Monday, August 30, 2010

Should I allow my Allowance?

Here is something I am trying to adjust to from poor college student to young professional... Now that I actually have money what should I do with it?

On the one hand, I feel an OVERWHELMING urge to save it all up. I know spending it is the easy part.

On the other hand, I want to buy all the things I couldn't while I was at school. (Mostly a bigger budget of clothing and shoes)

My current allowance is $100 a week. It sounds like a lot, right? It never feels like enough.

In the end... LIFE IS JUST TOO DARN EXPENSIVE!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

ALL ABOUT APPS - Advisers

I e-mailed potential advisers today. I wanted to make sure they were accepting students for the upcoming year.

So far, I have had many positive responses. It was quite surprising because I know I am e-mailing them way in advance since applications are not due until winter.

I know this should be an exciting time... I am excited, but yet I also can't shake this feeling of doubt. I can't quite put my finger on it... I may dedicate a post to my confused feelings.

We shall see how this plays out. I shall keep you posted.

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Wonders of "Private" or "Incognito" Browsing!

One of my favorite sites to frequent is Lifehacker.

I was really intrigued by one of today's post, mostly because I browse the internet pretty freely at work (like facebook, people.com, etc.)

Anyway, it was about how to use private browsing (in firefox) or incognito mode (in chrome).

Here is a link to the post:
http://lifehacker.com/5620502/nine-great-uses-for-private-browsing-that-dont-involve-porn

Anyway, it's amazing because now I can manage multiple google accounts at once! (especially since this blog has it's own google account) It will be nice once I really start posting frequently.

It's too bad my work computer doesn't have to latest version of firefox... so no private browsing at work for me!

Well, I hope it helps!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Saturday, August 21, 2010

ALL ABOUT APPS - My Stats

For those of you who are applying to doctoral programs in Clinical Psychology... I am sure you know what a seemingly impossible feat that may be.

Only about 5% of those who apply get accepted!!

These days, more and more are opting for graduate school since the job market isn't exactly promising either.

Anyway, I hope to dedicate some of my posts to my application process. I think it will help relieve some stress in the process for me and hopefully you other applicants will be able to empathize with me. :)

Today I wanted to give you a little bit of background about me.

MY STATS

I graduated last year with a good GPA from a good state school.
I had AVERAGE GRE scores of about 1200.
I had research experiences in multiple labs.
I wrote a senior thesis.
I did not have any publications, but I did do some poster and oral presentations.
I am now a full-time research assistant.

THE FIRST TIME AROUND....

Last year I applied to 13 schools. I spread myself pretty thin.
I applied to 6 Clinical, 3 I/O, 1 School, and 4 Master's programs.

I interviewed at two places (one clinical and one school psyc)
I was put on two waiting lists (one clinical and one I/O), but subsequently rejected.
I was accepted into the school psychology program and one I/O program (as a master's not a PHD)
In the end, the school psyc program was not for me and the I/O master's was too expensive.

That is where I am now... actively cultivating my research experience and giving it another try.

This time around, I will only apply to programs I will actually go to (no more school psyc for me). Half of the schools I apply for will be clinical and the other half I/O. I will NOT be applying to any master's programs. I feel that since I really love my job, it would be better to stay an extra year to get even more research experience and apply again, rather than to PAY for a master's. Either way, I will be just as well off in either scenario.

I learned a lot from the first time around. I have a good feeling about this batch of applications. I will share my tips in subsequent "ALL ABOUT APPS" posts so stay tuned!!! Feel free to ask me any questions! GOOD LUCK!!!

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog

Friday, August 20, 2010

I'm Back!!

It has been WAY too long since I have written a post!  I recently decided, after some inspiration from a dear friend, janimal, to revive this blog.  Note the new header, as designed from janimal.  If you LOVE it as much as I do, I highly suggest you follow her design blog:

http://janimalprint.blogspot.com/

For all of who you may be wondering why my old posts have been deleted, it is because I would like to start anew.  Since I have given my boyfriend, aka Biff, my URL... I can no longer use this blog as a forum for the horrible and grave injustices that he submits me to ;) 

Instead, I plan to take this blog to another and even better direction.  Instead of focusing on my relationship with Biff, I will focus more on the other things that define my life, like navigating my first year out of college as a "young professional", transitioning from living on my own to living back with my mom (for now), and just things I love and enjoy (friends, food, clothing, fun websites, etc.)!!  Of course, for those who may be interested, I will probably still chronicle my relationship with Biff but not as often.  I mean we've been together for a long time... he's bound to creep in to my posts. 

I am also happy to announce that I will dedicate some of my posts to my clinical psych PHD applications, since they are a major part of my life. I will call it "ALL ABOUT APPS".

Lastly, I will also post more frequently so hopefully there will be a little something for everyone!  I hope you will continue to read and watch my journey unfold!!!  Thanks for the support!!!  For those of you who are new, WELCOME (and don't worry you haven't missed out on anything yet)

Sincerely,

aMusingsBlog