CatLady4Lyfe

Ahh, congrats! Would you mind sharing your PI with me?

Some of the best advice out there is to make sure things fit COMFORTABLY! You'll be spending the day walking around - you don't know how many flights of stairs you'll end up walking up (it was 3 once for me! - in my new dress shoes that I hadn't broken in yet - also, break in your shoes before you go), or how many buildings you'll have to visit (I also once walked over a mile in 90 degree weather at UGA for an interview. It's a beautiful campus with rolling hills, and I was so red and sweaty by the end of it). You want to be able to keep your full attention on the interview process, not trying to adjust the waistband on your pants or hoping your skirt isn't riding up. Try out the outfit before you go to make sure it functions as it should - spend an hour walking around (does the material breathe enough), sit down/stand up a bunch (does my shirt buckle between the buttons), etc. Also make sure to check the weather. My first in-person interview took a Texas girl to Michigan. I had never experienced a cold like that and I spent a lot of time trying to not look like I was freezing. A few different websites have suggested going up a size no matter what - just swallow your pride and do it. You want your clothes to fit well, but a lot of professional clothes are already form fitting (looking at you, pencil skirts), so any lumps or bumps are going to show through. You don't want your interviewers to remember your clothes, you want them to remember your amazing research ideas

Hi there! To the person who received an interview from Boston University - I'm curious who the PI was? Okay to answer here or PM me, whichever you feel more comfortable with

I think it depends how much stuff you have now. If you currently have roommates/very little of your own furniture, then it would make sense to sell what you have and start fresh in your new state. I've heard lots of people say they filled up their car with about 10 boxes of stuff and they were off! It was different for me - I had lived on my own for 10 years when I was in your position so I had a home full of stuff (the kind of furniture that you would only buy once or twice in your life). I downsized as much as I could and hired professional movers. I too made a big move - From Texas to Michigan - and didn't have anyone in Michigan to help me set up all that big furniture once it arrived, so it made more sense for me to pay the $$ to have someone do it. It was pretty expensive, though, and I had to make the unfortunate decision to max out my credit card to do so. There are all kind of options. I have a friend who hired local movers from Craigslist - usually college kids - in both the city she was moving from and to, rented a Pod and had it shipped (you do the packing/unpacking instead of someone else) and it was significantly cheaper. It also takes more leg work on your end, so it depends how much time and energy you have and are able to commit. I would look online for cross country moving guides. There's a lot of really helpful info out there. Good luck!

I believe Wayne is finishing up with phone/Skype interviews, interview weekend in mid-February. Hope you hear something soon!

Declined offer from University of Georgia (Brain and Behavioral Sciences)

The supervised hours are important (and can really bite you in the butt if you have a hard time getting them). When I got hired for my research coordinator position, they offered to find a staff member for me and face time with patients just in case I did still want to get my licensure. The position I have now is for a smoking cessation program in a huge cancer research hospital. We offer free medications and free counseling for patients who are getting treatment here; however, my role is geared towards recruiting patients and running the clinic. Other people in my department have the same title, but very different roles, much like Rising Star said above. There are some LPC research coordinators, there are some who do just straight data entry, some who do EEG and other testing, and some whose focus is on submitting abstracts for conferences. It really just depends on the project and the place you go. Do I like it? I like it in the exposure that I get to have. I get to do some "researchy" type stuff, and I still get to interact with patients. The pay isn't great for a master's level degree, but it has helped me in other ways. Applying for grad programs was WAY easier working than it was while I was trying to graduate. And even though I'm not interested in researching specifically tobacco use or obstacles for cancer patients (I look more at addiction and shyness and motivation for behaviors), the connections have definitely helped me. One PI that I interviewed with this application cycle (and was later accepted at) collaborates with a PI that just left my department last month. Even though I didn't directly work with that guy, having this hospital/department on my CV helped. You never know... Oh, one last thing - working here showed me an environment where PhDs still get to do research but don't work in academia (if maybe teaching isn't your thing). I had heard these places existed, but it was helpful for me to see what that really looked like.

I was in a very similar situation. I completed a 225 hour clinical practicum for my master's. During that time I really fell in love with research, and after graduating and working in the field for about a year I decided that's definitely not the route I wanted to go. I had completed all the pre-reqs to get licensed as an LPC because I wanted to keep that option open just in case I was ever in a bind in the future. Then I ended up taking a research coordinator position and it solidified that I want to go into research...as more time passed it became clear to me that having my LPC license wasn't something I'd use even if I was in a bind. I think it really depends on how strongly you feel about counseling/research. Not sure how helpful this is to you, but I was very surprised how things have played out in my own situation If you think you want to hold on to that licensure then I would probably go for it now and take the NCE while you're still eligible. To me, anyway, it seems better to have it and then later decide you didn't need to use it rather than wishing you did a few years from now and having to jump through a bunch of hoops.

I'm definitely with you! I suppose I won't know until I visit next week. Thanks!

No, not really about the ranking. I was just describing the situation and wrote them in different orders. I don't think this one about my subconscious I have a feeling that School B is going to blow me away because of all those things you just listed - the PI, their placement, research fit, and also the location of the program. The city is absolutely stunning and just my style. The strength of their program is fantastic, I'm waiting to see how the fit is with me as a person and if that would be worth taking on the loans. Thanks, though.

Thank you! What you said makes a lot of sense...I wish it were more cut and dry. And as much as I'm trying to be thorough and visit the campus, I have a feeling it's only going to make my decision harder : / Hopefully the fit within the department will help guide me as well. I know I'd be a lot more inclined to consider taking on that debt if my starting number was much less. It doesn't make it any easier that the disadvantages of choosing A are location/housing, which are some of the advantages of choosing B, where it's absolutely gorgeous Trying not to let that cloud my judgment as I've been getting discouraged somewhat at the housing options in Detroit.

So, I know the general rule is: if there's no funding, it's not worth it. I get that. But I feel like I'm in such a grey area. Here is my situation: Acceptance A: Strong program. Amazing fit. I am in awe of my advisor and she respects my thoughts/opinions. Fully funded tuition, and stipend is enough to live on comfortably. IF I took out any extra loans, it would be completely optional if I wanted to live in a nicer/safer part of town (it's in Detroit). It's an R1 program, but is ranked a little on the lower end in that category. I'm not too concerned about ranking, though. Acceptance B: Also strong program. Higher ranking, which is only important to me in that it comes with the possibility of more opportunities down the road (especially if I want to stay with neuroscience). I will find out about the fit when I visit next weekend. Advisor also seems okay so far. Maybe some reservations, but it's hard to get a feel for someone just over the phone. His current student has had nothing but great things to say. Fully funded tuition, but stipend is abysmal. $6,000 a year less than Acceptance A, and cost of living isn't that different. If I fall in love with Acceptance B after I visit (I have a feeling I am going to be blown away), do you think it's worth taking on extra loans? I'm estimating about 30-40k. I currently have about 90k in loans, which also plays a big role. Thoughts???

Verbal: 67th percentile Quant: 52nd percentile Not super stellar, but enough to make the first round of cuts. I applied to 6 schools (Social programs). Interviews and acceptances from 3. 3 years of lab work, a thesis, 9 conferences (7 first author), 1 paper in press (first author).

That is so cool! But it doesn't look like many psych people post on there. Too bad, really

Anyone moved there more recently? I'm starting at Wayne State in the Fall, and it seems like the city has changed (read: improved) quite a bit even in the past 2 years. Would love to hear more recent opinions on this city!!