lafresca

Hi all, I am a social psychologist in training and have been admitted to two stellar programs - UCSB and University of Toronto. I am in love with both schools, both mentors, and people in both labs. I really am having a tough time deciding between these two schools. There are two considerable differences that are weighing my decision: Toronto is COLD, and SB may not have very good stats training. Can anyone help? Thanks much, Lafresca

Rejected from UCLA. Had a phone interview with POI in December. Not too disappointed though... Rejected from Princeton. Womp womp. Waiting on FSU and UMass. Let's hope for the best! Si no, there's always next year.

Just thought I'd let y'all know I just got an informal phone interview invite from my POI at UMass. I can't stand the wait any longer, though. I have gotten 4 informal phone interviews thus far, and have not received one acceptance yet. I know it's still a bit early to hear back (especially from the programs I have applied to), but I'd really like to know of at least one school that has accepted me so I can sleep peacefully. : / Grrrrr........

Hi all, I was wondering how much your plans as a graduate student diverged from those written in your SOP's and spoken about during your interviews? These plans may include research ideas, research proposals, or even changing fields. Thanks!

Not sure if anyone's still waiting from FSU, but I just got an interview request from the POI I applied to. yay!

I've had two phone interviews thus far, and I'd like to know what everyone thinks are 'signs' an interview went well. How should I interpret the following (which was said during a recent interview)? "I think you'd make an excellent candidate for such and such university fellowship which will guarantee you full funding for three years..." "If you come to xyz school, I would like you to work with me on abc project..." at which point, POI goes on to describe project at length. BUT THEN...goes on to say... "You know, I can't really guarantee whether you are in or not. Professors send their recommendations out to the grad division, and then grad division makes the final decision. Although, 90% of the time, the people we recommend get in..." Also, I didn't get a definite timeline of when I'd be hearing back for a formal interview. More of a "in a few weeks..." response. Should I even bother to interpret these tidbits? Thanks so much in advance. I know I'm paranoid Also, as a side note, anyone heard back from UCSB yet? Or Stanford?

UCSC here! Interview today, to be continued tomorrow... wish me luck! Got my fingers crossed for everyone else!

Congrats!!!!!

I had my phone interview from UCLA around December 15-17. I don't think it was typical, the phone call was from the prof I applied to. He said he just wanted to talk to some applicants, and it wasn't a formal interview. It was more of a 'let's get to know each other, and see if we could work well together,' type of thing. He said that I should hear back within a week (meaning week of December 22) for a formal interview. I guess they were using the phone interview as a way to weed people out. I've been on pins on needles this whole time, and have not heard a peep. According to the UCLA psych grad app webpage, applicants who are to be considered for formal interviews should hear no later than two weeks prior to the interview / recruitment schedule. The interview / recruitment schedule is set at January 14-15. I'm getting a little worried, but I know that they probably won't be running according to schedule. Got my fingers crossed for all of us! Who did you apply to?

Thanks to both of you. I definitely feel a lot better after reading your thorough comment, psychapplicant2011. I know that the psych GRE is but one factor that may (or may not) contribute to an admissions decision. I also know that my overall application is fairly strong. However, I was just being a bit panicky and nit-picky about a semi-poor psych GRE score. Thank you, thank you, thank you though!

Hey all, I have applied to 11 Social Psych programs. For 10/11 of the programs, the Psych GRE is optional. I didn't do so well on the test, and was wondering whether this would have an effect on admission to any of these programs, given that the test IS optional. I did pretty well on the general GRE... Thanks!!!!!

"A lot of the schools you are applying to are very competitive. Have you considered (insert lower tiered school here)?" "ummmm...." And, a few months later, I get an interview with UCLA. What was it you were saying about competitiveness?

Hi all! I have applied to 11 Social Psych Ph.D. programs, mostly focusing on prejudice and discrimination. Here's my list Stanford UCLA UC Berkeley Princeton Harvard Florida State WUSTL UC Irvine UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz UMASS Have gotten a call back for a phone interview from UCLA. Kind of nerve-wrecking. I did not expect to hear back so soon. I'm sure it's not typical though, so don't lose hope. I'm sure they are just trying to weed people out... ? Has anyone else gotten interviews yet? Much luck to everyone!