Fall 2014 Applicant Thread!

[gellert]

It's about that time again!

 

Who all is here for Fall 2014?

[BeingThere]

I'll be applying to I/O programs for Fall 2014. 

[lhommependu]

not me i'm done!!

 

more than willing to provide sage wisdom to '14-cyclers though

Edited May 21, 2013 by lhommependu

[hm5400a]

I am applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs (and possibly one or two PsyD's) for Fall 2014!!! 

 

When are people starting to contact professors for letters of recommendation and potential POI's to see if they are taking students? 

[gellert]

I've already contacted my top POI's, and have had unofficial interviews with three of them (and a scheduled interview with a fourth).  I'll probably start blanket contacting everyone I want to apply to in late summer, and will ask for LORs in early fall.  Happily, 2/3 of my letter writers will be the same as the ones who did my letters last time, so I'll just have them update with my slightly more honed research interests and send the same thing.  Easy peasy!

 

Oh, and I'm applying social psych and cog neuro.

[ffg]

I will be applying to Quant programs for the Fall of 2014!

 

I've been worrying about my application since I graduated in April. Have you guys taken the GRE yet? I've been studying nonstop. My GPA is on the low side (3.22/4.0) and I need to do really well on the GRE to have any chance of getting in. The rest of my app is pretty decent (3 conference presentations, almost 2 years worth of research experience, and I've joined a lab where I've been able to learn how to create a scale). I know I will be able to get 3 really strong letters of recommendation.

 

I'm going to start e-mailing potential POI's in mid-June or July. Is that little too early (or late)? What seems to be the standard?

[BeingThere]

I'll be taking the GRE on Friday June 28.  I'm giving myself the weekend after that to either cry it out or to celebrate. 

 

I've got a 4.0 junior/senior and major GPA (hopefully compensating for a rough patch in my sophomore year.)   I usually have no problem with tests; I'm a test-taking machine, but this one has such lore built up around it that it's got me a bit freaked out.   I am studying regularly, especially the math.

 

I have notes on my statement of purpose and have kept my CV up-to-date, so after I know my GRE score I can focus on my statements of purpose for each of the programs I'm applying to.  At this same time I will contact faculty to make sure they are accepting students next year.

[stereopticons]

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.

[C A]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to this forum but I hope I get to know you all and get/provide some help these next few months  

Profile:

Applying for I/O Psychology. Starting my last term of university in September.

Current GPA = 3.6, 3.9 JR/SR

RA in several labs (Cumulative: 1.5 years exp), TA for 1 prof, 4 months

Currently doing Honours Thesis in I/O Psychology - Studying motivation & culture

 

I've been researching schools for a while & also preparing to do the GRE general in August.

 

I'm not sure if I will be doing the psych GRE, most schools here in Canada don't ask for it and already have a lot on my plate. Do most IO psych schools in the US want psych GRE? It looks like most of the top 10 ask for it.

 

 

[schpsy92]

Hey everyone! I'm applying to a mix of doctoral and specialist (masters) programs in school psychology. In the process of prepping for the GRE, took the GRE Psych in April.

 

[PsychGirl1]

Good luck everyone! It's a exhausting and emotional process, but it's worth it :-D

[MsDarjeeling]

I'm applying for PhD programs in Clinical Psychology for Fall 2014.

[dmw13]

I'm applying to Clinical PhD (and maybe a PsyD or two as back up) in Fall 2014. I took the GRE this past January and did well (thank goodness!)

 

I'm currently on a summer research grant through my school. I'm working on my honors thesis dealing with health anxiety while using online health resources.

 

I'm starting to work on my personal statement, but I'm a little nervous because I'm not sure what exact aspect of clinical I want to do research in. I'm going back and forth between neuropsychology, health, or just general adult clinical. Does anyone know if I need to make a definite choice or just express interest in these areas?

[windypoplars]

I'm applying for cognitive psychology, but social psychology as well, depending on the POI. 

I was planning to send my emails to potential POIs in July, and request Rec's in early fall. 

 

I have a good GRE score (>95%) and sufficient GPA (3.8 - 4.0) but my weakness is research experience, because I changed careers. I'm doing my first RA work this summer, but my only concern is whether it'll be enough for my application which I'll be submitting around November. (so by then, I'll have 6 months of research experience in 2 labs) I guess I'll just have to hope for the best. 

[east-coast-girl]

Excited and nervous to start applications this Fall!  I'll be applying to Developmental Psych PhD programs (and a couple Master's programs to be on the safe side).  I've been studying for the GRE all Summer in preparation to take it at the end of the Summer. 

[lhommependu]

I am applying to Clinical Psychology PhD programs (and possibly one or two PsyD's) for Fall 2014!!! 

 

When are people starting to contact professors for letters of recommendation and potential POI's to see if they are taking students? 

honestly, i don't think it's ever too early to ask about letters of recommendation in a "hey i'm thinking about applying to grad schools, would you be willing to write me a letter at some point in a couple of months?" sense.

 

As for POIs, I sent emails in early November for applications with December 15th due dates. Some might say this is a bit late but it worked for me . I can't speak for all schools obviously, but in my experience, the initial contact isn't much more than an introduction that'll allow people to remember your name when they're reviewing applications, and if you do that too far in advance they'll probably forget your name (unless you keep in good contact throughout the whole application process, though that will probably difficult unless there's only a few people you're particularly interested in) [/end massive run-on sentence with like 5 ideas in it].

 

I'm a quant though so YMMV by area. 

[lhommependu]

I will be applying to Quant programs for the Fall of 2014!

 

I've been worrying about my application since I graduated in April. Have you guys taken the GRE yet? I've been studying nonstop. My GPA is on the low side (3.22/4.0) and I need to do really well on the GRE to have any chance of getting in. The rest of my app is pretty decent (3 conference presentations, almost 2 years worth of research experience, and I've joined a lab where I've been able to learn how to create a scale). I know I will be able to get 3 really strong letters of recommendation.

 

I'm going to start e-mailing potential POI's in mid-June or July. Is that little too early (or late)? What seems to be the standard?

Actually having quant research experience is probably gonna help you a lot. There are very few quant programs so a lot of people are unlikely to have relevant experience other than like courses (myself included~). I'm not sure how bad your GPA is gonna hurt you, but if it includes good stats/math grades you are probably cool. Obviously your GRE Quant score is gonna be reasonably important, shoot for like 95th percentile.

 

Re: POIs, see my previous post. And maybe chat with some of the other quant people on the board to see if they feel the same way. Of course if you have a little more quant experience than most applicants will, it may be worthwhile to talk to people a little earlier so you could eventually chat about possible projects before your application is due (BUT PROBABLY DONT PROPOSE A PROJECT IN THE FIRST EMAIL it's a bit of a faux pas). 

[lhommependu]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to this forum but I hope I get to know you all and get/provide some help these next few months

Profile:

Applying for I/O Psychology. Starting my last term of university in September.

Current GPA = 3.6, 3.9 JR/SR

RA in several labs (Cumulative: 1.5 years exp), TA for 1 prof, 4 months

Currently doing Honours Thesis in I/O Psychology - Studying motivation & culture

 

I've been researching schools for a while & also preparing to do the GRE general in August.

 

I'm not sure if I will be doing the psych GRE, most schools here in Canada don't ask for it and already have a lot on my plate. Do most IO psych schools in the US want psych GRE? It looks like most of the top 10 ask for it.

 

it's not a bad idea to take the psych gre just as a little supplement to your application. most schools in Canada ~don't require but accept it~ so it's a chance to edge out your closest competition. and like if you did a psych degree you probably won't need to prepare that much (I skimmed an intro psych textbook the day before, focusing on areas i was less familiar with, l[ike i never took developmental for example], and did just dandy on the test).

[lhommependu]

GATHER ROUND FOR MORE WISDOM FROM ME, THE MAN WHAT APPLIED LAST YEAR AND HASN'T ACTUALLY STARTED HIS PROGRAM YET.

[BeingThere]

Clarkboyo:

 

As an answer to your question re the subject test for US schools, I am also applying to I/O.  Three of the programs I will be applying to either require or strongly recommend the GRE psych subject test.  Most of the schools I'm applying to do not require it. 

 

I plan to read through the ETS psych subject book in the month before the test.  Unfortunately, I won't have taken developmental, abnormal, or personality psych before the test, but I have done a large amount of independent reading and with the help of the ETS prep book, I hope to do well.

[Angua]

The best advice I got on the GRE Subject Test was take it if (and only if) you will do well on it.  Unless, of course, you are applying to a program that requires it -- but none of mine did. 

[AhoyMilloy]

I joined this forum because I am considering applying to Behavioral Neuroscience programs for Fall 14.  I may hold out another year though to get more research experience and perhaps pick up a neuroscience minor.

[BeingThere]

Many of you may already have your personal statements ready to go, but for those who are still refining theirs, this links to a good article on writing a good personal statement: http://www.psichi.org/Pubs/Articles/Article_756.aspx

The references from the article give more useful info about being a competitive applicant.

Best wishes to every one (of us) this application cycle!

[Govari]

Hey, everybody! I'll be applying to a bunch of Quantitative and a couple Social PhD programs this fall. It's gonna be a wild ride, but it should be pretty interesting.

[gellert]

So, how many schools is everyone applying to?  I've got about 20 prospects right now that I'm going to cut down to 12-13.