Saila09

Apply to schools for which you can write strong personals statements. Feel free to have a few safety schools, but applying to schools simply based on acceptance rate seems misdirected.

A PhD is a research degree. Do you have an interest in research? What school are you at that doesn't have any PhD faculty...? If you want to teach at the college level that you clearly can with just a Master's.

It has happened to me before. It was a departmental change. Before, history of chicken pox was sufficient. Now, they do a blood test. Makes sense. It varies from place to place.

Thanks for your feedback. I guess I should update this. I got into my top choice! I finished my second bachelor's degree using USU's distance learning program. There's a difference between an "online school" vs. a real school (i.e., a non-profit, accredited school) that offers online options. In other words, U of Phoenix may be trashed, but I don't think a state school would be.

Check EdFind for the GPA/GRE ranges of accepted applicants.

Unlike all the previous posters, I picked the strongest program (which also happened to be the most expensive). I really think I'm going to the best program in the country. As such, I expect to receive top-notch training as well as the best career opportunities afterwards - job placements and/or PhD route. It came down to this: Which would I rather live with? Debt, or regret of knowing I turned down an amazing opportunity? I feel confident that I will be able to pay of my student loans in 5-ish years. Make no mistake, debt is a huge undertaking. But I'm not foolish with my money and consider this a wise investment in my future.

This is highly unethical IMO...

Do you already have a bachelor's degree?

One of the schools I was accepted at did not offer a thesis option. It was a deal breaker for me.

Cheaper for residents since they have been paying taxes that support their local universities. Private universities don't have in-state/out-of-state differences. They're expensive for everyone.

That's not true. Some people don't do one in clinical fields, e.g., social work, psychology.

Those standards are the minimums. There are programs who exceed those standards, while some barely meet them.

There is a website where you can find a proctor in your area. If you don't have one, then yes. You can call your local library. Most likely they will do it for free. Their is a registration process on their end.

This is true but students go through many "revise and resubmits" before they formally present their thesis. They get feedback throughout the process to prepare them for the final product. If the committee members don't feel like a student is ready, he/she most likely won't present.

It is an investment in your future. I know this is tough, but I think it will pay off in the end.