PsychGirl1

Are you saying it's time to start smoking? :-D Just kidding... that actually makes a lot of sense. Thank you!

MA/MS programs generally have later due dates and later interview weekends, like February or March. Check the results search above for the schools you applied to, and see when people have heard in past years. That should give you a rough estimate of when you can expect to hear back.

This seems to be more of a non-clinical thing... none of my interviews (n=5) had phone interviews beforehand. I do know of one or two clinical psych profs who do phone interviews in my field (I heard through the grapevine) but that's about it- and they do it to weed people out. But from what I've seen on these boards, it's fairly typical (or at least, definitely not rare) for non-clinical programs.

That was probably me!: (other threads probably exist, though, I'd search for them)

Don't do it.

What about non-coffee suggestions? Ever since the start of undergrad (many, many years ago), I need caffeine to do things that require a lot of brainpower and/or writing. Over time, my body has come to hate some sources of caffeine- one red bull and my stomach will hurt for a few days. Coffee and espresso are okay (I have a coffee and espresso machine at home) but too many cups in one day (like if I'm sitting at home all day writing) and my body isn't too happy. I've been trying to drink no caffeine or tea on days where I don't need to sit still and write or brainstorm, but does anyone have good suggestions on other sources of caffeine? I picked up a pack of caffeine gum at the deli near me, but it wasn't exactly cheap (but my stomach does appreciate it!). Any other ideas? (Yes, I'm aware that I sound like a caffeine addict, oh well).

If I were you, with your year "off", I would spend 10% of your time getting a clinical experience (I think it's good to have one or two short-term clinical experiences when you apply so to use as evidence that you don't really want to do clinical work but you know what you're getting into), 75-80% of your time doing research, and 10-15% of your time improving things you can on your app (ex. GRE scores, take a night grad-level class if your GPA is bad, work on perfecting your personal statement and CV) and researching programs and professors.

Sometimes people put accepted by accident instead of "interview". Alternatively, maybe they know someone on faculty and they got a "soft" acceptance. Don't let other people's situations distract you!

Funded or unfunded, make sure it's a mentor-based program. I went through an unfunded master's program (of course, I'm not in I/O) and it was the best choice for me. I'm really happy with the experiences I had and the outcome from it (I'm in a PhD program now), as well as the personal growth that occurred BEFORE I got to my PhD program.

Email their admin and ask- that's what they're there for.

^ I had two schools pay for my transportation, and for both, my POI invited 4-6 people and took 1. Really, it varies by program/school!

Yeah... I did my master's at a private university, but I lived at home and commuted, and worked during the program (in the dept as well as a TA). I graduated from a 2-year program with about $25k in loans. I was okay with that, since I didn't have any ugrad loans, I was continuing in a funded PhD program and could defer my payments, and my parents offered to help me pay some of it back over time. The master's program and my mentor were also instrumental to helping me get into a PhD program, so I felt like it was really worth it- and it also gave me a great foundation. Just gotta weigh the pros/cons and find a way to make it work, even if it means sacrifices for a year or two.

You should talk to people (advisers, fellow students, etc.) who have been through the PhD process in your field and have advice on how to perceive your grades. For example, my mentor as well as other students in my lab have talked to me about how much work I should be putting in my classes versus other activities, and how much my GPA matters (not very much). I would assume that if you're in a normal History MA program at Harvard (e.g. not the extension school), it won't make any difference if you get an A versus A- for your PhD applications. However, there may be other elements that PhD programs will look at that you should be spending your time on.

Again- are you sure you want to stay there? He forgets his students are getting kicked out of the program... misses major grant deadlines for his students... puts his students into "uncomfortable positions". I'm not saying you shouldn't fight for your spot, but I'd also put some serious thought into whether this is a place you want to stay.

Depends on the program... my adviser actually told me if I have an A average, I might be working too hard on my classes (versus research), whereas if I have a B-/C+ average, I need to work harder on my classes. So it's really program/field-dependent as to how much people care about those grades, what they are used for, etc. I'd try talking to other people in your dept (older students if possible).

What kind of PI doesn't bother to talk to the department because he forgets that his student is about to be kicked out of the program? ... Are you sure you want to stay there?

Maybe you should see a doctor and make sure you're not infertile. Also, here is a useful chart detailing- for couples who use each type of birth control- how many will still become pregnant each year: http://kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/contraception/bc_chart.html#. For example, if 100 couples use the pill properly for a year, 8 of them will get pregnant, on average. Compare that to 100 couples using NO birth control, 85 of them will get pregnant a year, on average. With perfect compliance, the "8" can decrease, but it's definitely NOT ever 0. The reason you may never hear about it is because many young people who get pregnant accidentally don't advertise it- even to their friends- and "take care of the problem" quietly. Anyway, back to the OP: A good number of people in my program have had children (supposedly on purpose, I don't know how many were accidental). It *is* possible. You may need to make some changes in your lifestyle and rearrange your schedules, but it is possible to make it work. Your wife should talk to her workplace about any flexible arrangements- ex. working 40 hours in 4 days and getting off one day a week, or telecommuting one day a week, etc. Then you can work your schedule around that- for example, maybe you can arrange to have a "writing day" at home once a week where you also watch the baby. You might also want to think about how much your wife is making- is it enough to warrant the cost of child care every day of the week? As someone else above said, I actually think it's easier to have a child towards the end of grad school than when you're working FT- your schedule is generally much more flexible both in timing and location (ex. you can work on your dissertation at 10pm at night from home).

Get to know the program well, and you will get a sense of whether it is mentor-based or not. If it is mentor-based, then yes, I would specify who you want to work with.

Hahaha excellent point :-D

Ariely is no longer at MIT- he's at Duke :-D

Honestly, I'd lean towards whatever they suggest. I actually like phone interviews- I sit at my table, light a candle, and spread my notes out all over the place. Much more relaxing :-D

... Okay. Best of luck with that.

Seems like if you wanted to protest the use of the GRE, there are more useful and productive ways than to limit your career based on programs that don't require it.

I think that you should include the title of your thesis and your adviser, and leave it at that. I've also never heard of anyone putting their comps grades anywhere. Most of these milestones are considered P/F, even if you get feedback (quantitative or qualitative) along the way.

I've never heard of someone being graded for a thesis, so I wouldn't put it on there (unless this is common in other fields?)