t_ruth

This is a valid concern, but no need to panic yet. You have two years. I would expect the first six months will be largely admin/managerial. You need to get the ground under you, learn all the systems, and then start to put your own systems in place which will allow you to be less hands-on day-to-day. As this happens, you will have more time for research and for getting involved in presentations/publications. Does your lab have research meetings? Read the relevant papers, participate in discussions, offer your ideas. Are you running participants yourself or talking with the RAs about running the participants? What do you notice? What can be improved about the procedure? Do you have any ideas for spin-off studies based on your experiences? These are things that contribute to authorship--offering intellectual contributions. You will likely have opportunity to contribute in this way just by virtue of being there and being involved. Lastly, I would sit down with your PI and write out a mentoring plan. Put together a reasonable timeline (with their help) for accomplishment in different categories (administrative, supervisory, knowledge of the field, research skills, outcomes--like presentations and publications). Come up with near and long term goals toward these areas. Articulate what kind of supports you will need to accomplish these things. Have the PI articulate what support they need from you in those categories to accomplish their goals. After two years you will probably be in great shape. Don't lose faith and be an active participant in your own development. Good luck!

Make sure to check back frequently--some of us faculty are trying to list our positions, but it is so hot right now there is a long line Good luck this application season!

Feel free to PM me for specific advice re: Ed Psych programs

I see a few of you have interest in things that overlap with Educational Psychology or Learning Sciences. You may want to also consider those programs as you identify PIs. If you think you may be at the border of these fields and Dev Psych, I'm happy to help you identify good Ed Psych or LS faculty in your area of interest--go ahead and PM me Good luck on your apps!

Hi all. I see at least some of you are interested in social cognition and/or emotion. If you have any applied interest at all, you may want to look beyond social psych programs into Ed Psych or Learning Sciences programs. Lots of work in social cognition in that field. Best of luck on your applications!

From what I know, even if you have the two-year gap, you can't be CURRENTLY enrolled in a PhD program when you apply. So, if you get a Masters, take time off, and apply BEFORE you start your PhD you are eligible, but if you already started the PhD, you are not. It also sounds like you would be in your second PhD year when you apply. In that case, if you have a Masters you are definitely NOT eligible There are FAQ about these--they actually released them just a few weeks before the deadline last year, which meant a lot of people who were already working on their applications were hit with the bad news that they weren't eligible. It was not good.

You can go on "reserve" and use the money in your PhD. Also, I doubt your master's stipend pays as well as the GRFP--GRFP funding is very good. Further, you can use it to negotiate for summer funding--GRFP stipend is 12 months, but you are allowed to "work" during the summer for extra money. As to prestige, yes, it's certainly a "shiny spot." It also will likely influence future funding with NSF. They like to fund GRFP winners when they become faculty.

Yes and no. I had five different careers before choosing academia. If something isn't right, you can change your mind (no matter how far down the path you've gone).* *recognizing that life circumstances might make this difficult, but there is no rule that says "now is when your career is set in stone."

One option is to get the MSW, but to find a way to engage in psychology research while you are in your Masters (and also take as many psych courses as you can). That way, when you finish, you can choose to either go for the Psych PhD or continue on the social work path.

I don't think it will hurt. Good luck!

It might be less common for those given the non-research nature of many. Do you know any current students in the programs you are interested in?

This is a common practice, generally considered helpful. There are *many* prior threads on this you might want to check out.

Many Ed Psych programs are similar to Learning Sciences programs. There are also Ed Psych and Ed Tech combined programs, like at Michigan State. Start reading research that interests you and see where those authors are (what type of program).

Depending on the kinds of questions you want to ask, Ed Psych or digital learning Masters programs might be good matches. Most will be two years. Some offer funding (or might for a second year if you are a good student/researcher). I also know people accepted into Ed PhD programs without Masters degrees or Education undergrad if they have a good background for research. MA is certainly the easiest route, but may not be the best for your goals. Do you have a mentor in academia near you? This can be very helpful.

You can take or leave my advice. I'm in a very related field. If you eventually want a PhD an MS is going to serve you better and your industry experience will make you more competitive for an MS. There is no cost difference between an MS and MA most places.

I would suggest an MS instead of an MA if you do want to go to PhD programs. That way, you can start research right away and be more competitive for PhDs and for fellowships. I would also suggest looking beyond ed tech programs to things like ed psych and learning sciences.

You'll want letters that can speak to your aptitude for work as an academic. I would suggest at least one comes from someone with a PhD. What kinds of programs are you looking at?

Sigh, assumption of male default

It doesn't necessarily mean they have funding. It just means they are taking students. The two things aren't always tied.

The only benefit to applying before the deadline is that excited jr. faculty may view your application early and get excited/attached

I think your background would be well received. You may wish to look into counseling psychology programs, but also programs in community psychology.

I agree with a lot of what has been said. For context, this is what is in my lab manual for goals for undergraduate RAs. Students can do the later steps earlier, but they have to get through the other stuff on the way: After one year of participation, students are expected to: Become familiar with lab procedures Assist in research projects/Aid graduate students with project(s) Begin to establish an understanding of the research process/steps After two years of participation, students are expected to: Come up with I-wonder or research questions Familiarize self with literature pertaining to research projects of interest Pitch a research idea/proposal to PI (end of second year) After three or more years of participation, students are expected to: Take initiative/be a leader to newer RA’s in the lab Demonstrate skills in one of the following areas: Literature review Conducting a research project

I did my Masters on the way to the PhD, so no difference really Generally, Masters work is more focused on coursework and uptake of knowledge, where PhDs are more focused on creating knowledge. Which is more enjoyable will depend largely on your goals.

A thought: Is there any way you can postpone graduating? For me, there are mechanisms in place to easily hire current undergrads and these mechanisms save me lots of money over hiring someone who is already graduated. You may have other reasons you need to graduate early, but if you can, it is often beneficial to stay through the spring. You can just take one class or take all your credits as independent study.

I would suggest #1 or #2. Interests evolve in grad school and if you love this PI's work, finding a way to connect to them will be very valuable (especially if they are moving up in the world--and that's what it seems your post is saying). More advisors invested in you is great! Don't think it isn't possible for them to negotiate to have you join them at the new school. I would maybe push hard for that and see if they can make it happen. Bonus that the school is a step up and you get to stay with the advisor. It is not entirely uncommon to have a degree in one area of the social sciences and an advisor in the other. They may even work out a joint appointment for themselves in psych and linguistics at this new school.