Fall 2014 I/O PhD Applicants

[KW58D]

I will be applying for the 2015 cycle and this thread has brought me some comfort and some concern. It seems like things can really be hit and miss when it comes to GPA/GRE. Even if you think you're a shoe-in based on those stats, you may not be considering research experience, fit with faculty, and other factors. A lot of the same schools I'm looking at have been mentioned in this thread. I'll be applying to 10-12 programs, mostly I/O but a few HF so we will see how it pans out.

[Munashi]

I will be applying for the 2015 cycle and this thread has brought me some comfort and some concern. It seems like things can really be hit and miss when it comes to GPA/GRE. Even if you think you're a shoe-in based on those stats, you may not be considering research experience, fit with faculty, and other factors. A lot of the same schools I'm looking at have been mentioned in this thread. I'll be applying to 10-12 programs, mostly I/O but a few HF so we will see how it pans out.

 

It really does seem like a crap shoot sometimes.  You never know how it will turn out.  That's one of the things that makes applying so interesting (and agonizing).

[BeingThere]

I will be applying for the 2015 cycle and this thread has brought me some comfort and some concern. It seems like things can really be hit and miss when it comes to GPA/GRE. Even if you think you're a shoe-in based on those stats, you may not be considering research experience, fit with faculty, and other factors. A lot of the same schools I'm looking at have been mentioned in this thread. I'll be applying to 10-12 programs, mostly I/O but a few HF so we will see how it pans out.

 

It's probably not as random as it feels, but yes, I was surprised by results.  It's hard to know what the programs who accepted me saw in me, versus what the programs who waitlisted or rejected me didn't see in me. 

 

I do wonder if programs strategically make offers.  That is, offering to students they think will likely accept versus students who may have picked their program as a "safety".  If I put myself in programs' shoes, I would have to put more weight on the Statement of Purpose to gauge how sincere an applicant's interest is, regardless of their qualifications (given they meet minimum qualification standards.)  Every student a program offers admission who doesn't accept that offer essentially doubles the work of filling that spot.  And I'm sure programs want to fill every spot they can fund.  If they make offers to students who will likely get better offers, they may be wasting their energy.  But that's all just speculation on my part.

 

I applied to a range of programs, from those at the top of most published rankings (take that for what it's worth), to those whose posted qualifications I easily exceeded.  I got accepted to one on each extreme and everything in the middle is up in the air (waitlisted or waiting to hear - one rejection so far.) 

 

The other factor that is just impossible to predict is the pool of other applicants who are applying to the same program.  This factor, coupled with program concerns about fit and likelihood of an applicant accepting their offer, are probably the determinants that make it feel -- from our end -- like a crap shoot.

 

Am I overthinking this? 

Edited March 14, 2014 by Bren2014

[coolaface]

Anyone applied Florida International University? Any updates from that school?

[Munashi]

I do wonder if programs strategically make offers.  That is, offering to students they think will likely accept versus students who may have picked their program as a "safety".  If I put myself in programs' shoes, I would have to put more weight on the Statement of Purpose to gauge how sincere an applicant's interest is, regardless of their qualifications (given they meet minimum qualification standards.)  Every student a program offers admission who doesn't accept that offer essentially doubles the work of filling that spot.  And I'm sure programs want to fill every spot they can fund.  If they make offers to students who will likely get better offers, they may be wasting their energy.  But that's all just speculation on my part.

 

I've pondered this myself and I do occasionally wonder how big of a factor it is.  I am sure they have methods in place to select candidates at a nice intersection of "awesome candidate" and "likely to accept".

[dannydevitofan]

Can't believe I'm just discovering this website now. Feel like I missed the boat. I would appreciate your opinions on my situation.

 

Okay and here's my info:

GPA - 3.91

GRE - V(157) Q(158) Writing(5.5)

Experience - 6 semesters of research experience in psychology labs, 2 of which as lab manager

Presented research at AP-LS conference (sort of like an unofficial non-honors thesis)

 

I applied to 11 PhD programs:

Cornell - rejected

UNC Charlotte (Organizational Science)- shortlist; was supposed to interview - flight got cancelled (never use American Airlines) - trying to figure out an alternative

DePaul - rejected

Illinois Tech - accepted

Virginia Tech - rejected

George Mason - accepted

Clemson - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

NC State - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

Georgia Tech - haven't heard

NYU (social psych) - haven't heard

George Washington - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

 

It seems like everyone has heard back from the five schools that I haven't yet. Should I be worried? Is Illinois Tech a decent program? Starting to feel a little discouraged - could really use some insight

Edited March 14, 2014 by dannydevitofan

[dannydevitofan]

Oh and if anyone is still perplexed by Virginia Tech, I found an email from them in my spam folder telling me to check my guest banner

[BeingThere]

Can't believe I'm just discovering this website now. Feel like I missed the boat. I would appreciate your opinions on my situation.

 

Okay and here's my info:

GPA - 3.91

GRE - V(157) Q(158) Writing(5.5)

Experience - 6 semesters of research experience in psychology labs, 2 of which as lab manager

Presented research at SIOP conference (sort of like an unofficial non-honors thesis)

 

I applied to 11 PhD programs:

Cornell - rejected

UNC Charlotte (Organizational Science)- shortlist; was supposed to interview - flight got cancelled (never use American Airlines) - trying to figure out an alternative

DePaul - rejected

Illinois Tech - accepted

Virginia Tech - rejected

George Mason - accepted

Clemson - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

NC State - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

Georgia Tech - haven't heard

NYU (social psych) - haven't heard

George Washington - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

 

It seems like everyone has heard back from the five schools that I haven't yet. Should I be worried? Is Illinois Tech a decent program? Starting to feel a little discouraged - could really use some insight

Welcome, Dannydevitofan!

I did not apply to George Mason or Illinois Institute of Technology, but when I was looking into programs, I got the impression that George Mason is a very good program.  The current issue of TIP (a publication put out by SIOP), George Mason has very good rankings as far as publications in top journals.  IIT, not so much. 

 

I was also wondering about funding from IIT.  They are vague about that in their listing on the SIOP graduate programs listing.  It looks like the funding for George Mason is pretty substantial.

 

Just some observations.  Have you asked your adviser at your current school about IIT?

 

Best of luck to you!  I also am still waiting to hear from a couple of programs.

[iopsych]

Can't believe I'm just discovering this website now. Feel like I missed the boat. I would appreciate your opinions on my situation.

 

Okay and here's my info:

GPA - 3.91

GRE - V(157) Q(158) Writing(5.5)

Experience - 6 semesters of research experience in psychology labs, 2 of which as lab manager

Presented research at SIOP conference (sort of like an unofficial non-honors thesis)

 

I applied to 11 PhD programs:

Cornell - rejected

UNC Charlotte (Organizational Science)- shortlist; was supposed to interview - flight got cancelled (never use American Airlines) - trying to figure out an alternative

DePaul - rejected

Illinois Tech - accepted

Virginia Tech - rejected

George Mason - accepted

Clemson - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

NC State - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

Georgia Tech - haven't heard

NYU (social psych) - haven't heard

George Washington - haven't heard (emailed POI - on shortlist)

 

It seems like everyone has heard back from the five schools that I haven't yet. Should I be worried? Is Illinois Tech a decent program? Starting to feel a little discouraged - could really use some insight

 

George Mason is an excellent program, even better if you want to go applied. They have tons of connections in the DC area where a lot of consulting is. I haven't heard a ton about Ill.Tech but a professor I talked to when I was going through the app process who graduated from UIC had said they tend to take a weed out mentality in that program where they accept 12-15 PhD students and let them fend for themselves to make it through from a research and advisor perspective. Now I can't confirm that, but that is what he had told me. 

[dannydevitofan]

I go to LSU for undergrad and their advisors only help with undergrad issues - nobody would talk to me about pursuing a PhD somewhere else (budget cuts?)...it was bizarre 

 

I could get probably ~15,000 for IIT (which still leaves a huge chunk to pay out of pocket). To be honest, I'm a little disappointed in my results thus far. I applied to 11 schools thinking that it would give me options, but it doesn't really look like that's going to be the case. 

 

Not sure what to think about the 5 I haven't heard from yet. 

 

If anyone is here is/was a Greek in undergrad, doesn't this feel like sorority rush all over again? 

[Shushu]

Haven't heard from Georgia tech or GWU yet either. Also, IIT at least what they told me, was that they do not fund students. There may be some partial tuition waiver for the firsts year and MAYBE positions for TA or RA, for which you MAYBE might get a stipend. They seem to be very vague about how much, and also that IT IS competitive so no guarantee of getting those positions in the first place.

GMU was my top school but got rejected from it. You should definitely go to GMU, good stipend and assistantships from what I've heard.

[Munashi]

 

I could get probably ~15,000 for IIT (which still leaves a huge chunk to pay out of pocket). To be honest, I'm a little disappointed in my results thus far. I applied to 11 schools thinking that it would give me options, but it doesn't really look like that's going to be the case. 

 

 

Try not to be disappointed!  You have a couple of acceptances, which is awesome!  And as others have said, GMU is a highly ranked program in this field.  I think you should be proud.  Congratulations!

[IOhopeful]

 

 

It seems like everyone has heard back from the five schools that I haven't yet. Should I be worried? Is Illinois Tech a decent program? Starting to feel a little discouraged - could really use some insight

 

I had to email GWU to find out that I'm essentially waitlisted, although if they actually used the term "short list" with you that sounds much more auspicious than what I was told, which was that my application is among a group that may be reviewed further depending on how the interviews go.

[Chops13]

I go to LSU for undergrad and their advisors only help with undergrad issues - nobody would talk to me about pursuing a PhD somewhere else (budget cuts?)...it was bizarre 

 

I could get probably ~15,000 for IIT (which still leaves a huge chunk to pay out of pocket). To be honest, I'm a little disappointed in my results thus far. I applied to 11 schools thinking that it would give me options, but it doesn't really look like that's going to be the case. 

 

Not sure what to think about the 5 I haven't heard from yet. 

 

If anyone is here is/was a Greek in undergrad, doesn't this feel like sorority rush all over again? 

I was Greek as well! I am a ΛΧΑ, what about you? I take some solace in knowing that my POI won't put me on the spot  and ask me to play Kill,F**k, Marry during my interviews lol.

Edited March 14, 2014 by Chops13

[dannydevitofan]

I was Greek as well! I am a ΛΧΑ, what about you? I take some solace in knowing that my POI won't put me on the spot  and ask me to play Kill,F**k, Marry during my interviews lol.

 

Oh I'm a Kappa (but only for about two more months....weird)

 

Should I assume that the last five schools I haven't heard from are going to be rejections?

[KW58D]

I have heard of people getting acceptances well into April, but they are the rare occasions. I also looked into IIT since I am from IL, but the funding situation is VERY hazy. It doesn't affect me much since I have the GI Bill, but I actually intend to use that for other purposes down the road so I am hoping to get into a fully funded program.

[deiseldan13]

Has anyone accepted or declined an offer for DePaul's I/O PhD program?

[Melissa Jo]

Hey guys, not sure how many people are left in this forum this late in the season. So I have a hypothetical question. I have been offered admission to auburn and have applied for a 16k assistantship. Latech should be making their decision this week, if I get in they waive out of state tuition and offer 15k assistantship. I want to go applied so latechs in house consulting firm is desirable, but auburn is a more established (and well known) program. Auburn has good football, latech only takes 3-4 years instead of 5. What should I do??!!!

[Elanti]

Melissa, have you visited either of the campuses?

Edited March 18, 2014 by Elanti

[BeingThere]

Hey guys, not sure how many people are left in this forum this late in the season. So I have a hypothetical question. I have been offered admission to auburn and have applied for a 16k assistantship. Latech should be making their decision this week, if I get in they waive out of state tuition and offer 15k assistantship. I want to go applied so latechs in house consulting firm is desirable, but auburn is a more established (and well known) program. Auburn has good football, latech only takes 3-4 years instead of 5. What should I do??!!!

 

I second Elanti's suggestion of visiting both programs if you can.  Other than that, I would say wait until you have an offer from Latech; this minute you don't have this choice.  Not to be a downer; I'm just saying, why borrow stress?

 

If you do get an offer from Latech, and if you can't visit either place, talk with your POIs or the Chair from both programs and ask them to tell you more in depth about the program.  At that point, it's time for them to sell you.  You can use that to help make your decision.  You can also ask for the email or phone number of a current student or two from each program and contact them to ask them what each program is like.

 

One other consideration:  Does Auburn give you the chance to apply for internships during the summer?  If so, you will be able to get applied experience that way as well.

Edited March 18, 2014 by Bren2014

[iopsych]

Hey guys, not sure how many people are left in this forum this late in the season. So I have a hypothetical question. I have been offered admission to auburn and have applied for a 16k assistantship. Latech should be making their decision this week, if I get in they waive out of state tuition and offer 15k assistantship. I want to go applied so latechs in house consulting firm is desirable, but auburn is a more established (and well known) program. Auburn has good football, latech only takes 3-4 years instead of 5. What should I do??!!!

 

So does that mean Latech is not offering you full tuition remission? Is Auburn? 

[Melissa Jo]

I have had the opportunity to visit Louisiana techs campus because their interview was in person, but I have not gotten the opportunity to visit auburn yet. I am thinking of trying to set up a visit with my poi at the end of March since I have until April 15th to make my final decision. Latech only offers to waive out of state tuition, which leaves me to pay about 2k a quarter for tuition and they offer a 15k assistantship. The program only takes 3 years to complete classes because it's on the quarter system and then most students stay an extra year to work on their dissertation. Living in Ruston is dirt cheap so I should be able to graduate with minimal loans taken out. Auburn originally was not offering me funding when I was first accepted but my POI as been asking around and found an assistantship with the library that I can apply for to try and get funding for my first year, and I would likely get funding through the psych department for subsequent years (but he couldn't guarantee it because we would have to talk to the board who decides these things next year). I figure if I go and be the student I know I can be then finding funding shouldn't be an issue. I guess I'm kind of worried about how it looks to future employers to get a degree from a less known program(latech) with tons of applied experience and opposed to getting a degree from a more established traditional 5 year program with more publications but less applied experience. I am hoping to go applied once I graduate. I am trying not to stress too much until I have an offer from latech in hand but it's hard not to when it's my future I'm deciding.

[phatlilpanda]

Anyone applied Florida International University? Any updates from that school?

Nope! it still says that applications are being reviewed on the website

[Chops13]

Anyone applied Florida International University? Any updates from that school?

 

I attend a university in Florida (not FIU) and today a faculty member told me that a student they had mentored who went on to enrolled in the IO program at FIU had informed him them that the entire IO program at FIU is ceasing to exist after their current students graduate (meaning they will no longer take new students this cycle or in the future). Apparently this is a new development, and the students were told about it within the last month. Again, I cannot confirm this is true, it is just what I have heard through the grapevine. I had actually applied there myself, so I am pretty disappointed

Edited March 18, 2014 by Chops13

[KW58D]

I attend a university in Florida (not FIU) and today a faculty member told me that a student they had mentored who went on to enrolled in the IO program at FIU had informed him them that the entire IO program at FIU is ceasing to exist after their current students graduate (meaning they will no longer take new students this cycle or in the future). Apparently this is a new development, and the students were told about it within the last month. Again, I cannot confirm this is true, it is just what I have heard through the grapevine. I had actually applied there myself, so I am pretty disappointed

 

Thanks for the heads up! I guess I can pull them off my application list for later this year. I wonder what the reasoning is behind this.