PhD in Cognitive Psychology at Rutgers

[Mr. Wizard]

Greetings!

Is there anyone around here who has some experience with this program? As an international applicant, I was wondering if I would be able to meet all the requirements that this particular program assumes. I was slightly worried about the required mathematical skills as I have a rather poor mathematical background (i.e. college statistics and that's all). Is it a potential obstacle? Am I on the wrong track in terms of applying for this program?

Thanks in advance.

[windypoplars]

Hi, I'm an international applicant as well, and I just received an interview email from Rutgers. So I don't think that status matters. However, I'm not sure about the math skills that you are concerned about. A lot of cognitive experiments deal with statistical knowledge so I can see how it may be considered important though… 

[Mr. Wizard]

Congrats for the interview email!

As for stat courses, does anyone know how they are organized at this particular program (cognitive psy at RU, PhD)? Is it comparable with an undergrad level stat course (tests, exams, etc), or the assignments are different (e.g. papers, projects, etc)?

[chto]

I am a senior undergrad at Rutgers and have conducted reserach in both the social and cognitive departments

 

Stat courses: I hear it is comparable to undergrad level statistics. I have taken the advanced statistics course in psychology at this institution for undergrads and it was very easy for me.  I hear they are both the essentially the same course in terms of material.  However, I imagine the format is slightly different.  I know for the Stats 2 (Graduate Level Psychology) course there are a few short papers, a presentation, weekly homework, and exams.  It depends on who is teaching the course.

 

I spent a lot of my time at Rutgers in the social department, so I can't speak exactly for the cognitive deparmtnet, but I don't believe they expect a lot out of you statistics-wise.  I am aware of some people who are very solid in their statistics in the cog sci/cog psych department, so if you have a statistics background feel free to sell it but otherwise, I do not believe the expect a lot.  Again, this is coming from someone who spent a lot of their time in social.  I am sure it also depends on what type of research you are interested in doing.

 

tldr: They probably don't have a lot of expectations, but there are some really good people in the department so it may depend on who you are interested in working with.  I am sure you meet the general requirements for the department, but the more statistics the better.

 

If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me. Best of luck.

[Mr. Wizard]

Thanks for the answer! If anyone else wants to share any kind of experience about the RU cog psy PhD program (doesn't have to be related to the stat courses), don't hesitate to write it in this thread.