hippyscientist

CBclose, Shadowclaw and ashiepoo72 thank you for educating me! I'm starting to realise that maybe my undergrad was slightly more rigorous than I initially thought. It's so difficult to figure out what people have had exposure to, I guess that's why they try to bring us all to the same level. My lecturers have always driven home literature reviews, we had to scour the published body for everything - from rugby research to golf, from in depth metabolic pathways to neuromuscular control - and then write literature reviews on it. I'm not a big fan of them, I'd much prefer to be doing the data collection and stats but I'm grateful to have been given a good grounding. It's scary to think that I've nearly finished my first term (my course is on 3 terms which is slightly odd), but explains all the deadline stress!!

You're learning how to do a lit review in grad school?! Sorry if I sound amazed...that's like first semester of first year of undergrad where I went. Did you not have experience before hand? (I'm international so it might be different...I'm just slightly shocked!)

I feel like I may have submitted too early. Since they all went in I've been elected programme rep (the staff - student liason person for my masters), and I have become a research assistant on an awesome study and been given a tonne of responsibility (like running the entire vicon system). I mean my application wasn't too bad to begin with (I think) but I feel these are current and things that would strengthen my application. Agh.

For MSc's they're generally a lot less competitive in the UK as they're not normally funded. As such, you're probably okay to wait until November. I misread your earlier post so if they provide a section to add GRE score, I probably would provide your score, especially if you're applying for a verbal based programme.

I have one class where I just don't get the professor. He's a genius but can't verbalise anything, so makes gigantic logical leaps and expects you to follow. He then sets homework (which I haven't had since I left school) and the problem sets are only ever so vaguely related to what we've studied so far. He also doesn't allow any "warm up" time, and goes straight into mind boggling, got to wrap my head around every single breakdown step questions. It does my head in, because I know the principles and theories being tested, it's just been a while since I've used them! I've had to dig out old notes from years ago in order to refresh my mind before I can try the work. It's frustrating because it's making me feel stupider than I am (although I did just use stupider...). I'm also struggling with not being told that we have assignments for modules, just the expectation that we will see the time blocked out on the timetable and refer to the online "hub" for instructions. It's okay, but just a different way of doing things.

GRE has no bearing on "grad school" applications in the UK. LSE is a competitive school so I would expect it to get a lot of applicants, regardless of the newness of the programme. I'd submit as soon as you feel you have your best application. Letters of recommendation will be weighted highly. You also don't mention whether you're applying for a PhD or an MSc - these will be different processes.

All my LORs have been submitted now so it's just a waiting game. I contacted all my PIs to let them know my applications were in and I've had some positive responses back. I have my heart set on one school, and I'm nervous as I know my PI has two other's he's interested in, I just hope I look good enough to be accepted. Agh I hate waiting!

So I thought I'd start a submitted applications thread for 2016, as I've just submitted all mine and now I'm lost! All the stress and organising and time management that went into these applications and with the click of a button and a credit card authorisation my applications for Fall 2016 are in. I can't quite believe it. Sure I've still got the stress of chasing after one of my LOR writers who is notoriously bad at adhering to deadlines, but other than that, it's now out of my hands. One of my applications has a deadline of 1st November, and I figured if I was getting everything ready for that deadline, the rest could also go. Anyone else in the same position (this feels very early for most people)?

My schedule's a bit different to those above as I'm taking a taught MSc (but I also have to write a thesis). I have roughly 10hrs of lectures, labs and seminars a week (nothing on wednesdays), and then there's approximately 20hrs a week reading, studying and understanding work that goes in to that. I'm also working on a research project (separate to my MSc) that takes up another 20hrs a week. With my sport training on top, it's pretty balanced. I am looking forward to getting stuck into my own research (which happens around Easter) and developing further through to a PhD.

I wouldn't be asking, except the application explicitly asks for a reference from your most recent school. Also he graduated from my top choice and has a lot of links there so it helps from that perspective. I think the reason I'm so concerned is I was told by multiple POIs when I visited that they don't really care about the rest of my application as long as my LORs are good. Obviously, the rest of my application has had a lot of work put into it, but this is the one part outside of my control (I'm not too good at relinquishing that). Thank you for all your replies - it's been really helpful.

If they haven't asked for the official scores in the application process, I'd maybe drop the course admin person an email/phone call to see if they do want the official scores. Some schools only want them once you've been accepted as they understand it's an added cost.

Thank you for your responses, I have already asked two of them, and they have all the pertinent information. I just wanted to check I was on the right track. I have an issue with my third recommender as he's at the university where I've just started my masters, and I've only been here 2 weeks. I've done my best to get on his radar and have organised some time to talk about the university where he got his PhD (which is my top choice), but I'm apprehensive as he hasn't known me long, doesn't know much about my work but can vouch for the fact I'm doing my masters and will have a high research component for it. It's a tricky one to know when to ask him. I admit this is probably a fairly unique situation but AGH the whole LOR thing is doing my head in!

My letter writers are scattered around the globe at 3 different institutions and I was just wondering when to ask them to write my letter. My first deadline for applications is the 1st November so I really need them in on time. One writer is making me nervous as he's a habit of not being the most punctual and has let me down in the past - but he's my major research supervisor for my undergrad thesis and was the lead researcher on my research assistant job. I guess I just want clarification that if I send all my details to them by the end of this week that gives them 3 weeks to write the letter and that should be sufficient time? Thanks in advance

I've really found my stride. I am in my element and feel like I'm thriving. Other people around me seem to be struggling with content, so I've organised for some study groups to be set up. I've put myself forward for programme rep and I've signed up to two sports clubs and (hopefully) got a job coaching. Yes, there's a lot of work, but my mindset is so different from undergrad and I'm excited to do the reading and extra "optional" work. I know there will be times when I don't feel this positive, but right now, doing my Masters was the best decision I have made and I am definitely in the right field. Oh and I got my assigned reading for the week and it's all papers from the school I want to do my PhD at! All collaborations with the lead professor for the module - small world! Hoping those contacts might help come December!

This is totally up to you and it's difficult for us to answer. You need to balance the benefits of going to GSA (will you learn anything other than just meeting prospective professors?) with the costs (both time and money) to you. If money isn't an issue, I would suggest going as it could be beneficial to you to see your prospective POIs in action, plus learn about some current research going on in your field. On the other hand, most, if not all of us, have to consider financial implications. Only you can decide whether the positives outweigh the time and money costs. As for your attendance affecting your acceptance chances, it probably won't effect anything, but it may give you a better sense of the POIs and how their work is received in the wider field.

You mentioned in your first post that the research group wants you to come up with a question based on the data already collected, so I read that as not "going to track back the people who completed the sets of questionnaires" to present them with a new one, but to make use of the data already obtained. It's challenging without knowing the research question and objective to suggest alternative ways of analysing the data and finding a unique hypothesis, but your best bet is to talk to your supervisor. They should be aware of your confusion on what's been asked of you, and as long as you go with clear, defined questions "can I use another questionnaire as this is what I want to investigate?" "From this data, has anyone thought about looking at this?" they should be able to guide you a lot better than an anonymous commentator on a forum. Additionally, talk to others in your lab group. They all have research experience and will be able to guide you too. Use the people around you, make connections and learn that is what you're at university to do!

You mentioned you know the 2 IV measures, do you also know the dependent variables. From understanding the purpose of the study for which the data is being collected, you know the overall aim - are there any sub-sections to that, anything that needs clarifying, anything that you can build upon, branch out etc? Questionnaires include A LOT of data, and most questionnaire responses can garner a fair few interrelated papers.

AGh I've forgotten how to read. Well, academic reading anyway. I've had two days of classes and already had 10 journal articles and 2 book chapters assigned for later this week. *Gulp* guess it's time to get off forums and start reading books. Hoping this is good training for the PhD. In other news, it seems I'm quite a way ahead of many of my peers in what I already know so hoping that will hold in my favour.

I move on Thursday - I'm pretty much all packed up to move into my tiny little place on campus and my mum keeps trying to get me to buy way more stuff for the kitchen than I need. I also have just got my timetable through - looks like some interesting classes, with some interesting faculty and I'm really excited about starting. On the downside - I have class every lunch time They also just sent an email out about free classes to learn gymnastics and a departmental volleyball squad. Woohoo! Classes start Friday.

This may be me being pedantic but South America and Europe are not countries - they are continents and education systems can vary greatly between them.

I'll have experience of a Masters degree in the UK and (hopefully) a PhD in the US so I may be able to compare. In the application stage, already there are so many differences. I'm happy to discuss them on another thread like fuzzy suggests. Misswan, I'm glad you're finding others in the same boat and it sounds to me like it's just a bit of a culture shock. If you want some translating, I'm happy to try and assist (american boyfriend, I'm from the UK...I'm used to it lol). Feel free to send me a PM if you want.

I read up loads before meeting potential advisors, and I found it to be unnecessary. As long as you have a good grounding in their research interests and how that applies to yours (i.e. where you would fit in under their tutelage) I found you didn't need to know the ins and outs of specific papers. Of course it's very nice to be able to say I read this paper and that's why I think you'd be a good fit for my project - as long as this paper isn't a random one off thing. Just be yourself in the meeting. Be enthusiastic about the advisor, the programme, why you want to do an MS, why that school and keep a smile on your face even when you're tired!! Short answer: nope. No one expects you to be perfect and know minor intricacies within papers at this point and even researchers as others to explain their work ALL the time.

Hi Lizi01. Absolutely - PIs are your best bet! Some will respond, some won't. Bear in mind that right now is a pretty busy time - they've just got a whole host of new students and new school year to get used to. Send emails but don't be disheartened if they don't respond. Try again in a few weeks time. Maybe after the third try I'd reconsider - do you want to work for/with someone who doesn't get in touch? As for the email address question - use the one they request you use, and if that doesn't elicit a response and the website publishes another email (e.g. joe.bloggs@dreamuniversity.edu) then I'd consider emailing that with a "sorry if this isn't the right way to do things, I tried the proper email but had no response and I'm really interested in your programme" type thing. Hope that helps a bit!

For example, I am not afraid to be honest with them. I've said that there's certain hard no's for me (I will not be doing cadaver work for example - I just can't do it - and in my field that can be an issue), that I'm incredibly flexible and hard working when it comes to work hours and tasks, but when I'm away from the lab I'm away from the lab and will not answer emails. I've obviously sold my skills and experiences in such a way that this doesn't come off as stand-offish as this post may suggest. Another example (probably a better one) is the fact that a lot of my previous experience has been epidemiological (I'm a different field to SLP) and I've said straight upright that although this experience has been invaluable I'm ready to apply the skills to a different area. I've just been me - made jokes about always being the stats girl, laughed off minor errors (I tried to book a skype appointment on Labor day), and acknowledged that although this PI may be incredible in their field, they too are just people who make mistakes. No point hiding either of your personalities if the match up isn't going to work in the long-haul (and I think I might have said that at one point or another...."sorry if this email isn't particularly conventional but this is me, and if you don't think my personality will fit into the lab at XYZ, I'd prefer to know now rather than wasting my app money"). I am a blunt person. I don't pander to personalities and I don't hide away from harsh realties and truths. As such, I know I am a "love them or hate them" person and this comes across in my communications. I need to be somewhere where I like everyone and they like me! The same should go for everyone applying. You're interviewing schools as much as they're interviewing you.

I would assume that not hearing by now (when most schools have already started) that you have not got in. I may be wrong, and it may be pertinent to contact the university again (but with a different angle from previous communications) to clarify their position as you have to make a decision and need to know whether to consider them.