A in Stats 10 (Intro to Stats) and C+ in Psych 100A (Psychological Stats)... How much does this impair my chances at Social Psych PhD program?

[Jelder]

I'm applying to Social Psychology PhD programs in Fall 2016, currently a Senior, and have heard that a poor grade in statistics is a huge red flag-- However, I got an A in Stats 10 (Intro to Stats) and a C+ in Psych 100A (Psychological Statistics). Does this completely eliminate my chances? I feel that I have an argument here that I am capable since I did in fact do well in one statistics class. If I excel on the quantitative section of the GRE, could that help my argument? Should I retake the Psych 100A class? I would take a class in the Statistics major that is more advanced and try and do well in that, but most of those are limited to Stats majors and/or require lots of prereqs which I don't have the time to take. Any recommendations?

 

The latter class, Psych 100A which I got a C+ in, is a weeder class that gives C- or lower (A retake, basically) to 30% of it's students. So I'm unsure if I should mention that, or if that sounds like an excuse.

 

I'm about to take a class with a Psychology Lab. I got an A in my Research Methods course, and I'm currently working on an Honors Thesis. I figure since all of this includes Statistics, that should serve as some sort of reaffirmation for Grad Programs.

[Applemiu]

However, I got an A in Stats 10 (Intro to Stats) and a C+ in Psych 100A (Psychological Statistics). Does this completely eliminate my chances?       

 

No, it does not.

 

If I excel on the quantitative section of the GRE, could that help my argument? Should I retake the Psych 100A class? I would take a class in the Statistics major that is more advanced and try and do well in that, but most of those are limited to Stats majors and/or require lots of prereqs which I don't have the time to take. Any recommendations?

 

To do very well on the quant part of the GRE would be excellent! To study, I recommend the ETS GRE book together with the Magoosh website for practice. Manhattan is also good but I would use it for "extra" study if necessary.

Honestly I am not sure about retaking. See what other posters say. You could do that. Taking a different stats class would be a good idea but you should be careful to do well in that. As an alternative, how about taking calculus I (or linear algebra)? I think that would show that you working hard to build a more solid quantitative background.

 

The latter class, Psych 100A which I got a C+ in, is a weeder class that gives C- or lower (A retake, basically) to 30% of it's students. So I'm unsure if I should mention that, or if that sounds like an excuse.

 

I would not mention that.

 

 

I'm about to take a class with a Psychology Lab. I got an A in my Research Methods course, and I'm currently working on an Honors Thesis. I figure since all of this includes Statistics, that should serve as some sort of reaffirmation for Grad Programs.

 

Yes, but I would also try to do something to show explicitly (rather than implicitly) that you are addressing the problem.

Good luck! I am sure you will be fine.