Contacting psych graduate students

[PsychMode]

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I'm thinking about contacting graduate students at phd programs to which I plan to apply (I've done the research, made up my lists and everything). Of course, I am going to do this by email if this information is available. How should I approach them? I want to learn about their good and bad experiences. But I don't want to ask the wrong thing and be the applicant who was looking for dirt. It's great to know about faculty research interests, admissions data, and financial support offered by the programs. But I'm pretty much looked into all of that and I would like to know what it's actually like being in specific programs. I've contacted a few programs and am planning on contacting faculty about their research.

Are there any graduate students here who have been contacted by prospective students? What are some of the things that you were asked? What did you not like being asked? What did you like being asked?

Has anyone here ever contacted graduate students in programs before applying? Please share your experiences/ what you have learned. I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[lazure]

I wouldn't do cold emails without even contacting the faculty first. If you want to speak to them before that, find a friend of a friend who could pass on your email or introduce you. Laboratories are small worlds, each with their own intrinsic set of politics....
But be aware that you are not likely to get an honest opinion from someone who doesn't know you and doesn't know what you are going to do with the information they gave you. You will need to read between the lines....a big red flag is people leaving the lab after/before their Master's is done....

But I understand where you are coming from. There's nothing like arriving at a new school, sipping drinks with upper year students at the departamental wine-and-cheese welcome party and....someone asks you who your supervisor is...you excitedly share their name only to hear "well I hope s/he finally graduates a student".....seen it firsthand....

 

[PsychMode]

Exactly. The thought of that happening is pretty scary. I can't spend 10 years in a phd program or find that I have to transfer schools as a last resort of escape.

Thanks for the advice, too. It would be so nice if they could put "By the way, this person is a sociopath" or "This professor is an excellent advisor and is admired by students" on the websites next to individual names. A friend recommended that I frame the questions to graduate students more positively (e.g., "What are some of the drawbacks that you may have experienced in this program?"). I'm not quite sure about that, though. I guess I'd have to let them volunteer that if I build rapport.

 

[lazure]

There ways of reading between the lines....at one school I interviewed at I was told by both graduate students "Well, he's not that bad". See how many upper level students close to the end of their PhD there are in the lab and politely ask how long they have been there. Check that there are variable research topics pursued in the lab and not just the one thing that makes the prof tick. Look for the prof's publications with students' names first (that's a dead give away for how things work). Talk to people who know people who worked with someone - if there's enough red flags raised this roundabout way that's your answer.

I was concerned about committing my life to one individual and I made sure I attended a program with a separate Master's and PhD. And guess what, I am elsewhere for my PhD with an amazing supervisor who is amazing with everybody in the lab. 🙂

 

[anuthought]

hey,

Wish I could help answer your question but I just started researching universities myself. I would really appreciate your inputs about how to get in touch with faculty regarding their research though. How direct can I be? What can I expect. Are there any flip sides to it?

thanks

 

[twiggers]

I am applying right now and have contacted faculty at all the institutions. I simply sent an email introducing myself, my current research activities, etc. Then I stated what I was hoping to study at their institution and how our research interests overlapped. I also stated my career goal of academia (one prof said she was only taking students who wanted to be researchers, so that part of my letter was worthwhile). I then asked if they were accepting students for the upcoming year, and if not could they refer me to someone else in the department.

I estimate that I've received about 95% emails in response. Many were very helpful, sending CVs, grant proposals. I even got phone calls.
It is well worth the effort. I also downloaded articles of the profs and made sure I mentioned that I had read the article and asked questions about it.

Profs who weren't taking students said so, and many referred me to other professors in the department.

 

[anuthought]

Thanks for the info on how to approach faculty members about our research interests. I really liked what you said about reading different prof's articles and asking questions related to them.

 

[twiggers]

I think the profs liked it too. In fact many of them recommended reading their articles or visiting their web pages to get a more specific idea of their research. Plus....if you do get interviews you'll be more knowledgeable about their work and won't be rushing around before interviews trying to get more information.