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I’ve (Dr. Vize) put together some info below for potential applicants that should answer some of the more pressing questions you might have. Other info about University of Pittsburgh’s application process can be found at https://www.psychology.pitt.edu/graduate/clinical-program. 

Please know that I am unlikely to respond to emails and do not schedule phone calls or Zoom calls to speak with interested applicants prior to the review process. This is to keep the process as equitable as possible, and it also allows me to give my full attention to current trainees.   

The lab has a relatively broad array of interests, but there are limits to what makes for a good fit. I encourage potential applicants to consider whether their interests align with the topics below in clear ways. Please note that I see these interests as largely overlapping, but I would expect that a trainee is most likely to be interested in one or two topics in particular:  

Antagonistic traits (e.g., callousness, manipulativeness) and behaviors (e.g., aggression) 

Ambulatory assessment (e.g., ecological momentary assessment, passive-sensing) methodology 

The links between personality and psychopathology 

The Five-factor Model of personality (and other general personality models) as tools to conceptualize maladaptive personality traits. E.g., antagonism as the low end of agreeableness from the FFM.  

Psychopathy, narcissism, and other broader personality constructs with strong ties to antagonism are a specific interest  

Structural models of psychopathology (i.e., the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology) 

If you find that your interests and those of the lab strongly align, you may have additional questions about how you may compare to other applicants or how I make decisions about applicants and their fit in the lab. I want to outline some of the key areas I focus on in my review of applicants. I think many of these qualities generalize to other labs/PIs, so these may also be helpful as you consider other graduate programs.  

1. Has specific and developed interests in the topics of the lab's research.  

How to demonstrate this: Most often can be highlighted in the statement of purpose, and you lay out a clear narrative with concrete examples of how you came to be interested in the topic(s) the lab is interested in. 

2. Is motivated, shows evidence of strong work ethic, works well with others/on a team, and possesses a strong sense of intellectual curiosity.  

How to demonstrate this: Provide clear examples of overcoming obstacles, working well as part of a team, how curiosity figures in your academic/intellectual/personal pursuits, and handling multiple demands while in pursuit of your goals. Many examples could work here, and including particularly impactful major life events is not required so please don’t feel pressured to do so.  

3. Has strong interests in and enthusiasm for quantitative methods in psychology.  

How to demonstrate this: Strong quantitative GRE scores can be a good indicator, but they ARE NOT required by the program at Pitt. So, if you were not planning on submitting GRE scores, please don’t feel pressured to do so. Some good alternatives might be evidence of doing well in a quantitative/math heavy class in undergrad. Other demonstrations of aptitude in this area can also work, like an independent project or thesis where you employed some more advanced methods (advanced is a relative term, and I would consider your stage in training when determining what counts as advanced). 

4. Strong reasoning and writing skills.  

How to demonstrate this: Strong Analytical Writing GRE scores can be a good indicator, but they ARE NOT required by the program at Pitt. A great alternative would be writing samples where you are the primary author (i.e., not a paper written in large part by an advisor). 

5. Less important (i.e., not necessary), but experience in coding using software like R is always an additional bonus.  

These skills can certainly be picked up over the course of grad school, but it can be helpful to start off with experience in this area that will let you hit the ground running.  

I also value diversity in backgrounds/life experiences in applicants and believe that this enriches the learning environment for everyone involved. So, if you are from a traditionally underrepresented group or background or have taken the “road less traveled” on your path to graduate training, and I encourage you to highlight these parts of your identity during the interview process.   

I hope this helps you as you consider the lab and program here at Pitt.  

Best of luck with the application process, 

Colin