Note: Dr. Baskin-Sommers will NOT be accepting a graduate student for the 2026 cycle.
Dr. Baskin-Sommers looks for students who have a clear interest in the topics researched in the lab and who have documented experience with some (but not all) of the methods (e.g., self-report questionnaires, clinical interviews, neuroimaging, EEG) and tools (e.g., R, SPSS, Matlab) used in the lab. It is essential that there is a clear match between the applicant and Dr. Baskin-Sommers’ program of research. The MoD lab studies environmental and cognitive-affective bases of antisocial behavior. If you are generally interested in crime or interested in becoming a forensic psychologist, this lab is not the best fit for you.
Prior to submitting an application: Prospective students are encouraged to contact Professor Baskin-Sommers by email, preferably in September or October prior to the December application deadline. Please provide a brief statement of your research interests in the email and attach a CV. Dr. Baskin-Sommers will not schedule calls, provide feedback, or answer specific questions in advance of reading all applications. The MoD lab wesbite is continously updated and Dr. Baskin-Sommers works with each student to carve out a program of research that fits with their interests and the goals of the lab. Once all applications are submitted, Dr. Baskin-Sommers will reach out to select applicants to setup an intial converstation.
{Note, the same is true for the current graduate students, they will not set up calls before the initial application review.}
Advice for the application materials: Applicants will be asked to provide a personal statement. The personal statement should detail the applicant’s intellectual experiences to date, research interests (which can be different than questions the applicant has researched so far), how those interests fit with the goals of the MoD Lab, and the applicant’s career goals. The personal statement also can be a place where the applicant discusses challenging life circumstances. There is no one type of person or background that the MoD lab is looking for, so the applicant should mention information that they think Dr. Baskin-Sommers should know. It is important, though, that the statement clearly address the applicant’s intellectual and research experiences and goals. Successful applicants have been able to express clear interests in the personal statement, demonstrate in their statement a specific curiosity about a research question, have documented experience with methods we commonly use in the lab (e.g., imaging, EEG, clinical interviews, or statistical model), and have analyzed data in some way during their previous research experience. Additionally, applicants will be asked to have three letter writers provide recommendations. Be sure to ask people who can provide specific details about experience, intellectual potential, and interpersonal style. Finally, at this time, the GREs are not required. It will not help or hurt and applicant if this information is included with the materials.
Please refer to the Department website for detailed information on requirements and deadlines (http://psychology.yale.edu/graduate/admissions/applying-admission).
