PokePsych

Happy to hear you got a skype chat! Rooting for you this year!

when the data comes out nicer than expected.

So it sounds like the program is not what you expected of it. This could either be because you're still in the first semester (maybe it gets better?) or because you may have not asked the right questions before starting (did you talk with any current students, have you asked about the emphasis on theory vs. practical skills, etc. before starting?). Are there any students you can talk to in the year above you? Are there any classes you can take outside your curriculum that may help you in your career path? You question if this is worth it to help your career - how do graduates perform on the job market? (sometimes just having that stupid M.A. title on your resume really helps) And do the skills really not help you (if so, then why is this program so prestigious?)? You say you want to study law (maybe), but at the same time want to have more stats classes - how do you unite these two? I also wouldn't care about the people just straight out of undergrad, this is about you - not them.

You have a lot more done than I had at the time!

I'd go with business casual. You'd rather be a bit overdressed than underdressed. It's better to signal I take this very seriously hence my slightly overdressed outfit than sort of I didn't care. It will be appreciated if you took the effort to 'dress for the occasion' to say so.

sure!

pm

This.

I went through this last year - how is everyone doing?

Happy to help (also in social psych), but by no means an expert. I just looked at other people's resumes

Depends on what you want to know. Ask students if you want to learn more about the advisor's mentoring style, what they think about the program, etc. If the faculty is taking students and their current interests etc are better directed at the faculty itself.

Booked a flight this winter to see my boyfriend ❤️

grading grading grading

U Virginia has someone on this in the developmental area

Last week started shit, but turned out to be great. Hopefully this week wll be good too.

I never re-emailed people. I did apply however to schools I got no reply from the potential POI - which turned out to work fine because my nr. 1 POI did not reply initially, turned out way better than I expected during the interview, and now during my PhD POI has been more than great so far. I also had people tell me to really apply to work with them and then never made it the interview. I would really not stress the emails too much except if someone says they're not taking students (then don't apply). And maybe this individual just wanted to help you. I often asked for other people with similar interests to apply to. Any prof will understand that you're not just gonna bet on one program, so they're usually happy to give recommendations (got some good names out if it tbh).

ETS has the practice exams. Go through one to know what you can expect (not saying you have to take the complete thing). I'd also check how GRE AWA is graded and maybe get one or two practice questions from the ETS website. Other than that, what are your strenghts and weaknesses? If you're good at English, I'd let that go - thats what I did (got 88th percentile in the end). Maths has been my weak point, so I mainly focused on the quant section.

I wouldn't mention those scores, so go ahead and email.

miss my boyfriend and feel a bit left out in my department and cohort. People are nice, but I dont connect and they do all very different research from me. Ugh.

read papers you love. helps for me.

You may also consider amping up your research/lab experience within the area within psych you want to work in, this seems to be pretty important! You can do this with or without a Master's on the side

I only sent applications to places I really wanted to go. Don't see myself working on a topic or with someone I don't feel a fit with. I applied to 6 places - 2 ended up having issues with my transcript (meh). Did do one safety school abroad that accepted me. Ended up being accepted to my nr 1 choice because of my fit with the PI (who is apparently very picky with accepting students so I've heard now I've been here). Was nerve-wracking, but worth it. Love my advisor!

I asked some professors I was close to within my department for help. Got 2 people to give me good feedback on what THEY would want to see on a resume

Ok. I really like working with my advisor - it makes everything else about my sorta weird situation good again

OK so far for my good mood. The BF is not doing well and it breaks my heart I cant hug him