applying to program/advisor..how to tell?

[Student4Life0]

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Hi all,

So my question is this- how can one tell, when looking at PhD programs, whether or not it is the type of program that employs the mentorship/advisor experience? I am aware that when applying to these programs, it is important to find a good research match of interests, and that it would be wise to contact the prof to see if they are taking on new students. I have also noticed that not all PhD programs seem to use this model. How can one tell the difference?

For example, at Hofstra's PhD clinical open house, I was told that the program does not operate in this way. I was also told by a student at U of Miami's PhD counseling program that this is not the case. In looking at URI's clinical website, one needs to put right on the application who they wish to work with. In looking at U of Tennessee's PhD counseling program, I am just not sure what the protocol is.

So how can I tell if I should specify on the application who I would like to work with? Also, it is wise to try and contact some of these professors before I apply? Is it that perhaps there is a different protocol between PhD clinical and PhD counseling programs?

Sorry for the long and perhaps confusing post...but I am confused...HELP!

Thanks in advance

 

[Wapote84]

I say you contact the person you would like to work with, of course! I think thats a great way to find out more about the program (dont ask questions posted on the website, however, because that makes you look uninformed); a great way to find out if that adviser is taking any students(why apply if you can't work with the people you want to); and a great way to catch the attention of an adviser from the massive amount of applications they will receive.

Hi all,

So my question is this- how can one tell, when looking at PhD programs, whether or not it is the type of program that employs the mentorship/advisor experience? I am aware that when applying to these programs, it is important to find a good research match of interests, and that it would be wise to contact the prof to see if they are taking on new students. I have also noticed that not all PhD programs seem to use this model. How can one tell the difference?

For example, at Hofstra's PhD clinical open house, I was told that the program does not operate in this way. I was also told by a student at U of Miami's PhD counseling program that this is not the case. In looking at URI's clinical website, one needs to put right on the application who they wish to work with. In looking at U of Tennessee's PhD counseling program, I am just not sure what the protocol is.

So how can I tell if I should specify on the application who I would like to work with? Also, it is wise to try and contact some of these professors before I apply? Is it that perhaps there is a different protocol between PhD clinical and PhD counseling programs?

Sorry for the long and perhaps confusing post...but I am confused...HELP!

Thanks in advance

 

[Psych Dork]

Most of the websites state if they employ the mentorship model. Sometimes this information will be in the instructions for applying where they will tell you to identify a potential adviser. Like Wapote84 said, make sure you answer as many questions as you have with the website before contacting them. Before you contact the person you are interested in working with (whom you should definitely contact!) you could try the director of the program or whomever they suggests you direct questions to. Once you figure out if the have a mentor-model then you should contact the researcher you are interested in and ask them if they are accepting students this year and that you are interested in working with them. I hope this helps.

 

[futureapppsy2]

FWIW, I contacted POI's even at non-mentor model programs, and I don't think it did any harm (in some cases, I think it probably helped), and IMO, you should mention research fit in your SOP regardless of mentor-model or non-mentor-model (at least for PhD programs and probably the more balanced PsyD programs).

YMMV.