jhmoss1812

Hey all, Just letting you know that FSU's interview weekend for social psychology will be the weekend of Feb 10-12. Most students come in Thursday night and leave Sunday. Most of the faculty members have sent out invites but I am not positive that all of them have. If you did receive an invite, I look forward to meeting you and hope you'll have a fun, relaxed time while you're here. Here's a brief schedule Thursday - dinner with your lab Friday - interviews during the day and then party at one of the faculty member's house Saturday - hang with grad students. We usually go to Wakulla springs and go on a swamp tour and then party at one of the grad student's houses/apts Sunday - head back home Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about interview weekend or FSU in general.

I think you're stressing a bit much. A 1300+ GRE will make you competitive at most schools, but to be honest, that score might not make you competitive enough at a top 10 school. I had a 1370 going into the application process and didn't hear a word from Yale, Illinois or UCLA. However, I received a lot of interest from the "lower-ranked" schools. Keep in mind that the GRE is important but a PhD program is more about the match between you and your mentor. Once you get in to grad school, the GRE is meaningless and won't affect where you get a job. If you publish out of your behind, you will get a great job

3.6 UGPA from UVA, 4.0 Master's GPA from UNC Wilmington, 1370 GRE (620 V, 750 Q)....I came in with a decent amount of research experience, having worked in a lab in undergrad and volunteered in one after graduating from college. Also, I had a master's thesis which provided even more research experience and a manuscript. But I definitely don't think I had a lot going into the process. I work with Jon Maner but obviously Baumeister is a huge name in social psychology. Good luck all

To add to the POI information, I also got a wide range of responses. Some didn't respond, some said they weren't taking students, most said to apply. However, one was very responsive. She actually invited me up for an interview before I had even submitted my application, just based off my stats and research interests. I ended up getting wait-listed there so nothing is ever a sure thing. While initial optimism is always great, don't let it get your hopes too high because it doesn't imply a sure thing. The fact that you have two first-author publications already will be a HUGE advantage for you. You have an impressive application, but there is no need to be too needy upfront. Most faculty are so busy that they are not thinking about applications yet. When they do, they'll make contact with you if they feel like it's a good fit.

I applied to 10 schools. You have to consider this as an investment. Obviously, you want to be resourceful and as thrifty as possible, but you should not choose to apply to a school you really want to attend just because of application fees and the like. You really need to focus on what is important to you. The match with the mentor will be incredibly important in the process. You can apply to 20 schools but it won't matter in terms of acceptance if none of them are a good match, research-wise. Also, make sure you e-mail each faculty member you are considering working with to make sure they are even accepting students. Don't just assume they are. Lastly, make sure you would be happy to attend every school on your list. Sadly, it is quite possible you may only get in to one school. Hopefully, you are one of the lucky ones that has options, but you can't bank on it. I applied to New Mexico State last year and, before being accepted to FSU, it was my only acceptance. I was not overly thrilled and would have dreaded "having to go there". Don't make my mistake (luckily it worked out for me anyways)...good luck

I'm not clinical either, but I think my story might help. I applied to PhD programs coming out of undegrad. I actually even took some time off to gain some research experience, but you definitely have more than I had. I graduated from UVA with a 3.6 and a 1370 GRE. I did not get into a single PhD program and ended up going the master's route. I really wanted to work with Dr. Jon Maner at FSU (social) but only received a phone interview. Two years later, he remembered me and was impressed with my dedication and determination and ultimately selected me for admission into his lab. Look, you have a very impressive resume but it's not the only thing that counts. This is a HUGE investment for the faculty member you want to work with so they want to make sure that whoever they take has the ability, but also the motivation, to succeed. If I were you, I would work my butt off studying for the GRE. you are applying to clinical programs so the competition is as fierce as it gets. I think you need to aim for at least a 1300. But studying really does work. My friend came into her masters program with a 1200. She is now applying to PhD programs and, after months of studying words and words and words, she got a 1450 and will likely have her lot of choices. Also, try to attend a conference or two in which faculty you are interested in working with will be attending. It is important to get your name out there and let them be familiar with you. I would also e-mail the faculty members early in the game (at least wait until the year you are actually applying) to see if they are even accepting students. There is nothing worse than wasting time and money on an application in which the faculty member isn't even accepting students. Good luck throughout the process. It can be daunting but preparation and determination will be key.

Do you really want to go to those schools? It's better to put in the time and energy now to get in to the best school possible, rather than attend a school just because they have soft GRE requirements

You have a very strong application outside of your GRE. Your GRE is not bad, but the field is so competitive right now. I agree with the rest ITT that if you have the time to study for it, retake it. If not, your'e not going to make a marked improvement and it will just be a waste of money. I graduated from UVA with a 3.6, 1370 GRE and only got into two schools. One was my safety school and I was actually kind of dreading the fact that I might have to go there had I not got in to FSU. I am very happy where I ended up but you better be happy with all the schools you apply to and have a good range of schools. Unfortunately, the GRE is a HUGE part of the application and sadly it's a filter. The rest of your application better stand out to make you competitive against the high GRE people. Sadly, those people will have a lot of outstanding credentials outside their GRE as well...The only way to do better on the verbal is to memorize as many words as you can. My friend just took the GRE and she got a 1450 but she put so much time into studying that it paid off. She literally learned 2000 words at the least.....good luck

I PMed you

Hi everyone, I'm a first year social PhD student at FSU. If anyone is considering applying to FSU's social (or other) program and has any questions, I am more than happy to help. I remember going through the process last year and don't envy any of you at all. Good luck and let me know if I can be of any assistance

Congrats on UVA. I am so jealous!!! I did my undergrad at UVA and loved it so much. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about UVA or CVille

First off, you have a very impressive application and I am glad I do not have to compete against you. I say shoot for the stars in your applications but also temper that with good matches with faculty. I think in psychology, the match between student and faculty is critical. You won't get into Harvard if you don't apply. You really never know what could happen. Then again, don't apply to places you don't want to go. If I did not get into FSU, I would have been "forced" to attend a school I really wasn't that excited about. You will be competing against a very qualified applicant pool, so I suggest you put your name out there. E-mail the faculty to see if they are even accepting students, attend conferences that they will be at and speak with them. I would probably say I got into FSU and the faculty member I wanted to work with because he was familiar with me throughout the process. Good luck with the process. Don't let it be daunting and make sure you are ready for a commitment. It's stressful but so exciting as well. Oh, and try to kill the GRE

Florida State University, PhD, Social Psychology

I just PMed you

I got my financial package with the offer so there was no hassle. It's pretty decent but not outstanding, but at least it's guaranteed for the entire time. It's 15K/yr for a 16 hr/week assistantship plus a $575 subsidy for health insurance.