# PPREP Program ## expand\_more !["Harvard Psychology presents PPREP: Prospective PhD and RA Event in Psychology" overlayed on image Harvard skyline](/sites/g/files/omnuum9601/files/2025-03/Screen%20Shot%202020-08-07%20at%202.25.08%20PM.png) ## 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 recruit and help students from economically or resource disadvantaged backgrounds with their applications to graduate school, lab manager, and/or research assistant positions. This includes but is not limited to first-generation college students, those from low-income / low-resource backgrounds, or from institutions with fewer research opportunities. We do not consider race, ethnicity, sexual identity, or gender in the application process. This is **not** just for Harvard students or people applying to Harvard programs or positions. **Anyone, from anywhere, applying to ANY Ph.D program or research assistant position is invited to apply to PPREP.** ### Why is Harvard Psychology doing this? The Harvard Psychology Department is actively and intentionally committing to building an inclusive field. While we intend to be more intentional about increasing the economic diversity of our department, we also feel strongly that we should help economically disadvantaged individuals pursue training in psychology no matter what institutions they're interested in, because the field needs 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. ### What is the format? Our community of graduate students, research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty will hold a **free** weekend of informal panel discussions and application workshops. You will also 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, personal statements, and CVs). ### What will the application feedback portion look like? **For people applying to graduate school**, you will be expected to have a working draft of your personal statement or cover letter and CV ready by the week after the workshops. You will then receive feedback on your personal statement 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 apply? You can [apply here](https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6lipsJQJApzILn8)! ### What's the application like? The application can take from 10 to 15 minutes, and consists of a few quick questions about your background and identities that you hold, as well as a short-answer question about who you are and your interests. We also ask about disability status 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 ONLY to enter you into the lottery for admission to the PPREP program. 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 apply to 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? We will first review applications to ensure selection criteria are met. Then, we will prioritize applicants who are economically disadvantaged. Then, we will randomly select from this pool by sub-discipline (i.e., cognitive/brain/behavior, developmental, clinical, and social) to form a cohort for the event so that we can match applicants with mentors in their area of interest. 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 year’s 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 with a marginalized identity.”* 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 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 24, 2025**: applications are due - **October 7, 2025**: email notification of admission decision goes out - **October 18 & 19, 2025**: the informal, live event will take place virtually (via Zoom) - **October 20 - October 27, 2025**: Peer/faculty feedback on application materials (note: please have drafts of your research statement 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 2025) ### Important Notes: - Your 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 this application and return later to finish and submit the application 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 ### Helpful Links [PPREP FAQ](https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/pprep-faqs) [Learn about our research offerings](/research)