schoolpsych_hopeful

I'm sure every program weighs the writing sample differently. I don't think your writing sample would get your application thrown out right away (unless it really is atrocious). Do you have any research papers that you wrote for a psychology class? My advice is to just send your best work. At this point, that's the best you can do.

I think i've decided on the proposal for a few reasons. #1. It is much more well written than the complete paper. These papers were both written for a research methods course. I wrote the complete paper at the beginning of the course, and the proposal at the end. By the end of the course I had learned a lot, and therefore wrote a better paper. #2. It's on topic with what I'd like to study. The lit review helps showcase my knowledge of the field. #3. The complete paper isn't as sophisticated as I had remembered. I basically collected observational data and ran some very rudimentary statistics (i.e., nothing more complicated than mean, standard dev. and variance). Thanks for your thoughts, John.

It took my scores a full 3 weeks to show up online. Don't panic!

Alright, I'm having trouble choosing a writing sample. I've got it narrowed down to two papers... 1. A research proposal I wrote for a class. It only contains a lit. review and a methods section, but the topic is what I'd like to study in grad school. 2. A completed research paper/project, with a lit review, methods, results and discussion. The topic is not relevant to my research interests. So, is it better to submit a sample that's "on topic," or one that's a complete research paper? I'm leaning towards the former, not only because of the topic, but I feel it's more well written. Thoughts??

I wouldn't e-mail, especially because they asked you not to. You'd be better off calling them to check, but that might be trickier because you're international. Is there a way you can call the admissions office?

I listed "Professor of ___" or "Assistant Professor of ___." I think it's helpful so that the AdCom knows what field your letter writer is in. I would leave out the director title. I would assume your letter writer will mention this in his letter (probably below his name and signature).

By the way, not sure where I heard this statistic (probably is some MSW vs. PsyD thread). Even though MSWs make less than PsyDs, when you factor in the amount of debt PsyDs incur in grad school and the extra time spent in school (when you could be working and making money), the income difference for a MSW vs PsyD is negligible. Just incase money is influencing your decision.

I'd say you have a very good chance of getting into MSW programs. Your GRE, GPA, and experiences would be competitive in an MSW application Clinical programs, on the other hand, are really competitive. A single program can receive as many as 300 applications in any given season. Because they receive so many apps, they have to eliminate some right off the bat, usually by GRE. In order to get your application looked at, you'd need a GRE of at least 1300 or higher. PsyD programs are slightly less competitive than PhDs, but they are still very selective. Most clinical applicants apply to 12-15 programs, hoping to be admitted to 2-3. So, even applying to mostly MSW programs and a few doctoral doesn't make much sense. Bottom line: based on your credentials/goals, I think you'd be better off applying to MSW programs. If you were to take some time off before applying (retake the GRE, get more research experience), you might have a shot at a PsyD program.

I find it helpful. The GRE scores aren't always the most recent (I think the ones I posted were from the 2008-09 application season). But it's still helpful to get a general idea of what scores schools expect/have accepted in the past. TBH I find acceptance rate to be a better indicator of how competitive any given program is.

I agree with musicforfun, it sort of depends on the program. Clinical obviously places much more emphasis on GRE because of the large number of applications they receive. Below are the median GRE scores for Duke from the APA GradStudy website, along with the acceptance rates. Hope you find it helpful. Program Scores/GPAs: Clinical Psychology – PhD Scores GRE-V 620 GRE-Q 730 GRE-Writing 5.0 GRE-Subj (Psyc) 700 Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.8 Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience – PhD Scores GRE-V 720 GRE-Q 800 GRE-Writing 6.0 Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9 Developmental Psychology – PhD Scores GRE-V 675 GRE-Q 695 GRE-Writing 4.5 Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.7 Social Psychology – PhD Scores GRE-V 703 GRE-Q 743 GRE-Writing 5.6 Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9 Systems & Integrative Neuroscience – PhD Scores GRE-V 620 GRE-Q 680 GRE-Writing 4.7 Overall Undergraduate GPA 3.9 Student Applications/Admissions: Student Applications: Clinical Psychology Applications 2009-2010 241 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 10 Cognition & Cognitive Neuroscience Applications 2009-2010 58 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6 Developmental Psychology Applications 2009-2010 43 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 5 JD/MA Social and Health Sciences Applications 2009-2010 4 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4 Social Psychology Applications 2009-2010 76 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 4 Systems & Integrative Neuroscience Applications 2009-2010 25 Total applicants accepted 2009-2010 6

I'd be happy to, PM me,

I think the rule for Education/Experience being first is based on how much professional experience you have and how many years you've been out of school. Since I graduated college in 2009, and have very little professional experience, I have education first. I think it's up to you. Yes I would explain your awards, it will make them sound more impressive if the AdCom doesn't know what they are. Publication formating probably varies across fields. Mine are APA, but since I'm in psych that's a no-brainer. Just use whatever is standard in your field. I think it would be okay to include this as "in progress." I removed relevant coursework from my CV. They will see your transcript, so what's the point? The only case I can see where this would make sense is if your transcript fails to properly name courses. For example, I took a seminar on psychopathology in childhood and adolescence. On my transcript it says "Current topics in Clinical Psychology," which is the general name of the seminar. If I were applying to Clinical programs, I would absolutely include something explaining my relevant coursework. But I don't think I'd actually include it in my CV (maybe as a separate page accompanying my transcript).

Agreed. Only address your weaknesses if absolutely necessary. Even if you do have a weakness, I wouldn't put it in your SOP. I feel like that's something your letter writers should talk about.

I would definitely have the judge write one of your letters. The context in which she saw you work is way different than your professors, so she'll be able to provide a different perspective. Especially in a field like social work, I think her letter would be very advantageous. As for the other letters, I would go with your supervisor and 2 professors. This is an overstatement, but letters from professors usually say basically the same thing. This will vary a bit depending on how much you worked with them (i.e., just in class, conducting research, etc.). If I were you, I'd ask the two professors who know you the best and who will write the strongest letters.

YES this is normal. I used the Barron's to study for the quantitative section, and I did way better on the real thing than I did while practicing. The problems are definitely harder than on the real thing, but the Barron's math review is awesome, really comprehensive. You'll do great, good luck!

I agree with adaptations, these categories could be combined. My CV is basically Education, Research Experience, Work Experience, Conference Presentations, Skills, Awards. It comes to about 2 pages, which is long enough considering my experiences.

I think you're right, it probably does vary between disciplines. My programs just ask for something that "demonstrates the candidate's ability to write analytical English prose," so not necessarily original research.

I'm actually really surprised by this as I plan (planned?) to submit a lit review as my sample. I assumed a it would be fine as a sample, as long as it provides a thoughtful analysis. Maybe I'm misunderstanding what a lit review is... my sample provides an analysis of previous research, pointing out the limitations, and the concluding with my ideas for future directions. Would you consider that a lit review? Does it sound like a good sample?

talk back

I would absolutely format it double spaced. Think of how many of these AdComs have to read. Single spaced writing is hard on the eyes, use 1.5 if you must.

Sent! Thank you

Let's trade! I'll read yours if you'll read mine?

Looking for someone to proofread my SOP (aka tear it to shreds). If you're in the social sciences, that would be awesome, but of course I'm open to any and all volunteers

I agree with Synchronicity, having both write letters could be advantageous.