cognitivepsychqueen

Your best bet would definitely be to get into an Experimental Psychology Master's program with a strong advisor whose research interests align with yours. There are very few and far between schools that offer Cognitive Psychology programs with terminal masters degrees. This means that you must get into the PhD program during which you will be awarded an MS in Cognitive Psych along the way. During my interview circuit this year, I met a handful of people who did not get into PhD programs the last few years so went for the Masters in Experimental. One girl had her masters from SFSU in Brain Sciences or something of the like. If your GPA, research experience, and GRE scores are competitive though I would definitely not worry too much about not having a Bachelor's in Psych. I have met plenty of people who had other majors, and if they had taken the appropriate coursework, got into PhD programs in Cognitive Psychology.

So I got waitlisted today in an email containing only one short sentence. I have perused this thread and seen many people talking about sending in transcripts, updating POI's on their research, etc. I don't know where I sit on the waitlist, how it works, or anything of the sort. My question is- do I respond and ask for this info from my POI? Do I update him? Should I contact the department? And finally, how am I going to go another month plus playing the waiting game?!

So what are you doing to help the time pass along during this wait period? I honestly feel like it is driving me crazy!

Why does getting waitlisted feel worse than a straight rejection? This just prolongs the waiting period that much more... If people wait until April 15 to reject offers I could be forced to wait until they go through all of the waitlisters.. Does anyone have any advice on how the best way to handle this?

Hey I am not sure if this posted. To the UCSB Cognitive admit- congrats! Who is your advisor? Thanks!

Okay I am officially FREAKING OUT. I modeled professionally (NEVER anything adult/nude/overly suggestive) for about 3 years in my late teens/early twenties and my first name is really unique. I just googled myself for the first time in years and there are tons of photos of me uploaded on photographers and make-up artists' sites and even just randomly from strangers who found my photo online and tagged me(?). I am not now down to the wire waiting to hear from schools and really worried about how I might be perceived as a result of these images. None of the photos are any more revealing than a typical magazine advertisement but there is one or two in which I am wearing bathing suits...What are your thoughts? What should/can I do?

Is there a way to set this up without an academia.edu account? My alma-mater kicks everyone off the email server a year after graduation and I have no way of accessing my email but would like to get notified if my POIs/departments are looking me up...

EMGagne it makes me really happy to hear I am not alone! I agree with all of your sentiments.This morning I got rejected from my first choice of the two schools that interviewed me so needless to say I have been sad and panicking all day today.... I feel like I really need to start solidifying a Plan B. What sort of lab were you considering that is open nights and weekends? My labs are both at UCLA, have set meeting times during the day, and I run my experiments with undergrads so its unfeasible for me to stay here and also free up my work week again. I really like the idea of some sort of data analysis position... Where are you looking? Were you thinking of leaving your research positions after this application season is over? I think I might ride out the academic year but I am afraid leaving would just look worse for me next time I interview. What are you doing to keep calm while you wait it out? The emotional and financial strain I feel right now for my future is really overwhelming. I love the work I am doing now and the idea of being glued to a desk chair, and constantly stressed out by clients is the most unappealing thing I can think of. I feel like I took this massive leap of faith and the ground is getting very close...

I am hoping this post helps me find others who are in similar situations to mine as well as some support/guidance from TGC community. Quick backstory: at the advent of this academic year, I quit my well-paying job in finance so that I could work unpaid in two labs and full-heartedly pursue my long-time dream of getting my PhD in Cognitive Psychology. I truly am happy with my decision and think it was instrumental in helping me get interviews. However, I have been primarily living off my savings for many months. I launched my own tutoring business which has been slowly developing yet great nonetheless. But, because I spend 2 days a week on campus and my clients are only on nights and weekends, I have not been able to find any other job options that would fit into my limited availability. I was a competitive athlete growing up and have worked since I was 14 so now I find myself with more free time than I have ever had before. I got invited to interview at 2 schools and have yet to hear from either. I know that I should hear back soon but here I am over-analyzing. I am training 5 days a week, cooking, crafting, reading, cleaning out my closet, occasionally traveling on the weekends, and binge-watching Criminal Minds but my schedule is truly making this waiting process even more difficult. What is everyone else doing to fill the time? If I don't get in, it would be a year and a half before I would start any program. My current arrangement is unsustainable for that amount of time and I was wondering if anyone else out there is in a similar situation? What sort of plan B options are you considering? There are no lab manager positions available in my department and no other universities within driving radius. What should I do in the event I don't get any acceptances? I want to do everything in my power to get into a program no matter what it takes. However, I do not want to completely deplete my savings and I need to find something to do to fill the 9-5 void 3 days a week. I know I should stay in the labs and that is what I want to do but finance is a 70 hour a week career, not 25, so I have no idea what to do. Help!