PPREP Program
Interested in applying to graduate programs or any research position in psychology?
Great! The Harvard Psychology community is thrilled to announce our offering in the form of an informational event for individuals interested in pursuing research positions and/or doctorates in psychology: Prospective Ph.D. & RA Event in Psychology (PPREP).
Who is this program for?
The goal of this workshop is to broaden participation in psychology by helping students prepare strong applications to graduate school, lab manager, and/or research assistant positions. We encourage applications from students with first-generation and low-income backgrounds, as well as those from institutions with fewer research opportunities — terms we use to describe socioeconomic and institutional circumstances. PPREP is open and welcoming to all, and we do not consider race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, or gender in the application process. This is not just for Harvard students or people applying to Harvard programs or positions. Applicants from any institution or location may apply to PPREP for any Ph.D program or research assistant position, subject to published eligibility and capacity requirements.
Why is Harvard Psychology doing this?
The Harvard Psychology Department is actively and intentionally committed to broadening access to the field. We intend to engage more intentionally with individuals from a broad range of institutions and experiences. We also feel strongly that we should help individuals pursue training in psychology regardless of the institutions they attend or are interested in, because the field benefits from everything you have to offer. As such, our goal in offering this workshop is to help you put your best foot forward as you apply widely for advanced training opportunities in psychology. Participation in this workshop is separate from admissions, hiring, and other selection decisions.
What is the format?
Our community of graduate students, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty will hold a free day of informal panel discussions and application workshops, open to everyone who registers — there is no selection process to attend. At the end of the event, attendees who are interested can apply for a separate, limited opportunity to be paired with a current member of our psychology department (i.e., faculty, post-doc, and/or graduate student) who will provide structured feedback on the materials you intend to use to apply to research positions and advanced degree opportunities in psychology (i.e., cover letters, Statements of Purpose, and CVs).
What will the feedback application look like? (this is a separate application, submitted after the event)
For people applying to graduate school, you will be expected to have a working draft of your Statement of Purpose (sometimes called a research statement) or cover letter and CV ready by the week after the workshops. You will then receive feedback on your Statement of Purpose and diversity statement (if applicable) from the mentor you are paired with.
For people applying for research positions, you will be expected to have a working draft of your cover letter and CV ready by the week after the workshops. You will then receive feedback on these materials from the mentor you are paired with.
How do I register for the event?
You can register here: https://forms.gle/ybTjquXnk2WAQBNR9. This registration is open to everyone — there is no selection process to attend the event. If you're interested in the separate feedback application, you'll have the opportunity to apply at the end of the event.
What's the registration like?
Registering for the event takes just a minute or two, and consists of a few quick questions about your career stage and whether you're interested in the separate feedback application. This registration is meant to be very informal!
What will the feedback application be like?
If you're interested in feedback on your materials, a separate application will open at the end of the event (see Important Dates below). That application can take from 10 to 15 minutes, and consists of a few quick questions about your background, as well as a short answer question about who you are and your interests. Demographic information collected will not be used in selection to the program. We also include an optional question asking whether you require any accommodations, so that we can work toward making the workshops as accessible as possible. This application is meant to be very informal!
Please note: your answers will be used to determine your eligibility for the feedback portion of PPREP and, for eligible applicants, whether you receive priority in the selection process described below. Your information will not be shared with anyone beyond the PPREP committee.
Is this only for people who are applying to positions at Harvard?
Nope! You can register for this workshop regardless of whether or not you plan to apply to Harvard (though we hope you'll apply to Harvard as well)! Please Note: this event is NOT associated with admissions to or employment at Harvard University.
How are participants selected?
The day's panel discussions and workshops are open to everyone who registers — there is no selection process to attend. Feedback on your application materials is a separate, limited opportunity. After the event, we will first review feedback-application submissions to ensure eligibility criteria are met. Then, within each sub-discipline pool (i.e., cognitive/brain/behavior, developmental, clinical, and social), eligible applicants who meet defined socioeconomic criteria are given priority for selection. Remaining seats in each sub-discipline are filled by random draw from the remaining eligible pool. If the number of eligible applicants who meet the socioeconomic criteria exceeds the number of available seats in a sub-discipline, selection within that group is random, and other applicants may not receive a seat in that sub-discipline this cycle.
If anyone eligible is not selected, please see our FAQ page linked under the “Helpful Info” section below for links to similar programs.
What did previous years’ participants think…
“I attended Harvard’s PPREP program this weekend and it was the most helpful graduate school info I’ve ever received. EVERY grad school should provide programs like this if they’re serious about diversity, equity, and inclusion work!”
“Thank you all for an informative and empowering weekend!”
“Feeling lucky & grateful to have participated in Harvard’s PPREP this weekend. Panelists gave indispensable, candid advice on applying to psych grad school and navigating academia.”
Although these data are limited to the attendees who ended up applying to graduate school and replied to our follow up survey, across the first two years we ran this program, >75% of attendees received invitations to interview for a PhD program. Of those who interviewed, >75% received offers to a PhD program.
Likewise, of attendees who ended up applying to RA positions and replied to our follow up survey , >75% received invitations to interview for an RA position. Of those interviewed, >70% received offers for an RA position.
Important Dates:
- September 2, 2026: interest form opens (career stage and interest in a second, materials-feedback session)
- October 18, 2026: the informal, live event will take place virtually (via Zoom)
- October 18, 2026: application for feedback on materials opens (at the end of the event); applications close October 30, 2026
- November 1, 2026: email notification of admission decision goes out
- November 2, 2026: applicants on the waitlist who can be accommodated will be invited
- November 1 – 9, 2026: peer/faculty feedback on application materials (note: please have drafts of your Statement of Purpose or cover letter and CV ready)
Eligibility Requirements:
- At least 18 years of age
- Individuals must be planning on applying for full-time employment in research positions and/or advanced degree opportunities in psychology THIS YEAR (i.e., Fall 2026)
Important Notes:
- Your feedback-application materials will not be seen by members outside of the selection committee for this program (i.e., mentors or other members of the department) and will not be considered if you decide to apply to Harvard for PhD programs or RA positions
- You can save your responses to the feedback application and return later to finish and submit it if necessary. However, after 1 week of inactivity, your application will be deleted
Questions?
If you have questions about this event or the application, please email HarvardPsychRecruitment@gmail.com
Helpful Links