*cracks knuckles*
Ok, I'm just going to list out my advice for easy referencing.
1.) This is the most important, which is why I list it first. You are applying to the professor, not to the school. The school matters obviously, so consider the program, but look for people you want to work with as your number one factor. Once you find a person you want to work with and contact them directly via e-mail. Strike up a conversation about their research, whether they are accepting new grad students into their lab, and what they are working on. You want them to remember your name, so make it a real conversation.
2.) Apply to about 10+ programs. Set aside the money to pay for all of those fees.
3a.) I
highly recommend applying nationwide and not just to the places that are close to home. A Ph.D. in social psychology means you are headed for an academic position. An academic position means your choices in where you live are dependent on which universities are hiring when you graduate. Get used to the idea that where you live is not as important as what you want to do. You might get lucky and live some place you really would like to (I did, eventually!!). But if you limit your options to just local schools you will either not get in, get a degree you aren't really interested in (because maybe you settled for a master's in Zzzzzz), or ended up in a program that is not suited for you. Discard the notion that location is an option and you will
dramatically increase your odds at getting in. UMN is extremely competitive. Apply there but disperse your expectations across as many schools as you can afford/handle applying to.
3b.) Seriously consider some programs that are in places you wouldn't have thought to apply, like Kansas or Oklahoma. Some of those schools are desperate for out-of-state students. They want some diversity in their students and many of them come from other schools in the same state. They can offer you a good education but it means living in Kansas or Oklahoma. It is only temporary, though. I didn't like living in Reno when I was getting my degree (at a school, by the way, that many people don't think to apply to!) but I knew I would be leaving eventually. As a brief aside, you'll find that your training at a particular school prepares you to teach at a level below that school. Ivy league education leads you to teach at good schools, but not Ivy League (they usually poach experienced people) and state schools prepare you to teach at smaller state schools or liberal arts schools, etc. Keep that in mind as you set your expectations for post-graduate school.
4.) This ties in to number 1. If you can attend a conference (like
Psychonomic Society, which is in Minneapolis in November. MPA has already met this year, I think, and often has a lot of Social Psych folks there) you can meet with prospective graduate mentors face-to-face.
This strategy got one of my students into a Ph.D. program. Her GRE scores were lower than they would have liked but he was impressed enough with her that they accepted her in spite of them. Her mentor actually called me to discuss this. She is thriving there. Remember, applying to grad school is all about setting yourself apart from the other candidates. If all they have is your GPA, CV, and GRE scores, they will rely on only those things to make their decision. And most of the other candidates will meet the basic requirements and probably have some research experience like you. Let your potential mentors know you are eager and able.
5.) Your research experience is good. Emphasize that in your personal statement. Try to have recommenders that do so as well. Attending a conference like I described above demonstrates this further. Contacting potential mentors does so too. Aside from that, writing your persona statement is your only chance to demonstrate your writing ability. Have people read it and re-read it. Write it using specific events and examples, not vague or trite generalities. Write your personal statement as if you were writing an APA style manuscript. You are citing specific examples from your experiences that
demonstrate you are a capable and eager student. Don't tell them, show them.
6.) A graduate mentor wants an able and eager
worker, not a student. You are going to help them with their research and possibly their teaching as well. They want someone they can
use. If I recall, you have some computer programming experience. Emphasize this! Sell your skills as a worker bee to them. Let their imagination take over as they envision all of the research they can accomplish with your abilities.
7.) Be persistent. I didn't get in the first year that I applied (partly because I only applied to three schools). I almost didn't get in anywhere the second time around (thank goodness for the school people don't think to apply to!) In times of recession, graduate applications go up, so competition will be stiffer. But experimental and social psych programs are less competitive than clinical programs. If you do your homework, if you bug enough professors, if you cast your net wide enough, your odds of getting in will be very good. I would say 80% chance, at least, possibly better, if you stick with it.
I'm sure I've forgotten some things, but if anything else leaps to mind, I'll come back and post. Naturally, ask if you have any questions!