cloudless_climes

kick can

Truthfully, a mass email at the time of decision would be just as difficult as a mass email weeks after decisions had already been made...weeks after candidates knew of their standing with TC - this would mitigate the hundreds of phone calls problem. But I guess a mass email is exponentially more difficult than an online letter?

So ask yourself, would you REALLY want to go to a program that is so overtly inconsiderate (and borderline unethical - this causes psychological strife) of its applicants?

Panzertorte, it largely depends on what area of psychology you are looking into (social, I gather from your profile) and which schools you would be looking at for a more prestigious PhD - for instance, do these top tier schools seem to want a MA before a PhD? Would having an MA bolster your credentials, meaning might you be able to get a publication out the NYU MA program? (Talk to current students to discern this, or even a particular professor you'd be interested in working with there in the future.) Also, you have to keep in mind that if you're not fully amped on the PhD programs you've been accepted to, ask yourself if you can stay in those programs for 5 years? Would you be happy? Would you be getting the intellectual stimulation/publication experience/expertise you desire? Five years is a helluva lot longer than two. Taking another two years isn't necessarily a bad idea...after all, you'll likely live well into your 80s, and I don't assume you're 78 right now. And while MA programs might seem as though they're money makers for schools, this doesn't mean you can't turn your money suck into a money-maker (or reputation maker) for yourself during your stint. And, honestly, NYU is NYU...just like Harvard is Harvard. Many people (and employers) would pay for a basket weaving degree from these institutions... These are just some flip-sides to consider.

sausage link

Yeah...it's even more awkward when your newfound friends try to sneak you into graduate social events ; )

So I've got chocolate, hugs and spiced wine for the really young applicants and the older ones because I've been there (or am there - sort of). I was 20 when I entered my MPP program, and didn't turn 21 until November (this was a year out of undergrad). Now after after an entire life upheaval that has left me feeling more 35 than 25, if I'm so lucky as to get into a PhD program, I'll turn 26 shortly after the beginning of the year. For the older students: bunches of students with life experience get into graduate school - from what I've heard the trouble comes with med school (or dentistry etc...) that said, I've known one person over 40 who was accepted into a top pre-med program and someone in his mid 50s that just received his MD. Point: the only two exceptions I've run across are the only two older people I've known to apply. For the younger bunch: age doesn't matter. Seriously.

useless data

That's rude. I suppose you're right - we all deserve a day or so off...but my anxiety doesn't seem to think so.

I now hate weekends. They're the WORST because apparently school admissions committees take unnecessary two-day vacations. FML.

drum set

bitter bee

i called UT- Austin earlier this week and they mentioned that interview invites were going out early next week, and that the committee met (was meeting) during this past week. haven't heard from (or was able to contact) KU, UMKC or Columbia TC (all counseling psych phd), though it looks as though those programs typically send out interviews during the last week of january based on previous years. :-/ so i'm just playing the waiting game, and growing increasingly anxious. congrats on your interview at North Dakota, and the offers for an MA : ) good luck with the remaining applications.

Thanks, Meguca.

jellyfish jam

Meguca, I didn't mean to infuriate you by any means. In fact, that little "winky" face was meant as a slight poke back - not as accusatory. To be fair, we've all taken our fair share of BS social science, humanity, education and hard science courses. We've also all taken courses not so BS in all areas for the purpose of education and pursuit of knowledge. As far as the whole soul searching bit, VBD interpreted my remarks correctly. I'm not saying that you necessarily need to take a step back and look at your life...blah blah blah. After all, I even conceded that you seem to know exactly what path you want to take. I've stated this several times, so you're confronting contrived arguments with the fury of a woman scorned. Nobody is accusing you of lacking maturity, in fact, VBD and I both contend that you're just as mature and capable of making decisions. You're going to ultimately do what you want - I did - and that's fine. GO FOR IT and stop getting so defensive. Take the advice that's pertinent and ignore the rest. No need to attack me or any one else on this thread. I don't think anybody was intending to offend you, just offering their perspectives. [Word to anybody else who may have an inkling of a doubt in their chosen field (purposefully excluding meguca here), however, and I'm sure VBD can relate, what I wanted at 18 or 19 is different from what I want now (at 25). If I had gained perspective then, perhaps I wouldn't have rushed head first into an MPP, which while educational and enjoyable, wasn't exactly what I wanted to do with the rest of my life...or perhaps it's because of teaching, completing an MPP, doing a post-bac pre-med program, and then working in policy that I re-discovered my love for psychology.]

tough cookie

Psychgrrrl, thanks. I knew about the search results portion of this site - but very few results actually turn up. SD is so convoluted at times, but it's helpful to know that thread exists.

Whoa there Meguca, some of us hippies still like our humanities courses ; ) Break could refer to both a psychological one - soul searching - or a practical one - field experience. It looks like you've found your niche and are sticking with it. That's awesome. There's no need to wait around if you're confident, and it sounds like you are. Application fees vary by school, quickly skimming some graduate program websites will indicate application fees. The PhD programs to which I'm applying this cycle have ranged from $35 to $100 (ish). If you feel as though you could do some stellar research at your undergrad institution (I'm guessing you're at an R1 school), and you've got a reputable PI, not only are your chances of acceptance infinitely higher, but there's nothing wrong with applying. Speaking for the sciences, it's not as if education ends after a PhD, there are always post-doc fellowships at other institutions etc...Also, a lot of what you do during graduate school will determine your first position, so publishing in high SJR modes, such as Cell, or Nature, will enhance your reputation and graduate school edcuation.

Admissions/Interviews/Rejection notifications :-/

Meguca, I too graduated at 19 years of age with very similar statistics, but decided to take a gap year - mostly due to my chosen field of study (Public Policy). It wouldn't hurt to apply to graduate schools immediately if you're absolutely positive that you want to dive right into an inordinate amount of work. Gap years for science generally serve as breather years from the rigamarole of school - gaining real world perspective might not be as applicable if you're intent on doing lab work for the next seven years. As for how many schools people apply to, it really varies. I applied to 3 policy schools, and one school of education at the time, as well as a few B-schools. I've seen some students apply to one school, and others apply to as many as 15. The average would probably be around seven. Hope that helps.

Seriously? Dreams? I'm totally jealous. I can't even sleep properly, let alone dream...unless you count the inevitable hallucinations I'll acquire after a few more days of nonsleep. Those should be interesting.

I applied back in 2007 for entrance in 2008, but it might help some people (plus this serves as an ego boost while I await impending doom for a career path change). Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP, MEd, MBA Schools Applied To: Brown, NYU, USC, HGSE Schools Admitted To: Brown (partial RA-ship), NYU (pittance of a scholarship), USC (fully funded), HGSE (none) Schools Rejected From: A bunch of business schools. Still Waiting: n/a Undergraduate institution: Wichita State University (3rd tier) Undergraduate GPA: 3.97 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 4.00 Undergraduate Major: Field Studies in Psychology GRE Quantitative Score: 790 GRE Verbal Score: 640 or 650 (can't remember) GRE AW Score: 5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 1 year Years of Work Experience: 1 year full time, 2 years part-time Describe Relevant Work Experience: Worked for the Mental Health Association as a summer intern, subsequently hired as a program coordinator while an undergrad; minor research in psychology. After graduating, taught grade 4 math abroad. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I wrote a 5 page expose on myself, what shapped me into wanting to pursue a degree in policy and focused on my interest of dispelling mental "illness" stigmas internationally. Eventually I narrowed it down to whatever page limit (2-3) individual schools would allow and amended the essay as per the school's focus, how said school could help me achieve my goals etc...I probably spent too much time writing these essays rather than applying to schools, but it was worth it. Edit. Edit. Edit. And I tried to add humor where appropriate to make the SoP more personable...after all, no one wants to read some dry recantation of a resume. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Used three undergraduate professors and one professional letter from the Mental Health Association; one of the undergraduate professors I worked with for my thesis, the other two, I'd kept in close contact with throughout school and after graduation. Other: I graduated with a BA two years after graduating from high school and started an endowed scholarship fund at my undergraduate institution. Sure I had good grades and a cozy GRE score at the time, but I think what really bolstered my application was my enthusiasm for my chosen career path. I had a solid idea of what I wanted to achieve ultimately, though the process by which to do so was beyond me...which is why I needed an MPP or an MEd. Ultimately, I chose Brown - smaller program, fell in love with Providence after my first visit and I knew I wouldn't feel lost among hoards of competitive students. Was it the right decision? Definitely.

fight tonight