EMGagne

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LcOZ5X5obssLKMIjqbOSwrvueuWNqGbqDzfUkSl1AlQ/edit?usp=sharing

I'm applying to Georgia Tech's Master's in Analytics program (online) and would appreciate any feedback about my SoP. Available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11s7dzCydDJGrClPJET_zNrr91VB4tHW7xuIcJ168mdI/edit?usp=sharing Thanks!

Getting research experience in psych is pretty easy if you live in a city with a few good universities. Most labs will take on volunteers with minimal qualifications (generally smart people with psych degrees or current undergrads that have an interest in what the PI is researching). Getting a paid RA position is going to be difficult without previous research experience. Most of the RA positions I've looked at want at least 1 year of lab experience + a BA in psych/cognitive science. Also, a PhD is a research degree. Why do you want one? If the answer is anything besides continuing on in research it might be better for you to look at other degrees. If you're interested in being a therapist/psychologist then go for a PsyD - you don't need the research experience to get into these programs and they are specialized doctoral degrees in psychology that only take 3 years (because you don't have to do all the research).

That's too bad. If you don't think there's any way to make friends with her (or to get your old university to do something about it), then you need a replacement - someone who can write a LOR that's of comparable weight. Another option to to try to form a relationship with someone at one of the programs you're applying to - faculty or current grad student that can get you an intro to some faculty. That way you would have the opportunity to show that you're well suited for the program and can handle the work.

I had several sessions with an admissions consultant, and at the time thought it was very helpful/motivating. Looking back, I think his suggestions and edits did more harm than good. A friend of mine applied to MBA programs a few years in a row (only top 5 programs). He spent thousand of dollars (somewhere close to 10K) working with admissions consultants the first 2 years and got rejected over and over. The 3rd year he did all the apps on his own and got accepted to 2 programs (currently attending Duke). He didn't have any major career advancements, did his undergrad in biology and only had business experience within scientific start ups. Take from these personal experiences what you will. I think you're better off spending your money to take a few extra classes (to show you can do better than 'fair') or getting more professional experience (lab or otherwise). Also, not sure exactly why your old advisor won't help you but that's likely a huge red flad for ad comms.

Specifically about getting an MA or going into a program with no funding. It's probably not worth it, especially if your goal is a career in academia or anything else where you will only make middle class income. This becomes more and more true the less prestigious your grad program is. If you look at the stats of faculty at top research universities 85%+ went to a top 5 or top 10 school. The best thing you can do if you can't get into a funded PhD program is to get a job that will pay for you to get your MA (or at least take some grad classes at a high ranking university that could be applied later) or will make you a very competitive applicant in the future (think about being a lab manager for 1-2 years, or even a research assistant - anything where you can publish). The moral of the story: even though you may not care about having a brand name on your CV everyone else will.

Even though I waived my right to read my LORs during the application process, all of my recommenders offered me personal copies. I don't think it's weird or rude, but you may want to preface your request by saying that it's fine for them to say no and you won't be offended or anything.

I think I'm the minority here - I did much worse on the real GRE than on any of the practice tests I took. Real scores: V 165, Q 153, AW 5.0 ETS powerprep 1 & 2 V 159, 167; Q 168, 165 Kaplan 2 tests from 2014 guide book V 160, 168; Q 165, 170 Also did tons of other prep workbooks (ETS, Manhattan GRE prep), worked with tutor for 8 weeks. My intake score for tutoring was V 155, Q 148. I didn't retake it, but am regretting that now.

I've seen a few posts on the results page saying people were rejected from a PhD program but offered a spot in the MA program even though they didn't apply. What's up with this?

It really depends on the program. Typically work experience weighs heavier in programs where you're essentially training for a non-research job. Anything where your end goal is research, work experience matters less (unless it's in a lab). Most engineers don't go for a PhD, so I'm not sure what you're planning post PhD but I think it might make more of a difference if you have your PE than if you have had some relevant jobs. If your end goal is teaching than obviously teaching experience matters. But I'm not applying to engineering programs, so this is just my 2 cents.

I think at this point it probably won't hurt to email, especially since they told you that you were on the short list and it's been over a month of no communication. I don't think that this one email will push you from finalist to rejected immediately - especially if you haven't emailed numerous times for updates already (your post makes it seem like you haven't talked to anyone since 2/6 and haven't tried to contact anyone). Personally, I wouldn't apologize at the end there and would instead say something like "I'm very excited about the possibility of attending XX university or working with Dr. XX so I appreciate you taking the time to give me an update, as I'm surely not the only candidate emailing about decisions at this point."

Stipend wise it's completely dependent upon the school - I applied to a mix of psych and cog/integrated neuro programs and some places give more for neuro some less. Straight neuroscience or neurobiology programs are typically housed in the biology department - if you're seeing neuro-oriented programs through a psych department they won't expect you to have taken tons of bio/chem/etc although it does hurt. Ideally you should have some neurobiology background (I have a psych degree but my research experience is in a cog neuro lab, my advisor is a neurologist, I took a lot of neuro-oriented psych classes + some bio and chem). So much of this varies school to school - and since programs that are somewhere between neuroscience and psychology tend to be cafeteria style (i.e. made up of a mix of courses you might typically find in one program or another). You really just have to look at the people you want to work with and then go from there.

Sping break varies by school, but whatever the university I doubt it's a time ad comms are using to meet and make decisions.

I emailed them yesterday for an update - got a cut and paste reply "admissions committee is making their decisions now, you'll get an email telling you to check the website when there is a decision". I applied to a different program than you did but everyone uses Spire so I'm assuming you'll get the same reply.

Better yet what does it mean when you email to check in and get a personalized response from a real human (not just cut and paste bs) saying "you'll definitely get something by next week, email me directly if you don't." Why not JUST TELL ME?!?!