Kinkster

A few months ago, I was accepted to an MA program in psychology but as fall is quickly approaching, I feel like I am losing interest in my proposed research area; I never thought I would lose interest in my specific field, but I just don't see myself continuing. I guess I went through a bit of an epiphany and found a new interest that I am passionate about. I have recently looked into transferring to another separate degree program within the same department and school. Is this a good idea? Would it be wise if I dropped an email to the coordinator expressing my interest in the program? Would it seem awkward, especially as a new graduate student? If anyone has any experience with transferring within an academic department, please share your thoughts, experience, and ideas! I would be very grateful! I guess my biggest fear is if they reject my attempt to transfer and I get stuck in a field I've lost interest in. Oh if it helps, I am not on any research or teaching assistantships. Thank you!

Hey guys I hope to get some perspective here. So I have applied to some MA and Ph.D. programs in psychology. Go to the school where debt is at least minimized? Renowned prof? Here's my situation: 1) I got accepted to a Ph.D. program in neuropsych even though I applied for social psych (I have a solid neuro track record), but with no funding. However, the Chair of the Department mentioned that some of the current students in the Ph.D. program paid their way for the first year but received assistance (tuition waivers and stipends) after the first year. I am a little hesitant to go here since nothing is guaranteed per se. 2) Accepted to a masters program at a school where there is a possibility to work with a renowned and prolific professor in my field of interest. He has published many articles (about 150), textbooks, served on editorial boards for various journals, was an editor for two well-known journals, and seems to be at the forefront and a pioneer of a developing new field. It seems like he has a great deal of connections and influence. However, I would have to incur some debt. The Department website indicated that a little over 95% of their masters students go on to fully funded Ph.D. programs (including their own department). 3) Accepted to a university where I may be able to secure a Teaching Assistantship. It's a solid program in NYC and the living costs is what bothers me. I seem to like it and wouldn't mind attending this school but I would still incur debt here, even with TAship. From what I've learned, there seems to be no scholarships for grads. 4) Then there is a school in L.A. and I would have to incur debt here as well but they offer a range of scholarships for grads to apply to but again, it isn't guaranteed. 5) Finally, I am waiting to hear a decision from one school that does offer full funding to masters candidates. Oh boy, I am having a tough time deciding...Where should I go? BTW my application credentials are solid but pretty average.

I really don't think it matters. It's what you feel comfortable with. I switched to a Mac and it's fairly easy to get used to.

Having a great and supportive advisor makes a huge difference, especially if you plan on doing research in the future. Go for the program that would best develop your talents and interests.

Given your rankings, I'd go with UCONN with the full ride. I agree with Fade, Solid reputation and minimal debt is what you want to aim for.

That comment was hilarious! I saw the post and was absolutely shocked! It was very scathing and unprofessional. Maybe that's why the individual didn't get in...

I am wondering the same thing...

ETS is a big headache. I can't believe they raised the price to prey on people, especially given the economic situation.

I don't know if there is any flesh to this and it's probably based on hearsay, so don't take my words too seriously. I heard that for some programs, U Wisc.-Madison is notorious for having students fend for themselves in terms of funding. Again, I don't know how truthful this is based on just reading it somewhere on the internet...

I like Fuzzy Logician's idea. Nothing too fancy as it may come off as desperate or trying a little too hard. Getting a bookmark sounds like a perfect idea, it happens to be a gift you picked up along the way but it also shows that it's the thought that counts. In any case, do what you feel is comfortable. Congrats on the interview!

I have received an email today from my POI inviting me to interview weekend. What does this mean? Is there a good chance I will be accepted? What typically happens during interview weekend?

I think it really depends on the department and the POI. I talked to one prof and he said straight up that he doesn't accept undergrads from the same university. One poster referred to it as "academic incest" and that is what he basically told me. You should talk to your professors because sometimes, they will consider it.

Congrats Sebastian!

LOL nice one.

I don't think it will count against you at all. You just need to prove yourself in your field of graduate study and get great LORs to back it up. If possible, publish or go to conferences. In the end, I don't think it will really matter.

I am basically applying to actual professors who specialize in my small concentration under primarily social psych programs. I have applied to nine schools. Two of them already had interview weekends... so that leaves me with seven schools. Out of the seven, one is a reach school and I don't think I have a shot at that particular school. In addition, I probably wrote a so-so SOP for one of the schools as my SOP dramatically improved over the app process. Realistically, that leaves me with five schools: Kansas State, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico State University, TCU, and Northern Illinois. I have a 3.55 Cumulative GPA, 3.78 Psych GPA, 3.89 Upper-division I took a grad course in Physiological Psych Took two years off to find myself and save up for grad school. Was accepted into the Undergrad Psych Honors program and wrote an honors thesis in my field of study Worked in a well-known research lab for my field under a renowned professor in my field (although the professor is too busy and I guess too famous to write LORs for any Undergrad) Got a damaging "C" in my stats and research design course but that was in my second year during personal duress, however, i did not focus on my negatives in SOP which could hurt me. However, got an "A" in my experimental psych and honors research courses. Average GRE scores (54 and 55th percentile for V and Q) I am confident that I have strong LORs I have established a positive contact with each potential advisor of interest and all of them are a great potential fit My SOPs to the five schools are strong Can anyone help evaluate my chances? I am getting more and more discouraged as the waiting wears on...

That would be awesome! For me, it was the cost of the whole applying process and transcripts... oh and forgot to mention the apprehension and anxiety...

Do not quit... it will look reflect on you negatively. Try to find something you really like about the topic and go from there. Whatever you do don't burn bridges in academia because she may be able to write you an awesome letter of recommendation if you decide to pursue something else in the near future.

It would blow my mind if that were to happen lol

The math score is kind of okay for the most part... not too much of an eye sore but the verbal is around the 55 percentile =( I feel that there will likely be a concern over that portion of my app. I have a feeling that if I don't address the issue, then admissions may just assume the worst if I don't try to sort of dampen the full force of a sub-par score. Unfortunately, I don't know the conventions in this situation. If anyone happens to have experience in this matter, please let me know.

Hey guys, I am applying to grad school in psychology. There seems to be two sides to this. My app is solid for the most part: relevant experience, decent GPA (however, there is one particular grade I am worried about), solid (if not formidable) LORs, I had the opportunity to work in a famous professor's lab in my field of study (although he never writes any LORs for any undergrads), wrote an honors thesis, and graduated with departmental honors in psych; however, the exception being a weak GRE score, which is probably more like a cut-off score and it can be detrimental. I know they look at GRE scores and there may be questions or concerns, especially on the verbal section. I admit I am not a really good standardized test taker because it was a pattern with the SATs. Okay basically... I submitted two already with a paragraph on how GRE scores are not truly indicative of of my ability to do research and backed it up with a few specific examples of why it doesn't accurately portray my ability and potential in empiricial research in psychology . Now I am also reasoning that I could easily do without explaining it at all because some discourage it. Is it a good a idea to explain weak GRE scores in the SOP in my case? Is it like making an excuse? I think of it as presenting a compelling reason why my GRE scores can't explain the rest of my achievements and doesn't tell the larger story. It also gives me a chance to preempt their concern. I am really really worried about being rejected for this... it sucks because I truly want to attend one of the programs I already sent it to. On top of all that, I kept capitalizing my area of interest in the SOP... =(

Does anyone know if capitalizing areas of specialization is a fatal error for admissions? Funny thing was I didn't capitalize the areas of study when I mentioned them in a list as examples and I capitalized correctly when naming courses. However, I did capitalize the field of study when I referred to my main interest (i.e. Social Psychology) as sort of an emphasis on the field... So I said something like, "I would like to study Social Psychology." Apparently, I am not supposed to capitalize "Social Psychology". Otherwise, everything looks fine. My main worry is that they will see that I inapproriately capitalized an area of specialization/interest, which is not a proper noun. Do you think admissions will be picky about this? I keep kicking myself about this...

I should have applied to more schools. I am scared of getting rejected everywhere and having to wait another year to try again...

Hey guys, I am applying to a graduate psychology program. I had to write two statements to grad school admissions and the department. The department statement of purpose is fine but the one to the grad school admissions has one small mistake. I don't know why I haven't caught it earlier but the first line at the beginning of the third paragraph is "over-indented". The rest of the paragraphs line up and are formatted correctly. The rest of the essay is fine and well-written but that one error is what is freaking me out. On inkjet paper, it isn't too conspicuous but still noticeable. I have pretty solid credentials and don't want a small mistake to ruin my chances. Are schools really anal about this? Any help would be appreciated.