Is it okay to have multiple research interests?

[DCJD24]

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I will be applying in the fall...eek!

I was wondering - I have an interest in studying family maltreatment in grad school. But I also am interested in spousal bereavement in late life.

Is it okay to discuss both interests, which aren't closely related, in my statement? Is it possible to study both in grad school? The schools I am applying to - and my first choice - would be matches in both areas.

Or should I focus on one.

Thank you - this site and the members are amazing and so helpful.

 

[DCJD24]

Or should I group them together and say something like, "I am interested in family related trauma, more specifically family maltreatment and spousal bereavement in late life"?

Of course it would be worded better. 🙂

 

[corticalmass]

Is it okay to discuss both interests, which aren't closely related, in my statement? Is it possible to study both in grad school? The schools I am applying to - and my first choice - would be matches in both areas.

Or should I focus on one.

You may get differing opinions on this; however, note that in graduate school, you will (almost certainly) work with one primary mentor. Unless you can develop a way to link the interests into a single project viable for that mentor's lab, you'll probably have to localize your work in one of those interests as you complete grad school.

That said, there are probably pros and cons for either approach in your statement. If you single out one interest, you can devote your entire statement to that interest and thereby (perhaps) make the more compelling case for why you're a good fit for that school. The downside is that your app may be passed over by the prof specializing in the other subject of interest to you. Conversely, you may seem less focused if you discuss both interests; however, with some skill, you may be able to present just enough of a convincing argument for your goodness of fit in either lab. Thus, if one prof passes over your app, the other might snag it. The overarching thing to consider is that you have only so many words available (roughly 500-1000 for most schools) and that you want to make the most compelling, undeniable case for your qualifications as you can.

I had an English professor review my statement; she gave me the best advice I've ever received: every sentence, every word, should add up to produce an undeniable conclusion that you are the student they need for their program. That means no fluff, no tangents, etc. Every point you make should be directly relevant to why you'd work well in the lab(s) in which you want to work.

I've just been accepted to two or three strong schools for the fall '11 semester, so this is all pretty fresh for me. And honestly, I'm assuming you've been working with a prof on some research, so you may want to ask him/her! 😀 Good luck with apps! I had no idea this website existed when I applied!

 

[DCJD24]

You may get differing opinions on this; however, note that in graduate school, you will (almost certainly) work with one primary mentor. Unless you can develop a way to link the interests into a single project viable for that mentor's lab, you'll probably have to localize your work in one of those interests as you complete grad school.

That said, there are probably pros and cons for either approach in your statement. If you single out one interest, you can devote your entire statement to that interest and thereby (perhaps) make the more compelling case for why you're a good fit for that school. The downside is that your app may be passed over by the prof specializing in the other subject of interest to you. Conversely, you may seem less focused if you discuss both interests; however, with some skill, you may be able to present just enough of a convincing argument for your goodness of fit in either lab. Thus, if one prof passes over your app, the other might snag it. The overarching thing to consider is that you have only so many words available (roughly 500-1000 for most schools) and that you want to make the most compelling, undeniable case for your qualifications as you can.

I had an English professor review my statement; she gave me the best advice I've ever received: every sentence, every word, should add up to produce an undeniable conclusion that you are the student they need for their program. That means no fluff, no tangents, etc. Every point you make should be directly relevant to why you'd work well in the lab(s) in which you want to work.

I've just been accepted to two or three strong schools for the fall '11 semester, so this is all pretty fresh for me. And honestly, I'm assuming you've been working with a prof on some research, so you may want to ask him/her! 😀 Good luck with apps! I had no idea this website existed when I applied!

Yes - I go to a small liberal arts college but actually have research experience with family maltreatment at a top 10 school, and will be going to a top 5 this summer in the other area. I am very interested in both areas. I just have to find a creative way to bring them together as you mentioned.

Thank you for such an informative message. And thanks for the well wishes!