stereopticons

Pubs are great, but they don't necessarily mean that much one way or the other. Case in point: I have 3 pubs (actually published, not in press), and one first author pub under review, and I didn't get in anywhere. So there's that.

Is it that time already? I feel like I just recovered from the '13 cycle. I'm not sure if I'm applying this year or not. I got a new lab manager job, and I think it might better to stay there for two years.

Still, I suggest contacting an actual doctor regarding this rather than soliciting information from an internet forum. We can't make a diagnosis.

I imagine there is some sort of organization of I/O psychologists? I would check their website for listservs or job postings. You can also check the SPSP boards (http://www.spsp.org/forums/topics.asp?forum=142748&), HERC (hercjobs.com) and higheredjobs.com. At least, that's where I've been looking (I'm not in I/O, but there are a variety of postings). I don't think your indecisiveness will hurt you, because you can say that you would like to get new experiences.

Not quite the same, but I started an adjunct teaching job (which required a master's) before my degree was actually conferred. They just had me send an unofficial transcript and told me to send an official one when the degree was conferred. Come to think of it, I don't think I ever did send them the transcript with the actual degree on it, and I'm still employed. Basically, I think as long as the requirements are done, then it really doesn't matter.

This. You've already made the list of pros and cons. I'm not sure how much more we can help you.

There are many, many threads with the "should I get a master's degree?!" debate. Some people say they are not useful if you already have a background in psych. Others disagree. I don't know much about either the NYU or Columbia programs, but I do know that it is entirely possible to get a LOT out of your master's degree experience. And this includes mentorship and research. This is especially true if the program is small. If you are concerned about these two programs specifically, I might suggest contacting people who are currently in either program and asking them what THEY think about the program. That will probably give you better insight into what benefits the programs might provide.

Late summer or early fall. They might not know if they're taking students before then.

But in actual writing situation, you're going to have the opportunity to edit, rewrite, etc. The AW seems to look at how well you can write a 5 paragraph essay in a short amount of time about a topic you don't know anything about. Given that, I'd say that the SOP is a much better indicator of writing abilities.

If you're teaching your own courses, then you're not a teaching assistant, though...your'e not assisting anyone but yourself. I think the difference I was getting at, though, is that as an adjunct, I'm not a grad student. My only role at the university is as a faculty member. But like I said, ultimately it doesn't matter much.

As a TA, I went by my first name, but as an adjunct, I sign emails as "Professor Lastname", and mostly that's what they call me. Occasionally I get Dr., Miss, or Mrs, but they're usually ok with Professor. I don't have my PhD yet, but I am in a position with what I would consider more authority than a TA. My advisor recommended that I have my students (as an adjunct) call me professor, because I am really close to their ages (some of my students are older than me) and there needs to be a clear definition of roles. I don't think it matters that much, and I wouldn't be upset if someone called me by my first name, but I also don't want them to think I'm a pushover. I'm the professor, not their friend. tl;dr: As a TA, first name is fine. It really doesn't matter much.

UW has already had interviews, and at least extended some offers, because a girl in my lab got accepted. I personally haven't heard anything about my application--I'm assuming rejection.

Northwestern didn't take ANY social students this semester, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

It also kind of depends on the research you want to do. But all of the schools you listed are pretty highly ranked and have great reputations for social programs. CU, Northwestern, and WUSTL are also pretty well known for their social neuroscience research, if that interests you (social cognition is pretty broad these days.)

You can get a consultant for this?!

Maybe this is a weird question and I'm just freaking out, but I have to ask. My flight gets in at 5:30pm to an airport about 1 hour away from the school. I'm taking a shuttle from the airport to the hotel and we're supposed to go to dinner with the graduate students at 7. My POIs want to pick me up at the hotel at 6:45 and drive me to the restaurant for dinner. I obviously do not want to be on a plane in my nice dinner clothes, so do I: a) hope the shuttle gets to the hotel in time for me to change clothes and meet my POIs on time or b ) change clothes at the airport before getting on the shuttle?

Could the person who got rejected from UVA let me know what their area was?

Most of these schools (if not all) should have this info on their websites.

If it helps (probably doesn't), I applied to Princeton social, too and haven't heard anything.

I broke down in front of my entire thesis committee last year. Like, full out crying, not able to stop... They were pretty supportive and understanding about it, but I was still pretty embarrassed.

I'm with you guys on this. I am SO impatient. A day or two after I submitted my last app, I was like, "omg I just want to hear already!!" And I'd probably give the same answer on the delay discounting. That also might be because I'm as indecisive as I am impatient, and only having one school means no decisions!

Take a shot every time you see a school you applied to on the results page but don't hear anything yourself!

Maybe we need an application process drinking game...

Haha, I'm right there with you! This is my third time applying. I keep saying I'm not going to do it again, but in all honesty, I don't think I could give it up. It doesn't seem to actually get any easier, though! I'm not sure if it's better to have a lot of time to worry, or have so much to do that you're over stressed--I've always been in the latter category. And olayak, I know what you mean. My friends and family want it to be April almost as much as I do!

It comes and goes. Some days I'm much better at keeping things together than others. Today is not one of the better days. Some days I get excited about my one interview, other days I think about how this is EXACTLY where I was last year (just a different school) and become inconsolable and convinced that I'm not going to get in. It just makes it so hard to function in the rest of my life! At least you aren't alone in this!