MyDogHasAPhD

Who is at SPSP?! Heading to the grad social tonight if anyone wants to make real life friends, PM me

I've applied to Carnegie Mellon, had great pre-app correspondence with my POI but haven't heard much since. No news to share but at least know you're not alone.

My interview went exceptionally well today guys. Thanks so much for all the advice! Next two are in person, which is perhaps scarier!

Congratulations!! So amazing when hard work pays off.

Really great advice. Thank you. I was wondering if you got the typical "Tell me about yourself" question and if so, how did you answer it? Did you provide background details about your life at all outside of psychology or did you keep it mostly academic?

Seriously, you are all great. Thank you so much. I feel a lot better about tomorrow now.

Thanks! I have a gap in undergrad, which I have often wondered if they will ask about. I have a response prepared just in case.

These are great! I really like the questions you asked. As far as the UMich questions, I would never think about a theorist outside of psychology (because...uh I can't remember when I did something other than study psychology lol). Might be something worth thinking about! I would have been stumped there. Thank you so much!

These are helpful! Thank you and best of luck!

Anyone who has already done interviews care to share some questions they were asked? I have my first one via phone on Friday and am currently not-so-slightly freaking out. Thank you!

I wouldn't jump to that conclusion. I only have one interview out of 13 schools that I applied to at SPSP. I think they use it to meet applicants if they'll be attending.

My best guess is that they are waiting until after SPSP to make admissions decisions. Many times, POIs use SPSP as a way to scope out and interview applicants. Perhaps this particular POI might have other interviews lined up during that time and will be deciding after SPSP for that reason. However, it seems that this program must be very interested in you based on the contact you have had. Fingers crossed for you!

I saw in the results that a Clark Social Psych notification went out. If that individual sees this, would you mind DMing me your POI? I am anxiously waiting to hear from this program. Thanks!

I think it could be that Clinical and Counseling programs generally have more applicants and therefore, probably an increased presence on this forum. Also, unlike a lot of the Clinical programs, Social PhD programs have later deadlines. I have two schools that aren't even due until the 15th of this month! Also, traditionally, many Social programs do not make decisions regarding admission until after SPSP, which is the 19th-21st of this month. Many times, POIs use SPSP as an opportunity to scope out applicants. I do think in the next few weeks we will see an increase in activity (or one could hope, because I too am slowly losing it!).

I have a feeling this week and next will bring all of us some hopefully much awaited news, once everyone is back from the holiday break. Happy new year!

Thank you! This was a pleasant surprise as it was on my list of "reach" schools due to my low quant GRE. Everytime an interview comes in, my imposter syndrome grows stronger! Lol

Just heard from POI at U of Rochester about interview for Social Psychology program.

Hoping I can get your opinion on this, friends! I applied to work with two different POIs at a university. I received an interview invitation email the other day, indicating that a POI who I had not indicated wanting to work with is interested in working with me. From what I can tell, this individual has very little research interests that are a match with my own. Thinking perhaps it was a mistake, I emailed the POI who indicated that they wanted to work with me just a brief thank you for the interview invite email, just to see if they would respond saying "Who are you?!" but instead, they responded that they were excited to meet me as well. So it does not seem as if this was a mistake. So, how exactly should I be taking this? Is it possible that they are changing their research line entirely? I do research on gender (specifically masculinity) and what implications the social construction of masculinity has on intergroup relations. This POI does research on psycholinguistics and is very heavily cognitive in their research. While I am not one to complain about an interview (heck yes!), I am a bit confused. Any insights? This ever happen to anyone else? I am just worried about being able to sound like a competent individual in the interview, which may be difficult considering I have very little prior knowledge on anything this individual researches!

Just received an interview invitation for Oklahoma State, just in case anyone else has applied to their Experimental Psych program and is curious.

Good luck everyone! Glad to see this thread is still alive. I am currently going insane and crossing every cross-able part of my body!

It will be over soon. Just kidding. No it won't.

My supervisor suggested that I put a section on my CV entitled "Projects In Progress" and put some of my studies that are in data collection there. That might be something to consider if you have any projects in that stage.

Hi Godpsy, While I am also a potential applicant, I can tell you what I think just based on what I know about strength of applicants and what many in the field have told me/guided me with this process. First of all, the correspondence you've been having with the particular POI that you spoke about seems really promising! I would be really encouraged by that kind of feedback. Also you seem to have strong research experience so I think you would be very well covered there! The one potential issue I can see is your GPA. However, from what I have heard, most programs place stronger emphasis on your last two years of undergraduate training. I have had a few applications even request my GPA from the last two years, in addition to my overall and major GPA. Most US schools operate on a 4.0 grading scale and competitive applicants for a admission generally have somewhere between a 3.8-4.0. Your GRE scores are acceptable, in my opinion. Especially if you have advanced Masters level statistics. I am currently getting my Master's degree in experimental psychology and have received feedback from numerous POIs that I have emailed that they would rather see competency at graduate level statistics than sky high quantitative GRE scores. My quantitative score has been an ongoing problem for me. Your's is higher than mine! Do you have any publications or even manuscripts under review from any of your research? This could carry some extra weight to offset any potential red flags, just again, by showing competency and your ability to conduct, write, and publish your research. Again, I am in the same boat as you, being a prospective doctoral student myself but I do think you are a competitive applicant. I am also applying to Rochester, Florida State, and IU-Bloomington! Best of luck!

I bet the political psychology research is absolutely insane right now. My research interests are mostly in the field of gender (social identity focused).

We will keep it alive! Also have Rutgers on my list