kaister
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Posts posted by kaister
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Okay I need some advice on what class to take my last term of school (ah!). I'm set to graduate already so this would just be a psych elective. Now...I'm interested in taking this cross-cultural development class (but it does not pertain to my ultimate research interests in grad school). However, while I do know the shows not over, I'm bracing myself for full-on rejections from my apps to grad schools this year, so I'm planning to apply again next year. The dilemma here is keeping my LORs. I'm debating taking an I/O class to keep in contact with this professor so that by the time school ends I can ask for a LOR again (he's already done one for this season's apps). I just fear that if I don't make that effort to keep in contact with him that my LOR from him won't be as strong and it's much easier maintaining that relationship rather than finding a whole new one from someone that doesn't know me. So the debate is whether I should take his I/O class (which I'm not really that interested in, the only reason I asked him for an LOR is because he was one of my research methods teacher and I was in his lab for a while) OR to take the class I'm more interested in. Both classes won't do anything for my ultimate goal which is in cognition...unfortunately there are no electives I can take this coming term that are geared that way (already taken cognitive, biopsych, etc).
Is it worth it to just take the class to keep the relationship and possibly strengthen my LOR from him? Or would it not matter since the interaction would just be in a class setting?
Advice??
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There seems to be so much mixed feelings about getting a masters. I'm debating it myself, besides the scarce funding and the limited options, I'm also wondering if it's worth it. I mean, since there are less options, the professors at these schools will not always have similar research interests, right? So if that's the case, how do you apply to these schools? I'm assuming they're looking for fit, as well, especially if they fund you, but are they more lenient about it? Like for example, if your research interests only align upon a way broader scope, otherwise, I'm not totally interested in these profs research. This is why I didn't plan on applying to any Masters programs, because none of them had a close enough research interest with mine and I was scared they would just ignore apps like that or if I did lie, I'd only end up getting experience in research I wasn't totally interested in or wouldn't ultimately help my goals in research.
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This has been my desktop background for weeks now:
Omg I love this...exactly how I feel. Stealing this...XD
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Can anyone who got invites for UNLV experimental - cognitive PM me their POI? Thanks.
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I feel like being rejected from all my schools is a very real possibility. Does anyone know what they'll do if they don't get into any school? I don't really have a backup plan as of yet, most likely I'll move back home, but that leaves me very little opportunities to continue on with research. Anyone have ideas on what they're doing if they can't get an RA position or something related to psych research? I'm not a clinical app so I wouldn't need any more clinical experience...I'll probably just have to get whatever job I can to pay off loans and then reapply next year.
What do adcoms think when they see a student has a hiatus from research, I'm assuming not good, but all I can see at most is volunteering at my local university (they're probably too packed to really give me much opportunities, especially not being their student). Just some things I've been thinking about recently...
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Since there isn't a psychology specific rejection thread, I thought it might be nice to have one. Well...rejection is never nice. Just a place to vent or seek comfort from others who are in the same position.
So far I've got one unofficial rejection, three have already sent invites out (one of which I had a really "great" phone interview with, so said my POI, but was told I unfortunately wasn't one of their invites). I guess there is still "hope" for all of us until those official ones roll in or March/April comes. Despite that I feel the hopelessness depression coming on and figured I can't be the only one.
Feb is gonna be a LONG month...
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I'll be there presenting a poster...most likely.
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for which program? a phone call sounds promising..i received an email from mine (clinical) and an invitation for an interview on January 30th, so sorry if that is bad news.
Experimental, so I guess that's not totally bad news lol. My POI was telling me how interviews would be this week or the next week. If they don't contact me by monday, I guess I'll inquire. Good luck on your interview!
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Anyone heard from University of Arkansas? I had a phone call with POI two days ago, was supposed to hear about official invites around now...but still no word...D:
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So being a transfer student just switching to the Psych major it doesn't give me much time to gain research experience. Which in turn doesn't give me many opportunities to get good LORs. I'll still being applying for graduate schools next year but I want to be prepared for the worst.
If you don't get in anywhere, what do you do then? I hear people say just wait til next year to apply and get research experience in that time. But how does that work? I don't get how you can do research projects with professors if you're not in school anymore. Do universities allow you to participate in research and/or work on publishing anything while not being a student? That limbo land of graduating with a psychology degree but nothing more is scaring me. I don't want to be stuck there.
Also say you do wait and try again the next year, what about LORs? Are professors going to agree to write you a whole new set of LORs for the next year, and the fact that you won't be a student of theirs anymore, they might forget who you are, etc. The timing just throws everything off.
Anyone been in this situation or have advice for this scenario?
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If you are into music cognition you should show it in your SOP. Go for busts. This application season all the programs where I went "all the way" with my SOP I was admitted. The others, where I tried to show I could mesh with multiple advisors, I was given a Master's offer.
McGill is fabulous, but the problem you are going to have is Levitin, and that lab, are really renown in popular press. So, I wouldn't be surprised if the applicant pool is crazy. When I was thinking of focusing on this subject and looked at McGill it didn't seem like those 2 professors had many grad students, the grad students they did have had really cool life experiences in the music industry, etc. So, you and everyone else who applies will have some kind of background in music. It would be silly to have music cognition as an interest if you didn't have that background. What I am trying to say is when you apply, if you choose McGill, I wouldn't have it slated as a "sure thing," but rather a "reach."
I'd develop a second interest if music cognition is your only focus, unless of course you can't stomach the idea of having a second interest and would only be happy with studying music cognition. If this is the case just apply to the aforementioned programs and develop a plan B that isn't grad school.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that finding funded research projects revolving around the arts is a tough go.
Also, with the schools where you couldn't find faculty... did you look in the music department? Like I said lots of music cognition researchers are affiliated with the music school at various universities. That might make you uncomfortable though if you are expecting a straight Psych department affiliation.
How is the application process as an international student? I've read somewhere that it may be harder to get funding?
Also, I'm planning to go into a PhD in a psychology department so that's why I figure it would only work if the faculty are in that department or cross appointed. I know there is a lot of music cognition research going on in musicology and theory concentrations in the music department, but I'm not going for those degrees.
I've got about 16 schools on my list, so I'm hoping at least one of them will be into my research ideas lol. I still haven't really put any Canada schools in my list though because I'm hesitant about the international application process.
I planned to just really dedicate my SOP in music cognition, especially around the respective faculty's interest in it.
How would I show that I'm interested and have knowledge in other general cognitive areas, so I do seem flexible without looking like I'm unsure. I definitely have other interests as well, but I have been focusing on music cognition mostly because of the research I've been doing in my undergraduate is on it and I want to be totally educated on it by the time I start applying.
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Thank you so much for all the wonderful responses!
I added a few of these to my lists of schools to apply to. I've found a bunch that have at least one professor that researches some aspect of music cognition and I think that is just going to be my best bet.
I didn't see any faculty in Columbia or UT Austin that had interests involving music.
How is McGill? I know Canada has so much more opportunities in music cognition, but I guess I'm a little intimidated because it would mean me having international status.
Do you think that it is more beneficial to show my extreme interest and devotion to music cognition or would it be wiser to show that I am flexible and can get into more broader topics? I feel like both are good things to do, but I feel like my interest and background in music would be one of the things that makes me stand out, along with the passion. I guess I just don't want to feel like I'm lying to them (though I know you must be disciplined in more than one specific topic to be a successful researcher). I'm just getting mixed signals, as they tell you to be focused on what you want to research so they know you're serious, but don't be so closed off that it doesn't seem like you know about the area in general.
I also wonder if because of my specific interests, do I have less chance than other applicants, those who have interests in broader topics like memory and such.
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I know this is a really specific topic and from what I've seen there aren't many professors that focus mainly on this. This is a huge passion of mine, I cannot see myself studying anything but this (at least not passionately). I come from a music background and getting my BS in psychology. I'm wondering if it's foolish to put all my hopes into getting a PhD program that will allow me to study this or a program that has a faculty that studies this. What I'm seeing is that most music cognition has foundation in music theory fields not psychology and if someone in the psychology field is studying this it is just a side interest, with a main interest in memory or linguistics, etc.
What I want to know is if I should start researching a more broad topic like those mentioned. My concern is that I know I won't be as passionate about these areas, but it would give me more common ground with faculty in prospective PhD programs.
Longest. February. Ever.
in Waiting it Out
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Seriously...I feel like everyday is a waiting game...checking emails...contemplating my life choices every time I hear nothing. It's exhausting...like a life crisis EVERYDAY. At least Feb is almost over, less than 2 weeks...I feel happy but sad at the same time. Haven't heard any good news yet and having the month almost over makes it seem less likely for good results.