Broad Research Interests (biology)

[mop]

I've spent 2+ years in undergrad research on a narrow topic in biology and I'm applying for PhD programs in the fall. I have relatively broad interests so I would like to explore some different topics in cell/molecular biology before choosing an adviser and will apply to umbrella programs/ programs with first year lab rotations.

However, I am worried about how to express this, if it would come off as unfocused or not having a good research 'fit' for a particular department.

Can anyone offer advice on how to express this desire in my SOP without hurting my chances for admission?

[Physwimic]

So I think you are falling into a common misconception that many people have when applying to grad school. Most programs in biology, particularly ones that require some sort of rotation prior to choosing a final lab, don't require you to be too specific about your research interests. Unlike some areas, where getting the backing of a professor is crucial to getting into the school (for example, physics or chemistry), these programs make decisions based on overall merit and promise, not on adding to a specific lab. So you don't have to feel like you must list a specific area.

That being said, you should let them know what areas you are interested in. Presumably you have certain things that you have absolutely no interest in and others in which you are more interested. The tact I took was to be honest that I was not set on a specific field or topic, but I was potentially interested in X, Y, and Z or closely related areas. It sounds like you have enough of an opinion that you can do this. This worked fine for me and got me into a program that allowed me the freedom to explore these options (which it sounds like you are interested in doing).

[rexzeppelin]

Physwimic, thank you so much for that!

 

I've been going crazy trying to narrow down biology research interests solely from skimming papers and reading blurbs, the scope of choice is paralyzing! I think it's much more realistic to have broad interests (though I'm sure some people know the niche they want to pursue from the get-go).