Social Psyc Researcher

Where were you wait listed? Which programs are you still waiting on? I am still waiting on 5 social psyc programs and have been wait listed at 4, really crossing my fingers being wait listed pays off this year...

My understanding is that it would be most appropriate to ask these type of questions if you can relate them to your other admissions decisions. So in your case if you have not been accepted anywhere, you could contact them letting them know ...you have been placed on another waiting list and as you may have to make a decision on very short notice about whether to accept or reject this other institution's offer, you are hoping to get an idea about how many people they are accepting, where you are on the waiting list, and how many people are on the waiting list. You could also express that their program/university is your top choice, which is why it is so important for you to have this information.... Something to that effect shows you are desirable (since you are wait listed at other schools) versus desperate. It also indicates that you see how amazing their program is (in comparison with the other waiting list school) and everyone likes to hear that they are liked. Anyway that is my two cents...

Congrats, that is awesome! So what program did you get into?

Digits- I am guessing you applied to the Law Psyc program at UTEP, if so just thought I would let you know that one of the accepted applicants just accepted an offer somewhere else...which means a spot will be opening up on the waiting list very soon if it hasn't already.

I agree, it sucks and telling to people about it sucks too. It also sucks to tell all the people who knew you were applying that you didn't get in. The awkward responses the uncomfortable faces...believe me I know. I applied to 14 PhD programs last year, I did the whole waiting list thing with two programs only to finally be let down in the end. Now here I am again after applying to another 15 programs waiting for good word. I think I am a lot more pessimistic this year so if/when I get the final letdown it won't be as big of a blow. Technically I am still waiting to hear back from 5 programs and I have been wait listed at 4, but my odds don't feel good at this point. If you want to hear some positives about people getting in off waiting lists or people who have been accepted this late in the game check out the other waiting list thread. Good luck waiting out the wait list, I hope it all works out for you in the end : )

Jennifer, I appreciated your post, your positivity, and your reality check. I have been cycling from optimistic about the future to completely discouraged (where I have found myself this particular afternoon) and you post made me laugh. In spite of how depressed I feel at the moment, life is not so bad and one of these days I will manage to make my way into a doctoral program. I don't even watch Lost but it made me laugh to see that it brightened you week...maybe I need to watch an episode of Law and Order ; ) And to everyone I am glad to hear people are still getting acceptances and getting accepted off of waiting lists. I am currently on 4 waiting lists and waiting to hear back from 5 other programs (I had considered them lost causes at this point but after reading the posts on here I have a bit more hope). Anyway good luck everyone!

Ageism : (

I suspect there is some variation among sub disciplines but within social psychology I have observed (and been told explicitly) that having a masters may count against you. Many universities/professors prefer students who have not yet been trained and more of a blank slate in terms of your approach to research. On the other hand a couple POIs have told me they prefer students with masters degrees as they are generally older, more mature, more aware of what they want/are getting themselves into, etc. In your case I would lean toward continuing your research at your undergrad university for another year. Does the faculty member you mentioned working with publish very often? Is there a possibility you could get publications out of the research? The important question is: where would you get the best research training/experience/publications? Compare the publications, research interests, etc. of potential advisors (including the faculty advisor at your undergrad institution). If there is one advisor you think could provide better training or publication possibilities, that university is probably the best option for you. I don't think you are any more likely to have a significant publishable thesis than a significant publishable independent project, so I don't see that as a benefit of completing a masters program. Plus if just assist with research at your undergrad university you will save yourself time and money. Most PhD programs will only count a couple of graduate classes from a terminal masters program (if that) so you will have to complete another masters once you get accepted to a PhD program. And very few masters programs fund their students so you will be tacking on two years of debt (I worked full time while completing my MA and I still had to take out $14K in loans) if you go the MA route. Are you still waiting to hear back from any PhD programs this year?

Nothing here either...

I got my official rejection letter yesterday

As the strong possibility of not being accepted stares me in the face I feel compelled to comment on this thread and see if anyone has any jewels of wisdom to bestow on me. This is my second round of applications to social PhD programs and I am feeling a bit befuddled about what my next move should be... A little background on me: I completed a BA in psychology in 05 from a university that did not emphasize research. The strongest message I got about research was that it was one of the unfortunate things you were forced to do as a professor, not something anyone would voluntarily pursue. With that in mind I never volunteered for any of the few research teams that existed and graduated with literally NO knowledge of research. After being out of school for a couple years I decided I missed school and I would like to go back (just for the sake of going really). So I applied to a MA program in Psychological Science from the same university where I completed my BA. In the masters program I was exposed to research (still not much; no big research teams, exciting projects, passionate researchers...). I was only just beginning to develop an interest in conducting research when I was asked to select my thesis topic. I tossed around a couple ideas with my advisors and they expressed interest in a project exploring attitudes about using midwives. So that became my thesis topic (I still didn't really know what I wanted to study and this idea seemed as good as any). Right around the time I was getting my IRB approval I realized that soon I would be graduating again (in about a year) and I would be out of school again. At this point I realized I really wanted to pursue a career in research so I began exploring journal articles and research areas within social Psyc (at this point I had identified Social as my primary area of interest). Quickly I discovered the literature related to prejudice, intergroup bias, discrimination, etc. and felt instant resonation. While collecting data for my thesis I began studying for the GRE, pouring over the prejudice/intergroup relations literature, and preparing PhD applications. I applied to 14 universities and I was placed on the waiting list at Penn State and DePaul University (for fall 09) but ultimately was not accepted. After recovering from the disappointment I decided to move in search of research experience. I applied to dozens of jobs assisting with research all over the country and even offered to volunteer at many universities but did not receive any offers. Finally I spoke with a couple faculty members at a small liberal arts college with a research focus who offered me a position (volunteer) assisting with research. Over the past 6-8 months I have assisted on 2 research teams and developed two independent projects (1 experimental study and 1 meta-analysis) while working part time to pay the bills. I also picked up a part time faculty position lecturing at the university with my MA. So once again I applied to 15 universities this time around (about half of the same and half programs I did not previously apply to) for the fall of '10. I completed phone interviews with 3 universities and 1 in person interview. But now I have been wait listed at 4 universities, denied from 3, and I am losing hope about the rest (I have read posts from others who have been accepted to those programs, leading me to believe they are just lagging on sending out the rejections). So now my question is what can I do to improve my chances for next season? What should I do with the next year? Other info: my graduate GPA was around 3.9 and my undergrad GPA was similar (3.8 approx). My GRE scores could use some improvement (1170), I was concerned I would not significantly improve my score so I did not retake them previously. At this point after two failed application seasons, I am thinking retaking the GRE is a must. I have not worked in a social lab that specifically studies prejudice as I have had a hard time getting my foot in the door anywhere (even to volunteer) although I am figuring this is another must, I am just not sure how to do it. I also think my history appears to be be misguided/lack focus as most Psychology PhD hopefuls only complete masters degrees if they are denied from PhD programs and thus already have a specific research focus before beginning a MA program. My time out of school and the discrepancy between my thesis research and my present research interests seems to trouble the academic crowd. Not sure what I can do about this though...

Who is your POI at K-State?

Thanks for the info, I have unofficially interviewed with my POI but I think you are probably right about interview weekend.

Has anyone heard from University of Tennessee, Syracuse University, Kansas State, Lehigh, or University of Missouri? I haven't heard anyone on here mention them...

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So do I!! I have been put on the waiting list for 4 programs...

Have you heard anything from Tulane?

That same thing happened to me with Penn State, last year wait listed- this year rejected right off the bat

Thanks for the info, I know they are encouraging people to respond quickly but it sounds like you should take your time to decide which program is the best fit, especially considering you are trying to decide between your two top schools. My POI is Dr. Wiener, I guess that is another thing I hadn't thought about, I don't know if the waiting list would be for the program or for Dr. Wiener's lab specifically...if it is the latter that would obviously reduce my chances so I hope isn't. How about you, who is your POI?

Do you have any idea how many people UNL accepted? I have been told I am next in line on the waiting list, not really sure how good that is considering I don't really know how many applicants they plan to accept, the chances that they will accept anyone from the waiting list, etc. I was on the waiting list a 2 different universities last year and neither ended up accepting anyone from the waiting list...

I didn't apply to Depaul this year as PJ Henry was my POI and he has left the university...

Nope, not a word

Congrats!! What is your top choice school?

I got my rejection letter from Penn State a couple days ago.