What if my research experiences dont mirror my research interests?

[cchays]

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Hello,
I plan on applying to PhD programs in clinical psychology next year and I am nervous that I have not had a chance to do any independent research in my field of interest. I am interested in pediatric and adolescent TBI, and clearly this is not a population that most professors are going to allow an UG to do independent research with. I have 2 independent studies, and a handful of poster presentations. I have worked in a developmental lab and a neuropsych lab. I am in contact with a POI that is working with adolescent TBI and it sounds like he is going to let me volunteer in his research, but it will be highly unlikely that this will result in any independent research or any pubs or presentations. Is this going to hurt me? Or will admissions committees be aware that it is not always possible to do independent research in your area of interest when you are at the undergrad level? Is the fact that I will have experience just working with the population I want to study be enough? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[roubs]

Hello,
I plan on applying to PhD programs in clinical psychology next year and I am nervous that I have not had a chance to do any independent research in my field of interest. I am interested in pediatric and adolescent TBI, and clearly this is not a population that most professors are going to allow an UG to do independent research with. I have 2 independent studies, and a handful of poster presentations. I have worked in a developmental lab and a neuropsych lab. I am in contact with a POI that is working with adolescent TBI and it sounds like he is going to let me volunteer in his research, but it will be highly unlikely that this will result in any independent research or any pubs or presentations. Is this going to hurt me? Or will admissions committees be aware that it is not always possible to do independent research in your area of interest when you are at the undergrad level? Is the fact that I will have experience just working with the population I want to study be enough? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

I had this problem because I went to a big ten school with thousands of psych majors. We descended like wild animals on any and all RA positions. In interviews I basically related this problem and faculty were understanding.

That being said, they may be less understanding at an elite research school where the professors want to make little clones of themselves. It sounds like you have some contact with the group you want to work with; at an undergrad level I think that makes you look quite good.

To whatever extent this is a "problem" (and it may not be much of one) with your application it doesn't sound like it will be "fixed" by the time you interview. So just formulate a good answer if you're questioned about it. I don't thinks something like this will doom your application in any way.