gellert

power plant

So, a lot of the POIs I'm applying to have a very strong philosophical background and their work (as well as my research interests) is heavily framed in the philosophy of science and moral reasoning. I'm currently taking a directed readings course in philosophy with a professor, studying the main philosophers of science and their critics (a bit more specific than that, actually, but that's neither here nor there).This is the first time I've ever had this prof, but we're getting along really well and obviously he spends two hours a week with me every week and reads a 4-8 page essay by me every week so he has a decent grasp by now of my philosophical reasoning skills and ability to work independently. I'd like to use him as one of my letter writers for the schools that are more philosophically-focused (I already have a set of three for the other schools), but I'm not sure how it would come across, asking him to write me a letter when he's currently teaching me the first class we've ever had together. It's not like he can cite some long history he has of teaching or supervising me. However, I feel like a letter from someone who can speak of my experience with philosophy will be well-received by some of my POIs as opposed to a letter by an assistant prof who taught me several years ago in a psychology class. (Philosophy prof is actually chair of the philosophy department and a well-known philosopher of science in his own right. My other two writers are both tenured Big Name Professors in psychology.) Thoughts? Would it be weird if I were to ask my philosophy directed readings professor to write me an LOR for 4-5 of my schools midway through our first semester together? Thanks!

I'd find out if it's possible to send more than three letters. It sounds like a letter from this foreign policy guy could be fantastic if he's a well-known name. Plus it might look odd to not have a letter from your thesis adviser. However, the letter from the other professor will be much more personalized and his enthusiasm for you will come across much more clearly than the other prof's letter, which may (or may not) sound obviously form. If you HAVE to choose, I say go with the second. Someone who will gush about you and who seems to have a real investment in your future (otherwise he wouldn't be so eager to write you an LOR!) will have a better impact than the famous guy who barely knows you. But like I said, try to get both if possible. Foreign policy prof might even be a better choice than your Peace Corps adviser since he's in academia, though that depends on how well your Corps adviser actually knows you.

Given what the OP posted, I think I'm actually in her same class at the same university. It's taught by a quantitative psychologist and the syllabus involves bivariate regression, k-predictor regression, simultaneous vs hierarchical regression, categorical predictors in regression, interactions in regression, curvilinear regression models, and influence analysis + outlier detection. Basically a very detailed look into the basic regression one learns in undergrad psych stats, though our professor is quite good and seems to be making an effort to ensure we know the theory behind it. (For example, we've discussed the calculus that underlies the least squares model already.) As far as learning more about quant psych, I'll PM you with the names of a couple of good quant professors at our university who are open to having undergrads do research with them. There's a girl who was in my lab up until last year who was really into quant stuff. She did a lot of quant work within our experiments and then also did independent research with the profs I'll PM you about. She's now a quant psych Ph.D. student at our university. For what it's worth, in my opinion almost anyone can become "good" at math with enough motivation and practice. I used to think I was horrible at math when I was in high school, and I performed poorly in math classes because of it (I'm talking Cs here, even a D). When I got to college I decided that was all in my head and if I worked hard, I could be good at math. Ended up with As in the calc sequence and in diff. EQ. If the passion is there, you'll be surprised just how good you can become at something. I wouldn't give up on exploring quant if that's something you're interested in just because you think you're poor at math. Try it out, get involved in some research. If you like it, you'll find out. And if you do like it, don't let your mindset act as an obstacle for you. As far as what it takes to get into quant grad school, I asked the girl I mentioned earlier. She recommended a high GPA (which you have) with a lot of courses taken in math subjects. Take classes in the stats department, take the entire calc sequence and maybe even linear algebra (though that's not necessary). She also took a grad stats course and quantitative psych (which isn't being offered this semester, unfortunately, but maybe in the spring!). Get an 800 quant on your GRE as well to be competitive for top programs. However, the biggest factor will be showing that you have experience in quant-heavy research. This doesn't have to be under a quant professor, but it doesn't hurt. PMing you now!

Yes, they definitely understand you'll only work with one main person! (Though sometimes they'll let you have more than one faculty member with whom you collaborate.) I'd say it's a very good thing you've contacted more than one POI per department. It shows you're a good fit for the dept and school as a whole, not just for one person who may end up leaving or be disliked by his/her colleagues. Congrats on the positive responses, by the way!

I have sooo many assignments and essays due this week, it's truly ridiculous. No idea when I'm going to fit in working on my SOP. I'm planning on sending out emails to my LOR writers today or tomorrow, which is...a bit nerve-wracking. I still don't have a SOP to include with my packet I'll give to them, but maybe assuring them a draft is forthcoming will motivate me to start working on it. It's just, as you said, incredibly stressful to know that this one essay is going to make or break my entire app.

I am so happy that someone else feels the same way as I do. I totally listen to "So Much Better" as well whenever I want to imagine how satisfying it would be if I actually did, say, get the NSF or get into my top choice school.

angry birds

I love to-do lists. There's something exceptionally satisfying about being able to cross an item off. Beyond what's already been mentioned, I find there are specific songs that motivate me. Not gonna lie, "Chip on my Shoulder" from the Legally Blonde musical is kind of fantastic. Also drinking black coffee or studying in a place where I've spent a lot of time studying before (means I have strong associations between that location and working hard). It's easy for me to romanticize studying as I have a rather active imagination, so finding any sort of situation that feels academically "romantic" to me is very helpful. For example, a secluded library carrel or a nice kettle of peppermint tea. I'm also pretty nerdy and I have a Ravenclaw scarf that I'll wear during winter months if I need that little something extra. (Um. Yeah. Don't judge.) Reading academic blogs is also helpful, and there are several excellent ones posted here on TGC. It also helps to envision what it will be like if you succeed in whatever it is you're trying to due. Studying for an exam? Close your eyes and imagine what it will be like when you get that paper back and there's a big "A" written in the corner. Writing your thesis? Think how awesome it'll be once you're all done and have successfully defended. This is a trick I learned when I was younger and still did competitive diving: just imagine yourself doing whatever it is you want to do perfectly and how it will feel after you're done. Then go do it.

Not political science, but my understanding is: 1) They ask because if it's been recently, they might still have some of your data (such as GRE scores) on file. This could save them time and you money. 2) No. 3) Don't do it. They will find out and it's always best not to look like you're lying or evading the truth on ANY part of your application. They'll start to wonder where else you're stretching the truth.

Everything Lewin said is spot-on, and I'd also add that your research experience and how you perform in lab is likely going to wind up being far more important than your GPA at almost all schools. If you can do really well from now on and raise your GPA above whatever cutoff scores your target schools have, then you can mention in your SOP that part of why your grades suffered was due to your extensive involvement in research. Most schools will prefer someone who has a mediocre GPA but stellar research stats to someone with so-so research but a 4.00.

Looks like we're applying to a lot of the same places! (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Chicago, UIUC, Brown - and UPenn and USC used to be on my list before I cut it down, as well.) Maybe we'll be classmates this time next year! I've finally finished writing up a descriptive paper on all the places I'm applying for my LOR writers. I'm going to be in Boston this week for a conference and I'd written to one of my Harvard POIs to see if he wanted to meet. He wrote back today! He's not going to be in town, but he wants to talk to me on the phone, so I'm really excited (and nervous) about that! Next thing I need to do is send out my LOR packets to my writers and start serious work on my SOP. The SOP is going to be the most difficult part for me, I think.

Phish Food has been my favorite B&J's ice cream flavor ever since I can remember. I used to suck the ice cream off the little chocolate fish then spit them back out in my hand to look at them. (Strange kid, I know, but whatever.)

satellite school

I always do better with getting things done whenever I either have a to-do list or some form of accountability. Anyone else work the same way? Use this thread to keep on schedule with your applications and SOPs. Or you can just vent about the application process and all its woes. That's cool too.

I don't have any tips to add, but as someone who is writing an NSF application this year, I just wanted to say that there are so many fantastic posts in this thread from previous winners. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences and expertise. It's very helpful.

I haven't finished my SOP yet, but I'd definitely be down for an exchange! My background is in psychology.

I've ... started my applications? I've done everything on 4/15 of them with the exception of uploading personal statements, LORs, and transcripts. asldkfja;

^ I'd include an addendum only if you had gaps in your education, such as withdrawals or time off. You can be as vague as possible in that explanation. Otherwise, I wouldn't call attention to it unless there's a question on the app that specifically asks you to provide explanations for anything "non-traditional" about your academic history (as the Harvard app does).

Simply put: I very much doubt it.

^ This. I would also note that in general, I would aim to always list at minimum three POIs in your SOP. You have no way of knowing who is controversial in the department, who might be going on sabbatical or retiring, who is transferring to another school, or who just got denied tenure and is about to leave. Having at least 2-3 people listed in your SOP shows that not only the person, but the department to which you are applying is a really strong fit for you and will help your chances. (Disclaimer: obviously don't just list names at random, make sure they are studying topics salient to your research interests and you would actually want to work with them if accepted.)

From what I hear, in psychology at least, a lot of why they ask this is because they want to see how focused your research interests really are. For example, are you applying to schools that have people who do work similar to theirs (say, in moral decision making)? Or are you applying to schools seemingly at random/because of name and reputation, or mostly to (for example) sensation/perception researchers and they're the odd ball out (and thus possibly your safety school)?