Vitaminark

I've heard NOTHING from NYU since I submitted my application.

Okay, I understand that particular point.

Believe me, I understand your frustration. But I highly doubt that students who've been accepted are not submitting their decisions just because they're lazy or careless. If a student has offers from two or more schools, making the right decision is paramount to almost their entire future! I don't think they will just say no or yes to a school solely based on the fact that they feel like they're being "rude" to someone else who is waitlisted. I have not been accepted from any school (yet) but I just thought I would voice my opinion on this one. It's one thing to ask them to put themselves in your shoes. It's another for you not to do the same for them. Good luck!

UCSB had their recruitment weekend this weekend (I think it was for the whole Psych Dept, but I'm not 100%. I do know that my friend was there for Cognitive this weekend). We'll likely hear from this week, from what it seems. They've been having huge problems with funding, so they're only accepting like 1-3 students into Social Psych from what I've heard.

Both me and my friend got rejected from UW, except we were both differently processed. While I did not receive any kind of interview, she did have a phone interview way back in January, but was unofficially told by her POI that she did not make the cut right before SPSP. Apparently, they had narrowed it down to 5 from their interview pool out of 150+ from social psych applicants way back in January. Not sure if this helps you, but hopefully you are one of those top 5!!!

I hate that you and I are in direct competition with each other!!! I'm waiting on FSU and UMass myself, but wish good things for you friend!

Right???!

So over the course of the last few months whilst waiting for news from my Ph.D. programs, I've had a lot of time to deliberate. I would love to hear your opinions, as I have heard a mixture of opinions from my nearest, dearest, and mentors. I am 30 years old and have a domestic partner. She is going to be coming with me no matter where I get my advanced degree, God(dess) bless her soul. She has a solid career where we live now, so that's asking a lot of her. The majority of my applications have been submitted for Ph.D. programs, with two submissions to Master's as a back up plan. Some of the Ph.D. programs I applied to are in not-so-ideal locations. Over the course of the last few months, I've had time to think about the reality of situations that may occur. For instance, say I get accepted to a Ph.D. program some place in the deep South where gays/lesbians are not tolerated very well, and with this economy, may not be easy for my DP to get a job quickly. I realize that being accepted into a Ph.D. program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and many say that if I decline any offer, it would be unwise for my future. My other option would be to do a Master's program at the same school where I am completing my undergrad, or move up to San Francisco (SFSU), where it is obviously accepting to "my kind." But, being 30, I want to start a family soon, and if I do the Master's route first, I would not want to then re-apply to a Ph.D. program due to the likelihood of practically starting all over, and extending my education well into my late 30s/early 40s even. I wanted to start a family after my education was completed, but some have said that family-starting is easier WHILE you're still in school, as opposed to after. Doing a Master's here or in SF would be a nice balance for all involved (me and my DP), but I'd blow any opportunity of a Ph.D. program. It's a balancing act, and a tough choice. At this point, I don't need to worry since I have not yet been accepted yet to any Ph.D. programs, but this is what's been milling around in my head. My mentors have said "NO! If you get into a Ph.D., you go!" But they're biased. My friends and family, of course, say to do what I feel is right in my heart. But I think my head should be involved, somewhat? lol Any of you with this experience? Have you gotten into a Ph.D. program and your S.O. will be moving too? Is this putting any kind of strain or worry into your life? Let me know, thank you!

Ha!! Love it!

I've had so much fun reading and posting within these forums over the last month or so, that I feel some kind of nerdy virtual kinship with all of you. The nice thing about this forum is that it is virtually devoid of TROLLS or complete farking idiots (with of course a margin of error of approximately +/- 3%). Because we all share the common goal of Ph.D.-boundness, it is very nice to not see postings full of your/you're mistakes or countless references to Lady GaGa or Justin Bieber's new haircut. Anyway, the point is, if you're on Facebook, PM me your handle because I'd like to keep in touch with you all throughout this process!! Yes, all of you. Cheers and Britney Spears, Vitaminark

AWESOME!! I used to live in Boulder, so if you need ANY tips, please PM me!!!!! I miss it there. :(

Some news on UCLA . . . my friend was rejected early last week. I haven't received a rejection yet, but I also wasn't interviewed in January. Anyone else hear anything?

UCSB is still waiting on funding availability, as was made clear(ish) to me today. They have only accepted one student so far (I believe).

Makes it even funnier considering they have the earliest deadlines (Oh HAI, November!) kthxbai

You'd think they are way too busy to come trolling on these types of sites!

My compatriots' responses are very similar, to the tune of "Their loss, they obviously do not know what they are missing, and are therefore STUPID!" Sorry about your rejection. But, why are you so hesitant to apply somewhere other than your first choice? There are many highly-acclaimed and wonderful programs out there and for all you know, that top choice of yours may not have been as wonderful as you expected. Obviously not, if they've already rejected someone like yourself.

Just recently? Or a while ago? Like, I should have heard by now, right?

Anyone have any news on UMass Amherst, NYU, or Stanford?

Hey guys, what's your opinion on this email from a POI (it's a response after I asked her about my status): "I am sorry I didn't get to meet you at SPSP! We should have set up a time to touch base there - it is such a mad house, that is the only way to make sure you get to see someone. We have invited a small number of our top choices for a visit. Unlike some departments, we don't invite all of the people we are considering, just a small number. We did have an extremely competitive group of applicants this year. However, no decisions have been made and you are still among the narrowed down list of students I am considering. Best, " I mean, obviously this is good(ish) news, but what's your take on it?

Hey guys, what's your opinion on this email from a POI: "I am sorry I didn't get to meet you at SPSP! We should have set up a time to touch base there - it is such a mad house, that is the only way to make sure you get to see someone. We have invited a small number of our top choices for a visit. Unlike some departments, we don't invite all of the people we are considering, just a small number. We did have an extremely competitive group of applicants this year. However, no decisions have been made and you are still among the narrowed down list of students I am considering. Best, " I mean, obviously this is good(ish) news, but what's your take on it?

UNC Chapel Hill - I emailed the POI to ask him my status. He told me due to state budget cuts, he was not granted a student, but had been interested in me. G-D DAMMIT!!!!!!!

Got a note from my POI at FSU saying that although I didn't make the interview recruit, I'm still on her "narrowed down list" of applicants . . . so, I guess I'm waitlisted to be waitlisted? lol

Aw, thank you!

It seems like the economic recession is a HUGE REASON for much of the rejects this year. Funding is practically non-existent and applications are triple-fold. This is why our generation must get more involved with making these changes at a political level--it's unacceptable that we cannot get the education we so need and deserve.

My applications were due in November and December, and none of the replies I've received so far have been negative or annoyed-sounding. They've all been quite helpful, and specific actually. For instance, some said I was rejected because of funding issues, other say my GRE sucked, and another said he wasn't allowed a new grad student. I much prefer these over the generalized reject letter. Besides, sometimes I'm the squeaky wheel--if that gets me in trouble, oh well. But so far, it hasn't. Hope this helps!