PokePsych

My understanding of this is that you want to make sure that the prof is actually gonna take new students in his/her lab. Not all professors will have incoming students every year - so you'd need to confirm that. It's also good to check in with them what projects they're currently working on and to confirm mutual interests. I've had contact with a fair share of people whose papers I loved - but they had changed topics over the years, so our research interests didn't match anymore. I also know some people who already got 'interviews' or chats with professors before they even applied. I usually wrote something like dear prof X, I'm Y, a Master's student at uni A, and will apply to PhD programs this fall. My research interests are Z (usually relatively specific - some project I'd like to do and something more general) and I believe these overlap with yours. I'm emailing you to ask if you plan on taking on any PhD students this application season and if you could direct me to other people researching this topic and relevant readings in this area. Sincerely Y. - Not exactly those words of course, but this was the gist. Got a good number of other names and great papers in this way Don't get discouraged if you don't get a reply - usually you can also ask the administrator or the like who are willing to take students. I never got in touch with my new advisor before I applied - but things have been great ever since.

My selfdoubt and insecurities are getting the best of me. I have this proposal laying around from my Masters that I want to send to my new PI who asked to develop a project already together over the summer. It totally fits his research so I should be OK in that area. The prof who graded this proposal in my Masters was crazy about it and I have had other very positive comments on it too. I do also personally believe it's a good idea. It's bold, but it makes a lot of sense. And it's a project I really want to do. But for real - I'm just second guessing myself and imposter syndrome is hitting me hard suddenly. UGH> HATE WHEN IM IN THIS STATE OF MIND.

This really depends on the advisor. Mine took initiative to email me in late April to already start a project over summer so we can start data collection in fall. I'm happy with it, but I could use a little bit of 'chill time' too haha. If any - I think a proactive approach is always appreciated. That being said, you may receive a 'no - not needed'. And that's cool too. People have their own plans and they may simply not have the time YET. But no harm in inquiring.

Well - of course the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Centre Pompidou, the Louvre, Arc d'Triomphe, Notre Dame, etc. Eat a lot of tasty foods - I love crepes personally and they come in lunch versions, but patisseries are another favorite stop of mine. Paris also has good Asian cuisine if you're into that. I'm a budget traveler so I usually drop by a bakery and get a coffee and some breads (the French know how to do this well) and me and my bf also have dropped by the big supermarkets to get some cheeses and bread to just eat in a park in the past. Also don't forget to go through the city at night time - I personally love Paris at night. And be generally aware of potential pickpockets in touristy areas.

Congrats!!!

I have taken that year to apply for my PhD, although in social psych. I wouldn't have done it otherwise, I needed 'the break' and there is no way I could have taken care of all this moving abroad stuff, doing my thesis at the same time. Nor would I have been able to really put a lot of effort in my applications at the time due to other requirements. As said - always have a plan B. I nearly did not make it in this cycle so definitely always have a plan B.

Agree - my uni's organizational department quit collectively as the head of the department was soooo bad at managing them. I've lucked out with my advisor in my master's though. He is a former high school English teacher who then became an entrepreneur (small company) and eventually ended up in science. He was definitely good in the teaching/mentoring area (if not amazing) and management (had his own company after all). But he seemed to be the exception haha. cAs in terms of projects - my new advisor is already trying to start a project with me over summer so I can collect data in fall. Love how much he's on top of things (already), but so far for my 'freedom'. So my projects are now - rewriting my thesis for publication (lead) - new project with my former advisor (also lead) - new project with my new advisor (lead) - meta-analysis that is going nowhere as we lack data and nobody wants to share it with us (emails get ignored lol - lead on this section of the project, not involved in writing intro and the like) - supporting role in a project that is going nowhere for 1.5 years now and I personally gave up on - but I'll keep doing my translations lol I think the numer of projects really depends on what your role is in them and to what extent they are something 'novel' to you, how much effort the data collection and analyses take (i.e., a study on amazon Mtruk is quite a low effort and generally easy analyses), and honestly also depends on whom I'm working with.

will keep my fingers crossed for you! All my documents needed to enroll arrived in the US. Hopefully will get my documents for visa soon

I also get engaged - yesterday ^^, my partner will join me later as he wants to work on his resume a little bit more (international couple)

Its not for everyone, but I certainly met a lot of interesting people (both good and bad) through the couchsurfing website. In fact, some of my closests friends I found on there. Meetup.com can be good to for some social interaction.

Criticism is an essential part of academics I say. I always approach it as: 1) something that is not personal - just because they don't like my idea/research on whatever grounds, that doesn't mean I'm not liked or valued as a person. My advisor is the type that gives very hard criticism, yet we've always been great on an interpersonal level, no matter how hard he was on me. Although he criticizes my ideas and approaches, I know he has the best intentions and his opinion of me is not any less. It's also because he knows I'm trying to always 'push' things in new directions or just come up with some crazy idea. But I know he's doing this to help me. Never suspect that people are out there to get you, always assume they have the best intentions, not the worst. 2) It was at least worth having an opinion on - Yeah my idea may have been crazy or bad, but at least people took the time to think about it and talk about it. Still better than going unnoticed haha 3) something I can learn from - Maybe I should have framed my argument better, missed something important, or my argument/thesis can have better development. And sometimes we try something new and it doesn't work. That's OK. 4) an opportunity to improve my argument - In line with 3. If I believe I'm right for whatever reason, I need to find a way to rebut the criticism I got. I always like this challenge. 5) something I don't always have to agree with. Sometimes it's just unfair and unwarranted. But let's face it - criticism ALWAYS sucks. I just try not to get emotionally attached to my work. And no project is perfect. Yeah, it sucks to be the one to be called out on, and sometimes the amount of criticism is unfair, but take it with grace.

At this point I'm just 1) finishing work I still have left with my former program (papersssss! publishing!), 2) inform myself on research the faculty is performing. I ordered some books to read over the next couple of months and whenever I'm in transport I watch Youtube videos in which staff discusses their research (free and good wifi here in Korea), 3) build my stats skills. I'm a quant nerd haha - currently teaching myself R. As for your interests for a thesis - look at what faculty is doing, you'll probably be most likely working in line with someone's line of work. Maybe read some of their recent papers, and formulate some broad thoughts on that. Take classes on topics that interest you (I'm auditing some things on coursera now). I've also always benefited from reading outside my discipline. And don't stress yourself too much. You're not expected to start your Master with a grand plan of things you will research and achieve!

I wouldn't stare myself down on rankings - especially when things are interdisciplinairy. What you may want to do is email profs about your interests and ask them if they are a) gonna take students, and b) whether they know other people who work in this area. In this way, you're usually able to create a list of people who are respected in the area and to whom others are paying attention - all good supervisors. Most people will keep repeating the same names I think

There's indeed a cultural issue here as well. Europeans tend to write more 'lukewarm' letters (nobody is perfect) and this is not gonna help you in the US. This was something my American reference at an European school really warned me for. And when I read my advisors letter - it was not even half as glowy as he tends to give me comments on my paper. But I got in so whatever haha. In fact, some European profs may even prefer lukewarm letters - one of my European profs also confessed he doesn't like it when he receives all glowy letters from the US as he'd like to know if he can help the student grow and also in which area. For example, if a student has weaknesses in an area he's also not that great in or has already many students who struggle in (e.g., time management or writing - it can be anything really) then it's probably not gonna be a great working relationship. Since your advisor will still mention your potential, the progress you made, and that he believes in you, I don't think it is necessarily a bad letter for a UK school.

@Carly Rae Jepsen Check Mitsume, Phum Viphurit, Lucie too, hyukoh, Jaurim, 10cm, 새소년, OOHYO, Mondo Grosso, YeYe, Zion T., Lucky Tapes, Sister's Barbershop (언니네이발관 - their 2008 record is one of my favs), Heize, Lim Kim, CHEEZE (their song Mango is one of my all time favs), and any playlist by 미러볼 뮤직 - Mirrorball Music on youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFLpQbIUB8w&t=1685s for example).

I was advised a minimum of 10. I ended up going with 6 (stubborn me) - and had issues with my transcripts at 2-3 of them. So my pool got extremely narrow. I just lucked out in the end. I'd definitely apply to more if I could do it over again - would mainly mix some business schools in the bunch as my area is related to that.

I've been a Josh Tillman/Father John Misty fan for a while now. He's great!!! Have been following him since I discovered Fleet Foxes. But will check out the other ones later. Have been discovering Korean/Japanese indie lately

I'm an IKEA girl - minimalistic style is my thing. Maybe a Northern European thing as all I have done is lived in houses furnished with IKEA so they make me feel right at home (some houses here are even designed to fit IKEA well - no joke I got this from an architect in Oslo, Norway). I usually just get the bare minimum I need (bed, desk, something to hang my clothes) and then start collecting 'clutter' and other things just online on sale groups and craigslist. And IKEA does delivery - I'm lazy and I don't drive lol. But yeah - usually when people move out a lot more stuff will become available for a good price. I plan on waiting till the next year to get more 'things' that I may want

@aspiring_scientist I did end up making it off the waitlist into my top choice (HAPPY!!!), but how I would have improved my application: First, I feel confident I will submit at least 2 -3 manuscripts by fall, maybe earlier. So hopefully having something 'in press' or 'published' is a good thing - which I assume. I would also have reached out to labs in my current location and in that way be more 'networked' with the people I want to work with (i.e., they know the person I want to work with personally). I would also have retaken my GRE as my quant score could have been better. But I think publishing my Master's thesis and another pub on which I'd be first author would definitely benefit me. I'd also apply to more schools (I only applied to 5) and on lines of work sthat are more closely tied to mine.

Getting lost is my fav thing about traveling ~ found the best cafes and restaurants this way. Just keep your eyes open and turn around if something feels unsafe. Trust your gut. Don't make eye contact with strangers (especially men) for no reason. GPS is your friend, indeed get an offline google map (you can download it). You can always ask people where you are and which direction to take. I got lost in Hong Kong with no GPS but I still always ended up where I wanted to go by showing the map and destination and some pointing and the like. I wouldnt worry too much about the terrorism ~ statistically youre still more likely to be killed by a car there. Plus its how most people from my country feel when they go to the US (guns! Scary! Srsly my mum doesnt want me to do my PhD there because of guns). Most of all have fun!

Love your taste in music ~ gonna check all the artists I dont know today ^^, Always happy to discover new music. Just came back from a week long (food)trip to Taiwan ^^,

My mother met my supervisor the other day - something to do with graduating and me needing a ride to uni. It was extremely embarrassing and painful (mainly for her). She also thinks she knows a lot about psychology because she read three self-help books by Dr. Phil or something. Other than that she was trying very hard to impress him, half the stuff she said didn't make sense and was based on 'personal experiences' and blabla - please don't share half your life with him in an attempt for pity and trying to sound interesting. The things she said just didn't make any sense and it was just so weird and awkward. Plus her English is just weird (non-native speaker in non-English country). My supervisor was just nice, but I could see he was like 'wtf should I do with this'. At least I told my supervisor she would act like this in advance and just brush her off. It was just sooooooo uncomfortable. And the worst part is she doesn't even realize how awkward this is for everyone.

Maybe this is a cultural thing - but 26 is so young to get married in my country. Most people I know wouldn't even consider marriage until 30 lol. Half my cousins changed partners in their 30s, some got married earlier, some never got married, some got divorced. I'm 25, nearing 26, coming out of a 5 year relationship. Happy to be free and meet new people. My ex is an amazing person, but our lives are moving in different directions.

Yes and No. I think you're there to develop independent thoughts and thinking - however you're not expected to be able to do this from day 1. In the end, you're there to LEARN. Advice I have had from both current students and staff is not to be afraid to ask - you're there to learn! And you can also learn from eachother. Most advisors seem to have a habit to let you join some projects first to get an idea of how things go. Having worked with multiple people - I've had people tell me to just come in when the data is there and others who wanted to discuss anything and everything. However, the further along in your PhD you are, the more independent you are expected to be of course.

UVa for Social Psych :3