PsychGirl1

You can probably check the seats in the van the way you would check a mattress or curtains in a hotel room- google for videos or tips. If you look at an apartment while someone is still living there, there are a few quick checks you can do such as checking the mattress, curtains, etc. that could be weird to do if the resident was in the apartment, but if you just explained to a realtor what you are doing, they might be okay with it. Helpful links: http://www.bedbug.com/Page-Bedbug-tips-when-renting-an-apartment-or-home_207.aspx http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110410215446AACrIcr You can also check the registry to see if any of the residents have logged bed bugs at a specific address: http://www.bedbugregistry.com/ Also, you can bed bug proof your apartment by buying pillows and mattress covers (about $50 each I believe) that use a fabric and a zipper that bed bugs can't penetrate, so if there is an infestation, at least your stuff is okay :-). Avoid moving in wicker, and more metal is better. Avoid long curtains that hang on the floor, and don't have anything from your bed touching the floor. We had an issue with bed bugs in my house a few months ago (defeated quite quickly because my mom is a machine) and my mom bought a book called "Bed Bug Survival Guide" that she is obsessed with. You might want to see if you can buy it used on Amazon and read it, if bed bugs are a concern (and they should be!).

It just really depends on that one person who is working with your POI and whether or not they accept the offer. Impossible to know the probability. if it's your top choice, hold out for as long as you can with your other offer until you hear the spot is open or the person took the position. It's not ideal but it's the best you can do.

I was really excited about the SBU program until you mentioned that it was an MA program and only one year. Do you not do a thesis? Personally, I don't understand 1-year programs, as you have to apply for PhD programs only about 2-3 months after you arrive... how is that going to help your CV, LORs, etc.? The same could be said about the lab in England, though. Since I'm not a huge fan of either option, I'd say working in the lab is the safer choice, and I'd try to start in May or June so that come November, he'll be able to write you a stronger LOR.

Schools are in the middle of figuring out their incoming class for the next year- he is probably swamped with a billion other things. I'd probably wait a bit and then shoot him an email, despite his rep. If you don't hear back from either, I'd call again in the spring or summer when he's likely less busy.

Every field is different, but in Clinical Psych, the smallest number of people interviewing with my prof was 4, and the largest was probably 7+. However, I'm 99% sure that their preference order is decided before the interview, and the interview is more of a screening process to see if they need to take anybody off that list. I had great interviews that didn't turn out well, and so-so interviews (that didn't seem to go well AND where they probably learned very little about me) at better schools that got me an offer. I talked to other applicants as well as current students about that and in general, they tend to agree with me. So, if you don't get in after an interview, don't be upset because "the fate was in your hands"- just realize that sometimes, decisions are already made, or sometimes, they are looking for something very specific. That being said, if you got an interview, you're already awesome, and it does mean you have a pretty good chance of getting an offer :-D. Good luck!

I think, honestly, that it's better to go with someone well-known in your field... they will likely have a stronger impact when you're applying to work with people in the same field for your PhD, as opposed to just the name of the school/program. That was my experience when I was applying- most research areas are so small that everybody knows each other, and coming from "so-and-so's lab" can make a difference.

False. Probably true for the 1-year MA programs, but I'm finishing up a 2-year MS program that is mentor-based, research-based, and was invaluable in getting me into a great PhD program for next fall. My program is tuition based and I chose it over another funded MS program because I liked it so much more and felt it gave me more opportunities. They're out there, but I'm not sure from what I've heard that Columbia or NYU are those types of programs.

Duh I can't believe I forgot stats and research methods :-). I was basing it off of my own experience as a non-psych major, but I actually had those classes in undergrad so didn't think to include them (silly me). I agree you should take those.

I took night classes: Developmental Psych, Abnormal Psych, General Psych if you haven't already, Cognitive Psychology, etc. - the more, the better, and preferably at grad-level. You can also volunteer in a lab nearby at nights and weekends (I did when I worked FT). You might want to also consider a MS program- I found it very useful for me, for many different reasons.

PM'ing :-)

I am coming from an MS into a PhD and it was the best decision I ever made. However, it was a 2-year, research-based, mentor-based master's program that gave me invaluable experience and the opportunity to do a badass thesis and really expand my CV and confirm my research interests. It sounds like the NYU master's isn't the same type of program and wouldn't give you the same opportunities. That being said, if you're not feeling the other PhD programs for whatever reason, think of the time and life commitment of the programs- if in doubt, take a year off.

phalanges, I found that usually means you're an alternate or on a waitlist.

Concur with above posters. Even over the summer, I got a few "i don't know yet" emails. August seems to be a good time.

Don't bring anything- judging from the interview where I did this (dinner at faculty member's house), it would be weird. Plus, depending on your host, sometimes you go there right from the interview day- and it would be hard to carry a bottle of wine with you all day :-D I think a nice thank you before you leave the house, possibly followed by a nice thank you email the next day, would be more than most applicants will do!

This really misses the specialization in the field of Psychology. A lot of times, who you work for is more important than what program you're in. I'd rather go to #200 and work with an influential person in my field than #5 with someone I'm not as excited about. But oh well, I know some people follow these rankings dilligently. :-)

I know one person who was informally accepted by their POI but I don't think they have received any sort of official notification yet, which they find confusing. So maybe they are just really, really slow. :-)

In general, when I didn't hear from schools, I followed up with them within 2-3 weeks. Not hearing basically meant I was on the waitlist- although both times I was a "high" alternate (like #2 or 3) so my chances of eventually getting in were fairly good. But then I ended up getting into one of my top choices so I took myself off the waitlists. But my point is that 1) it probably means you are waitlisted at those schools you haven't heard from post-interview, 2) you can follow up with those schools and it's definitely what you should do to find out your status, 3) you may still get in off the waitlist at Temple! I did interview there and they say that every year they extend offers up to and including April 15th. For the places you didn't interview at, you're most definitely rejected. I haven't gotten many formal rejection letters too- they will probably be sent at the end of the whole interview/waitlist drama :-)

Rick120020, good! You didn't sound as sure in your original post. But if you honestly want it, make sure that comes across and go and get it. If you makes you feel better, I had a 1.0/5.0 one freshman term (2 Cs and an F). I turned it around and graduated with a 4.1/5.0 with undergrad (wasn't a Psych major), and then got my MS in Psychology, with a 3.97 GPA. I also had good GRE scores and research experience, although I didn't have as much experience within Psychology until my MS program. When I applied to PhD programs, my undergrad grades were never mentioned once and I got a decent number of interviews at highly ranked programs. I also got into one of my top choices. However, I think where I went to undergrad also excused some of those grades, as it is known for being a very tough school with tough grades- so I'm not sure how much that changed things. So, if you don't get in anywhere the first time around, it might be worth it to consider taking night classes or doing a 1-year or 2-year MA or MS program to show that you can get those great grades on a graduate level.

There's no harm in applying. Worst case, apply to a handful of programs to keep app costs down and simultaneously apply to research coordinator/assistant jobs. Win-win. That being said, I'm not convinced this is really what you want to do 100000% for the rest of your life.

I'm 26 and i just got into a PhD program for next fall :-). It happens! GO FOR IT. I think some professors actually prefer "mature" students.

It would probably depend on the specific school.

When I prepared, I used a lot of the ETS/Princeton Review/etc. books and they were very good at making it clear that writing skills aren't necessarily what is being graded. One of the biggest indicators of the writing score is the length of your essay, for example. So, I'd make sure you improve your typing speed if you are a slow typer. Then like arglooblaha said, there are elements they consider "important". I kept mine incredibly basic, followed a formula in one of the test prep books (literally like, intro paragraph, example 1 para, example 2 para, example 3 para, concluding sentence- with each example para following the same format) with moderately long sentences/vocab and I scored a 5.5. So in summary.... "better writing" does not necessarily mean "better score", which I think is where you misunderstood. It's really about understanding what they are looking for.

I think it will possibly affect your chances of admission, but sounds like there aren't any other options for you... so just do your best and cross your fingers!

Once they hear your British accent, all will be forgotten :-)

Are you referring more to "health psychology" or is there some sort of very specific smaller field that I don't know about?