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Honestly, if you're interested in clinical, I can't imagine that they would see your science grades as relevant- at least not more relevant than your other, much better grades. Your GPA is great, and you have a lot of experience, so I really wouldn't worry as much as you are! If you were going into a career in health psych, neuro, biopsych, psychiatry, or the other more science-based aspects of this field, it might be a little more worrisome, but I think that you've displayed that you're a great student and just didn't do well in your first major. I'm currently a psych MA student but did my first five majors as a music student! My first semester as a psych major was a little rough because I was working full time, and so I explained this very briefly in my personal statement to make sure that I wasn't represented in the wrong way (which might be a good idea for you, too- just don't dwell on your weaker points more than necessary). Also, after that semester, my grades were pretty much the same as yours- 3.8 overall, 4.0 in my major- and I got accepted to five of seven schools. Two professors even found my music background to make me a more interesting applicant. So basically, don't worry too much- do well on your GREs, write a great personal statement, and get strong recommendations, and you shouldn't have a problem.

1) Funding- Do they help master's students out at all? 2) Research interests- Is there a professor or lab in the school's department who does research that relates to your interests? 3) Location- Is the school near people that you know, or near a town or city that has the amenities that you need? 4) Ph.D. programs- Does the school have a Ph.D. program in your field, or would you need to go to a different school after finishing your master's? The schools that I found and applied to that offered funding to MA students and had professors who did what I do were Brandeis, The New School, Wake Forest, William & Mary, and Boston College. Boston University and NYU don't offer any funding for master's students, but I applied there as a Plan B.

Yes, you definitely do. I'm a master's student in psychology and for every school that I applied to, I specified a few professors that I would like to work with, and didn't apply to schools that didn't have a PI whose research was very related to mine. Additionally, now that I'm in the program, I'm in my PI's lab and work exclusively with him on my thesis.

Hi everyone, I'm halfway through getting my master's in general/experimental psychology with a social/developmental research focus, and I'm realizing more and more as time goes on that my interest lies in writing about psychology rather than designing and running experiments. I never expected to get a degree in research and come out realizing that I love writing, but that's by far the most consistent piece of feedback that I'm getting from my professors (that I'm a great writer). Frankly, though, this is exciting for me, because writing has always been one my greatest loves since I was very young, and I would love to find a more creative job within psychology. I love my field but am not feeling a career in clinical psych, research, or teaching... Is it possible to work as a psychology writer? My ideal job might be writing well-researched books on specific topics, or being the token social/developmental psych writer at a magazine like Psychology Today- in other words, writing pieces that are both based on relevant scientific research (as I will have a degree in this) while potentially being of interest to non-scientists. Is that a real thing? Does anyone have any ideas for places that I could work? And do you think additional schooling in writing, rather than just psychology, would be required?

Agreed- it is very, very rare to find a master's in psychology, especially clinical psych. Top-tier schools often don't offer terminal master's degrees, and this is even rarer within clinical psych. If you already know what you want to do and where you want to go, talk to an advisor about the possibility of applying to Ph.D. programs.

I honestly don't know how that section is graded. I felt like my writing sections were pretty decent, and I've always been a good writer... but I also ended up with a 4. However, that didn't cause me any problems- I got into five of seven of my programs.

After all of this discussion and shopping, I decided to make a blog in the same vein as What Would a Nerd Wear to chronicle my outfits every day. I feel like having pictures to look at regarding what other students are doing around the country can be super helpful- it was for me over the last few months. If anyone's interested in following me, you can find it at http://intellect-fashion.tumblr.com .

I can relate. I lived in the city for the last four years, and my boyfriend and I just moved into an apartment together in the suburbs. While I'm sure that things will get better once school starts in a week and a half, this summer has been rough for me because all of my friends live in the city and have full-time jobs. I was feeling really lonely with my boyfriend gone all day, and I always get anxious and depressed just because I'm bored and lonely when I'm not in school. I found that it helped just to be around people in public places, even when I wasn't necessarily interacting with them- shopping helped, for instance, or taking pictures while walking around pretty places. It helped to use up some of my overabundant free time, while exposing me to minimal social interaction. I also made an effort to visit my family and friends whenever possible, and to talk on the phone a lot more than I usually would. I also kept the TV on or listened to music or podcasts while doing chores around the house, which made me feel a little less alone because it made me feel more connected to the outside world. If chronic loneliness is an issue for anyone, I would highly recommend the book "Lonely" by Emily White. I just finished reading it, and it opened my eyes to the widespread issues with loneliness that many people are secretly struggling with in today's superficially well-connected society. Really interesting and informative.

I bought mine from here: http://www.etsy.com/people/chicleather. Mine's just plain leather, but I was looking for a really sturdy, professional yet stylish messenger bag with room for my laptop. This person has some yellow ones: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Adeleshop?ref=seller_info

You guys make me feel better about eyeing boots that cost $250. It's true- if I find a pair that I like, I will wear them every single day from fall to spring (which is like, September to May in Boston). I'm being more frugal with clothes because they just don't need the same ability to take wear and tear that shoes do- my school is a hilly campus, and I know I'll be doing a lot of walking. Also, pretty sure that I just found an eBay seller that sells my boots for about $100 less than DSW, in almost every size and color... SCORE. And GreenePony- good for you for sewing things yourself! That's impressive.

Just spent the last week amassing my grad school wardrobe, which I've been having a ton of fun with. Starting my master's in a month has provided the perfect motivation to start dressing more like an adult, while still maintaining my style and personality. I found the blogs What Would a Nerd Wear (whatwouldanerdwear.blogspot.com) and Academic Chic (academichic.com) particularly inspiring. What worked for me was to look through these blogs and make a list of the things that I needed- versatile boots, scarves, cardigans, tights, skirts, etc.- and then to shop the sale racks at all of my favorite stores as well as places like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls (which I appreciate so much right now). I'm splurging on a great pair of boots (eyeing these ones, in multiple colors: http://www.dsw.com/s...tegory=cat20173) and a great messenger bag (just bought one from here: http://www.etsy.com/people/chicleather), because I know I'll wear them every day. Looks like my daily apparel is going to consist of knit tops, scarves, cardigans, leather boots or flats, and nice jeans- can't wait! Focusing on looking the part has helped me to put my anticipation about school starting toward a worthy cause- it's easier to set aside the nerves and antsy-ness when you're busy getting ready. Anyone else have favorite stores to find grad school clothes at?

This time last year, I was in the middle of making a giant spreadsheet comparing every school that had a psychology master's program in all of the areas that might influence my decision in order to help narrow my list down to the schools that I ended up applying to. What can I say, I'm going into research! I was also taking summer classes and gearing up for the most stressful academic year of my life: GREs and other application stuff on top of five classes per semester and a research assistantship (which I was also looking for this time last year). I had no idea that I would be accepted to five out of seven of my schools, and offered scholarships at several of them! If only I could have known that I had nothing to worry about. Now, I just finished up my final two college classes and am sitting on my couch in my new apartment with my boyfriend, preparing for the start of my rigorous one year master's program. Really, really excited.

Not for the Psychology MA program, just so you know, bazingafriedrice. But definitely for Ph.D. programs. Additionally, NYU offers NO merit-based scholarships for MA students.

I can verify ALL of this. September 1 is absolutely crazy, and the only way around it is to either find the rare apartment that has a different move-in date (the likelihood of which is astronomically higher outside of the city), or to try to arrange something with the old tenants. For instance, I just moved from Beacon Hill to Natick, and in order to avoid the September 1 craze and to be moved into my new apartment before grad school starts in the fall, I had my realty company contact the new tenant and ask if he would be interested in moving in two months early. Thank GOD, he was able to move in on July 1, and I even got out a few days early so that he could start moving his stuff in because my new apartment complex has monthly leases that don't all start in September because it's a commuter area rather than a student-heavy area. And indeed, the landlords don't clean the apartments in between- it's totally up to both the old and new tenants. It's expected that the old tenant will clean thoroughly before they leave, but you can't rely on that- expect to clean your old apartment when you move out, and then your new apartment when you move in. If you don't clean your old place and the new tenant complains, you could lose a portion of your security deposit, so that helps to keep people somewhat accountable. Also, DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY try to book a U-Haul waaaay ahead of time, as it is true that all of the ones in the city get booked at least two months (if not more) in advance of September 1 and the days on either side of that date. In other words, if you know where you're moving, book right now- do not put it off!! The September 1 moving disaster definitely requires a lot of planning ahead and coordinating between tenants, because it's pretty impossible to not overlap. The best way to go about this is to try to get the contact info of the new tenants if you're moving out, or vice-versa. With my apartment when I lived in Allston (Allston Christmas is real! but beware!), the new tenants and I exchanged contact info when they were viewing my apartment- none of them could move in during the day because of work, so I allowed them to start moving in the night before, while I had my stuff all packed up and ready to move during the day the next day. It's necessary to arrange with the new tenants a time when one of you can be moving out, so that the other isn't trying to move in at the same time. If your realty company or landlord won't give you the new person's contact info, they can also serve as a go-between for you to work something out. It does work out every year, somehow. My major take-home point for surviving it is to plan ahead, in as much detail as possible. This includes: -Reserving a UHaul months in advance -Figuring out who is helping you move (including someone who feels comfortable driving a truck through the city) and making sure they won't ditch you last-minute so that you can get out as quickly as possible -Getting the contact information of the new/old tenants, and working out moving times (NOT on September 1, if possible- is it possible for one of you to move some of your stuff a day or two early?) -Cleaning the apartment for the new tenant, beginning BEFORE the day of the move -Having everything packed up and ready to go BEFORE September 1

Hi, I just graduated from college and am starting a psychology master's program this fall because, just like you, I wanted to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and get some experience before applying to Ph.D. programs. Five of the seven schools that I applied to offered funding to master's students (which was surprisingly hard to find, as you're experiencing as well!)- these were Brandeis (the school that I ended up going to), Wake Forest, The New School for Social Research, Boston College, and William and Mary. BC and W&M both fully fund accepted students. Brandeis doesn't offer 100% funding to anyone, but does give at least 25% to the students that they accept via grants. NSSR and Wake Forest both offer funding, more if they want you more, particularly Wake Forest. I got 100% and a TA position at Wake Forest (all based on merit) and 50% at Brandeis (half merit, half grant) and NSSR (all based on merit). So basically, it is possible to find schools that help master's students out if you do decide to go. I'm strongly considering taking a year off between my M.A. and Ph.D. to get some work experience and, frankly, relax. My program is condensed into one year, so I can't imagine applying to Ph.D. programs while doing a one-year master's. However, my goal is to strengthen my Ph.D. application with whatever I end up doing during that year. It can be really rough to try to find jobs in psychology without a master's degree at the very least, so if I were in your position, I would worry that I wouldn't be able to find any relevant work to spend my time on during that year off. If you're not going to be able to do anything that will beef up your resume during that year, it might not be worth taking time off. On the other hand, since you will likely be paying for at least half of your master's, it might not be worth doing a terminal MA program just because you don't know what exactly you want to do yet- that might not be the best use of your money. Either way, you have some things to figure out- good luck!

Thank you guys for your opinions so far. Lewin00- interesting insight that teaching experience won't really help my applications much. Something to consider. I live in Boston, which obviously has a heavy concentration of schools with Ph.D. students graduating all the time, so it's absolutely true that the teaching positions that master's students are qualified for are begin taken by other, more qualified people now. Randompsychologist- I appreciate your opinion that it might not be the best time for me to apply. That makes me feel a lot better about delaying my plans by a year. It's been my habit to push myself to do as much as possible in as short a period of time academically, and somehow, I've always succeeded... but it's good to remind myself that I don't HAVE to do that. Sometimes it might be better to value my happiness and sanity over being impressive when it really might not even benefit me. Crazygirl2012- That's what I'm thinking about doing most of all: teaching community college and/or finding work in a lab somewhere. I would be especially excited to find lab work related to my interests. Does anyone know how to go about doing this? And can you work in a school's lab while not a student there (either the one that I will have just received my master's from, or one that I haven't attended at all)? I just don't know how that works!

Hi everyone- I posted this in the Psychology forum as well, but I thought that it might make sense to put it here too. I'm going to be undertaking a one-year MA program in general/experimental psychology at a great school starting this fall. I will definitely be seeking a Ph.D. shortly thereafter, but I'm strongly considering taking a year off in between. I feel like I would be at a huge disadvantage by choosing to apply to Ph.D. programs while still in my first semester of my master's degree (little time to get to know professors who will be writing my recommendations, etc.), and additionally, doing all of the work required for a master's degree in just two semesters on top of applying to schools seems like something I just shouldn't do for the sake of my sanity. I feel like I just calmed down from the first round of applying to schools, which just ended two months ago for me... It seems much more conducive to my happiness to take things at a more reasonable pace from now on. If I do end up deciding to take a year off, I will obviously need to get a good job in my field to get some experience and make enough money to cover rent (which is fairly expensive in my city). I'm wondering what kinds of jobs I'm qualified for with an MA in General/Experimental Psych. I would love to get some research and teaching experience- I will have a lot of lab experience, but probably very little teaching experience by the end of my MA program. My interests are developmental and social psychology. Thank you so much for helping me out, in advance!

Just thought I would pass this link on to everyone. Great to read while you're working on applications just to make sure that you're not inadvertently conveying the wrong impression. http://www.unl.edu/psypage/psichi/Graduate_School_Application_Kisses_of_Death.pdf

Do you have any particular areas that you want to live in? Based on my own experience- Some schools I know of that provide partial or full funding, depending on the student: Brandeis University (my program- I got 50%), Wake Forest University (I got 100% and a TA position), The New School for Social Research (I got 50%). Schools that fully fund their master's students if accepted (but it's very hard to get in): College of William & Mary, Boston College Schools that offer NO funding, just so you can steer clear: Boston University, New York University

Hi everyone, I'm going to be undertaking a one-year MA program in general/experimental psychology at a great school starting this fall. I will definitely be seeking a Ph.D. shortly thereafter, but I'm strongly considering taking a year off in between. I feel like I would be at a huge disadvantage by choosing to apply to Ph.D. programs while still in my first semester of my master's degree (little time to get to know professors who will be writing my recommendations, etc.), and additionally, doing all of the work required for a master's degree in just two semesters on top of applying to schools seems like something I just shouldn't do for the sake of my sanity. I feel like I just calmed down from the first round of applying to schools, which just ended two months ago for me... It seems much more conducive to my happiness to take things at a more reasonable pace from now on. If I do end up deciding to take a year off, I will obviously need to get a good job in my field to get some experience and make enough money to cover rent (which is fairly expensive in my city). I'm wondering what kinds of jobs I'm qualified for with an MA in General/Experimental Psych. I would love to get some research and teaching experience- I will have a lot of lab experience, but probably very little teaching experience by the end of my MA program. My interests are developmental and social psychology. Thank you so much for helping me out, in advance!

I think the most important thing, beyond specific fitness goals, is to walk a lot. Not only is it high-impact exercise- better than biking in many ways, and isn't as exhausting as running!- but also, whether you're in the middle of a stressful semester or just waiting for the school year to start, it's been proven that it actually lowers stress levels and helps you to think more clearly. If I have a free day, my method is to grab my iPod, let my boyfriend know that I won't be picking up the phone for a couple hours, and just set out toward a particular destination but with no regard for how long it takes or how I get there. If it's a busier day but the weather is nice, I get off the train a few stops early and walk to wherever I'm going. This works for me because I detest structured exercise, but benefit a lot from spending time outside and being alone with music/my thoughts fairly often. My issue is that at the program I'm starting this year, I'll be driving instead of taking public transit. I'm going to have to put exercise into my schedule on purpose... not too happy about that. Luckily, my new apartment complex has a free gym!

Hi there- I'm in the EXACT same situation. My MA program is also only a year long (why do they do this?!), and I'll be applying to Ph.D. programs whose applications are due by December of this year. I feel like my heart rate just returned to relatively normal after the MA application season... I can't believe that I have to go through this BS again. I had applied for master's programs because I didn't know that I was, indeed, qualified for Ph.D. programs after having finished my BA in only two years, and I hadn't yet refined my research interests (which, of course, I did- just after finishing my master's applications). Looking back, I wish that I had been able to figure out my research interests just one semester sooner so that I could have applied to Ph.D. programs as well. I ended up accepting an offer to go to a great school, and everything is looking wonderful for the MA (all two semesters of it). However, here's my issue: The professor who accepted me was only accepting master's students because he is going on sabbatical next fall (2013) and will probably be retiring soon. The other professors in my department don't match my interests as well. It's a wonderful program and I anticipate really enjoying it from what I've seen so far. However, there are professors at other schools who match my interests PERFECTLY, and I know that in order to really dig into the research that I want to get into, I should seriously consider these other programs. However, I emailed all of the professors at the schools that I'm considering, and they have ALL said that they won't give me credit for my master's beyond about two classes (out of the eight that I will have taken). So now, on top of the stress of applying to grad school less than a year after I applied to master's programs, I now have to worry about schools not giving me credit for the fact that I already have a master's degree and wanting me to start all over at the beginning of the Ph.D. program. So basically, I might not be getting a head start at all by coming in with part of the degree finished already. I'm incredibly frustrated and stressed out about this, so I totally sympathize with all of you who are also in one year master's programs. It's such a great idea on some levels, and for those of us who thrive when things are fast-paced, we can totally do it. However, I had no idea that Ph.D. programs wouldn't honor this- not to mention the fact that we'll be applying to these programs before really getting into the meat of our master's degrees. WTF?

I started out at a music conservatory, taking very few classes in any other subject. I spent five semesters there and had a 3.65 GPA. I then transferred to a large state school and ended up studying psychology and another related subject. When I applied to grad school, I had a 3.8 overall GPA and 4.0 in my majors. I finished this degree in just two years, so I was worried that I wouldn't have enough experience under my belt, or that they would think that I was too fickle and therefore a risky investment. Because of that worry, and the fact that I hadn't yet figured out my specific research interests, I applied to only master's programs. In the end, I was accepted to five out of seven with large scholarships at all of the programs that offer funding to master's students, and was told by two professors that I would have totally been qualified for Ph.D. programs had I applied. I was also asked a million questions from each professor who I spoke with at each program about my former music career and what it was like to switch. It seems that it ended up serving as something to set me apart from the other applicants, and I suspect that the pace at which I finished my degree and the grades that I got after transferring (as well as the fact that I focused my personal statement on this very subject) vouched for my seriousness in this new field. I feel like if you address what you perceive as a weakness or a questionable spot in your application- WITHOUT making excuses, and in a way that creates a narrative out of it and highlights your strengths- it doesn't have to hurt you. You don't want to bring up every weakness in case they don't perceive it as such, in which case you would be calling attention to something unnecessarily- but it's better to address something and own it as a part of your personal history than to make it seem like you're covering something up because you know it's questionable.

I'm going to be traveling, spending time with friends and family, and doing all of the other things that I'm not expecting to have much time for come September. I'm starting a one year master's program in the fall, so I'll need to have my thesis pretty well under way considering that I'm going to have to start applying to Ph.D. programs before too long! So I'm solidifying my list of programs to apply to (other than the one that I'm starting this year- admission isn't guaranteed for continuing students) and doing research for my thesis.

Benefits of NYU: Famous school with an extraordinary reputation. Not-so-good points: Doesn't offer financial aid to master's students, and is very expensive. Also, I get the impression that they have a very large incoming class, so you might not get the personalized experience that you would want from grad school. Personally, I was accepted to the same program as you, but I turned it down because I was offered funding from other great schools. Because they don't help MA students out monetarily, it wasn't even able to be in the running for me. But it is one of the best, most well-known psychology programs in the country, and you will certainly get a good education if you can afford it.