Fall 2020 Developmental Psychology PhD

[goldenxpenguins]

14 minutes ago, emotional said:

Happy to see activity on this thread!

These past couple of months have been a whirlwind. Particularly, the last 6 weeks have been nuts, where I've been studying for the GRE and preparing that beastly NSF fellowship application. @goldenxpenguins I completely empathize, I felt like I was consistently revising my statements up until the deadline.... I am so relieved it's sent. Now, the occasional pestering of my LOR writers to be sure to upload their letters. Extremely excited to get this wrapped up this week.

I wanted to get advice from people in this thread around the GRE. I just took the GRE today after prepping for 2 months, and I scored a total of 312: 153 (V) & 159 (Q). Only one school (UW-Madison, which is also my top choice) on my list gave minimum requirements for the GRE, which was a combined score of 310, so I am extremely happy about that. The other programs on my list did not list minimum requirements, but did share their admitted cohort GRE averages (ranges from 314 to 317). Is it worth it to prepare to take the test one more time in an attempt to improve my scores for a couple of points? I think the saving grace about my current scores is that both the verbal and quant are above the 50th percentile (thank goodness). Honestly... I am so fed up with this wretched test, and I am not sure if it's worth it to crazily study for another 3 weeks to increase my scores for a couple of points... Thoughts?

I definitely revised my GRFP statements up until the day before the deadline so I totally understand! One of my LOR writers already submitted her letter and I emailed my current advisor earlier to remind her of the deadline. As for you retaking the GRE, I don't think you necessarily have to unless you are confident that you can improve your scores. I wish that I got your scores, I think they are great. Unfortunately, I will be retaking the test myself in less than two weeks!

[emotional]

Definitely leaning towards not retaking it, and my colleagues also said it wouldn't be worth it. Wishing you the best on retaking the test! It will feel so liberating to get the scores you're aiming for, but also not the end of the world if you don't. I had to keep reminding myself that this is only one part of the application that doesn't completely summarize my success in a doctoral program.

[goldenxpenguins]

20 hours ago, emotional said:

Definitely leaning towards not retaking it, and my colleagues also said it wouldn't be worth it. Wishing you the best on retaking the test! It will feel so liberating to get the scores you're aiming for, but also not the end of the world if you don't. I had to keep reminding myself that this is only one part of the application that doesn't completely summarize my success in a doctoral program.

Thank you! I just want to get the scores I need so that I can forget all about this test lol. 

[amazingbutternutsquash]

On 10/27/2019 at 2:13 PM, goldenxpenguins said:

Thank you! I just want to get the scores I need so that I can forget all about this test lol. 

What does your mentor think? My quant scores are okay-ish (just above 50th percentile) but I have taken every stats class my program has to offer (about six classes including a number of advanced topics). Faculty I've discussed this with have said that this, along with my quantitative research, is likely to make up for the mediocre GRE score. The place they suggest I focus my effort is on the personal statement -- that's where you really sell yourself to the program. The main thing is to make it past the cutoffs. But other professors might give different advice? 

[goldenxpenguins]

37 minutes ago, amazingbutternutsquash said:

What does your mentor think? My quant scores are okay-ish (just above 50th percentile) but I have taken every stats class my program has to offer (about six classes including a number of advanced topics). Faculty I've discussed this with have said that this, along with my quantitative research, is likely to make up for the mediocre GRE score. The place they suggest I focus my effort is on the personal statement -- that's where you really sell yourself to the program. The main thing is to make it past the cutoffs. But other professors might give different advice? 

My quant score is way below the 50th percentile unfortunately lol. That's the main reason why I'm taking the test again because I know that I can do better on the quant section and also raise my score on the verbal section. I have not been able to talk to my advisor about this (or grad school in general really), but I suspect that she would tell me to retake it. 

[t_ruth]

1 hour ago, amazingbutternutsquash said:

What does your mentor think? My quant scores are okay-ish (just above 50th percentile) but I have taken every stats class my program has to offer (about six classes including a number of advanced topics). Faculty I've discussed this with have said that this, along with my quantitative research, is likely to make up for the mediocre GRE score. The place they suggest I focus my effort is on the personal statement -- that's where you really sell yourself to the program. The main thing is to make it past the cutoffs. But other professors might give different advice? 

As faculty, this seems like reasonable advice. Also, having research experience (actual pubs or presentations) will overcome almost anything.

[goldenxpenguins]

6 hours ago, t_ruth said:

As faculty, this seems like reasonable advice. Also, having research experience (actual pubs or presentations) will overcome almost anything.

That's true, but I fear that the rest of my application won't even be looked at if my GRE scores aren't close to the cut-off for certain programs.  

[2ndTimeHopeful]

On 10/16/2019 at 1:23 PM, goldenxpenguins said:

I think you should definitely apply to both clinical and developmental programs that align with your interests and see what happens! As for me, I'm tired lol. I knew that the application process would be overwhelming, but there is just so much to do! I took two schools off my list (U-Penn and Tufts), asked for letters of recommendation, took the GRE (need to retake it), and I have almost all of my application materials drafted. I am also in the process of emailing professors to find out who is taking students and I am on draft number 500 (at this point) of my NSF GRFP essays, so there's that

Edited October 30, 2019 by 2ndTimeHopeful

[PsychPhdBound]

On 10/22/2019 at 4:06 PM, t_ruth said:

I'll put in another plug for considering Ed Psych, Human Dev, Learning Sciences programs--lots of work in this area studying development and media!

One of my programs is Human Development and it's actually one of my top choices. But I didn't find any Ed Psych programs that were looking at gender, internalized sexism, and media, mostly they seemed to be pretty exclusively focused on academic achievement (which of course makes sense)

[cupidcello]

Hey everyone,

This is my second time applying to programs, though this time, I'm taking this process very seriously.  Possibly too seriously.  Is anyone else finding the application process daunting?

I'm also waiting for my official GRE scores (third time taking it overall, but second time this year), and they're bound to come in either this week or early next.  I'm very nervous for my AWA score as I don't feel confident about how I did on test day.  I have Quant/Qual score of exactly 300 combined, which I understand is low, but this is honestly the best I've ever done on GRE test day.  I have five different lab experiences, four LORs (two already submitted, two pending)--so maybe these will help.  I'm also sending my SOP to my current advisor for review today, so maybe that will also help.

Anyway, my question stands.  We're all almost at the finish line!  ...but, no doubt, it's honestly crunch time.

-CC

[justacigar]

18 hours ago, cupidcello said:

Hey everyone,

This is my second time applying to programs, though this time, I'm taking this process very seriously.  Possibly too seriously.  Is anyone else finding the application process daunting?

I'm also waiting for my official GRE scores (third time taking it overall, but second time this year), and they're bound to come in either this week or early next.  I'm very nervous for my AWA score as I don't feel confident about how I did on test day.  I have Quant/Qual score of exactly 300 combined, which I understand is low, but this is honestly the best I've ever done on GRE test day.  I have five different lab experiences, four LORs (two already submitted, two pending)--so maybe these will help.  I'm also sending my SOP to my current advisor for review today, so maybe that will also help.

Anyway, my question stands.  We're all almost at the finish line!  ...but, no doubt, it's honestly crunch time.

-CC

Wholeheartedly agree! Overwhelmed is an understatement. Honestly, the repetition of inputting the same information into applications over and over again is the most annoying part for me right now. 

SOP review is exciting! I hope you get some useful feedback. 

[cupidcello]

7 hours ago, justacigar said:

Wholeheartedly agree! Overwhelmed is an understatement. Honestly, the repetition of inputting the same information into applications over and over again is the most annoying part for me right now. 

SOP review is exciting! I hope you get some useful feedback. 

Thank you so much!  I've received several comments, and at first glance, they all look really useful.  Now to put those comments to use and change up my SOP...

I'm definitely really stressed out.  I did get my AWA score today, at least, and I'm very pleased with it.  Still, it's been confirmed that I only received a total score of 300 for quant/qual.  I'm hoping the rest of my application can assist me here...  Yikes. ?

[emotional]

33 minutes ago, cupidcello said:

Thank you so much!  I've received several comments, and at first glance, they all look really useful.  Now to put those comments to use and change up my SOP...

I'm definitely really stressed out.  I did get my AWA score today, at least, and I'm very pleased with it.  Still, it's been confirmed that I only received a total score of 300 for quant/qual.  I'm hoping the rest of my application can assist me here...  Yikes. ?

I can truly empathize about the GRE. I've retaken this test over three times in the past 5 years, and I still feel like it is the weakest part of my application. In the past, I had a letter writer address my low GRE scores and talk about my other strengths that can indicate success in grad school. That might be worth a try if you have someone who can vouch for you in that way.

I'm sure your research experience can be an element that can outshine GRE scores! I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of us.

[cupidcello]

8 minutes ago, emotional said:

I can truly empathize about the GRE. I've retaken this test over three times in the past 5 years, and I still feel like it is the weakest part of my application. In the past, I had a letter writer address my low GRE scores and talk about my other strengths that can indicate success in grad school. That might be worth a try if you have someone who can vouch for you in that way.

I'm sure your research experience can be an element that can outshine GRE scores! I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of us.

That's a good idea! I'm unsure if any of my letter writers are addressing my low GRE scores, but I'll be chatting about scores to one of my letter writers tomorrow. Maybe I'll bring this idea up to them?  They know I've been worried about the GRE.

I hope so too!  I'm working in my fifth lab, and I'm currently a lab manager here.  I hope this info will help within my application(s).  I'm unsure of how my LoRs will be strength-wise, but I'll try to remain optimistic here.

Definitely crossing my fingers for all of us too! Thanks for the reply! 

-CC

[cupidcello]

Hey everyone,

I apologize for the double post here, but I'm wondering how everyone's doing with their applications.

-CC

 

[goldenxpenguins]

5 hours ago, cupidcello said:

Hey everyone,

I apologize for the double post here, but I'm wondering how everyone's doing with their applications.

-CC

 

I just finished taking the GRE for the second time and although my quant score went up by 7 points (yay!), my total score is only a 297. I feel like I have a strong application otherwise that I worked really hard to put together over the past few years, so I hope that this one negative spot doesn't tank my chances of at least getting interviews. Since I'm finished with the test, my next task is to start personalizing my SOPs and personal statements for each program and share them with anyone who is willing to read them! How are your applications going? 

[emotional]

Congrats on the huge leap in the quant score @goldenxpenguins!

I am drafting my SOP to get to my letter writers by the end of this week. It feels so tempting to compare my progress to the other applicants here, and when I do, I feel far behind, since I am still drafting my SOP and still contacting POI's in my list to let them know that I will be applying to work with them. But I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing the best I can while juggling a full time job.. Anyways, I am rooting for you all here! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

 

[goldenxpenguins]

38 minutes ago, emotional said:

Congrats on the huge leap in the quant score @goldenxpenguins!

I am drafting my SOP to get to my letter writers by the end of this week. It feels so tempting to compare my progress to the other applicants here, and when I do, I feel far behind, since I am still drafting my SOP and still contacting POI's in my list to let them know that I will be applying to work with them. But I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing the best I can while juggling a full time job.. Anyways, I am rooting for you all here! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

 

Thank you! Although my scores aren't that great, I was really happy to see the jump in my quant score. Even though you feel like you are behind, you're not. You are working at your own pace and that's okay! Also, how did you get that signature at the bottom of your posts?

[emotional]

Thank you for that encouragement! Definitely well-received on my end as I get back to my grind haha.

 

If you click your username at the top right of the webpage, and then click on account setting, you will then see "Signature" on the left pane. You can update your signature there! 

[devpsych2020]

Hi all!

Reading about everyone's GRE concerns made me want to ask what you guys think about my situation. On the first exam, I got V 159 (83%), Q 167 (90%), AWA 3.5 (39%). I did not worry at all about the essay score so that came as a huge surprise, so I took a second exam asap and got V 155 (68%), Q same, AWA 4.0 (57%). I figured that I suck at standardized writing under 30 mins.

- Undergrad GPA 3.5 from one of the more competitive schools

- 3 co-author publications, 1 first-author manuscript in progress (will submit as academic writing sample)

- Have extensive research experience from working at a psych lab for 3 years since graduating in 2016

- 3 letter writers explicitly promised strong letters for me

And now I am contemplating on which set of scores to report...I initially thought of going with the first set because I truly believe that my writing materials and letters will show my true writing skills. However, I am also wondering if going with the second set and looking rather mediocre overall (than below-average for writing) may be better...What do you guys think!?

[emotional]

16 minutes ago, jiraljiral said:

Hi all!

Reading about everyone's GRE concerns made me want to ask what you guys think about my situation. On the first exam, I got V 159 (83%), Q 167 (90%), AWA 3.5 (39%). I did not worry at all about the essay score so that came as a huge surprise, so I took a second exam asap and got V 155 (68%), Q same, AWA 4.0 (57%). I figured that I suck at standardized writing under 30 mins.

- Undergrad GPA 3.5 from one of the more competitive schools

- 3 co-author publications, 1 first-author manuscript in progress (will submit as academic writing sample)

- Have extensive research experience from working at a psych lab for 3 years since graduating in 2016

- 3 letter writers explicitly promised strong letters for me

And now I am contemplating on which set of scores to report...I initially thought of going with the first set because I truly believe that my writing materials and letters will show my true writing skills. However, I am also wondering if going with the second set and looking rather mediocre overall (than below-average for writing) may be better...What do you guys think!?

From my experience, I learned that some programs use the AWA score as an indicator whether you meet graduate level writing. For example, in the dev psych master's program that I completed, if I scored below a 4.0 on AWA, I would have to take an additional writing course during the program. I also read somewhere on grad cafe that some programs use the AWA for nominations for fellowships and funding when you apply (not entirely sure about this). How about you send both scores? Some programs will take the highest scores in each attempt, but you should confirm that with the grad program coordinator. If I were to chose one of the two scores, I would choose the second set with the 4.0 AWA because all your scores would be above the 50th percentile.

[devpsych2020]

3 minutes ago, emotional said:

From my experience, I learned that some programs use the AWA score as an indicator whether you meet graduate level writing. For example, in the dev psych master's program that I completed, if I scored below a 4.0 on AWA, I would have to take an additional writing course during the program. I also read somewhere on grad cafe that some programs use the AWA for nominations for fellowships and funding when you apply (not entirely sure about this). How about you send both scores? Some programs will take the highest scores in each attempt, but you should confirm that with the grad program coordinator. If I were to chose one of the two scores, I would choose the second set with the 4.0 AWA because all your scores would be above the 50th percentile.

Thanks for the response! I am leaning towards the second set now. I think verbal score of 155 can be easily covered with other qualifications but 3.5 in writing may raise red flags...

I did think about sending both scores but am worried that  the two might look questionable side-to-side (drop in the verbal score and tiny increment in writing). 

[cupidcello]

On 11/12/2019 at 4:39 PM, goldenxpenguins said:

I just finished taking the GRE for the second time and although my quant score went up by 7 points (yay!), my total score is only a 297. I feel like I have a strong application otherwise that I worked really hard to put together over the past few years, so I hope that this one negative spot doesn't tank my chances of at least getting interviews. Since I'm finished with the test, my next task is to start personalizing my SOPs and personal statements for each program and share them with anyone who is willing to read them! How are your applications going? 

Yay!  Congrats on the quant score going up!!!  That's so good!  My applications are going alright, I suppose.  I'm trying to wrap everything up and get everything submitted around Thanksgiving time, honestly.  This month's been a slight emotional roller coaster for me!

On 11/12/2019 at 8:50 PM, emotional said:

Congrats on the huge leap in the quant score @goldenxpenguins!

I am drafting my SOP to get to my letter writers by the end of this week. It feels so tempting to compare my progress to the other applicants here, and when I do, I feel far behind, since I am still drafting my SOP and still contacting POI's in my list to let them know that I will be applying to work with them. But I have to keep reminding myself that I am doing the best I can while juggling a full time job.. Anyways, I am rooting for you all here! I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

 

I bet you're doing great!  Working full time and getting these apps done = difficult!  Hang in there.

On 11/13/2019 at 11:16 PM, jiraljiral said:

Hi all!

Reading about everyone's GRE concerns made me want to ask what you guys think about my situation. On the first exam, I got V 159 (83%), Q 167 (90%), AWA 3.5 (39%). I did not worry at all about the essay score so that came as a huge surprise, so I took a second exam asap and got V 155 (68%), Q same, AWA 4.0 (57%). I figured that I suck at standardized writing under 30 mins.

- Undergrad GPA 3.5 from one of the more competitive schools

- 3 co-author publications, 1 first-author manuscript in progress (will submit as academic writing sample)

- Have extensive research experience from working at a psych lab for 3 years since graduating in 2016

- 3 letter writers explicitly promised strong letters for me

And now I am contemplating on which set of scores to report...I initially thought of going with the first set because I truly believe that my writing materials and letters will show my true writing skills. However, I am also wondering if going with the second set and looking rather mediocre overall (than below-average for writing) may be better...What do you guys think!?

Hi!  Personally, I think that if you had to send one set, I'd go with the AWA 4.0 set.  One of my advisors said to me that some programs do look for that score of 4.0.  Your other scores from exam 2, despite the lower V score, are still solid.

--

Keep it going, everyone.  We're all superstars. :3

[devpsych2020]

Thanks for the responses! I am still debating on which set and need to make up my mind in the next couple of days...Will try to ask in the bigger forum!

[cupidcello]

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to give a good cheer and a little encouragement to everyone applying right now.  I hope everyone's hanging in there alright!  You can do it!!