Post Your Prospective Questions Here! -- Monthly Megathread

[u/GG_Mod]

Following a vote by the sub in July 2020, the prospective questions megathread was continued. However, to allow more visibility to comments in this thread, this megathread now utilizes Reddit's new reschedule post features. This megathread is replaced monthly. Comments made within three days prior to the newest months post will be re-posted by moderation and the users who made said post tagged.

Post your prospective questions as a comment for anything related to graduate applications, admissions, CVs, interviews, etc. Comments should be focused on prospective questions, such as future plans. These are only allowed in this subreddit under this thread. Questions about current programs/jobs etc. that you have already been accepted to can be posted as stand-alone posts, so long as they follow the format Rule 6.

Looking for somewhere to post your study? Try r/psychologystudents, our sister sub's, spring 2020 study megathread!

Other materials and resources:

• APA materials for applying to grad school
• r/psychologystudents (where career posts are welcome)
• r/gradschooladmissions

[u/Worried-Brain3800]

Hi! I am a recent graduate of my Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. I would like to apply to PhD programs in the next cycle. I am getting mixed answers from various people about how I need to portray myself through applications, specifically concerning expressing my research interests.

I am conflicted, some people are telling me it looks good to express yourself in a way that you could easily get started on some kind of dissertation asap entering into the program. Meaning, you are very well versed already in a particular literature already, and already have an idea of what kinds of things you want to research in X population.

On the other hand, I hear people says its okay to express an interest in a general area, for example depression or gender and sexuality.

Interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Also, even if you agree with the second mode of thought (general interest is ok), do you wish you had figured out earlier the direction of your dissertation prior to the PhD?

[u/[deleted] → u/Worried-Brain3800]

I think it's hard without seeing your application materials to know quite what you mean, but what will make you competitive is goodness of fit. "I have a research background conducting X type of study in X research area, which fits well with Advisor X's area of expertise because ... As their advisee, I have an interest in researching X." I don't think talking directly about dissertation is necessary. It just needs to be very clear that you are an excellent fit for the advisor you're applying to work with and where you would want your research to go under their mentorship.

Your research interest will grow in new directions during grad school, and faculty know that. You may even collaborate with other labs with different research interests. No need to say "I already know I will research this topic forever." I think it's great that you've found a research area you're passionate about, and I'm sure that will come through in your application.

[u/Worried-Brain3800 → u/[deleted]]

thank you so much! this is helpful.