Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Graduate Students

What type of graduate student opportunities are available with Dr. Goldsmith?

The short answer is that Dr. Goldsmith offers a broad range of research opportunities for students interested in child clinical, developmental psychopathology, and behavior genetics.  The Wisconsin Twin Project offers students the opportunity to collect and/or analyze data from a large, population based twin sample. Rich data exists in the domains of child temperament, child psychopathology (with an emphasis on internalizing and externalizing symptoms), parental psychopathology, stress in the family context, and biology (DNA, cortisol, hormones). In addition, the projects have incorporated an unusually broad set of methods, including lab-based elicitation of behavior, molecular genetics diagnostic interview, family histories, home observation, telephone interviews, diaries, narrative constructions, questionnaires, medical records, biochemical assays (cortisol), and central (EEG) and peripheral (cardiac) psychophysiology. Research opportunities also exist in the field of autism and in the fields of emotional development and developmental behavioral genetics.

How many graduate students does Dr. Goldsmith advise?

Currently, six graduate students work directly under Dr. Goldsmith and others collaborate with him on specific projects. Dr. Goldsmith's labs also currently include one post-doctoral fellow and one Ph.D. researcher. To maintain close contact with his students, Dr. Goldsmith does not typically have more than six graduate students at one time.

Where can I find publications by Dr. Goldsmith and his students and grants held by Dr. Goldsmith?

Several publications are described on this website. For a comprehensive list of publications and grants, see Dr. Goldsmith's CV. In addition, try searching PsychInfo or PubMed for articles by H. H. Goldsmith.

Would UW-Madison be a good fit for me?

The UW-Madison psychology department has a strong research orientation. Students applying to the clinical psychology program should intend to develop a career in research rather than as a mental health care provider. Although substantial variability exists, most successful applicants have undergraduate GPA's above 3.5 and GRE scores (verbal + quantitative) over 1350. Almost all successful applicants have engaged in research beyond the level of a senior honors thesis; most have worked in active research labs for more than one year.

Would the Wisconsin Twin Research labs be a good fit for me?

Graduate students should be interested in autism, behavior genetics, emotional development, and/or developmental psychopathology. Graduate students working with Dr. Goldsmith should intend to pursue a career in research and teaching. Experience working as a one-on-one therapist with autistic children is not a sufficient qualification.

How can I find out more about the graduate programs offered at UW-Madison?

Dr. Goldsmith accepts students for the developmental and clinical psychology graduate programs, as well as the Individualized Graduate Major. You can find a description of these programs at http://psych.wisc.edu

What type of funding or financial aid does UW-Madison offer to graduate students?

Graduate students are typically supported by a variety of financial sources. Over five years, a typical student working with Dr. Goldsmith might be supported for two years on training grant funds, one year on Teaching Assistant funds, and two years on Research Assistant funds. Also, some students are supported with fellowship funds. This is not a guarantee, but an example of how recent graduate students have been supported. Students may have different financial support packages, but the dollar value of the packages are comparable. Virtually all students in the Psychology Department receive financial support. Arrangements are discussed at the time that offers of admission are made.