[Missoula, Montana]

Please, tell me what to expect in terms of the weather. Is it hot in May and August? I'm ok with cold winters but I hate the heat. And what about elevation? I am very ignorant, but I've heard that some people have troubles breathing in the mountains? Is there a problem for someone unprepared?

[Need help! Undergraduate for a PhD in Psychology]

You seem driven enough that you will be fine no matter where you go! Enjoy college, by the way, please!!

 

Thank you so much, it's very encouraging! Good luck with your graduate studies!

[International student wants to do MFA Creative Writing]

Assuming though, as you mentioned fiction, that he himself is interested in fiction, I would suggest either to submit two to three short stories (his absolute strongest work) or an excerpt from a novel. You can also try a combination of short story and novel. However, I should warn, most schools like to see three short stories or less. Submitting more than three short stories in a manuscript is generally looked upon badly. I assume this is because most manuscripts average about 30,000 to 40,000 words. Several universities recommend not using short stories under 10,000 words. This is probably because anything shorter can't reveal enough to the universities about one's writing ability. Also, the university needs to see one can write for both quality and length. Always be sure to read specific guidelines from the individual university though regarding manuscripts.

 

 

Thank you! Yes, we meant fiction. He only writes short stories (both in English and first lang), so maybe he'll try to apply in a couple of years.

Good luck with your studies and writing! 

[International student wants to do MFA Creative Writing]

Hi everybody!

I decided to bump this topic instead of starting a similar one. My brother is interested in applying for an MFA in Creative Writing. English is not our first language as well. Nor has he lived in an English-speaking country. But he translates fiction. What kind of manuscripts do people usually present? Will it help him that he has some short stories and translation. Also, i am going to study in Milwaukee. Of course we would prefer to live together (foreign country for the first time, you know). Is their program good?

[Need help! Undergraduate for a PhD in Psychology]

Thank you. But I am not worried about prestige or big names. I am worried about research opportunities. None of my choices are high research activity, unfortunately.

[Need help! Undergraduate for a PhD in Psychology]

Hello everybody!

I am currently choosing an undergraduate program in Psychology. My ultimate goal is a PhD and academic career. And I am completely lost. How do I know which uni will help me to get into graduate school? I am actually hoping to join a decent graduate program. And by 'decent' I do not mean Stanford or any top-ten programs in the field, I mean something from top-50.

 

And here is the catch: I have enough money only for a cheap state school. How do I choose then? I understand that engaging in undergraduate research is crucial. But I cannot evaluate and compare schools. Please, help me!

 

What should I look for? What is important when choosing one's undergraduate program? My current options: University of Montana, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, some schools that only offer MA in Psychology and no PhD (it's a bad sign, right?), others have not sent their decisions yet. What do you think of these schools? Which is better? I am waiting for a decision from a uni whose graduate program is in top-20. But I am not sure whether I can get in and it is about 8k a year more expensive than the aforementioned unis. Do you think crippling debt it would be worth it if I am admitted? Are there any cheap good schools with a lot of research going on I might have overlooked?

 

I do not care for location, climate, sports, city size etc.

 

I am most interested in research/experimental/quantitative psychology, maybe behavioral neuroscience. I am not going to do counseling, school psychology etc.

 

Any comments appreciated, even if you tell me it is stupid to even imagine myself going to grad school with this background. Thank you.

 

P.S. I do not want to explain my background but I am not eligible for any financial aid from universities or my home country, and graduate SoPs will be tough.

P.P.S. Unfortunately, no interesting programs in my home country. I chose US unis because of more course offerings.