My experience of the 2018 MARC selection process…
Phew!! What an experience. Little did I think when I first started studying psychology more than 30 years ago (I’m 58 years old), that I would end up being accepted to do a Master’s in Research Consultation at UNISA. Let me explain. I did up to 2nd year of psychology at the University of Cape Town, married, lived overseas for several years in different countries, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, redid my 2nd year psychology, completed my 3rd year, slugged my way through honours, started my masters (dissertation only) and then realised that the more I learn, the less I know… (all you oldies out there will recognise the refrain from a UB40 song). My confidence in my abilities was flagging despite the unfailing support of my husband and the encouraging words of my supervisor. I had to improve my research abilities and so I applied for the MARC programme after having heard from various sources that not only was this a prestigious qualification, but I was assured of learning a lot.
The application process was rigorous. It wasn’t just a matter of filling out a form and sending it in. You had to think carefully about why you wanted to do the course and be able to put those thoughts into a logical order within 500 words. For the first time I had to be reflexive about my real reasons (a bit of psychological jargon there for you). Well, I must have done something right because I passed the ‘application task’ and the next task (which involved writing an essay about the field of psychological research consultation). The day I received the email stating that I was invited to attend a three-day selection process that involved several tasks including exams on my qualitative and quantitative research knowledge was exciting but at the same time, filled me with dread. I spent the next two weeks cramming, particularly on quantitative research methods which has always been my weakness.
When the day came for the start of the selection process, I entered a room in the psychology department with 23 other hopefuls. Everybody was quiet, and when they spoke, it was in a whisper. Because of my multiple sclerosis, I have difficulty writing by hand and was thankfully allowed to write my answers to the exams on computer. Of course, being the only person allowed to use a computer, the others immediately looked at me with suspicion and in some cases pity (I’m sure they thought that I obviously hadn’t read the email that was sent out saying computers were not allowed – “poor girl, she won’t get very far if she can’t follow instructions”). Luckily, Professor Fourie announced that I was allowed to use the computer for medical reasons and was not being given an advantage. I didn’t get any more strange looks after that.
The MARC program staff introduced themselves to us and really tried to be friendly and to put us at ease. We were told to ‘enjoy the experience’ (at which stage I’m sure everybody was thinking – “Enjoy ourselves? Really?? Please just let us get this over and done with”).
We were then divided into smaller groups and given instructions as to which rooms to go to and were taken to another room where we were given a task to work out as a group. Because I was busy packing up my computer, I was only half listening, with the result that I unknowingly walked into the wrong room and group. After having sat down and adding my considered opinion to that group’s conversation, I noticed that the MARC staff who were taking notes were looking puzzled and concerned. Of course, as this was a psychology selection process, we had a group of MARC staff ‘discretely’ sitting around us, furiously scribbling notes whenever anyone in the group said or did something. I was quietly redirected to the correct room and announced my arrival to the allocated group with a cheerful “I’ve just been checking out our competition!” – a statement that broke the ice and the group welcomed me. When someone in the group mentioned that we should discuss the quantitative analysis of the problem presented to us, everybody fell silent. It was then that I relaxed. I realized that we all had the same goal in mind namely to be given the opportunity to learn and improve our research knowledge. I think I was very lucky to have been allocated to a group where everyone got on with each other right from the start. I thoroughly enjoyed that group session and finally thought that Professor Fourie’s suggestion that we enjoy ourselves could actually have a basis in reality.
The second day arrived with individual interviews. The others who were taking part in interviews were lined up in the corridors and we wished each other good luck as we waited. There was already a strong camaraderie in place. I told myself that I was being given the very rare opportunity to talk about myself for up to 25 minutes to a captive audience without the risk of being labelled ‘egotistical’ and I was determined to use this rare opportunity to the maximum, which I did. I told the interviewers about myself, about the work I had previously done, about my current masters (at which stage I became particularly vocal as I am passionate about my subject – neuroscience) and about my desire to increase my knowledge of research by doing the MARC course. I think after my interview the interviewers really needed the tea break that was scheduled for them! Now we had to wait for the final day when the results would be announced…
The final day arrived and all 23 of us sat down. Some were quiet and some were giggling nervously. We were divided into two groups. The group I was with glumly traipsed down the long psychology department’s hallway and apprehensively sat down in a new room. We were looking at each other wondering if we were in the group that had been rejected. Then came the announcement by Ms. Erasmus “I’m sorry to inform you that you will all have to work very hard next year”. We were in! We all screamed and clapped and laughed and cried – all at the same time. Cell phones were whipped out to send SMSes to our significant others/parents/anybody who might be interested. We were taken for a group photo and the congratulations were shouted out to each other.
It was really a very tiring three days but an incredible experience. I’m sorry for the people who didn’t make it. I hope that they take consolation in the fact that they came very close and were part of the final shortlisted applicants – which in itself is a great achievement.