|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I apply to a graduate program in developmental psychology if I did not major in psychology as an undergraduate? Sure, many people do. Be sure to explain how your undergraduate major contributed to your current interest in developmental psychology or how your interest in developmental psychology emerged. Sometimes, not having been a Psychology major can work in your favor, because you can bring a unique perspective to Developmental psychology. 2. Do programs expect me to have had a survey course in child psychology or human development? Often they do, and the admissions committee members will be wondering why you never took such a course during your undergraduate career. In your application, explain how it is you came to be interested in developmental psychology but never took a course in college on the topic. 3. Do programs expect me to have had a course in statistics? Most programs will expect you to have had a statistics course as an undergraduate. If you did not have such a course, they may wonder if you are able to do the advanced statistics required at their program. Be sure to address this in your application if the program requires undergraduate statistics. 4. What sort of advanced seminars or honors work is expected? Most programs will expect applicants to have had advanced seminars in some area of developmental psychology. However, especially if your interests have changed since college, this may not be required. 5. Who should I ask to write reference letters in support of my application? Will anyone do? Generally, admissions committees like to see letters from your course instructors and faculty who supervised your work in their labs. Comments from faculty members like these are most likely to reveal what kind of a student you will be in the graduate program. Previous supervisors on the job or on various internship experiences can also reveal your capability for future study and research. However, do not ask relatives, therapists or clergy to write on your behalf – too personal! Your reference letters will describe to the admissions committee what you have been like as a student or a researcher or a worker. Were you responsible, hard-working, interested, curious, and easy to get along with? How have you responded to feedback and especially criticism in the past? Did you show special talents? What were your academic strengths and weaknesses? What promise do you show for future academic and applied work? 6. Will prior research experience help? What if my prior research experience was not in a psychology lab? What about internships? Prior research experience or internships in any field can be very useful, especially if you are applying to a program that prepares you to do similar work in the future. But neither research nor internships are critical, and many students apply to psychology grad school without prior internships or research experience. If you do have prior experience, explain how your past experiences have influenced your interest in graduate training, and be ready to talk about your internship or research experience if you are interviewed. Do you want to continue doing the kinds of research you were doing, or do you want to do new types of research? 7. Do I need to have a dissertation topic in mind when I apply to a program? It depends on the program. Most programs would prefer you did NOT have a topic in mind, as that may limit you as you develop your interests over the next two or three years. Instead, most programs would like you to have a general set of questions or topics that you are interested in studying so that they are sure you understand what developmental psychology is about and so that they can be sure that your are well suited to their program offerings. 8. Should I mention a particular faculty member that I am interested in working with? Yes. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you want to work at a school, be sure to mention that in your application. And if there is no particular faculty member, mention some faculty members in that program whose interests most match your own. Otherwise, the admissions committee will wonder how much you know about their program and whether you have done your homework!
|
||
