IOapp2020

I think you need to consider how comfortable you are possibly having to apply twice. I tend to have more of a "go for it" attitude and would lean toward option #2, but with less psych experience you'd be potentially limiting your opportunities and your chances of having to try applying again the next year may be higher. However, I had a similar background and taking time to get additional experience didn't necessarily help me. I too was in education initially, but dual degreed in psych and education in undergrad. Went on to teach K-12 for a while before staring a PhD program in an education program. Realized I didn't love that either and took some time before getting my master's in I/O Psychology. When applying for PhD programs last fall, I thought for sure that my "dedication" to I/O (as evidenced through my master's and additional research experience) would be enough to overcome my non-traditional background, but I applied to 6 schools and got accepted at 1. Now, having started a PhD program before could have been a turn-off, as well as already having my master's in the field (some programs don't like that), but when I was interviewing, my change in career path was a huge question from faculty. My biggest recommendation is if you do decide to apply, make sure you have defined research interests that help bridge the gap between higher ed and social psych and find faculty with which you could align. I think I could have articulated my research interests in more detail in my personal statement and that may have helped. I mentioned broader areas of interest, and less of "I'd like to do abc and this aligns with so-and-so's work focused on xyz." If you're able to do that in a way that bridges the gap in content areas and shows how your higher ed experience could be an asset, then that could work well for you. For instance, what about working in higher ed has sparked your interest in identity and culture? Is there some sort of gap that higher ed needs to be considering when it comes to identity and culture? How could your research fill this gap? How could you take one of the professors' interests and/or prior research studies and make it applicable to higher ed? Specificity is key. Also look into what those programs are looking for and discuss the programs' mission statements and values with those who will write you LoR so they know what skills of yours to highlight. It's best if they can take instances of you excelling in higher ed and discuss how those skills will be applicable to a social psych program, but they have to know the language the program uses and what they're looking for in potential students. Your LoR writers are probably unfamiliar with the psych world, so help them help you. When it comes to cold emailing professors, don't stress. Many professors are slow to respond over the summer and it's a shot in the dark as to if they'll answer you at all. They're bombarded right now with trying to figure out how COVID will impact their classes, so I'd say their likelihood of responding is even less than it would normally be. I got flat out rejected from the schools I reached out to and accepted and/or waitlisted to the schools I didn't reach out to, so you just never know. That being said, obviously no one can evaluate the importance that additional time could offer you in China (as per option 1). Strictly living off of savings scares me, but you know your financial situation and if you can handle it. Starting a program will be time intensive, so you may cherish the additional time you'd have now to spend with your family. Going back to school would mean you're back on a student's schedule however, and most schools offer generous winter breaks where you could potentially fly home. There are pros and cons to both options, but I'd probably lean toward #2. You never know until you try and if you get to March and it's not looking good, try to find summer research opportunities so you'll be ready to apply again in the fall. I personally wouldn't want to wait a whole year when you never know if you could've made it in this round. If you have enough saved up to live off of for 4-6 months, then you can probably pay for multiple rounds of applications (even though no one wants to!), especially if that means you won't be taking time off of work. Either way, definitely finish your independent study. No matter the discipline, seeing your own independent study through from start to finish and having a well-written paper can be more impressive than being third or fourth author on someone else's paper. By using your study as a way to sharpen your quant skills (ex: taking free online courses to help with your analysis, download a new stats software and learn the basics) you'll be showing initiative and determination, which could also impress faculty.

Honestly, if you're looking into school psych, research experience is good, but your ABA experience will be highly valued. School psych (even at a PhD level) is highly applied. Many go after a PhD just to work in settings other than schools, as opposed to staying in academia (and the program I was in had us get ABA certification along the way, so you'd already be ahead). Just emphasize your experience with behavioral interventions and associated assessments, and express your interest in academic interventions. If you're really concerned, I'd reach out to professors at schools you're interested in and ask if you can help in one of their labs. When I was in school psych, we had quite a few students email our professor asking to help and she let them attend lab meetings and work on papers, but they weren't funded. Most professors are more than willing to have an extra hand as long as you aren't expecting funding.

I'll also be at UH, but PhD in I/O Psych.

I would say UIUC is a better known program in the industry, but I would not underestimate the power of location when comparing UIUC to Chicago. If you want to work after your masters, then I'd focus more on which area offers the best opportunity for internship and applied experiences. I'd imagine that Chicago would provide more variety in that area. If you wanted to go PhD after your masters, then I'd recommend focusing on which school has more of a reputation in I/O and in that case, I'd go UIUC.

There was but I expressed interest in multiple professors.

I don't know yet. The acceptance letter didn't say and I haven't received any further information.

I got an email saying my admissions decision was ready for viewing on the portal. On the portal, a new "View Decision Letter" button popped up.

Welp, Houston sensed my anxiety and sent the letters. Hope to see one of you there in the fall

Nothing here either. I'm reallyyyy wanting to ask for an update but am reminding myself that patience is a virtue. I know they said it can take up to three weeks to get approval and they only sent the names two weeks ago at the earliest.

To the person on the results page accepted to Houston - did you get an email directing you to the portal or did you just happen to check?

Wonder if that means they finally got department approval for funding ?

Anyone have any leads on Houston? I know they said it's up to the department and could take a few weeks, but that doesn't help my anxiety!

Well someone posted on the results page that they were waitlisted on Friday. I'd assume that means they've notified accepted/interviewing candidates, but maybe not.

And now we're in week four ?

Anyone hear anything else from Wayne State? They've typically notified all applicants of their status by this time (accepted, rejected, or waitlisted). Their visit weekend was Feb. 15 last year and I'd assume it wouldn't be too different this year. I'm just anxious to hear anything from anyone at this point.