Two different research aresas? :(

[MsAmira]

Hi all!

 

I'm in a bit of a dilemma contacted a POI back in Sept who does research in neuropsychology, and she seemed very interested in taking me on. At the same time however, I'm also interested in trauma psychology and I only just very recently came across another professor from the same school whose research is in the area of trauma. But because I just came across this info, I haven't gotten the chance to contact him.

 

The school I'm applying to does highlight the interdisciplinary aspect of their clinical program (I'm applying to York). So it seems like it's not necessarily a bad thing being interested in two research areas! But my dilemma is that, how can say that Prof #1 (neuropsych) is my main supervisor, but I'm also interested in Prof's #2 (trauma) research without seeming undecided. And also, I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by mentioning in my SOP another faculty from a different research area if I already found a POI who seemed interested in taking me on. 

 

Basically, in my SOP I am going to write that I have an interest in trauma psychology along with my interest in neuropsych, however should I mention the other professor by name? Or is it better to just say I'm interested in trauma psyc and look forward to taking advantage of the interdisciplinary aspect blah blah... 

 

Any advice?? thank youuu

[psych face]

I did this on more than one of my applications, because truthfully we all have multiple interests and some of these schools have awesome people in several of our interests. I made sure my number 1 choice was clear but also mentioned interest in all the others.

But!!! -I don't know if that is successful because I haven't done it before. So, I don't know if it is good or bad.

If it makes you feel any better, at least this is to tell you that you're not the only one who feels that way.

[lewin]

Sharing research interests with multiple faculty members is a good thing, though it doesn't guarantee anything about getting to work with both of them. Just write that you're interested in two main areas and these align with professors X and Y. No need to label them primary and secondary or anything like that.

 

 

 

"...is my main supervisor..."

 

Maybe I'm reading into this but don't use this wording in your statement; if you want to work with somebody in particular you write "I would like to work with...." or "I am interested in working with..."  It's usually the program who decides who is your supervisor and they'll say who this when they make the offer. [Exception is some grad programs (e.g., bio?) where you start and do several lab rotations before choosing a supervisor.

[MsAmira]

Thanks Yeah, I wasn't going to put "main supervisor" but just wanted to specify that one prof I already reach out to her and she seemed interested in having me work with her, but the other prof, I only found out just recently about him. Thanks so muuch!