Developmental33

West Virginia University Life-Span Developmental! So excited!

Email the graduate program coordinator.

I PMed you as well

I've been to two on campus interviews and 3 on the phone. This isn't indicative of all of all interviews so take it with a grain of salt, but, you probably wont need notes. Convos were very organic. Tell me about your current research? Why do you like this program? Only once was I asked "what assets would you bring to this program" but I tried to bring it up in every convo I had. You'll find that they will ask the same basic questions and most of the time they will either be asking you if you have any questions or telling you cool things the program has to offer. But you won't be seen as weird if you pull out notes that are questions but you really shouldn't need them. DO NOT HAVE NOTES THAT PERTAIN TO YOUR RESEARCH OR WHY YOU LIKE THE PROGRAM! HAVE THESE MEMORIZED.

Has anyone heard from West Virginia University after the interview weekend?

I had an interesting experience at my latest interview weekend. On the actual interview day, I had 15 minute sessions with the grad students in each lab and 15 minutes with several of the professors in my specific domain. For the grad student interviews, most of it was me asking them questions. Almost every interview had the question of "why this school". Very few directly asked my about my thesis (I am currently a masters student applying for Phd). Only one professor directly asked me what assets I would bring to the school, however I tried to work it into every interview as I feel they make me a really strong candidate (teaching statistics classes, research in a bunch of different psych domains, and an applied graduate assistant job working with data analysis under the provost). Overall, I definitely over prepared. I did not need to know anything about the other professors research before hand. One thing I would recommend is definitely becoming loose and "fun" around the current graduate students during the socials and dinners/ parties, especially if they have a say in the decisions. They are trying to see if they want to work with you for the next 4+ years. If you are a debbie downer it might sway their decision. Don't do anything you arnt comfortable doing but definitely be friendly and open to the weekend. I understand every school might be different, but this one was very relaxing and fun, even if it was my top choice and I really want to go there.

That's actually really shitty on that professors part. You have a really hard decision and visiting schools is an important part of the decision. That response would have riled me up. I would respond back with something along the lines of asking "If I say yes to your visit, am I your top applicant?". If he says yes, then maybe ask the other school for an alternate date (assuming this professors school is higher on your list). If he doesn't say you are his top choice, then I would go to the other school for a visit. This is also assuming you think you have a good shot at both schools (be realistic in your thinking). If one is a stretch, and the other is more realistic, def go to the more realistic one (imo of course)

Kent did not offer anything. Did you have a skype interview with your POI beforehand? I had a formal Skype interview with mine s few days after the application deadline.

I will be there also at Kent for developmental psych. I also haven't heard anything back from Utah.

Anyone else hear back from any of these schools yet for either developmental or Lifespan? University of Missouri University of Alabama University of Utah Virginia tech?

I haven't heard anything back form Utah. I talked to one of the professors before submitting my application (POI: LR) and he encouraged me to apply and was interested so I wouldn't start sweating yet. Though i believe the interview weekend is Feb 9th so hopefully we hear something by next week. I can't go anyways because I already confirmed another school on the same weekend.

I'm not sure. I heard back from POI on Dec 11th though. On campus is Feb 9-10th so there still might be some going out.

Personally I would do the Skype interview if the two schools are somewhat close on your list (top 1 and 2). I would start off the Skype call, or say in an email to the POI, that "while school B is my top choice, I already committed for an on campus interview with school A, and I don't want to destroy bridges between professor X in case an opportunity arises where I can work with them later in my academic career" or something similar. I think it also matters how highly you think you place on their application list. If one is a stretch school while the other is more realistic, go to the other.

School:Kent State Track and/or specialization within psychology program: Developmental Interview type:Skype; then invited to in person Date:Feb 9th- 10th School:West Virginia University Track and/or specialization within psychology program: Life Span/Developmental Interview type:In Person Date:Jan 26-27th Have not heard back from Mizzou, Univ. of Utah, North Dakota State University, Alabama or Virginia tech but I wont start worrying until the end of January.