I’m a clinical psychologist and researcher (Personality & Cognitive Psychology) currently at a crossroads. I’ve spent years building a profile for a PhD in the US—I now have my Master’s and a solid CV with several Q1 publications. However, given the recent administrative changes and the shifting cultural landscape in the US, I’m feeling a lot of hesitation.
My concerns are mainly:
- Funding & Stability: Are research grants in social/cognitive sciences becoming more volatile?
- Environment: As an international student, how is the current "cultural shift" affecting the day-to-day life in R1 universities?
- Long-term ROI: Is the "US PhD brand" still the gold standard if I might not want to stay there post-grad given the political climate?
I used to be 100% sure about this, but now I’m hesitant. For those currently in Psych PhD programs or who have recently graduated: Is the academic excellence still worth the current social/political trade-offs?
u/Legitimate-Bug-2484 — 28 days ago