<p>I have no idea where I stand as far as PhD programs in Social Psychology...I would really love some guidance if any of you all can help. I'll have finished a master's degree but I'm not sure how much my grad. degree plus prior experience will count or if I should be applying to places like University of Chicago or maybe Michigan, or should I low ball it at places like Kansas State University and UNC Greensboro.
Also I fully understand that graduate school admissions are way more difficult to predict but any help would be greatly appreciated!
Info:
BA in Psych. Overall GPA: 3.25 GPA in Major: 3.7
Low GRE's but will retake.
Master's Degree in Child Development (Tufts): All A's one B+
During undergrad I did an immense amount of research but no publications. I had an NRSA from NIMH for my last two years and worked on numerous projects and presented at a variety of conference. Wrote a thesis as well.</p>
<p>During graduate school did indep. research with notable professor, I also will be working on another project under my advisor until i graduate (started at the beginning of the program.
I will have defended a thesis before my degree is completed.
Strong letters of recommendation from reputable professors (I'm aiming for a total of 5 recommenders; 2 recommenders very well known in the field of Child Dev.).
I also will have a strong statement of purpose prepared.</p>
<p>I would really like to have some idea so I wont waste money on applications to top schools since this can add up. My dream school is UMich but I don't want to waste my or their time if it's hopeless.</p>
<p>I'm definitely not an expert on grad admissions, but in your case I'd apply to the more competitive schools as well as to the ones where you feel you're more likely to get in. That way you won't have so many regrets. If you only apply to the less competitive schools, you might always wonder if just maybe you could have gotten in at your dream school.</p>
<p>i definitely agree with plot93 -- you should apply to some very competitive places along with mediocre schools -- get a wide range of possibilities because who knows, may be someone will value your experience outside of academics and you'll get into somewhere really good -- at least it makes sense to try because it is once in a lifetime chance thing and you'll be sorry if you miss it</p>
<p>(btw ivies place a significant amount of attention to your "numbers" as compared to other schools -- so for them GPA and GRE will actually matter a lot)</p>
<p>Thanks you all I will definitely try to make my list diverse. I was looking up avg. GRE scores and GPA's for some of the top schools and I see that they do seem to concentrate on numbers. Although they say they're not emphasized and maintain low minimums for applying the students that end up accepted into their programs do indeed have really high numbers. I am a little worried that they will look at the numbers first and decide, but honestly, if that's how they do that insted of looking at the entire applicant I probably wouldn't want to be there anyway.
Thank you though, I will definitely keep in mind the whole numbers game!
I really have no idea what weight my NRSA has, during undergrad they explained it to as if it was some golden key for graduate school, but without having a full understanding of the value placed upon it, I remain shaky on the whole application process.</p>