Graduate Applicants
The Computational Mate Choice Lab plans to accept a new graduate student for Fall 2025. If you are interested in computational and adaptationist approaches to social decision making, particularly in the context of human mating, we'd encourage you to apply!
You can get a sense for the research we do by looking at our recent publications (particularly those papers first-authored by lab members). If you have any questions about the lab or about fit, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Conroy-Beam by email.
Applications are due Dec. 1st, 2024. For more information on the application process, see the department webpage. You can find information about application fee waivers here.
What are we looking for?
The ideal candidate will be analytical, conscientious, ethical, respectful, collaborative, open-minded, and curious.
We mostly study human mate choice, but are open to adjacent topics, too. We've done work on emotions, friendship, and coalitional psychology. If you are interested in building formal models of mental systems for social reasoning, you'd probably find a happy home here.
Data analysis, computational modeling, or programming skills are certainly a perk but are not necessary--we can teach you everything you need to know.
We have no particular GPA, coursework, or other requirements and will evaluate your application holistically for evidence of fit.
Some advice for preparing your personal statement and statement of purpose:
To make for compelling statements, you should try to address three key questions:
What is it that you want to do in graduate school and why?
What topics/questions would you like to explore? How would you like to explore them?
And why? If you can do grad school, you can do a lot of things. Many would be easier and make you more money. Why this? Why these topics/questions/methods?
How are you qualified to achieve your goals?
This could include any specific skills, experiences, perspectives, or knowledge that you’ve cultivated in your life, in the classroom, or in the laboratory that prepare you to be a successful PhD student. If you have any blemishes on your record, that's OK--but why do these not reflect your ability to succeed?
Why is this program and the CMCL the right place for you?
Why not another lab? Why not another program? (it’s OK if you’re interested in other labs, too—but why this one among them?)
And, in all places, as much as possible: show, don’t tell. Anyone can say they are smart, knowledgeable, and hardworking. What evidence do you have that proves that to us? What specific experiences/abilities/accolades demonstrate your interests/abilities/fit?
Here are some helpful resources on preparing statements and the graduate application process:
https://online.usc.edu/news/how-to-write-personal-statement-graduate-school-tips/
https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2016/09/graduate-school-applications
https://psychology.asu.edu/sites/default/files/personal_statement_outline.pdf
https://www.plasticityinneurodevelopmentlab.com/resourcesforresearchers/grad-school-application
Undergraduate Applicants
The Computational Mate Choice Lab is often recruiting talented undergraduate students to volunteer as research assistants. Most recruitment happens near the start of Fall quarter. Take a look at the interests of the graduate students in the CMC lab as well as our recent publications to see if your interests would be a good fit.
Please email your CV/resume and a paragraph explaining your interest in the lab to the graduate student you would be interested in working with.