YA_RLY

I have experienced the good fortune of being admitted to a program that I'm very excited about. My "dilemma" is that I'm not sure how to thank everyone! I have seen some posts on thanking LOR writers before, and I have already given thank you cards to my letter writers. Now, having been admitted, I want to say thanks again and let them know of my final decisions... but I have a few different circumstances, so please hear me out! Here are the groups of people I want to thank. my parents: I'm not sure how I could ever repay them for all of their support. They say it will be repayment enough when I get my PhD, but I wish I could do at least a little something special for them in the meantime!other family and friends: I've had a lot of extended family and close friends cheering me on, and I'd like them to know what they meant to me (~15 people)grad students: I worked with several through different research labs & projects, and they gave me good advice, read over applications, and in some cases were the ones who wrote LORs on behalf of instructors (~5 students)professors: for giving me opportunities to research with them, giving good advice, writing LORs, etc. (4 professors) One concern is that a professor I want to thank (an LOR writer) is now most likely my graduate advisor. If I give him a gift, I don't want to look like a brown-noser. I also don't know this professor well enough to get a (small) gift that's sure to be liked. In fact, the not knowing well enough is an issue with all of the professors. Also, some professors and graduate students were exceedingly more helpful, gracious, etc. than others, and I'd like to feel that I was somehow giving greater thanks to people who helped more/gave more of their time, etc. I'm so humbled by and grateful for these experiences during the application process. I know I have ~5 more years to PhD, but I feel that simply being accepted is off to a good start, and I'd like to thank the core people who helped it happen. I appreciate your suggestions.

This is a good one. Hope you enjoy it too.

Ok, thanks socialpsych. Do you or does anyone else know when we could expect rejections by - for UT Austin? I'm admitted elsewhere but I'd like to get all the information I can before I accept the offer. I know I have until April 15th but I feel like I will have more peace of mind once I accept the offer.

Anyone heard from UT Austin yet?

Lose Control

That could be part of it. In psychology, we call it the "fundamental need to belong." So, if you truly don't feel like you fit in anywhere, that is a problem! I have felt it before, too. It is terribly unpleasant. I typically overcome this in a few ways: 1. I get to know the others better. As we get to know each other, I feel like less of an outsider, and I feel that everyone's perspective is more appreciated. 2. I find another group to belong. It can be anything. Kickball, dance class, fencing, others who love coffee, church. If you like it and it works for you, you got it. Those have worked out well for me, robot_hamster. I hope you feel better soon.

Best wishes, socandwomen!

Hi 2011focus, I have to agree with donnyz89. I don't know of any social psych PhD programs that are still accepting applications. There might be, but... outlook not so hot. All of my deadlines have passed. I think my lastest one was approximately January 5th. I'm a little surprised that you say you are unable to find the information about GREs. Every social psych program I applied to required the General GRE. All of the programs list this information somewhere on their site, often readily found on an FAQ section. I am wondering - are you thinking about the Psychology Subject GRE? That one does vary. Most Social Psych PhD programs do not require the Psych Subject test. Some say "highly recommended but not required." I hate to say this, but at this point, I really don't think this is something you can still get together. A lot of programs have online only applications that will not allow you to submit anything past the deadline. Furthermore, if you are not taking the GRE until February, it will be about 5 more weeks until any schools receive official scores. By the time March comes around, a lot of schools are done interviewing and are having recruitment weekends. Masters programs tend to have later deadlines, and you might be able to find one. I imagine it would still be quite the hustle. The application process is truly not something you can (easily) rush through. I'm inferring that you don't want to wait a year and apply. It can be very worth it. I decided to wait a year for a number of different reasons (including to raise a low GRE score), and I am glad I did. I have been admitted to one of my top choices. The extra year of planning and getting things together = so worth it.

Anyone heard from UT Austin? I think I will be rejected, but I'd like to know so I can make a decision!

Hi humankoko, I applied to University of Oregon. Do you know if all of the interview invites have already gone out? I haven't received one, and since interviews are in February, I'm thinking maybe it's time to allocate my optimism to other schools. I appreciate any info you can give!