neuropsych76

I've heard conflicting views on this issue also, but it seems that being overdressed is better than under dressed. I've heard that for clinical psychology it is very important to look your best though. I didn't own a suit but I luckily had one given to me so I'll be wearing a suit to my interviews. Even if you are overdressed, I don't see how this could be a problem. I have heard that being overdressed could be bad but I don't understand how. Why would professors think poorly of applicants who take the interview seriously?

Same here. It figures that the earlier deadlines (for me at least) were the most competitive schools and the later ones are more safety like.

People could post their interview offers in this thread, but I think significantly more people will post them here http://thegradcafe.com/survey/

It's too early for me to tell. Right now I feel like I've done okay with the process so far with my naive undergraduate wisdom. I applied to 12 schools but I might think that I should have applied to more if I don't get in anywhere... Also, I'm sure I will regret things I did or didn't do during my interview(s). Despite having an awfully busy semester I am actually content I just got all my applications sent in on time.

I actually wouldn't mind it if they googled my name. It shows all my publications and poster presentations at conferences However, there is a person with the same name as me who has been arrested multiple times.... that can't be good.

I understand what you are feeling. I'm from a lower-middle class family and even though I attend a decent private liberal arts school, I was somewhat apprehensive before I spent my summer working in a lab at an Ivy League school. However, I am glad I gave it a chance because it was a wonderful experience. Most of the people I met were very nice and only a few seemed pretentious. I think the snobby pretentious stereotypes of people from Ivy League schools is definitely embellished. The Ivy I was at this summer was like any other school I've visited. Really, the only difference is the average car you see there is a bit more expensive

I can totally relate to this thread because I was quite worried about my application materials arriving on time and compulsively checked to make sure they were. I can provide an optimistic anecdote on this too. One of my LORs was almost 3 weeks late past the deadline (probably my best one too) and I still received an interview invite to this school. It was sent but somehow was lost in the mail and my letter writer had to resend it. So, the late letter didn't hurt me in this case. So there is hope!!

I know its possible to be accepted without an interview but is it possible to hear nothing until after interview weekend and then be accepted? If a school didn't like as many applicants as they thought they would or if a lot of students matriculate is this possible? So if you miss the interview date, is all hope lost or is there still a chance?

lol. I'd like to know this too!

Yep, pretty short call. Only asked a few easy questions and was really laid back. I was stressing hours before reading all his recent publications for nothing

I wish I could provide advice but I'm wondering the same thing!!

Thank you guys for your kind words and advice! I had the call today and it went well, I got invited to their interview weekend!!!

Oh geez, well thanks for letting me and anyone else applying know!! I'm pretty familiar with Dartmouth, its a great place and one of my top choices! Although, traveling up there in the winter would be rough... Good luck!

Since you already applied there is no need to keep contacting your POI unless there is an important issue. You don't want to seem inpatient, pushy, ect. I don't know what the context of your conversation is but I know its generally not a good idea to email POI's post application. Are you just complimenting them on their research and they sent some papers? If you must reply, just send a quick thank you for the papers.

I'm applying to cognitive neuroscience programs if that counts The programs I'm applying too (except for Iowa and West Virginia, see signature) are in the (cognitive) psychology departments.

I've always wondered about this. I know every school is different but is it possible that some schools will automatically send an acceptance letter to some applicants but for others they need to "pass" the interview before they become accepted? Those who get the interview request are good but not as good as the strait admits?

I just received an email from a POI and he said he reviewed my application and was hoping I'm able to talk on the phone soon. I'm freaking out, what does this mean? An informal phone interview?? Should I know all of his research by tomorrow?? ahhhhhhhhh This is the first thing I've heard from anywhere so I'm happy about that it is something, but what is it!?

I agree with much of what LJK said. Your should be a very competitive applicant. However, if you only applied to the very top programs, it might be hard to be accepted due to no psych courses. If you took the psych GRE, I think that would help a lot for your case. It all depends on what the adcom thinks about that. They may feel your other psychology exposure is enough. Your background is essential to psychology and I hope someone gives you a shot! Good luck!

My deadlines range from December 1st to February 1st so yes I know what you're going through!! I should (I hope) hear from Dec 1 schools in the next few weeks. But then it will be another couple months for the Jan and Feb schools...

Well myself and mostly everyone on here can relate to the terrible feelings of waiting it out during this process!! Just try to pick up a hobby or something to keep your mind off hearing back from schools. We'll start to find things out in the coming weeks. Where else did you apply too? Best of luck to you as well!

That's what I applied for also I wouldn't worry too much. If you call you might get a standard "were still reviewing applications".

I think the cognitive science program might be a different program unless you mean cognitive psychology. From what I've read on here, reading someone got an interview at a school you applied too doesn't mean you should have received one as well. I think notifications can come at different times. That said, I did get an anxiety spike when I read that.

I do not care about my image at all. But I would be worried about my car dying and being stranded somewhere. I will look around for a cheap car though (< 2000) and try to see if it will run okay. We'll see

Thank you all so much for your replies and rising star for providing that link!! I know I will have to worry about this more so if I get accepted anywhere but I'm just trying to be prepared. It is encouraging that several of you say being in grad school without a car can be done I'm just worried that I will go somewhere where I almost need a car. Then I don't know what I can do... Maybe I can work enough this summer to lease a car? Or I could try my luck on the price is right

Ah that's a good point. Only 2 schools I'm applying to are in the same state as me. The rest are all over the place. Some places would be a 16+ hour drive to get home. So I probably wouldn't drive anyway. But I would like to travel around my area... I guess that really isn't possible without a car unless I ride the bus/train to places.