taiwanadian

Wow! Thank you all for your wonderful responses! I'm going to clarify my situation a bit, perhaps that would make it easier for you to gauge my situation. The only reason I was considering a bachelors was because I'm pass the deadlines for all masters programs. I intended on taking 2 years to complete the degree, reapplying in Fall of 2011 for Fall of 2012. I figured i would apply to a few masters program then and focus on just a few phd programs that i loved. I should mention my application stats, i think that may help. I've been doing research for 4+ years, and have worked in 4 labs so far: A clinical psych lab: 3.5 years A developmental psych lab: 2 years A social psych lab: 1.5 years (present, volunteer) An exercise psych lab: 1.5 years (present job) So I've had quite a bit of experience, but really scattered. When I started undergrad, I was interested in going into clinical psychology, hence the first lab. The second was a job, the third was out of interest (it was a prejudice lab), and the fourth is my current job. There isn't really anyone in the sociology department at my school who does immigration research (which is what I want to do), so while it might be pretty apparent that i love research, it isn't clear looking at my CV what my actual field of interests are. I've also volunteered at a number of mental health organizations and led a mental health student org. I've had no publications. My GRE scores were okay. My quant was 770 while my verbal was only 560 (and writing 4.0 ) It's a bit hard because English isn't really my first language and I grew up in Taiwan. I took Kaplan classes, and they didn't really help my verbal scores (in fact it went down). I intend on trying again in prior to my next try. I felt that my statement of purpose was pretty strong, and have had a lot of good feedback from my professors and colleagues. My letters of recommendations were strong, but not from anyone in the field. I feel like my writing sample might have been a bit weak though. So overall, i think my application was decent, but having absolutely no experience in immigration research might really be hurting my chances.. Also, LORs from people in the field would also help my case.. Do you guys think this is the case? Or maybe there's another reason? Sorry this is so long!! But again, i really do appreciate all of your advices and suggestions. This is all very helpful!

First off, a big congratulations to all who got accepted so far! I am seeking some advice about a fall-back plan of mine. I know it's a bit early to tell right now, but I honestly think I will get across the board rejections this year. So far I've gotten 3 official rejections, and 4 other schools have sent out acceptances weeks ago. Two of my remaining schools are not spectacular fits, so I pretty much only have 1 school to hope on. I know that this is by far final, but I have noticed a glaring problem with my application, and would not be surprised if that was the reason I have been getting rejected/will get rejected. I have absolutely no experience in my field of interest. I can definitely understand that schools would be very concerned with a student like me: What if she loses interest halfway through the program? She's never done anything related to this before, how do we know it's not just a fleeting interest? Very legitimate concerns indeed I am not too upset about the rejections, because I feel like I haven't done everything I can just yet. So my fall back plan is.. I'm going to try to go back to school and get another bachelors degree in sociology (I currently have a BS in psychology) at the University of Toronto (since I am Canadian, and staying in the US will require a ton of visa complications, and the current school i work at doesn't really have professors in my field of interest). I would hope to join some research labs, do some independent research, while volunteering in a related field. Do you guys have any suggestions/advice/comments? For those of you who applied the second time around, what have you done to help your chances? I really appreciate you all for taking the time to read my posts, and thank you all in advance!!!

Same here. Haven't gotten accepted anywhere, and probably won't this year.

Only if it's a storm of acceptances!!

AHhh, i was just thinking about starting this. I haven't heard anything but it looks like there are a few posted on the results page :/

Congratulations captiv8ed! It must feel so good to know that you're going to be going to grad school this coming fall, and funded too!

Wow, congratulations!! I really like Harvard's sociology program too! Any idea of cohort size and if they're still accepting?

After 4 hours of wallowing, i'm starting to feel the same way i noticed a number of weaknesses in my application and have thought of some pretty good plan bs.. Still just want to get in a phd program already!

Amen. I've been wallowing in self-pity all morning.. I got 2 rejections this morning. And am assuming rejections from 2 more schools that already sent out acceptances 2 weeks ago.. I know it's a little early to tell and self-destructive.. but I think I'm going to get rejected absolutely everywhere I apply to.. It's hard to remember not to take rejections personally.

Got rejected too Congrats again to those who got in.

I feel the same way. Princeton was also my top choice.. I <3 grad cafe but i might have to quit it for a while seeing acceptances to schools i applied to and not hearing anything is a bit too hard Congratulations to everyone who got accepted and good luck to the rest of us waiting! We've all worked so very hard

No idea :/ I've kind of given up hope for getting accepted by them already

I sure am! I can't believe it's only the beginning of February, I feel like I've been waiting for yearrrsss.

That's what my friends keep saying :/ I just think they're deluded and I personally think I'll get rejected everywhere (pessimism is kicking in big time ).. My family on the other hand is not what I would call supportive. I think my grandparents might disown me if I get rejected everywhere

Me too. I felt really confident about a month ago. Then I saw interview invites at one school I applied to, acceptances at 2.. and I still haven't heard anything.. I'm just preparing for across-the-board rejection now

Wow, congratulations to everyone who got accepted! Let's hope that good news will keep rolling in!

I"m in the same boat.. I finished all of my applications by thanksgiving.. so the wait has been excruciating!!!

You can also try volunteering at a lab you're interested in at your school (new, old, or something nearby). It'll keep your mind going especially if the lab has weekly lab meetings to discuss articles and etc.. It can also teach you new research techniques

I think it is unfortunate that professors would do such a thing It makes me wonder if they regretted their own decisions to pursue careers in academia (referring to the article).. As for professors who put you down.. I don't even know what to say about that other than don't listen to them! I think professors should advise students in the sense that maybe if their scores are not as strong and they may want to have backups, but they should never discourage a student from applying to the top schools. I mean.. my GRE score's pretty average with a pretty disappointing verbal section (v560,q770), and my GPA is really average too.. but that hasn't deterred me from applying to the top schools in the field.. (and given my craziness, i applied only to the top schools.. even one of my LOR writers told me that).. so you definitely shouldn't listen to that professor, especially because he doesn't know you particularly well. If you're passionate about your studies and you're ready for graduate school.. I'm sure it will appear so on your SOP and other materials that are equally important

I was also a psych major and only took 2 soc classes as an undergrad.. though many of my psych classes were cross-listed with sociology. PS. Can't wait to hear back from schools already!!

Oh really? Congrats!! And thanks for letting me know Let's hope the invites keep flowing!!

Did anyone by chance post the UCLA Dev Psych interview (1/14)? I was wondering if you know whether or not they'll continue to send out interview invites over the next few days or so. I sure hope so!!

My school doesn't even have A-'s. A = 4.0; AB = 3.5; B = 3.0; BC = 2.5 Pretty big disadvantage for some grades that ought to be an A- (e.g.,92% un-curved is usually an AB) But that is just my excuse

Hi everyone, I've been reading the forum for a while now but haven't posted yet. I'm already anxiously awaiting on the schools' responses! I applied to 10, very difficult schools in the US, so I'm hoping I'll at least get in somewhere. I'm an international student but have been in the US for just about 5 years now for undergrad and work experience. Good luck everyone!