psychgurl

paper cut

haha good for you. Also note: California weather >>>> Michigan weather!

Just curious, but what is the exact wording for your funding? I know some universities only guarantee one year at a time, but it's an unspoken rule that everyone gets funding subsequent years as well. Maybe this is the case with UW-Madison?

drink up

brand new

CONGRATS!!!!

Much better...a more global comment is that I would move the info in your paragraph that starts out "Secondly" earlier. You seem to talk about how you discovered your passion for economics in the second/third paragraphs in a vague/fluffy sort of way, and I feel like the concrete experiences you lay out in the "Secondly" paragraph better demonstrate this. I understand that the second paragraph sets up why you are passionate about microecon specifically, but reading it the first time I was confused about why your info about your passion for related research wasn't connected with that.

new order

I didn't apply to I/O programs, but your GRE/GPA/research background alone will probably make you a highly competitive applicant in my opinion. I think as long as you have a focused SOP, you will be fine. Perhaps choose your LOR writers wisely and tell them ahead of time to write on your behalf about how even though you don't have I/O experience, you have the skills necessary to adapt and succeed in that area.

bargain shopper

baseball mitt

I only got accepted to one...maybe I'm naive, but I think everyone gets nervous before starting any new school. I'm sure you're fine...you're there to learn what you need to know. If you already knew everything you wouldn't need to go!

interesting and disturbing article

I think there's something to be said about a more personal introduction...if it's very relevant. I know someone who started her statement out by sharing her experience about working at a nursing home and noticing that minor environmental changes produced big changes in behavior in the folks who lived there. What made this such a strong introduction is that it was personal, yes, but she went onto a program to study geriatric psychology. It was a great way to 1.) state how she came to that career choice; 2.) state the research interest; and 3.) stand out as interesting. If you can figure out a way to do that, I'd say go for it. I personally could not do that, though, so I took a more direct approach.

Agreed. I certainly didn't have stellar luck this year either, but I'll PM you.

after life

People are jealous! One person told me, "You know, professors don't make any money" when I told her grad school news. More like Sh*tty things people say when applying to grad school!

human right

Yeah I agree...people certainly don't do this for the money. I feel like it's important to know if a dream just simply isn't possible, but I'm not sure how indicative a couple bad application seasons are during this economic climate on your later success in academia. I think as long as you have a good publication record and apply broadly, your chances of finding a job aren't as dismal as you'd think (or so grad students have told me who are finding jobs now).

Congrats!!!

bad decision

Try Giordano dance studio: http://www.gusgiordanodanceschool.com/gusgiordanodanceschool/Home.html Also, in response to UIC posters, I may be accepting an offer to UIC. Right now I live in Evanston. I'm thinking of maybe living in Logan Square? That area seems affordable. And I think as long as the apartment is near the blue line stop it's relatively safe? Finally, in response to UChicago safety: my boyfriend spent a year there. I don't think he ever had personal problems, but someone stole his car. I have another female friend who attends the medical school, and she said she doesn't go outside at night if she can help it (don't know if she's exaggerating). I think if you are in the limits of police coverage you're okay, but outside that invisible line it really is not safe.

Is it possible to start out really strong and clear, like "I aim to pursue an academic career in X with a research focus in Y. My education and research experience, which includes A and B solidified my interest in these areas of X and prepared me for graduate school. The research-intensive environment of University of S is an ideal place to build on my strong research background and become a valuable contributor to the graduate program and the field as a whole." And then maybe incorporate the specifics of how you made your career choice in the beginning of your second paragraph. Not sure if you're applying to research-intensive programs, but you get the idea.

executive function

I'm not sure if this is the case for clinical, but I thought that most psychology PhD programs give preference to applicants who express interest in a research-oriented career in academia. Is there any way to downplay your feeling that research doesn't make a direct impact? My guess is that openly saying this in a personal statement is a kiss of death, though I'm not positive. Also, if you aren't totally sure about research, I would definitely throw in PsyD programs next time around. My understanding is PsyD programs really prepare you for the clinician end of the spectrum, whereas PhD programs heavily focus on training you to be a researcher. Good luck...and sorry about everything. This whole process is so confusing and bad for self-esteem. Keep your chin up.