kaister
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Posts posted by kaister
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I think it definitely could be an advantage. Though, I'd recommend taking the psych gre subject test to prove your knowledge in psych and perhaps if you have a few solid courses in psychology or think about taking some to have on your transcripts to show your interests in psych aren't unfounded. It says you have research experience in labs, is that in psych? If so, even better. I don't see anything strange about you wanting to get into psych, as long as you can spin it to match your interests in your SoP, I think you'll be fine. As long as you've shown you have "some" experience in psych and can back up (or creatively spin) your experiences towards a specific interest area, I think you're good!
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Well that depends. Are you going for a program heavy in research? If that's the case, I'd choose the one who's most familiar with your work in research, and from here it seems like #2. But again, you have to gauge if you'd think they will write a strong letter for you and what elements you want to highlight. #1 doesn't seem like a bad option either...they don't have to be "well-known", or at least that's my opinion. I think what's more important is that they have great things to say about you rather than their own fame. But I don't know your field or the common stance on that.
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If you're kind of lazy, like I am, and want things explained to you simply without having to read through technical jargon, magoosh is really good for that. They just spell everything out very clearly in video lessons, so you just basically have to sit back and watch. Even their test questions have video explanations, which is nice, because sometimes when it's just written out it doesn't always make as much sense. It was a nice supplement to reading other study guides.
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Oh no...I meant that since this one prof gets a lot of applicants they're only going to accept the cream of the crop, therefore inflating the averages. Sorry if that was unclear.
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I'm curious to this as well as one of my letter writers is overseas. I'm at a loss how to provide him a pre-paid envelope since it can't just be one stamp...or can I just include 2-3 stamps and that should be good enough? Can I ask them if they'd like to scan/upload their letters (which is an option) instead of snail mail?
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Unfortunately for my situation it is a conflict of interest, my advisor and I already mulled over it and concluded it's probably best I find another writer. But I mean, I can't complain, you can't find a better place to apply than with someone who is already vouching for your success in grad school.
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I was talking with my advisor the other day and she was explaining that sometimes their GRE averages for admissions were sometimes inflated because there is one superstar in the faculty that attracts a lot of applicants because that prof is pretty famous for the work in their field. So for the prof, they sometimes use cutoffs to sort through the applications. It's kind of reassuring for me, since I'm applying to that program (to work with my advisor) so it's nice to know the averages may not really be that limiting. I thought you all would like to know that, it might help you guys interpret other programs' averages. I personally never knew that there was this "all-star" in the faculty, so it might be interesting to look and see for the programs you all are applying to if there are any factors, as such, that may be influencing the amount of applicants and their averages.
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Sorry guys, I know there are tons of these questions, but I'm in need of advice.
I have all my writers in set for all but one school because I'm also applying to work with one of my LOR writers, I have to find one extra LOR writer (as she obviously can't write a LOR for herself). I'm wondering if it is better to ask:
1) a professor who knows me and my interests very well, in the same University as the one I'm applying to, but in a different field not related at all
OR
2) professor of a class I took where I got an A and talked with a lot about the field I was interested in, but never did any research with, the prof is also in a similar field as the one I'm applying for, is not reliable and hard to get in contact with (meaning, she hasn't responded to two of my previous emails which were not related to LORs).
Any advice much appreciated!!
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I don't think this is presumptuous at all...that's my opinion. I mean I've done the exact things, because I wanted to be prepared by the time I asked them anyway. I've never gotten a bad response by being so prepared. Often after I asked for a letter they started to explain what they wanted, like a list, and CV, etc. and if I had the things they were asking for I gave it to them and just said "I brought these for you on the chance you agreed." Maybe I'm naive, but I think if anything it shows you know what is entailed with preparing materials for a letter writer. Plus they're generally just non-specific things like CVs and lists of schools, so they're not addressed to that person, so that goes along with my reasoning that you have just prepared these things in anticipation for your letter writers. How is that presumptuous? Maybe I'm totally off base and now I've come off as a presumptuous shmuck.
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My personal opinion is to cut down the first few personal paragraphs and increase the last paragraph about fit with the school.
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Don't take it personally. It's great that they were honest with you. This is why it can be so important to contact your POIs ahead of time, to know what's going on, on their end. I had a POI tell me that her lab was just too full and of course from there I didn't pursue it. As for your situation, if you want to keep talking with them, I'm sure you could, but the POI was honest about openings and such, you should assume as of now, they don't have a slot for you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't consider applying, it's a risk, but if you could find another POI in the same school, it would be a lot more worthwhile to apply.
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It wouldn't hurt to chat with him. That way you can properly discuss your research interests and just be honest about them. From there he will probably tell you that you don't fit well or maybe he'll turn out to be a really interested in what you have to say and is flexible with his research (which could work out to be a great thing for you). I just don't think shutting this door is wise when you haven't even really felt it out yet.
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Typically they list that on faculty websites, or sometimes there will be "list of faculty advisors" on department websites. If it's completely unclear and they're just listed as "assistant, associate professor or professor of..." then I would assume they advise students. You can always ask to make sure they accept students, but that's my general guideline, that and usually they have a place listing their research interests or a research page, and those tend to be those who advise.
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I'm wrestling with this type of issue myself. I'm applying to do research on multiracial populations and I found myself writing my SOP and explaining how being multiracial has lead me to this line of research. I'm wondering if it's too personal and the ad comms will find that my personal experiences are irrelevant and that I should list more empirical facts like research skills. While I think I mention my academic strengths as an applicant, I can't help but find myself back to why I want to study this and why I'm a good fit, there seems no right way to say it without making it somewhat personal.
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I'd save this kind of playful banter for post-interview chitchat. It's easier to convey humor in person. I consider it too risky for the SoP.
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Yes, that's what I was thinking. Honestly, it's a good way to weed out the schools I'm not as interested. It just feels so much nicer when they reply and say, yes I'm taking students, I'll look for your application! Haha.
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I have to agree with PsychGirl. You can't really do much otherwise than present yourself as a devoted applicant. They aren't supposed to discriminate, but you ultimately can't control the outcomes. I would still try and apply, you have nothing to lose. When it comes time to interviews, you can make your situation more clear to them and really show them your devotion to completing the program and that your other responsibilities won't hinder that. Everyone has a personal life and their own personal obligations so they can't beat you down for that, but of course, each ad comm will probably be subjective, so there's no saying how they will perceive it. I say go for it, don't let them scare you, just be confident in yourself, at least that way you don't regret not applying. You can always try again next year if things don't work out this time around.
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What about POI's who don't respond to "are you accepting grad students this year?" And there is no information listed on the websites. Do you think it's worth risking and applying? I just really don't want to waste $100 bucks when it turns out they're not accepting students. I also don't feel like pestering them with multiple emails, but it's coming down to the crunch time, so I need to make some decisions and cuts to my school list.
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Hm that's a tough one. I wouldn't put all my eggs in one basket and not apply just for one POI. I would still apply this year and see what happens, if you get in somewhere, you'd be able to talk to the faculty, perhaps visit on an interview and you'd have a better idea if you really like the place. You might end up really loving it. My view is that since it's so competitive, you should really just try as often as you can rather than wait it out for one POI. Then if you don't get in anywhere or the offers you got just didn't sit well with you, you could try again next year and have no regrets that way. Note that this POI may not be accepting this year but other POIs on your list may not accept next year if you wait, as well, since they may fill up their lab during this year's application season.
- rising_star and kaykaykay
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I agree with all of the above. I'm not contacting a few because all the info I want is listed on their websites. However, there are those cases where they don't have a complete website or they list their research interests but not current projects. I have found sometimes that's valuable to ask (if it's not deducible from their most current publications) because they may have a project they're just starting on that can be a perfect match for you or goes in a different direction that you were hoping for.
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Ask about what research they're currently working on. Ask for copies of their publications. Anything research related would be appropriate.
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I got a similar score. I've heard from some that this is enough for a cutoff for some programs and that stellar SOPs, LORs, etc would make up for it. I've also heard many recommending you reach at least a 75% percentile to be competitive. It's completely up to you. As for me, I decided to retake it, despite the time and agony it will cause me lol.
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I don't think it's too late. I mean some schools haven't even started (those on quarter schedules) so I would say you're safe. Plus, as psychdork said, I usually only ask if they are taking students, that kind of email doesn't really have a deadline. That is, unless you're hoping to initate a further conversation about research. It's still early in the game!
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Hm I wouldn't put GRE scores, because you're going to be sending those in anyways. I've never gotten advice telling me to include it. I would put research experience first, and that's how I see many other CVs organized as well. Awards are tricky, if they are tied into your education you can sneak it in up with your education section. I usually put "Publications/Presentations" after "Research Experience".
Please evaluate my SOP
in Statement of Purpose, Personal History, Diversity
Posted
"As an undergraduate, I found it challenging to find academicians who would mentor me"
"However, the experience of a few lectures was not intellectually satisfying enough"
I feel like these statements could be worded in a better way. Instead of making it seem like a holier than thou (which I know you're probably not trying to come across as, but it's possible) word it in a way like "Excited to take part in more rigorous courses" etc.
I also feel like the last two paragraphs should be more focused on your future and fit with the school rather than going back to your previous experiences.