Lack of research opportunities

[krs1490]

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I'm a sophomore attending a small liberal arts college. There are currently only three professors here that are doing research. I'm currently working with one of them on hope and health psychology. This isn't an area of interest for me and neither of the other professors seem to be doing work I'm interested in either.

Although health psychology isn't very interesting to me, I will be involved in a presentation and if all goes well, a publication by the end of the year. I'm also close enough with my professors here to recieve strong letters of recommendation. However, my general area of interest is in child maltreatment and developmental psychopathology.

Given the situation, I have a few questions:

1. How important is it to gain experience in a specific area of interest when applying for graduate school?

2. Is there anyway to do research on my own in my areas of interest?

3. Would it be wise to transfer to a school where a undergraduate professor focuses on my area of interests? (This would be last resort.)

Thanks everyone

 

[okayroots06]

I'm a sophomore attending a small liberal arts college. There are currently only three professors here that are doing research. I'm currently working with one of them on hope and health psychology. This isn't an area of interest for me and neither of the other professors seem to be doing work I'm interested in either.

Although health psychology isn't very interesting to me, I will be involved in a presentation and if all goes well, a publication by the end of the year. I'm also close enough with my professors here to recieve strong letters of recommendation. However, my general area of interest is in child maltreatment and developmental psychopathology.

Given the situation, I have a few questions:

1. How important is it to gain experience in a specific area of interest when applying for graduate school?

2. Is there anyway to do research on my own in my areas of interest?

3. Would it be wise to transfer to a school where a undergraduate professor focuses on my area of interests? (This would be last resort.)

Thanks everyone

I would still encourage to get involved in research even if the research area is not of interest. The skills you will learn are crucial and will teach you the ropes of how to do research. Also, you will have a mentor who can rely on when applying to post-BA positions and eventually ph.d. programs.

if you don't get the necessary research experience, you could apply to post-RA positions at WPIC, MGH, NYU, Mt. Sinai or other good research labs.

1. obtaining research experience specific to your research interests is nice but not a deal breaker.

2. see above.

3. i wouldn't recommend it unless you're really unhappy.

 

[Psygresse]

I'm a sophomore attending a small liberal arts college. There are currently only three professors here that are doing research. I'm currently working with one of them on hope and health psychology. This isn't an area of interest for me and neither of the other professors seem to be doing work I'm interested in either.

Although health psychology isn't very interesting to me, I will be involved in a presentation and if all goes well, a publication by the end of the year. I'm also close enough with my professors here to recieve strong letters of recommendation. However, my general area of interest is in child maltreatment and developmental psychopathology.

Given the situation, I have a few questions:

1. How important is it to gain experience in a specific area of interest when applying for graduate school?

2. Is there anyway to do research on my own in my areas of interest?

3. Would it be wise to transfer to a school where a undergraduate professor focuses on my area of interests? (This would be last resort.)

Thanks everyone

The suggestion to look for post-BA positions is great, and might be your best bet. In the meantime, if your program allows you to do an honors thesis or independent project, you might ask your professors whether they would consider supervising you on a project closer to your area of interest; perhaps you could tie it in with their line of research somehow. The project may not be as in-depth as it would if you had an advisor who specialized in the area, but it would at least be a way of showing your interest and developing your knowledge in the topic.

You might also consider attending relevant conferences, if possible, both to network and learn more about research conducted in your area of interest. This sort of exposure to the field is helpful when it comes time to discuss your interests in a personal statement.

 

[Psychology 76]

I also attend a small liberal arts school but I have had tons of research experience: you just need to seek it out!!

Ask your professors for any research positions they know of at your school or elsewhere. Try to engage in your own individual research. Help other students with their research. Do REU programs. There is research being done all over the place, don't be afraid to travel somewhere and do research there!

You certainly do not have to transfer unless you absolutely hate your school.

Good luck!!

 

[krs1490]

Thanks for the replies!

I guess I titled this wrong, because I am currently doing research just not in my area of interest. Lack of research is a bad way to put it because I am definitely getting some great experience. I'll be helping with a presentation in march which I'm looking forward to. It'll be a good conference to check things out.

I'm obviously hoping I won't have to apply to post-BA RA posistions. Seeing as how I'm a sophomore I hope to gain enough experience from now until the time I have to apply. However, that will be the back up plan.

I guess I'm just having a little anxiety because I read that it's important to have done research in the area you're interested in. I like the idea of starting my own research with the guidance of a professor. Has anyone else had success with this?

 

[Psygresse]

I guess I'm just having a little anxiety because I read that it's important to have done research in the area you're interested in. I like the idea of starting my own research with the guidance of a professor. Has anyone else had success with this?

For what it's worth, I did an honors thesis last year (actually not in my area of interest, but closely related to what I'd like to study within that area), and have been pretty successful in getting interviews so far. I think it's most helpful if you put your best effort into the project and present the results. Some of my classmates did only the bare minimum on their projects, and because of that, I don't think it helped them very much. Given that you say you're not very interested in the area you're working in right now, it might also be motivating to have experience closer to your area of interest in addition to what you're working on now.

 

[brain sturgeon]

I thought I'd throw in my two cents here.

While I majored in psych and have a couple of years experience in a psych lab in undergrad, for the past couple of years (post-graduation), I've been working as an RA in a lab compleeeeeeeeeeetely unrelated to psychology (it's more molecular bio/genetics). This year I am applying to research-heavy clinical PhD programs, and while I was pretty nervous about how my application would be received, I've gotten a few interviews already. The reason - I have several publications. All from my non-psych lab. But profs see that and think of me as a candidate who gets stuff done, is independent and pro-active (or at least, I think that's what they think!).

So my point is, get some, ANY research experience, preferably a job where you will have a lot of responsibilities and can potentially get your name on a paper or two, and you will do fine! The main difficulty I have is trying to explain why I am going from genetics research to clinical psych... but if you stay in the realm of psychology, whether or not it's the exact topic you're interested in, that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[okayroots06]

I thought I'd throw in my two cents here.

While I majored in psych and have a couple of years experience in a psych lab in undergrad, for the past couple of years (post-graduation), I've been working as an RA in a lab compleeeeeeeeeeetely unrelated to psychology (it's more molecular bio/genetics). This year I am applying to research-heavy clinical PhD programs, and while I was pretty nervous about how my application would be received, I've gotten a few interviews already. The reason - I have several publications. All from my non-psych lab. But profs see that and think of me as a candidate who gets stuff done, is independent and pro-active (or at least, I think that's what they think!).

So my point is, get some, ANY research experience, preferably a job where you will have a lot of responsibilities and can potentially get your name on a paper or two, and you will do fine! The main difficulty I have is trying to explain why I am going from genetics research to clinical psych... but if you stay in the realm of psychology, whether or not it's the exact topic you're interested in, that shouldn't be a problem.

very good point and a wonderful "template" to consider as well.

 

[cara susanna]

It's fine, but be aware that you will likely be up against people who do have experience in your area of interest.

 

[krs1490]

Thanks everyone for the input.

I talked to my advisor yesterday about the possibility of doing an honors thesis as a junior (starting next fall). He thought this was a great idea. So along with my current posistion, I'll have to start brain storming some ideas for this.

 

[futureapppsy2]

^

Good idea! A lab that allows you to publish as an undergrad, especially before applications are due, is rare and *very, very, very beneficial*. Doing an honors thesis in your area of interest should reduce that impact of the lab not being directly in line with your area of interest, although you may still be questioned about it at interviews.

Good luck!