application timing

[sockit]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'll be done the course requirements for my degree in April, but will have to do my thesis over the summer term, if I can find someone to supervise it*. Can I apply this cycle or would I have to wait until next year?

(I haven't done the GRE yet either, and have just 6 months' RA experience, no pubs. I know it's not ideal but am wondering if it's worth a try, if it's technically possible in terms of timing -- would pin hopes on the SOP and GRE. Am very non-traditional, and time is marching on.)

*otherwise, will have to wait the year out… or maybe, take an alternate to the thesis over the summer, and apply this cycle to allied health programs. (love psych, could live with OT or PT, need to get started at something.)

 

[sockit]

(i know it's late to start thinking about it, it's just that i'd taken for granted that applying this cycle wouldn't be possible, and resigned myself to waiting another year. but, i've taken stock: it's taken me 3 years to do 2 years of UG work, having had to go part-time for financial reasons for much of it; i'm in my mid-thirties; if i can shave off a year between now and even thinking about earning a normal income, that would be something. for psych: one year of waiting, plus five minimum, plus a year for internship, assuming nothing happens (ha), will put me in my mid-forties before i start earning. vs two or three.)

 

[KillerDiller]

Sure you *can* apply, so long as you are honest on your application about where you are in the process of obtaining your degree. Just be aware that if you are accepted somewhere next fall you could easily run into the situation in which your thesis is not finished (it often takes longer than students think it will), and you may need to complete it from a distance while enrolled in graduate school full time...or not finish the degree at all. The fact that you do not have an identified supervisor yet makes me somewhat doubtful you'd be able to finish a project by next September, but it could happen.

Actually, I'm somewhat confused about your status in school. Are you about to finish an undergraduate degree or a masters degree? If it's the former, that is going to be extremely important to finish before you start your grad program. In fact, I would think you could be asked to leave if you do not complete an undergraduate degree within an acceptable time frame. If it's a masters degree, it is less critical to finish (but masters theses also take longer than UG theses).

 

[sockit]

That's great news, KillerDiller, thank you!

I'm doing a second undergrad, so had a bunch of transfer credits that shortened the length of the degree.

My approach to the thesis would be opportunistic (approach any/all potential supervisors who will be around this summer) and pragmatic (would prioritize 'doability' in my topic and methods). I could probably think of a way to spin out a clinical application for most of the research currently done at my school, in terms of linking it with the SOP. Ah but you're right, I'd have to send my apps in before I'm likely to get a commitment. And I imagine being rejected this cycle would not put me in good stead for the next. Ah nuts. So it would make more sense to just wait :/

And yes, you're right… doing in four months (if I manage it) what others do in eight is probably not going to help me in any possible world :/

lol. "executive function deficits in a non-traditional student: an introspective case study"

 

[KillerDiller]

Well, for what it's worth, I don't think that getting rejected your first round actually does affect your standing the next year, so try not to let that be a huge factor in your decision. 🙂 So many people I've encountered have had to apply more than once, it's not frowned upon as far as I can tell. The application fees do suck, though.

Anyway, since you've already completed one Bachelor's degree, not completing another by fall wouldn't stand in your way logistically. It's just a matter of whether you'd want to let the second degree go or finish it while enrolled in graduate school if you can't get it done over the summer after all.

 

[sockit]

That's encouraging, then! At the moment, I feel like the fees might be worth a year of my life 🙂 Maybe I'll give it a shot, and just see what happens… Thank you 🙂

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Well, for what it's worth, I don't think that getting rejected your first round actually does affect your standing the next year...

That jives with what I've always seen and heard as well. Not to say it could never happen, of course, but it generally doesn't seem to be the case that prior rejections affect future applications (unless perhaps the applicant has done nothing to make themselves more competitive).

 

[sockit]

That jives with what I've always seen and heard as well. Not to say it could never happen, of course, but it generally doesn't seem to be the case that prior rejections affect future applications (unless perhaps the applicant has done nothing to make themselves more competitive).

AcronymAllergy, I'm sorry I missed your reply. Thank you for chiming in, very glad to be reassured 🙂

 

[eowyne]

If I'm understanding that you plan to find an advisor and do a thesis just during one summer, that sounds unrealistic. Does your degree require a thesis? If not, I think it might look better to just get involved in faulty research immediately, and not count on turning it into a thesis.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sockit]

Yes, the thesis is a degree requirement. I agree it'd be rushed, and finding a supervisor would be a crapshoot. My university does occasionally let people in exactly my situation (just the thesis left) write it over the summer (May to August), I guess on the assumption that's all they'd be doing. (The lone thing in my favour is a personal preference for serial immersion in intense, deadline-driven projects, vs dragging things multiple things out over longer periods of time.)

 

[eowyne]

Hmm, if you want to finish it over the summer, I'd recommend finding a supervisor, designing the project, laying the groundwork now. You would probably be more competitive for grad school if you take a year to do research and/or get some relevant clinical experience, but depends on whether you want to wait. May be a tradeoff between starting sooner and quality of grad program.

 

[sockit]

Thanks, eowyne! I'm working on it 🙂 and will try now, and again later 🙂

 

[eowyne]

Thanks, eowyne! I'm working on it 🙂 and will try now, and again later 🙂

You're welcome - good luck with everything!