I will not be accepting new students for Fall 2025.

I am always interested in receiving applications or inquiries from highly qualified and motivated students. Working with graduate students is one of the most positive aspects of my daily professional life.

As my research is intended to advance scientific understanding of the psychological experiences of people from all backgrounds, we welcome applicants with diverse life experiences. We especially encourage students from underrepresented groups to apply.

Here are the criteria that my colleagues and I use in the recruitment process (in previous years there were about 30 applicants for each opening):

– Undergraduate GPA
– GPA in psychology courses
– GPA in research methods/statistics courses
– The characteristics of the university from which the applicant got their BA/MA/BS
– Statement of purpose (in the final round this may be the most important criterion)
– Letters of recommendation
– Research experience (having worked in a lab, preferably in multiple labs)
– Honors/seniors thesis or independent research project
– NSF scholarship, other scholarships

Other criteria (that play a smaller role) are:

– The extent to which the candidate helps the lab work toward its
diversity goals
– Professional experience (e.g., having worked or done an internship in a company that does diversity training, a survey institute, an advertisement firm, in a company/NGO that focuses on behavior change)
– Experience as a lab manager at a university
– Scientific publications
– Special skills (e.g., programming, data analysis, foreign languages)
– Special experiences (e.g., Peace Corps, particular first-hand experience with discrimination)
– Leadership abilities (e.g., student government, student associations)
– Being a well-rounded person (i.e., a good mixture of academics, extra-curricular activities (sports, music, etc.), and social engagement).

If you are interested in working with me as a graduate student please contact me as early as possible, preferably 10 to 15 months before the anticipated start date. I can then tell you whether there is a general fit between you and our lab. You will want to apply for a NSF scholarship by the end of October as such a scholarship greatly increases your chance of getting accepted (both in our department and in other departments).

Department Application Process Information

Markus Brauer: markus.brauer[at]wisc[dot]edu