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buildings are clean and well taken care of! maintenance is fast and the management isn't on your back or anything like that. its a good place to live.

I previously lived at the grove in west davis and it was very pet friendly. lots of dogs and cats.

I agree with TakeruK. Definitely go with letter #1, and I am leaning towards #2 for the other option, since you've already been her TA thus I assume you've worked closely with her.

Seconding what the poster khunconan said. I think it depends on where you apply and also what types of programs you are applying to (i.e. something like clinical psych will be more competitive than other programs). Your other qualifications are pretty good so I wouldn't stress too badly about your scores so long as you apply wisely like khunconan said. Another thing I just thought of: you will probably want to make sure the PIs you're talking to are able to take on international students. See how that usually works for the school/program you're applying to because that might also play a factor.

Health insurance is covered by my package at my program.

I sometimes use my tablet (Samsung galaxy note 10.1). It has the ability to run two programs side-by-side, so I can have a sort of "paint" thing open for drawing figures, and a notepad open for text notes. Although it's around ~$400 so probably not what you're looking to pay! I'd also recommend a livescribe pen. ~$100 although you'll have to use their special paper.

Have you tried daredevil?

I got in with a 3.1 to many great universities straight out of undergrad. Many of these universities stated much higher GPAs as their average. So, I would take it as just that -- an average. It's fair I think to ask an administrative person this question as well.

Agree. This is along the lines of what I was trying to say.

I don't think that's what you were saying so sorry if it came off that way. I agree that having that type of experience will off-set time. I was simply giving my opinion that getting on a paper isn't likely to happen in 6 months, regardless of how well-known the PI is. It COULD happen, but I don't think it's wise for OP to bet that it will. I think being in the lab for a long period of time would better OPs application in terms of experience obviously, but would also make sure OP knows this is a field they want to continue in. Pointing out that time is valuable. That's all.

Are you saying, starting research within June/July 2015, applying by December 2015 (likely less than 6mo research experience) and hoping they will look at your application and assume that because you wouldn't be starting a program until ~sept 2016, that you'd have over a year of experience? That's possible but a gamble IMO for a program like clinical where it is so competitive. I disagree that you need to work in a well-known lab with a well-known PI. That isn't always "do-able". What's more important for your application IMO is that you have a good experience (not just running participants as previously stated) and that your experience is long enough to show that you know you want to stay in research. Which 6mos will likely not do for you, assuming the schools don't think about the length of your experience in the way you're hoping. I agree that getting a paper will help your application, but again I don't think this is likely to happen in 6mos.

You could volunteer in some psychology labs or try and get a lab tech/assistant job in a psych lab to get research experience.

I'm a neuroscience applicant for Fall 2015, and I agree with the advice you've already been given. Additionally I would like to say -- don't sell yourself short. You have some good stats. Mine were somewhat lower than yours, in terms of GPA, and I interviewed and was accepted at some great universities. If you want to talk "name schools" I was interviewed/accepted to an Ivy Neuroscience program (I almost didn't apply because I thought I wasn't good enough). My point is, don't purposely avoid "name" schools for fear of rejection. In doing so you're ultimately rejecting yourself. Just make sure you do well on your GRE, continue with research through your senior year (potentially do a senior/honors thesis?) like eteshoe has already said, and apply to programs that have a good "fit". That will become more clear as you continue through the application process. If you have any specific questions that you think I might be able to answer, feel free to PM me.

Clinical psychology programs I believe are one of the most competitive programs amongst all fields. I agree with Psycgrad37. You should aim for a masters and perhaps then try for a PhD.

What type of psychology program are you interested in (school, clinical, biology/neuro, etc)?