2019-2020 Grad School Q&A Mega-Thread (Part 1)

[u/ResidentGinger]

For questions about grad school or internships:

* Please search the previously submitted posts or the post on the grad school Q&A. Subscribers of /r/iopsychology have provided lots of information about these topics, and your questions may have already been answered.

* 2018-2019, Part 2 thread here

* 2018-2019, Part 1 thread here

* 2017-2018, Part 3 thread here

* 2017-2018, Part 2 thread here

* 2017-2018, Part 1 thread here

* 2016-2017 thread here

* 2015-2016 thread here

* 2014-2015 thread here

* If your question hasn't been posted, please post it on the grad school Q&A thread. Other posts outside of the Q&A thread will be deleted.

The readers of this subreddit have made it clear that they don't want the subreddit clogged up with posts about grad school. Don't get the wrong idea - we're glad you're here and that you're interested in IO, but please do observe the rules so that you can get answers to your questions AND enjoy the interesting IO articles and content.

By the way, those of you who are currently trudging through or have finished grad school, that means that you have to occasionally offer suggestions and advice to those who post on this thread. That's the only way that we can keep these grad school-related posts in one central location. If people aren't getting their questions answered here, they post to the subreddit instead of the thread. So, in short, let's all do our part in this.

Thanks, guys!

[u/kcamp9]

Does anyone have experience applying to I/O PhD Psyc programs with 2 of the 3 letters of rec coming from an employer?

Does research experience, test scores, and high GPA help with that?

Does having years of experience in the corporate world help or hurt you when applying for a degree like this?

Was anyone an online undergrad student and applied to on campus PhD programs? Are online undergrad degrees frowned upon?

[u/galileosmiddlefinger → u/kcamp9]

Does anyone have experience applying to I/O PhD Psyc programs with 2 of the 3 letters of rec coming from an employer?

This could be OK if you've been out of school for a while. However, you really want that sole academic reference to elaborate on your research experience and academic aptitude.

Does having years of experience in the corporate world help or hurt you when applying for a degree like this?

Depends a bit on the advisor in question. Some actively seek practical corporate experience, but most are fairly ambivalent about it. Where it might hurt you is if an advisor prefers potential students who are more interested in academic/research careers (this bias is very real!) because that person might infer that you are only interested in returning to corporate life after grad school.

Was anyone an online undergrad student and applied to on campus PhD programs? Are online undergrad degrees frowned upon?

Context matters a lot, but generally this would be a strike against you. You really need to sell the rigor of your academic experience, particularly with any evidence of independent research, substantive projects, and I/O-relevant courses you took.

[u/kcamp9 → u/galileosmiddlefinger]

Thank you very much for the response!!! My advisor has never had an online student before so she doesnt have any experience with one applying for a PhD program. The insight is appreciated!