jordy

Damn straight. I love my field! But to play along, if social psychology didn't exist then I would consider heading in the direction of women's/gender studies, anthropology (which was my original declared major on my application), or else something in the realm of medical technology (possibly genetics).

I doubt that too. Like you said, it's usually that they don't know their funding situation (or something changes), but in these uncertain times I wish they would just say they would "like to if possible" not that they "can", or something.

Edited, upon seeing jlloyd87's more recent comment (posted a half-second before mine, apparently )

Soooooo, who got that interview for University of Kansas? And who was your POI? I saw it on the board but it's been all quiet on the western front over here. Hehe, puns.

Anita speaks the truth. It's such a crapshoot sometimes. Also, Stanford Guy rocks. I love his story!

Yes, that is definitely the upside to having a masters, and it's not a bad option at all (my comment is just based on advice and information I've collected as one data point, YMMV). Neither is really a bad option, they just have different risks in terms of time/money/strategy, and it heavily depends on your situation and the institution/person you're interested in. Have you talked to faculty or the DGS at the program of interest to investigate how often people make it into that program from the masters level?

I'm not going, just wanted to comment to say I'm jealous! Have fun, and make sure to share any admissions-related gossip with us (to whatever extent you can, of course)!

Thanks for sharing this!

Now I definitely agree with that particular exception. That's when I plan to bust out those sophisticated privacy settings. Out of respect, of course.

To go back to the general topic, I believe there's a difference between bragging and merely celebrating your life, and I agree with those who referenced marriages, babies, etc. I don't feel the need to walk on eggshells, especially on MY facebook account. Don't want to see it? Have to make it about you instead of being happy for me? Then maybe we shouldn't be friends. I welcome your delete.

OMG it totally does! On a more specific note, telling people I plan to study romantic relationships and sexuality usually induces one of four general responses: genuine fascination (followed by detailed sex questions), requests for relationship advice, scoffs, or ridiculously inappropriate jokes. Though it makes for a helluvah pickup line, not gonna lie.

Mmhm. Screw Kaplan. Scam city. Buy a book if you must (though I strongly recommend Princeton Review books), but don't take their ridiculous courses!

What? How? Did they only get like 5 applications? I don't claim to know everything about the process, but that sounds suspiciously manipulative... (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

Everything I've heard (from faculty and others who are in the know) say that a master's option is not a good choice and seldom leads to "back door entry" into a doctoral program at the same school. Furthermore, the credits seldom transfer to another institution. They also told me it can put you at a disadvantage compared to experienced BA students, because faculty want to spend their resources on someone who can work with/for them more long term and train them in their methods. That said, this isn't always the case and it surely depends on the program (especially if it's your first choice POI). But considering the financial investment and other possible risks, I suggest option #2. And if I can offer my own little data point, it has been working out pretty well for me thus far (though time will tell for sure). Good luck! That said, if I don't get in this year I'm probably going to continue this path for a second round and apply to some masters programs (such that your option #1 is my option #2). If that still doesn't work, I'm moving to a beach town in Florida to bartend at a cabana.

Thanks! @Anita: I can't reply to your PM because I'm accessing this on my Blackberry and it doesn't support the message interface, but I wanted to say sorry about the email mixup and it should be @YAHOO not gmail (I have a gmail too and I'm used to writing that).

Dr. Arriaga. But she said official calls for interview weekend invitations will be made Monday or Tuesday by the grad coordinator (she likely only called me directly because I've met with her in person). Nine people will be invited for interviews for the weekend of Feb 11-13. Good luck to you; hope you hear something next week!

Here's a good "feeling-happy-and-pensive-about-being-admitted-and-moving-on-to-the-next-stage-of-your-life" song for your listening pleasure when the time comes (good sound too, though you may recognize it from an M&Ms commercial circa 2007, and I'd just like to add that said commercial is *not* how I discovered it lol) "This is the Day" - The The (Album: Soul Mining) Well you didn't wake up this morning cause you didn't go to bed You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red The calendar on your wall is ticking the days off You've been reading some old letters -- You smile and think how much you've changed All the money in the world Couldn't buy back those days You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place You could've done anything if you'd wanted And all your friends and family think that you're lucky But the side of you they'll never see Is when you're left alone with the memories That hold your life together like glue You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place

I will echo what's been said so far. (And, I might add, I was in a very similar situation last year). You cannot underestimate the power of an honors thesis in your application. You also cannot underestimate the experience and wisdom you gain from going through the research process with a project that is completely on your shoulders. It's one of those things that everyone says but you never really believe it when they do, but I learned SO. FREAKING. MUCH. by doing a thesis, and professors recognize the maturity that comes out of it. One major point of maturity comes from pouring tons of time and energy into something that doesn't interest you very much. Consider the very real possibility that you will spend your first couple years of grad school doing something that interests your advisor far more than you. You will have learned the type of discipline required to put out quality work without losing your mind, as well as the time management skills to pursue your own interests. You will become a better writer. Your data analysis skills will sharpen like you wouldn't believe. Even if you think you're already above average at these things (and you may be), you would be amazed at the kind of improvement and growth you can accomplish. Also bear in mind that the vast majority of honors thesis writers across the country didn't do something they loved. You do not, under any circumstances, want to come across as a quitter, because that is exactly the type of applicant they are hoping to screen out. Also, you may need a LOR from this advisor in the future; what would she have to say about your level of commitment and perseverance? What does it say about your flexibility as an employee (which is essentially what you are in grad school, in a way)? I find it very strange that she is encouraging you to quit, because I can't imagine any professor at my undergrad saying that to any student...though that leads me into an important distinction: You said your undergrad is a small liberal arts college and that the faculty aren't very interested in research. My undergrad was a very research-intensive university with a very highly ranked social psych department. The reason I point this out isn't to compare you and me, it is to highlight that the advice you are receiving from your advisor may not be the most helpful thing for you if you are applying to big-time research universities, which I suspect you are. If that is the case, let me pass along some advice from the kind of faculty you are probably aiming to work with: DO NOT QUIT YOUR THESIS! For what it's worth, due to scheduling/IRB issues, I had to collect my data, analyze it, write it up, and finish my entire paper in less than a month. It was a very, very painful month, but it can be done, and it is already giving me an edge in the grad school process. However, if a lack of resources becomes too real of a problem, have you looked into the possibility of an extensive literature review/theoretical paper as your thesis? I think it need not be an empirical paper to count as a thesis (though I'd check with your department/college). I don't mean to sound harsh, I really don't, and I also don't like to bring my own experience into it that much because everyone's situation is different. But I have been there too, so please know it is coming from the wish to give you honest advice based on what has done me well (for the same subfield, no less). I agree that you really need a good break, and to come back refreshed and ready to buckle down. Show your advisor that your episode of lacking was just that- and isolated bump in the road and not something indicative of your personality. It ain't over til it's over, and it isn't too late to make an comeback. PM me if you want to talk, as I'd be more than happy to offer support. P.S. PhD Comics = Awesome (but also makes me worry sometimes!)

Cheers for being in the same boat! I totally did the area code list thing too...big yellow Post-It! I'm wondering if I should let it go to voice mail so I'm not caught off-guard and flustered by a surprise interview? I don't think anyone would hold a missed call against you (after all, people have jobs and classes and bathroom breaks), but I still don't know if I could resist picking up the phone!

How is it that people can't figure out that maybe, *just maybe*, there's more to a field than their tiny little ignorant idea of it? Just because your roommate's girlfriend's cousin's frat brother's uncle slept through an intro course 25 years ago and got a D- does NOT mean you know what you're talking about when you trash someone's line of work. *RANT OVER* Sorry, I know we're trying to keep it light, but some of these stories are just so rude and disrespectful.

@ jhmoss1812: I PMed you

My phone interview was in October too.

No worries, it was an informal thing following some email exchanges (that I initiated, not them) and a phone call. It wasn't the official interview weekend. I don't think all the professors do things that way so I'm sure you still have a very good chance. December, btw, before applications were due.

OMG that one is so annoying! Or the alternate version (frequently deployed by clueless men at bars): "OK, so, like, analyze me right now. What am I thinking?" (Well, *I'm* thinking you just proved yourself unworthy of my superior mind-reading skills. MUAHAHA!) And I love when people try to launch into a debate about Freud when the overwhelming majority of the field had discredited 95% of what he said/thought/wrote/believed/ate for lunch by the mid-1970s. grad_wannabe, that sounds so frustrating! What is it with people being so freaking clueless about studying art??

Person: "So what are you going to grad school for?" Me: "(Social) Psychology" 1: "Oh, so you'll have your own private practice!" 2: "Oh, so you'll get to work with crazy people!" 2a. > optional continuation: "Oh, I'm sure you already have tons of material from your wacky dad!" 3. "Oh neat! So I have this problem and maybe you can help me out": [proceeds to explain a very detailed, personal, and waaaay over my head psychological illness that a "friend" is struggling with] Me: "It's actually more of a research field and doesn't involve studying mental disorders. I'd eventually like to be a professor." Person: "Oh, teaching sounds fun!" *bangs head*