect me much since I have the GI Bill, but I actually intend to use that for other purposes down the road so I am hoping to get into a fully funded program.

Being an applicant for this next cycle, I must admit this is scary. Right now I'm torn between I/O and HF, I knew the job market was better for I/O, but I'm surprised you're having so much trouble. I'm sorry to hear about your situation and wish you well. Keep at it, I'm sure something will come up. Do you have a masters, or a Ph.D?

I will be applying for the 2015 cycle and this thread has brought me some comfort and some concern. It seems like things can really be hit and miss when it comes to GPA/GRE. Even if you think you're a shoe-in based on those stats, you may not be considering research experience, fit with faculty, and other factors. A lot of the same schools I'm looking at have been mentioned in this thread. I'll be applying to 10-12 programs, mostly I/O but a few HF so we will see how it pans out.