Scalia

I'm definitely interested in working in an academic or research oriented career. I have absolutely no interest in pursuing a career as a clinical provider. I don't want to get to in depth with my research or research interests, but if you would like to PM me then I would be happy to share.

Yeah, I hit the lottery into walking into some projects with some extremely motivated faculty members. So I don't know how the whole graduate admissions process works but I feel that although I have only been doing research a relatively short amount of time, it has been a pretty productive period.

I'm applying to clinical programs this fall. I will only have 1 year of research experience, although I've been involved with two major ongoing projects with two sets of faculty members to go along with my honors thesis that I'm starting this spring. I also have 3 poster presentations and 1 application for publication that is still impending. Is this enough research experience to get into a solid program? Extra info is that I am from a small unknown school, but I have extremely high GRE scores and GPA. Am I screwed?

I definitely did change the type of program I wanted to pursue but in a weird way they're related.

Thanks for the replies. Although I'm interested in social, some of the research I'm interested in is being done in clinical, and I've been told by an advisor that a masters can be harmful for an applicant specifically in clinical programs. Does anybody know if this is true? Also, any advice on whether to pursue the field that you're generally interested in or to go into a field that happens to have some specific research interests even if i'm not interested in clinical in general?

I know that this is hypothetical, but what would you guys choose between improving my only real weakness (lack of research experience) with a paid masters degree and then applying to some really top notch schools or should I take the acceptance at a newly minted experimental PhD program at Idaho State? I have some faculty members that I could work with but it isn't really a dream school for me. Thoughts about holding out for a stronger program that might match research interests better.

I know that some posters have called the notion that PhD programs prefer to train their own students and thus have a bias against students with MA's as an "urban legend," but can anyone currently in a PhD program speak to this either through comments from faculty or incoming cohorts? Also, what is the level or research experience and academic work necessary to gain entrance into a say a top 25 program? Would an excellent stats and a research agenda that parallels that of faculty be sufficient?

I definitely will apply to PhD and MA programs (including the one at the institutions I'm already at) but what if it comes down to staying another year in undergrad and doing the MA, and now I realize that a publication is highly unlikely, I'm getting the sense that doing the MA would probably be the most beneficial in gaining acceptance into the best graduate school possible. It appears that 10 months before the application deadline of the 2011 cycle might not be enough time to demonstrate my commitment to psychology, refine my research interests, and put forth an attempt of legitimate academic work. One other question, would doing a summer research institute be a good idea to get to work with some different faculty on research still be game changer if I decide to do the MA?

Several points of clarification: 1. I'm interested in Cognitive and Social, not Clinical 2. I'm not debating between applying to just MA programs and not any PhD programs. I'm debating between spending another year in undergrad and applying to a MA in experimental program at my undergrad institution. What I'm having a difficult time deciding is whether I will be able to develop enough background information and research experience to have a shot of getting into the top programs in 10 months if I decide to apply in 2011, or should I go with the MA and would have time to do a MA thesis, develop my research interests, and provide evidence I'm prepared for a research degree. I will have research opportunities regardless of which path I choose, but will 10 months allow me to reap sufficient rewards from that research in terms of presentations, articles, etc. However, the MA would take longer and I've heard that it can actually be harmful in the admission process. Anyways, that's what I'm contemplating.

I"m considering doing a terminal MA due to my lack of background in research and psychology, but I've also heard that having a MA can actually count as a strike against you when applying to PHD programs. Can anyone shed any light on this subject or offer any advice.

Thanks for the reply. I'm still wrestling with the decision and I really don't know what I'll do. I'm interested in teaching at a college, and doing research seems like a requirement that goes along with that. Unfortunately, how I will be evaluated as a professional is by the quality of my research. Any other insight will be greatly appreciated.

I've considered a joint degree, but everyone that I've talked to that has either a PhD. or JD has emphasized that you will probably only use one of the degrees in your career so the extra time spent completing the other isn't worth the opportunity costs. Also, the only market I think that it's an advantage to have both degrees is legal academia and it is extremely difficult it is to break into that field.

I was wondering anyone has any advice or has chosen between these career paths and has some insight that they feel would be beneficial, I would love to hear it. Although most of you won't believe this is true, I honestly could see myself doing either of these degrees.I guess the main reason that I am interested in going to graduate school is that I can't really think of anything that I would want to do more than teach at the collegiate level. I'm also interested in research, but my main objective is to be an educator. Therefor, teaching at pretty much any four year institution would be satisfactory. However, I'm not 100% convinced that I have enough passion to complete a PhD despite my desire to teach. However, I can see myself being a lawyer simply because I think that I would be really good at it and I'm the weird individual that might like the type of work performed by attorneys. However, I think that I could get burnt out and tired of doc review at a large firm. In conclusion, I'm considering a career in law because I think that I could be good at it and I could financially support a family and live in a location that's desirable. On the downside I know that the hours can be long and the work dull. However, the lifestyle of a professor seems to be attractive and seems like a good life to live. Any thoughts?

Slacktivist, Don't worry, you're not the only one that's fighting an uphill battle in the upcoming admissions cycle. Although I have an extremely strong gpa, I'm coming from an unknown schools and will have only completed math through calc II and stats with no econometrics. However, like you, I think that my gre scores will be strong so I'm trying to see if I can squeeze into a top 25 program. One thing that might end up working in my favor is I'm doing rudimentary research in the field of my interest with out department chair. If you have any additional questions or if I can be of help feel free to pm me. Scalia

Somewhere up on this thread, a poster mentioned going to the best quality program instead of making a decision based upon a subfield preference. This is something I've wrestled with myself when it comes to applying to schools. I know that some schools would obviously be a poor fit, but how important is it that you go to a school known for your particular interest whether it be institutions, political psychology, or theory?

I would really consider taking some college level math before considering either program. I also think that something like a math minor looks good for admissions purposes if you're interested in doing methods.

What type of math background do you have?

Some poster put too much information, has been identified, and consequently has been mocked and harassed. Some claim that the schools that have accepted her will cancel their offer, etc.

By taking a look at my screen name I'll give you one guess how I voted.

I'm still trying to comprise a list of schools to apply to and I was wondering what is more important, the overall rank of the institution or how well the faculty's research interests align with my own. For example, although Georgetown or Rice is ranked much lower than WUSTL or Cornell, they have quite a few faculty members that I would like to work. Also, when you click on Georgetown's website they don't have any Americanists looking for jobs. I guess I'm having a hard time measuring the strength of programs.

It looks like we'll be competing this fall. Just a little about myself... I'm interested in American and Methods. As far as grades, my gpa is near a 4.0 but like you, I'm at a mediocre school. I'm also doing a math minor so I'll have completed Calculus II, Statistical Methods, and be enrolled in political science research methods class by the time I apply. I'm anticipating good gre scores, probably higher on the math section. I'm hoping to make it into a top 25 program too, and I want let you know that trying to find FUNDED MA programs might be difficult, and there are quite a few schools that don't accept the work done in a masters program in its entirety. You'll likely end up repeating some coursework.

I'm going to be one of those students with a less than stellar school on my app. Although I go to a mid sized state school, there isn't really anything that I can do at this point right? I can't transfer to an elite school as a senior, but I might consider it if I decide to spend two more years in undergrad. The way that I look at it is that all I can do is legitimize my GPA through acing the GRE. What does concern me is yellowshoes' lack of success up to this point.

How have you not been admitted anywhere yet? Did you only apply to Harvard, Princeton, and Yale?

Surprisingly, I haven't heard much about MIT on this board. I'm assuming that they primarily focus on methods and tend to admit students with math and science based backgrounds?

My advisor wants me to bring him a list of schools that I want apply to broken down into groups of reaches, targets, and somewhat safeties. How did you comprise a list of schools you applied to and how should I start researching schools that might be good fits without a gre score? Any advice for the noob is appreciated. -Scalia