PhD/PsyD Addressing research interests in application

[fritolay]

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Hi everyone!

I'd like to get opinions on how to address research interests in an application. I was thinking of mentioning my interests in my personal statement, but submitting a supplemental document that give more details to specific research questions or ideas I have for graduate and future work.

I'm worried that someone looking at my application would find this to be excessive, but I think it could also give a better clarity on my ideas rather than listing broad topics in my personal statement.

Let me know what you think. 🙂

 

[MCParent]

I think you're much better off discussing more specific ideas in person at an interview.

 

[EmotRegulation]

Agreed. Do not submit a supplemental document. Don't "make" faculty members read more than they already have to read; this is excessive. Absolutely include your interests in your personal statement, potentially with a few specific research questions you might be interested in. MCParent is spot on: you will have a chance to talk about your ideas in more detail if/when you are invited to interview.

 

[fritolay]

I think you're much better off discussing more specific ideas in person at an interview.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[fritolay]

Agreed. Do not submit a supplemental document. Don't "make" faculty members read more than they already have to read; this is excessive. Absolutely include your interests in your personal statement, potentially with a few specific research questions you might be interested in. MCParent is spot on: you will have a chance to talk about your ideas in more detail if/when you are invited to interview.

Thank you for the advice!

 

[fritolay]

Thank you both for the advice -- definitely wanted to ask for opinions before I embarrassed myself by sending in extra documents. 🙂

 

[PsychPhDone]

Thank you both for the advice -- definitely wanted to ask for opinions before I embarrassed myself by sending in extra documents. 🙂

Agreed with above. Should be in your personal statement, but doesn't have to be in tremendous detail because interviews will allow for discussion of that.

 

[DLA Editors & Proofers]

It's important to remember the unique role the personal statement plays in the overall application. We recommend to consider the application as a whole to be a narrative of your candidacy, then the role of each component within that overall narrative. For example, both your CV/resume and your PS may refer to the same experience, in this case research, but the purpose is different. When considering which details to include in the personal statement, consider first what it is you are intending to accomplish through the personal statement, then decide which details, and how to include them, fit your intentions best.