Current grad students

[lafresca]

Hi all,

I was wondering how much your plans as a graduate student diverged from those written in your SOP's and spoken about during your interviews? These plans may include research ideas, research proposals, or even changing fields.

Thanks!

Edited January 14, 2011 by lafresca

[juror#1]

I would say it is a tiny bit different, but that is mainly because I am still getting oriented with all the research and procedures in my lab. Though, since I was brought on to also be a research assistant in a new organization I will be starting the research I wrote about in my SOP and talked about at the interview shortly. Luckily my advisor is very open and willing to allow me to dictate the topics I research. Regardless of any differences in what was expected, I can say that I love my program and my advisor is incredible.

[repatriate]

I am not doing what I wrote in my SOP. I working in the same general specialization but looking at different, not-overlapping questions--both my own ideas and my advisor's. My adivisor never asked me to do what I wrote in my SOP, and I decided to pursue other topics. Like juror#1, I have a very supportive and flexible advisor, so I am content with my research questions.

[UnlikelyGrad]

Oh, I'm not doing what I talked about in my SOP at all, but that's OK with me.

What I discussed in my SOP is what I want to do long-term. I'm using my PhD years to get 1/2 of the tools I'll need to do what I want, and I figure I'll try to do somewhat different sort of stuff as a post-doc to pick up the other 1/2 of the skills I need. Then, as a professor, I can combine them in my own unique way.

[socialpsych]

I'm doing pretty much exactly what I wrote in my SOP. But several of my peers are doing slightly different things, and one is doing something completely unrelated.

IMO, there are two things you need to accomplish with your description of your interests in your SOP: (1) demonstrate that you can talk intelligently about psychology and know what interesting research questions look like, and (2) get matched with the right advisor (also demonstrate fit with schools, etc). Once you have an offer to work with a person whose interests are at least compatible with yours, I don't think anyone will hold you to what you wrote about in your SOP.