Prospective PhD FAQ

Why create an FAQ specifically for prospective clinical psych PhD students?

The clinical psychology PhD application process is an uneven playing field. Applicants without access to strong mentors, or without professional connections, may have less access to the information provided here.

By sharing this FAQ document, we hope to help “level the playing field” across applicants to our lab.

Content on this page is gratefully adapted from FAQ content by Drs. Anna Lau and Jessica Schleider.

All responses in this FAQ reflect Dr. Weinberg's views and not those of McGill University or other faculty in our clinical psychology program.

How do I know if I'm a "good fit" for the TRAC Lab?

When reviewing prospective students’ applications, Dr. Weinberg is most interested in the fit between (1) the student's interests, experiences, and goals, and (2) our lab’s mission, our research focus, and her capabilities as a mentor.

Applicants tend to be a good fit when they:

Demonstrate commitment to our lab mission (to understand how the brain is involved in the development of psychopathology).
Have accrued mentored independent research experience (e.g., by conducting a thesis, leading an independent project, working as a research assistant after university, making a first-authored conference presentation).
Demonstrate their desire to pursue a career in research (more on this below)

Additionally, most successful applicants have gained prior full-time research experience after completing a bachelor’s degree in a related field, or have completed a research-focused master’s degree.

Prior training in EEG methods is not required, but most successful applicants do have some prior experience with psychophysiology and/or neuroscience research (e.g., fMRI, HRV).

My undergraduate GPA is below 3.5. Will this remove me from consideration?

No. Many factors can influence one’s GPA, including competing commitments (e.g., working part-time while in school), family obligations, and health challenges. Academic achievement is very important, but context is, too.

If you believe your GPA does not reflect your potential as a future scientist, please (1) ask one of your recommenders to share more about your circumstances to help Dr. Weinberg evaluate your academic record in light of relevant contextual factors, and/or (2) provide this information in your research statement.

I am an international student. Will this remove me from consideration?

All applications will be reviewed regardless of residency or citizenship.

However, it is important to be aware that there are some barriers to funding international students in our program. As such, international applicants who are able to receive fellowship funding from their home countries should mention this in their application.

Should I email you to express my interest in applying to your lab?

From Dr. Weinberg's perspective, reaching out personally via email is not necessary. She reads all application materials carefully and takes a holistic view of each applicant.

That said, your decision to email Dr. Weinberg (or not) will have no impact on your odds of receiving an interview invitation or an offer of admission. Because she cannot equitably accommodate the number of requests for meetings with potential applicants, she does not meet with applicants outside our program’s formal interview process.

What should I include in my Research Statement (sometimes also called a "Personal Statement")?

It is helpful when applicants include the following in their Research Statement:

A clear statement of your research interests and career goals (though we all realize this may change over time) and how they relate to the work of the TRAC lab.
Discussion of your research experience(s) and what you learned from them. This should not just be a chronological accounting of your research experiences and responsibilities (this is, of course, in your CV). The Research Statement should instead be a synthesis of the skills you developed from working on projects and the key insights you have taken away (e.g., interpretations of your findings and how this informed new research ideas or questions, how your accumulated skills prepare you for specific research you wish to undertake in graduate school)
You might include thoughts on the specific projects and research questions you would like to pursue in our lab.
Definitely describe if you have genuine interest in more than one lab and advisor in our program. That said, applications that list every faculty member as a potential supervisor tend to be taken less seriously, so the general guidance is to pick a few potential supervisors that speak to your interests, and be specific about that in your statement!

My own experiences with mental health problems (e.g., my own, a friend’s, or a relative’s) have shaped my interest in joining your lab. I’ve been told not to mention this in my Research Statement. Is this true?

No, that's not true. Everyone's goals and interests are shaped by our lived experiences. There is nothing wrong with sharing how your personal experiences have informed or inspired your scientific interests and career ambitions.

However, personal/lived experiences should not be the primary focus of your research statement. Your research interests, experiences, goals, and ‘fit’ with the research goals of our lab are much more helpful to me when reviewing your application.

Is it advantageous to list multiple mentors of interest (or just one) on my application?

There is no inherent advantage to naming multiple mentors of interest on your application. Dr. Weinberg reviews all applications on which she is listed as a top-choice mentor.

Listing two potential mentors may be appropriate if your interests and goals clearly fit with two faculty members’ research programs (as described in your personal statement).

That said, you may actually be at a disadvantage if you list too many mentors of interest-- because our mentorship model prioritizes research interest fit, listing many faculty members with very diverse research programs may actually hurt your chances, as it can convey the message that you don't have specific research interests.

I want to apply, but traveling to Montreal for an on-campus interview would be burdensome and/or difficult for me. What should I do?

For now, our interview days are still being conducted via zoom-- in-person visits are limited to those who have an offer. These zoom interviews consist of almost a full day of brief individual and group meetings with faculty and students in our program.

Where else can I find information and guidance for applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs?

The process of applying for graduate school can be stressful and overwhelming. The following resources are available to hopefully give you some direction and assistance throughout the process. We hope to hear from you in the future, and good luck!

Mitch’s Uncensored Advice for Applying to Graduate School in Clinical Psychology, provided by Dr. Mitch Prinstein, UNC Chapel Hill. A staple for those considering applying to graduate school in clinical psychology, from determining your best-fit career path to deciding between offers from Clinical PhD programs!

A Guide for Underrepresented Students Applying to Graduate Programs in Clinical Psychology, written by graduate students and early career professionals.

Getting Into Psych Grad School, provided by the Council of University Directors in Clinical Psychology. Fantastic guide from Directors of Clinical Training at Clinical Psychology PhD programs.