How many POIs?

[Mauricia]

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I have an interview at a school and they said to tell them which professors you want to meet with while you are there. There are three professors that I would love to work with, at this point I'm having a lot of trouble deciding a top choice. Their research is all an excellent match for mine, and they are all doing extremely similar research. Do you think it is ok to list all three? Since their research is so similar I don't think it would make me seem like I'm all over the place (which is the main risk I can think of), and I am genuinely interested in all three. They do have professors (plural) in the email, so I think two is definitely safe. Are there any perceptions this could create that I'm not considering?

thanks!
BTW this is clinical psych phd, research focused school.

 

[starsinnight]

I have an interview at a school and they said to tell them which professors you want to meet with while you are there. There are three professors that I would love to work with, at this point I'm having a lot of trouble deciding a top choice. Their research is all an excellent match for mine, and they are all doing extremely similar research. Do you think it is ok to list all three? Since their research is so similar I don't think it would make me seem like I'm all over the place (which is the main risk I can think of), and I am genuinely interested in all three. They do have professors (plural) in the email, so I think two is definitely safe. Are there any perceptions this could create that I'm not considering?

thanks!
BTW this is clinical psych phd, research focused school.

Congrats!! I'd list all 3 just to be safe and I'd try and figure out the one that you really want to work with by reading their publications and bios extensively. Not sure I'd tell them my top choice (unless asked) just in case that person is not available or already accepted other students. But the way I see it, the more interviews and more people to get the chance to like you and choose you - the better.

 

[bluebluesky]

I have an interview at a school and they said to tell them which professors you want to meet with while you are there. There are three professors that I would love to work with, at this point I'm having a lot of trouble deciding a top choice. Their research is all an excellent match for mine, and they are all doing extremely similar research. Do you think it is ok to list all three? Since their research is so similar I don't think it would make me seem like I'm all over the place (which is the main risk I can think of), and I am genuinely interested in all three. They do have professors (plural) in the email, so I think two is definitely safe. Are there any perceptions this could create that I'm not considering?

thanks!
BTW this is clinical psych phd, research focused school.

I haven't come across a school with two professors doing very similar research. There are always some differences in focus. But if you cannot figure out which one you are more interested after reading their works, then I would say list all and explain. btw..i am just an applicant.

 

[Mauricia]

Thanks, I think I'll list all three.
I know it's unusual, but they all study the same disorder from a developmental psychopathology perspective. Of course they aren't exactly the same, but they have published many papers together, the school specializes in the area that they work, and they happen to all be accepting a student this year.
I will do more research to pick a top choice, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking some unspoken rule about how many professors you can visit with.