Need an honest opinion of chances

[gradorbust]

So I moved between three different schools.

U of Michigan was first for two years: 1.89

Washtenaw Community College was for a year :3.47

Eastern Michigan University was three years 3.59

Got my BA in Psychology

GRE's were 161 Verbal, 165 Quantitative.

I have two years work experience as an Assistant Manager of a small local business, as well as miscellaneous other odd jobs

Have no research papers published yet, however have been working with professors and am not worried about positive letters of recommendation

Only thing that is really up in the air is the writing that I will submit which basically will involve me living at the writing center for the next two weeks.

Although I know it is a minor point but am also a African American, male.

I am looking at PHD programs in I-O Psychology.

If anyone has any last minute advice for me that would also be great as I am having trouble deciding how I want to structure my writing, should I be more analytical in my writing. Using terms such as human factors, or observed. Or should I go more in the direction of - coworkers, softer(more human as it were). Any help will be much appreciated.

[_kita]

I'll start with the good news. You do stand a chance. However, I would suggest having back ups in case. For schools that weigh more heavily on the numbers angle, Your raw scores put you in the lower end of applicants (I was told to have a GPA no lower than a 3.5 when applying to a Ph.D. Graduate Program as a basic standby, while elsewhere told 3.7). However, for the programs that do not, your scores are just fine. On the other hand, for schools that weigh heavily on the "supplemental components" of the application, the lack of research experience can be a set back.

Do you have any other academic qualifications on your CV? Such as clubs, activities, etc? That can also help show your involvement and interests. The Assistant Manager can help if you can explain to a committee how your experiences in that position have helped mold you in the way you want to go. However, for the most part, academia doesn't look at stuff like that as more than a "oh, he has a paycheck" - unless the job relates directly to your career objectives.

Your demographics shouldn't be an issue at all.

Overall, look at the departments your aiming for. Find out what their criteria and interest is, and tailor your story to show how you're the perfect match for them. Good luck!

[gradorbust]

Okay thank you, I took some jobs just to learn how their management operates, as well as learn about how the current workplace opperates, employee incentive programs and how they are working(or lack of work) and figuring out where they go wrong.

I am of the school of thought that if you have not done it, it is difficult to tell people how to do it.