Scalia

Quant. graduate student here so any prospective quant. students can message me if they have specific questions.

I think that the standard answer at this point is that since we're past the April 15th deadline, it's probably a "no"

At the first program, the TA/RA mix is a gauranteed for 4 years with chance of becoming full RA later. At second program, the TA is gauranteed for 4 years and not knowing if a later RA is possible.

I have offers from two schools: One offers 6 month RA and 6 month TA One offers year round TA but is a little better school/ a little better fit. Also, would be same classes so wouldn't have to continually do new prep etc. How big of deal if the 6 month RA slot?

Some of these rankings are quite a bit different than some of the U.S. News rankings. Thanks for the link

I'll at an additional question to this thread: Program reputation or subfield reputation: Which is more important? I would note that not everyone one a hiring committee works in the same subfield.

I would normally equate not hearing something back by this point as a rejection. In my experience, I knew that I was going to be admitted long before I got the actual "admittance" package from the department or graduate school. Plus, through contact with my POI, I know that I have been unofficially rejected at several programs even though there hasn't been any official correspondence. Hate to be a downer but I thought I would try to give you an idea of what my experience has been.

Take a look at the USNEWS top 25 in psychology. So if you had a choice between a top (e.g. Minnesota) 10 school and a top 25 school (E.g. University of Virginia) the rank wouldn't matter at all? I think that rank matters because often schools with a higher rank have better university wide and departmental opportunities. Furthermore, I am a believer that if you surround yourself with successful people you're more likely to learn how to do good work and be successful yourself. Just thought I would offer an opposing viewpoint to what has already been said in this thread.

Sent you a pm

No idea. I've wondered about quant. rankings myself as I'm considering a couple of offers. I know that WashU and UNC are good but other than that, what are the top quant. programs?

I think that it might be important to define what is a "top school" for the sake of this conversation? Top 30 psych. department? Top 10?

I'm kind of dealing with this as well also within the field of psychology. One school is a top 10 but not quite as comfortable. One school is top 25 and I'm more comfortable with the advisor. Funding is the same. I have no freaking clue what I'll do.

This hasn't happened to me but I read about this scenario coming up in a graduate admissions blog: What happens if you're not your POI's first choice? Does it bother you if you end up being admitted? Factor in your decision to attend or not if admitted? I've been thinking about it and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I can say though that I want to go to a program where myself and the POI are equally interested in working with each other.

When students post on this board asking questions about choosing a graduate school, of course most advice is situation specific. That being said, has anyone been checking up on the schools they applied to through various ranking sources (e.g. US News)? Where do you think the ranking between quality schools that you would consider attending would be? Top 50? Top 25? Top 10!? Furthermore, how has the overall reputation of the program influenced your decision to attend/not attend?

What is there aren't any subfield rankings in your area? Go to the school with more faculty members? More published POI's?

I was wondering if anyone had the situation of between choosing between two programs, one of which is a better overall program (e.g. Biology) and one of which is more established in a subfield (e.g. cellular biology). How did you/would you choose between these options?

Looks like UNC decisions are on their way out today.

Congrats. An Ohio State Clinical acceptance is pretty huge.

I saw a Minnesota Social post on the results thread. If it's you, would you mind sending me your POI?

I would love to if Zimbardo wasn't presenting....

Okay we've had people weight in about attire and I'm sorry if the females on this board don't find this question useful, but what about facial hair? I keep a very short and well groomed beard. However, if you get online and Google grad school interviews, the advice is to make sure you're clean shaven. Thoughts?

Yep. Visitation weekend is next Friday.

I decided that I have a nicely tailored suit and it can't hurt to overdress, even when interviewing at experimental programs. If I'm dressed up more than other candidates, maybe the faculty will think it's a bonus because I'm really taking the process seriously.

I was wondering if it is ok to email a admissions coordinatoor for a program to check the status of an application? The reason is that I just received an invite to a visitation weekend that coincides with another school's that I'm interested in. I just want to be prompt about my decision to accept/reschedule the invitation that I've already been extended. Thoughts?

I'm thinking about wearing a suit to the interview (a faculty is picking me up at the hotel) and trying to check out and see what other people are wearing. Then, if I'm too formal, I can take off my suit jacket along with my overcoat. However, my advisor said a suit might be a little much and thought maybe slacks, dress shirt, and tie would be sufficient. Still not sure though.