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Step One: Topic
Should you pursue honors?
"In your junior year you must make the big decision: should you write a thesis?
If you decide to take the plunge, you should be well aware of the hard work and
determination necessary to complete the task. Do you really want to spend long
hours running subjects and analyzing data while your non- honors friends are
enjoying their last semesters at Harvard with active social lives? Before
answering this question, you might think of the substantial benefits to be gained
by writing a thesis. First, conducting research is an excellent way to really get
to know a faculty member outside of the lecture hall; few other opportunities at
Harvard provide such one-to-one interaction between student and professor.
Second, doing a thesis allows you the chance to conduct original research, yet
another rare opportunity; if you are planning on continuing education in psychology,
such experience is invaluable. Finally, the feeling of holding your completed
thesis in your hand on the due date is one that is hard to surpass; it is a true
sense of accomplishment that makes all the invested effort seem worth it. It is
also nice to see a cum, a magna, or (if you're lucky) a summa next to your name on graduation day." (Gary Barkin '86)
"I spent my college career firmly believing that I was going to be an honors
concentrator. But it became obvious to me that my intended thesis subject was
not really where my academic interests were heading. After much soul-searching,
I decided to become a non-honors concentrator and a candidate for honors in
general studies. I have not regretted that decision at all. By freeing up such a big
chunk of my time, I was able to take seminars and participate in research projects
that I would not have otherwise been able even to contemplate. I feel that I had a
much more significant and rewarding senior year by pursuing my more varied
interests than I would have if I had written a thesis. Writing a thesis is not a
prerequisite for success in life. I will be attending law school next year and I do
not believe that my not writing a thesis hurt my chances for admission. My advice
would be only to write a thesis if you are truly interested in the topic and don't have
other areas of interest that you want to explore during your senior year. Otherwise,
there are many other intellectually rewarding paths to pursue that are not related
to the thesis." (Sharon Murphy '89)
Should you pursue honors, that is, write a thesis? This is an important decision that
must take into account your motivation and perseverance, your commitment to a single
topic, your capacity to set and meet your own schedule and deadlines, your career
goals, your ability to respond to pressure, your other senior year commitments, and
other factors.
Writing a thesis is most likely to be a fulfilling experience if you have a topic that you
are deeply interested in and committed to. If you have or find such a topic, and if you
believe that you have the qualifications and temperament to undertake writing a thesis,
you should strongly consider doing so. A thesis represents an opportunity for scholarly
work in psychology that differs in type and depth from the rest of the undergraduate
program. A thesis is also one good way of gaining the research experience that is
necessary if you are considering attending graduate school in psychology. Most theses
come off reasonably well, and even if your thesis does not come off perfectly, you will
feel that you have learned something important about the discipline and about yourself.
Writing a thesis is not, however, the only way to learn about the discipline or even to
prepare for graduate school. And while the Department only recommends honors for
students completing theses or research projects, the College may award you an honors
degree in general studies based upon your overall course record. Not writing a thesis is
a perfectly viable option even for the bright and motivated student. You should not write
a thesis just for the sake of doing it or just for the sake of receiving honors. If this is your
major motivation, then you are doing it for the wrong reasons and you will be putting
a great deal of time and effort into an endeavor that you may not find satisfying. Once
again, your individual circumstances will determine how appropriate the honors program
is for you.
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