Fall 2014 I/O PhD Applicants

[Munashi]

No posts since pre-April 15th!  How are you guys doing?

 

Did anyone get accepted from a wait list at the last minute?  For those of us moving on to programs this fall, how is the prep work going (moving, etc.)?

[Chops13]

No posts since pre-April 15th!  How are you guys doing?

 

Did anyone get accepted from a wait list at the last minute?  For those of us moving on to programs this fall, how is the prep work going (moving, etc.)?

I am also interested to see if anyone got some last minute offers. Regarding prep, I contacted some professors at the Florida State College of Business, and I am going to be assigned as a Research Assistant for someone within their department over the summer. I felt that would be a great way to get some more research experience, and help me hit the ground running once I begin at SIU in fall. I applied for my housing this past week as well.

[deiseldan13]

If you made it into an IO Psych program for the Fall 2014 cycle and want to network, a group has been created on LinkedIn.  Search "TheGradCafe Fall 2014 IO Applicants".  Cya there.

[IOGradschool12]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm currently in my senior of college and preparing to apply to I/O programs in the Fall for programs starting in Fall 2015. I've been doing massive amounts of research on I/O schools and stumbled upon this forum. Since you all seem to have so much experience in applying, I was wondering if you could give me insight in to if I'd be a competitive applicant for PhD/Masters programs.

 

GPA: 3.6

Jr/Sr GPA: 3.7

Psych GPA: 3.9

GRE V: 151

GRE Q: 155     (retaking GRE in July and most likely August)

Analytical: 4

Research Experience:

- won a research poster fair through the psychology department at my college for the complexity and creativity of my design

- have participated in two I/O labs for 1 year (coding, rating, and data entry experience)

- earned a position that put me and another coordinator in charge of all the undergraduates in the research lab

- participation in an assessment center

- have worked in an office environment at a medical billing office for two years

- will have two fairly solid letters of rec from the research labs I'm working in, another from work 

 

 

Any advice/input would be incredibly helpful! Thanks!

[Munashi]

Your research experience will help you, be sure to strongly emphasize this in your apps.

 

The only potential hurdle I'm seeing is your GRE scores, and you've already noted that you are re-taking the GRE soon.  Do your best to shoot for a combined score of ~320, but just do the best you can.

 

EDIT: I should note that your scores now are not terrible by any stretch, it would just make your app a little stronger to get the scores up a couple of points.  Good luck with your re-take!

Edited June 16, 2014 by Munashi

[kaswing]

Any interest in starting a Fall 2015 thread? I'll be applying to 6-8 I/O programs and would love to have some folks to talk with  

Texassooner, I agree with Munashi about the research experience! I'm doing a similar thing, and, at my grad student friend's recommendation, have started a list with all of the things I have been doing and (most importantly) what I am learning. did I work with a new scale or software? did I work with a new population? Did I contribute something to the protocol in lab meeting? did I edit the IRB proposal or grant? It should help with preparing your recommenders for their LORs and you for writing your SOP. 

Good luck! 

ETA, while I'm here, I read people referring to "recent" rankings for I/O psych programs, and I am totally missing them if they are online. Everything I found from SOIP is around 10 years old. Did anyone have a satisfactory way to find a list of the, say, first and second tier programs to start with? 

Edited June 16, 2014 by kaswing

[IOGradschool12]

Munashi, thank you so much for the advice. I was really bummed when I got my scores back because I thought it would completely eliminate my chances for getting into a PhD or Masters programs, but your input really helped, thanks!

 

Kaswing, thank you for your advice as well! I'm definitely going to emphasize my research experience, especially since it seems to be my strongest point right now. I would also love to be part of a thread for Fall 2015 applicants. Let me know if you create one. Thanks!

[kaswing]

Any interest in starting a Fall 2015 thread? I'll be applying to 6-8 I/O programs and would love to have some folks to talk with  

Texassooner, I agree with Munashi about the research experience! I'm doing a similar thing, and, at my grad student friend's recommendation, have started a list with all of the things I have been doing and (most importantly) what I am learning. did I work with a new scale or software? did I work with a new population? Did I contribute something to the protocol in lab meeting? did I edit the IRB proposal or grant? It should help with preparing your recommenders for their LORs and you for writing your SOP. 

Good luck! 

ETA, while I'm here, I read people referring to "recent" rankings for I/O psych programs, and I am totally missing them if they are online. Everything I found from SOIP is around 10 years old. Did anyone have a satisfactory way to find a list of the, say, first and second tier programs to start with? 

TO reply to myself, I found this on /r/IOpsychology-- Haven't checked it out, but it sounds helpful! http://www.siop.org/tip/jan14/513tip/513/

[Munashi]

TO reply to myself, I found this on /r/IOpsychology-- Haven't checked it out, but it sounds helpful! http://www.siop.org/tip/jan14/513tip/513/

 

I was just about to link you to that article - it's the most recent thing that I'm aware of.  Glad you found it already.

 

(Feel free to start up a 2015 thread, guys.  It can't hurt and it makes it easier to find your peers.)

[OneIOplease]

+1 for the 2015 I/O psych thread! 

[Chops13]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm currently in my senior of college and preparing to apply to I/O programs in the Fall for programs starting in Fall 2015. I've been doing massive amounts of research on I/O schools and stumbled upon this forum. Since you all seem to have so much experience in applying, I was wondering if you could give me insight in to if I'd be a competitive applicant for PhD/Masters programs.

 

GPA: 3.6

Jr/Sr GPA: 3.7

Psych GPA: 3.9

GRE V: 151

GRE Q: 155     (retaking GRE in July and most likely August)

Analytical: 4

Research Experience:

- won a research poster fair through the psychology department at my college for the complexity and creativity of my design

- have participated in two I/O labs for 1 year (coding, rating, and data entry experience)

- earned a position that put me and another coordinator in charge of all the undergraduates in the research lab

- participation in an assessment center

- have worked in an office environment at a medical billing office for two years

- will have two fairly solid letters of rec from the research labs I'm working in, another from work 

 

 

Any advice/input would be incredibly helpful! Thanks!

 

IOgrad, while I do definitely agree with Munashi, that it would give you many more options if you retake the test and do well. However, I do believe that your body of work could get you some looks at a few programs due to your other experiences (again it is great you are taking it again though, that will give you many more options). My FINAL GRE scores were similar to yours, and I ended up getting offered by 4 solid masters programs, wait-listed for 3 Ph.D programs, and jumped on a first round offer after interview weekend from a (4th) Ph.D program. Now there were a few top tiered programs that I did not make first cut on due to my grades, but if you can bump your scores a little you will definitely get some looks. 

 

Either way, the best advice I can give you would be write a solid personal statement, have clearly defined research interests, and hedge your bets. If you are coming straight out of undergrad, and are not willing to wait another year, I would recommend applying to around 4 masters programs and maybe 6-8 doctoral programs. You want to apply to a few top tier dream schools, some mid-levels, and a few mid-lower tiered programs (ones that you feel are a good culture/research fit, and you would be willing to help develop). If you have any questions feel free to message me.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Chops13