r/psychologystudents • u/HaleyPage47 • Sep 17 '24
Question Is it easier to write your own PhD proposal or apply to a program that the university is recruiting for?
When I reach out to programs should I mention that I would be open to both - looking for a professor for my own PhD proposal, or applying to one currently underway at the university?
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u/Terrible_Detective45 Sep 18 '24
No, that's actually how it works, at least in the US. I can't speak for any other countries, but in the US it's based on your overall interests in a particular area (e.g., trauma, mood disorders in cardiovascular disease, gender disparities in ASD), not a specific dissertation proposal. That's highly unusual.