Quant_Liz_Lemon

You've got a long way to go. You're going to need Calc 2 and Calc 3 three as well.

Did this prof already agreed to write you a letter? If not, I would strongly suggest going with someone else.

Thesis adviser. It'll raise eyebrows if you don't.

Some graduate schools have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.

Well, McGill is the only Canadian school I had heard of before I started looking at graduate schools.

At least in my field, research experience matters much more than GPA. Mind you, GPA matters as does the quality of your UG school. Some universities have firm cut-offs for PhD applicants, usually around a 3.0.

I had a problem similar to that one. I took an incomplete in a grad course. In my school, you have 1 year to complete any incomplete IF it's a grad level course, but only 1 semester if it's an undergrad course. As an undergrad, my school automatically changed my I to an F before the prof updated my grade. When I showed my recommender my temp transcript, I just explained the situation to him (he needed to see the transcript for something else). He was very understanding about the entire situation. He didn't think less of me for it.

Yup, no one will really care. At least in my field, grades and deans' list aren't as important as research experience and fit.

As for closing SOPs, I used some variation of "I would love to contribute to Arizona State University’s excellent quantitative methods program." for all of them at the end of my fit paragraph(s).

My full SOP is 1271. Those with a word limit (UNC and ASU), my abridged SOP is 716 and 648, respectively. It was really tough to cut it down. I had to nix information on my lab experience, teaching experience, and publication. I had my recommendors cover it. Prof A agreed to go into detail on my lab coordinating and teaching experience. Easy enough because he was supervising all of it. Prof B agreed to go into detail on our research collaboration And, I'm including the pub as a writing sample. Pretty much, I had to cut anything that I could address elsewhere.

For PhDs or masters?

Nothing on its own will get you into any program. Acing the subject test may help you, but unless the rest of your package is good....

I'd include it, making sure to indicate they co-authors. Are any of the authors your recommendors?

This isn't the right section for that...

Well, I'd suggest applying to more than 4 programs this time around. Did you ask those POI last year about why you were rejected?

Well, I don't know if Ivy league is the same thing as a top program...

Well for CMU, they're going to want a solid math background, maybe some econ/game theory, depending on the poi. What econ/math courses have you had? I can't comment on the others.

On my cv, I used my cumulative gpa. However, in analyzing my competitiveness for programs, I conservatively used my current school's gpa. That way, I'd be pleasantly surprised by programs that considered both, but not disappointed by programs that considered only my current school gpa. If I were you, I would look at both types of schools (i.e., those that where a 3.5 is competitive and those where a 3.2 is competitive).

Well, if you're interested in methods, quant psych programs like the one at Fordham or Middle Tennessee are really great. Your scores are very on par for that. In fact, you'd be pretty competitive in quant psych PhDs as long as your grades in stats and math look good. Then you'd be able to get a free masters. Seriously, when I talked to a prof at Ohio State he told me to apply for the PhD instead of stats masters.

Are you just looking at masters programs? Also, what's your subfield?

I agree with Mandarin Orange. Here's my opener: I would like to pursue an academic career in quantitative psychology with a methodological focus on longitudinal design and a substantive focus on personality predictors of long term outcomes. Nothing clever, nothing inspired, just direct and to the point. It's probably the least important line in the entire thing. Perhaps my field is different, but I doubt that a clever gimmick will get you into graduate school. Your past experiences and future plans are much more important.

My concern would be that they're inexperienced in advising and could be more focused on their own research than guiding students.

How does your honors thesis have 6 co-authors?

How many of those LORs can comment on your research? Grades and scores are important, but research experience is also really important.

This thread might be of interest to OP.