Fall 2015 Applicant Thread

[dftbkatie]

I'm definitely feeling nervous too! It's good to know I'm not the only one who is in this same boat. If anything, I feel like just keeping pace of all the little things is a lot to do! Overall, I got good grades in my major (Human dev, 3.9) and both my minors (psych, 3.9, statistics, 3.9), with a cumulative GPA of 3.72 (damn those lazy first two years!), so at least that's over with... I'm also approaching my 4th year as a RA for my undergraduate lab, 2nd year as a research analyst for a large research firm, have one publication out, one under review, one in revision stage. GREs are next month.

 

But still... I'm SO nervous! I know there is a terrible amount of luck involved, and it's so competitive!!! Glad to know it's not just me.

 

For your letters of recommendation, anyone who can speak to your challenges and justify why you are an excellent canidate despite any flaw in your record would be fantastic--then you don't have to spend precious lines in your SoP explaining it yourself. I heard it's good to have at least one professor who had you as a student write a letter to talk about your aptitude as a student, and definitely the PI of your clinical lab would be good. Everyone is different, but it seems like one of each would be a good combination.

 

Best of luck!

 

Good luck on your GRE! It's this big, scary thing until you get there and actually start doing it. After that, I think it's all a head game. What's nice is that you get to see your immediate results for verbal and quantitative! What kind of grad program do you plan to apply for??

[Asemenov]

Just sent out 1st round of letters of interest, 
NYU
U Minnesota
UT Austin
Denver U.
Yale

I'm hoping 3 years research experience, 159 GRE V/Q and 5.0 essay are enough to overcome a 3.59 GPA (lazy first few years...bad survey courses)

Didn't think sending out letters of interest would be stressful, but making sure I'm sending the right letter to the right person with the right details wasn't fun, and then thinking I misspelled something or put the wrong name in after I had pressed send probably gave me a few grey hairs.

[Epoh]

Just sent out 1st round of letters of interest, 

NYU

U Minnesota

UT Austin

Denver U.

Yale

I'm hoping 3 years research experience, 159 GRE V/Q and 5.0 essay are enough to overcome a 3.59 GPA (lazy first few years...bad survey courses)

Didn't think sending out letters of interest would be stressful, but making sure I'm sending the right letter to the right person with the right details wasn't fun, and then thinking I misspelled something or put the wrong name in after I had pressed send probably gave me a few grey hairs.

I was under the impression the first few years didn't raelly matter for most places? You're probably fine if it's just your last 60 credits or 2 years...

[Generis]

Good luck on your GRE! It's this big, scary thing until you get there and actually start doing it. After that, I think it's all a head game. What's nice is that you get to see your immediate results for verbal and quantitative! What kind of grad program do you plan to apply for??

 

Sorry, been out on vacation! Thanks for the GRE comfort, I think I will come out alive!

 

For graduate programs, my interests fall at the intersection of Developmental, Cognitive, and Education. My main interests are the role of divergent thinking and creative problem solving in education and learning and the role non-cogs play in academic achievement. My preliminary list goes something like this

 

Stanford- Developmental and Psychological Science

UCLA- Developmental Psychology

Berkeley- Cognitive and Development in Education

UT Austin- Develpomental Psychology

NYU- Applied Psychology

Northwestern- psych

Cornell- Human Development

University of Oregon- Education Studies

University of Maryland, College Park- psych

 

I have to soon start limiting things down. I know these are all top notch schools, but I'm coming in hard =) (and also looking for more medium tier schools). The issue is that my partner needs to be in an area that has work for 3D modeling and some presence of the video game industry to work, so where I can, I'm trying to look toward the schools in more "active" regions.

 

Anyone have any advice on sorting through schools besides looking up literature, searching the internet, etc?

[Generis]

I was under the impression the first few years didn't raelly matter for most places? You're probably fine if it's just your last 60 credits or 2 years...

 

They usually ask for cumulative GPA, GPA after first two years, and major GPA.

 

Thank the universe =)

[gradchaser]

Hey everyone! I know that our application season is just gearing up, but I'm hoping that I can feed off of some of your experience. I just sent out emails to professors that I'm interested in working with, and thankfully several are taking grad students. Two professors want to Skype to talk about their current lab projects, my research interests, etc. I am really excited to meet them and talk about our fit, but I'm also super nervous. Talk about intimidating! Have any of you gone through this experience yet? I am wondering if there are typical questions to expect. I want to make a good (and hopefully lasting) impression, especially since one of the professors is my top choice. Any advice or anecdotal experience you all have to share is much appreciated. 

[Dedi]

Hey everyone! I know that our application season is just gearing up, but I'm hoping that I can feed off of some of your experience. I just sent out emails to professors that I'm interested in working with, and thankfully several are taking grad students. Two professors want to Skype to talk about their current lab projects, my research interests, etc. I am really excited to meet them and talk about our fit, but I'm also super nervous. Talk about intimidating! Have any of you gone through this experience yet? I am wondering if there are typical questions to expect. I want to make a good (and hopefully lasting) impression, especially since one of the professors is my top choice. Any advice or anecdotal experience you all have to share is much appreciated. 

Congrats! I also had a phone conversation with my top-choice POI and it went very well.

Waiting for the call was probably the most anxiety-provoking thing of the whole ordeal. Fortunately, we didn't realize the time zone differences and called me an hour sooner than expected. Surprising, yes, but the chronic anxiety wasn't eating away at my confidence.

It was like a very informal interview. He would ask a question, I would answer, and it would stimulate some conversation. I talked about my research interests and he would discuss future directions in his lab. I also had opportunities to ask him questions (don't worry about asking about everything you want to know; if a question comes to mind after the conversation then you can always email them). The call lasted ~20 minutes and at the end he explicitly said to me that he wanted to interact in the future. If you've seen my past posts on Gradcafe, I did keep in touch and got to spend the summer as a research volunteer in his lab.

Overall, just be open (but professional), have a couple of questions ready and breathe.

[Generis]

Congrats! I also had a phone conversation with my top-choice POI and it went very well.

Waiting for the call was probably the most anxiety-provoking thing of the whole ordeal. Fortunately, we didn't realize the time zone differences and called me an hour sooner than expected. Surprising, yes, but the chronic anxiety wasn't eating away at my confidence.

It was like a very informal interview. He would ask a question, I would answer, and it would stimulate some conversation. I talked about my research interests and he would discuss future directions in his lab. I also had opportunities to ask him questions (don't worry about asking about everything you want to know; if a question comes to mind after the conversation then you can always email them). The call lasted ~20 minutes and at the end he explicitly said to me that he wanted to interact in the future. If you've seen my past posts on Gradcafe, I did keep in touch and got to spend the summer as a research volunteer in his lab.

Overall, just be open (but professional), have a couple of questions ready and breathe.

 

Did you email your CV first or just give a brief description of your background/interests?

[Dedi]

Did you email your CV first or just give a brief description of your background/interests?

The latter. Come to think of it, he hasn't seen my CV yet. He's asked for transcripts and recommendations from professors I've done research with (this was all prepping for volunteering in his lab, though).

Just keep in mind that every professor has their own style.

I usually only give the CV if they ask for it on their website or request for it when they reply. Other people may attach it every time they email a POI. I honestly don't think there's a right way of doing it as long as it conveys the same information.

[gradchaser]

Dedi, thanks for your response! Congratulations on scoring a spot in your POI's lab for a summer! That's a seriously awesome opportunity. 

[Rose Tyler]

Today marked the last first day of classes for my undergrad and it's terrifying, but exciting. I've been researching schools that I want to apply to since last winter, but it's all very intimidating. I'm not sure if I can be competitive. I'm mostly looking at clinical doctorate programs but recently I've been looking into more masters and wondering if I should focus my applications on those instead.

 

My GRE scores are slightly lower than last year's averages for most of my doctoral programs and retaking is not an option. My GPA is strong. I've got a year's experience as an RA in a research lab. One university-wide presentation, but no publications (not for lack of trying). Three solid LORs if I can ever decide who to ask for the third. I've been working on my SOP for two months but I just can't seem to get it right.

[CogPsych2015]

Rose Tyler, I fell very similar! Last first day of undergrad...I'm excited for the next year, but also kind of scared. I'm around or above average on GRE for my programs, but my GPA is not as high as I would like. We'll see how it goes:)

 

Good luck!

[Rose Tyler]

Good luck to you too!

[Dedi]

I abhor the GRE's writing section. Professors have told me that I am a strong writer, and I get a 3.0 on the AWA section of the GRE. It's an absolute joke.

The whole GRE is a joke, really. The verbal is basically memorizing 'big words', quantitative derives questions from high school algebra, and the analytical writing is mindless BSing (with some organization). It sucks that my top choice program requires it (and it is the only program I'm applying for that requires it).

I honestly can't afford to take the test again, so I may have to forfeit my chances of getting into my top-choice program. The POI is going to ask how the adcom views GRE scores, but I have a feeling that it will be important for international applicants. That's my luck.

[Rose Tyler]

I hear you. I just realized I can't even apply to one of my top choice programs because one of my scores is below their posted cut-off for percentiles. Never mind that my score is only one point below their averages.

 

On the subject of the AWA section, a lot of the schools on my list didn't even report those averages with verbal and quantitative so I'm not sure how important they are in the scheme of applications.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Rose Tyler

[KW58D]

Rose Tyler,

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles. These are the kinds of things that irritate me about the application process. I won't miss this. Yet if you go clinical psych. you can expect a few more years of these types of hoops to jump through. Add in the shell game of how applicants are selected and it turns into a full blown carnival.

 

Good luck on your other apps though!

[Generis]

I abhor the GRE's writing section. Professors have told me that I am a strong writer, and I get a 3.0 on the AWA section of the GRE. It's an absolute joke.

The whole GRE is a joke, really. The verbal is basically memorizing 'big words', quantitative derives questions from high school algebra, and the analytical writing is mindless BSing (with some organization). It sucks that my top choice program requires it (and it is the only program I'm applying for that requires it).

I honestly can't afford to take the test again, so I may have to forfeit my chances of getting into my top-choice program. The POI is going to ask how the adcom views GRE scores, but I have a feeling that it will be important for international applicants. That's my luck.

 

The first time I took the old GRE I scored a 5 on the writing. The second time I changed 3 things, and got up to a 6. Here is what I changed:

 

1. Use short and long sentences. Example: Is it a cogent argument that statistically significant results can be extrapolated based on a sample derivated of convienent participants who happened to walk into that lab today and were persuaded to sign a letter of consent due to a stack of $100 bills? I think not.

 

2. Have some pocket $20 words that can easily be thrown in. These can be things like extremes (exorbinant), common verbs (ameliorate, mitigate) and words to describe good arguments (cogent) or ones that aren't really there yet (jejune). You know you are going to have to talk about the status of an argument, or a thought process, so have some good words ready.

 

3. Use examples from different fields. If you read some headline news from biology, physics, chemistry, or technology, apply them as metaphors to your argument. Then you can get all fancy and say things like "If we look to the modern field of physics, we can see this example played out in the research currently being conducted at MTI in superconductors... Alternatively, in biology this can be viewed as ______" Being able to signal to the reader that you are not only correct in the reasoning of your argument, but can lend on different fields to express your point makes you seem like an even stronger writer!

 

I hope this helps...

[Dedi]

The first time I took the old GRE I scored a 5 on the writing. The second time I changed 3 things, and got up to a 6. Here is what I changed:

 

1. Use short and long sentences. Example: Is it a cogent argument that statistically significant results can be extrapolated based on a sample derivated of convienent participants who happened to walk into that lab today and were persuaded to sign a letter of consent due to a stack of $100 bills? I think not.

 

2. Have some pocket $20 words that can easily be thrown in. These can be things like extremes (exorbinant), common verbs (ameliorate, mitigate) and words to describe good arguments (cogent) or ones that aren't really there yet (jejune). You know you are going to have to talk about the status of an argument, or a thought process, so have some good words ready.

 

3. Use examples from different fields. If you read some headline news7 from biology, physics, chemistry, or technology, apply them as metaphors to your argument. Then you can get all fancy and say things like "If we look to the modern field of physics, we can see this example played out in the research currently being conducted at MTI in superconductors... Alternatively, in biology this can be viewed as ______" Being able to signal to the reader that you are not only correct in the reasoning of your argument, but can lend on different fields to express your point makes you seem like an even stronger writer!

 

I hope this helps...

Sorry for the previous rant. I'm as stresssed as everyone else regarding admissions.

Personally, I've had conflicts regarding how an academic should write. I believe the GRE encourages poor writing. Big words in the real world don't impress anyone. The formulac "5 paragraph essay" is barely used in undergrad anymore, and it probably is used less in grad school. In my honest opinion, the AWA formula is for the convenience of the readers and does not benefit us whatsoever.

I've heard of people that are "good writers" do terrible on the AWA. Alternatively, I've heard of "bad writers" doing well on the AWA.

If I decide to do the GRE again, I'll have to strip my writing of any dignity and create those flowery sentences that make me go cross-eyed. I hate it, but I have to play their game.

[Epoh]

Today marked the last first day of classes for my undergrad and it's terrifying, but exciting. I've been researching schools that I want to apply to since last winter, but it's all very intimidating. I'm not sure if I can be competitive. I'm mostly looking at clinical doctorate programs but recently I've been looking into more masters and wondering if I should focus my applications on those instead.

 

My GRE scores are slightly lower than last year's averages for most of my doctoral programs and retaking is not an option. My GPA is strong. I've got a year's experience as an RA in a research lab. One university-wide presentation, but no publications (not for lack of trying). Three solid LORs if I can ever decide who to ask for the third. I've been working on my SOP for two months but I just can't seem to get it right.

 

What Masters programs are you considering if you're interested in clinical? I'm from Canada so I don't really know of many places other than NYU, Columbia, Boston College that offer terminal MA's in psych. 

[Rose Tyler]

What Masters programs are you considering if you're interested in clinical? I'm from Canada so I don't really know of many places other than NYU, Columbia, Boston College that offer terminal MA's in psych. 

 

Villanova, Wake Forest, Western Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Virginia State, Ball State, North Carolina-Wilmington, and Western Kentucky.

[feefeefee]

So I sent out 15 letters to my POIs. I got 4 'no's and 5 lack of responses :/ I was very excited about applying to UBC and am upset to find out my POI is phasing into retirement.

 

How's everyone else faring in terms of responses? 

[CogPsych2015]

Nine out of ten responded, with two not accepting. Both were very kind and suggested other potential mentors to look at, which was nice:)

[Gvh]

4/4 responded, one not accepting - everyone was super nice and encouraging.

[Rose Tyler]

4/5 responded, three of them are accepting students and one of them is definitely not. Responses only took a couple of days and it's only been a week on the one that hasn't responded. All very encouraging.

[eshaw93]

How did you guys title these emails?