PhD Applications Q&A Live (August 2021 Edition)

Name: PhD Applications Q&A Live (August 2021 Edition)
Uploaded: 2021-08-09T05:38:25.000Z
Duration: 3 h 3 s

Introduction

The speaker greets the audience and mentions that they will be answering questions or talking about whatever the audience wants to discuss.

Taking a Break from YouTube

The speaker took a break from making videos for YouTube this summer because it is a lot of work.

They have been making videos for TikTok, which is easier than making content for YouTube.

However, the speaker has filmed a Q&A-style video based on questions people asked them on YouTube over a month ago. It is almost finished but not yet edited.

Content Still Helping People

The speaker talks about how their content from last year still seems to be helping people, especially their content about applying for PhD programs.

Views Uptick

The speaker noticed an uptick in views recently and thinks their videos might have been shared on Facebook somewhere.

Even though they haven't made new content in a while, it's nice to know that their old videos are still helping people who are doing PhD applications this year.

Mentioning Professors in Statement of Purpose

The speaker answers a question about whether one can add the name of a professor from another department in their statement of purpose if their research interests align with theirs.

Mentioning Faculty in Statement of Purpose

Make sure to mention faculty in your statement of purpose who can potentially be your advisors.

You can also mention other faculty who might be good collaborators or good people to have around.

If you want to mention someone who is not in that department, make it clear that you understand the difference between departments.

Shortlisted candidates should focus on preparing for interviews by watching relevant videos and reading up on interview tips.

Preparing for PhD Program Interviews

The speaker talks about how interviews for PhD programs are different in different programs and disciplines.

Interview Preparation

The speaker has a video on YouTube with their advice for interviews or site visits and talking to faculty in general.

It's important to research the program you're applying to and the faculty members you might be working with.

Be prepared to talk about your research interests and why you want to pursue a PhD.

Practice answering common interview questions, such as "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" and "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

General Advice on Interviews

In this section, the speaker provides general advice on interviews. The speaker suggests finding out who you're meeting with and if they have any papers that are relevant to your interview. They also discuss whether or not a statement of purpose should start with a hook.

Interview Preparation

Find out who you're meeting with and if they have any relevant papers.

Reading all of your interviewee's papers is unnecessary but can help you feel more prepared.

Statement of Purpose

A statement of purpose is an essay, not a cover letter.

There's no need for a compelling hook in your statement of purpose. It could just be a simple introduction stating why you're interested in the program.

Letters of Recommendation

In this section, the speaker discusses letters of recommendation and what to do if one letter is not as strong as the others.

If there's any chance someone will write you a negative letter, don't ask them.

If you have two incredible letters and one that's not as strong, it's still fine.

PhD for Research in Industry

In this section, the speaker answers whether or not a PhD is necessary for research in industry.

The answer is no; it depends on the job requirements.

Research Internships During COVID

In this section, the speaker discusses how to contact faculty members for research internships during COVID.

Some faculty members might be able to take on student researchers to help them with projects.

It can be difficult to pay people who are not students at your university.

TOEFL Scores and Application Requirements

In this section, the speaker provides advice on how to approach TOEFL scores and application requirements for communication programs in the US.

Understanding TOEFL Scores

Most universities have a cut-off TOEFL score.

Check the required TOEFL score for each program you are interested in.

Programs may be looking for a minimum score rather than the highest possible score.

Writing Samples and Statement of Purpose

If given the opportunity, provide a writing sample to showcase your English language skills.

Ensure that your statement of purpose is well-written as it is an important factor in admissions decisions.

Statement of Purpose Length

In this section, the speaker discusses how long a statement of purpose should be.

Ideal Length

Most statements of purpose are two pages long.

Check what length is suggested by the application or ask people in your field what's normal.

Faculty Members' Role in Admissions Process

In this section, the speaker explains whether faculty members have a say in the admissions process.

Varies by Program

The role of faculty members varies by program.

Some programs require a specific faculty member to pull for you while others admit students generally without input from faculty members.

Number of PhD Programs to Apply To

In this section, the speaker shares their thoughts on how many PhD programs one should apply to.

No Clear Answer

There is no clear answer on how many PhD programs to apply to.

Some suggest applying to 10 while others suggest applying to 20.

How to Choose PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker discusses how to choose appropriate PhD programs based on one's discipline and interests. They also talk about how to rank order schools and make decisions about which school to attend.

Choosing Appropriate PhD Programs

The number of appropriate PhD programs varies depending on one's discipline and interests.

Narrowing down one's interests can help in finding the appropriate programs.

Once you have a list of appropriate programs, you need to decide how many schools to apply to.

Ranking Schools and Making Decisions

Rank ordering schools is important, even if it's just in your head.

Consider whether you would actually want to attend a school that is lower on your rank order if you were accepted there but rejected from higher-ranked schools.

Ultimately, the decision of which school to attend is up to the individual.

Writing a Statement of Purpose for PhD Applications

In this section, the speaker discusses whether a statement of purpose should be centered on specific projects or general learning and experience.

Specific Projects vs General Learning

The answer depends on the norms for your discipline and country.

In some humanities disciplines, it is more common to propose a specific area of research in your statement of purpose.

There is a sweet spot between being too specific and too vague in your statement of purpose.

It's important to figure out an area without necessarily having a really specific project.

Master Sheets and Transcripts

The speaker discusses the issue of master mark sheets not being available in time for admission, and advises on what to do if transcripts are not ready by the time of application.

What to do if transcripts are not ready

If your transcripts are not done by the time you're applying, it's normal.

Send the transcript that you have.

If they want an updated transcript, they will ask for it.

Contacting a Potential PhD Advisor

The speaker provides advice on how to contact a potential PhD advisor who was previously declined due to better options.

How to contact a potential PhD advisor

It is unclear what the question is asking.

If you declined them before but now want to work with them, clarify your question.

If you were accepted into a PhD program and then declined it but now want to consider going there again, provide more information.

Chances of Getting into a PhD Program

The speaker addresses the common question of whether having an average undergraduate GPA but high master's degree GPA affects one's chances of getting into a PhD program.

Chances of getting into a PhD program with varying GPAs

There is no way to answer this question based on statistics alone.

GPA is only one part of your application; upward trajectory in GPA is good.

Publishing papers can also improve your chances.

Submitting GRE Scores

The speaker answers whether or not GRE scores should be submitted when they are optional and unavailable in one's country.

Should GRE scores be submitted?

If GRE scores are optional, it means they are optional and will not be held against you if you do not submit them.

The reason for making GRE scores optional is that there may be reasons why you have low scores that do not reflect your competency.

If the GRE is unavailable in your country, of course, don't submit it.

Addressing a Potential Advisor

The speaker advises on whether to address a potential advisor by their first name or by their title.

How to address a potential advisor

It may not matter in most cases.

If it does matter, people will not be upset or weirded out if you use their title.

Use their first name if you feel comfortable doing so.

Addressing Professors and Mentors

In this section, the speaker advises on how to address professors and mentors in academic settings.

Proper Addressing of Professors

Never address a professor as Mr., Miz, or Mrs.

If you have an existing relationship with a professor, it is okay to refer to them by their first name if they have previously signed their emails that way.

Err on the side of formality when addressing professors you do not know.

Mentioning Professors in Statement of Purpose

In this section, the speaker answers a question about mentioning professors in a statement of purpose.

Mentioning Professors in Statement of Purpose

It is okay to mention more than one professor you are interested in working with.

Listing additional people besides your top choice is always a good idea because you never know who will be able to take students.

Value of Paid PhD vs. Scholarship PhD

In this section, the speaker answers a question about the value of paid PhD versus scholarship PhD.

Value of Paid PhD vs. Scholarship PhD

The decision to pursue a paid or scholarship PhD is personal and depends on individual financial circumstances.

The value or return on investment (ROI) does not differ externally since CVs do not indicate whether a degree was funded or not.

Listing Multiple Faculty Members in Application

In this section, the speaker answers a question about listing multiple faculty members in an application.

Listing Multiple Faculty Members

It is recommended to list more than one faculty member when applying for programs because some may not be taking students.

Listing additional people besides your top choice is always a good idea because you never know who will be able to take students.

Writing Sample for PhD Application

In this section, the speaker answers a question about what constitutes a writing sample for PhD applications.

Writing Sample for PhD Application

A writing sample means submitting something that you have already written, not writing something new.

It could be a published paper, an honors thesis, or a really good paper from a class.

Check the application specifications to see if there are any requirements.

How to Decide Where to Go After Being Accepted

In this section, the speaker discusses how to decide where to go after being accepted into different programs. The speaker shares their personal opinion on the matter and highlights some factors that may influence one's decision.

Factors to Consider When Deciding Where to Go

The prestige of a university is not always an accurate indicator of success.

In PhD programs, students have many opportunities to distinguish themselves through research and publications.

A student's track record and CV are important factors in determining their appeal as a candidate.

Advisor fit is crucial in disciplines where students work closely with an advisor.

Contacting Potential Advisors Before Applying

In this section, the speaker talks about whether contacting potential advisors before applying can boost one's probability of acceptance. The speaker shares their experience and provides some insights on how best to approach potential advisors.

Should You Contact Potential Advisors?

Contacting potential advisors is more of a fact-finding mission than an audition.

It can be helpful in finding out if they are taking new students and what kind of research they are doing.

There is no way to know for sure if it boosts your probability of acceptance, but it could be true sometimes.

Location as a Factor for International Students

In this section, the speaker discusses location as a factor for international students when applying for PhD programs. The speaker provides some insights on how to think about location when deciding between different programs.

Location as a Factor

Location can be a factor when deciding between different programs.

If everything else is equal, location can be the deciding factor.

However, it is important to prioritize other factors such as faculty and research opportunities.

Choosing a Location for Graduate School

In this section, the speaker discusses how to choose a location for graduate school and whether having a master's degree with research experience gives an advantage in getting admitted into a top school.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Location

It is important to consider factors such as whether your rights will be respected if you are part of a marginalized community or if you have severe issues with the climate.

The speaker cannot tell someone what they might like or not like in a location, but it is important to consider personal preferences when choosing where to attend graduate school.

Does Having a Master's Degree Give an Advantage?

While having a master's degree can be helpful, it does not give an advantage by virtue of being a master's degree. The benefit of having one is that it tends to result in more types of relevant experience, such as research experience.

Applying for Graduate School

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to applying for graduate school, including whether all academic recommenders should have PhDs and what to do if professors say they don't have space in their lab.

Academic Recommenders

While professors are usually the best recommenders, it is not necessary for all academic recommenders to have PhDs.

Professors Saying They Don't Have Space in Their Lab

If professors say they don't have space in their lab, it is likely because they truly do not have space. It is important to consider other faculty members who may be available and mention multiple faculty members when applying.

Fee Waivers and Funding

In this section, the speaker discusses fee waivers and funding for graduate school.

Fee Waivers

It is not common for departments to have mechanisms for fee waivers. However, if you have a good relationship with a professor, they may be able to help you find mechanisms for getting a fee waiver.

Funding

Some universities do not have fee waivers because someone else pays the fees. It is important to ask professors or the department about funding options.

Handling Rude Interactions and Fee Waivers

In this section, the speaker talks about how to handle rude interactions when asking questions about applications. They also discuss fee waivers and official policies for them.

Dealing with Rude Interactions

The speaker recounts an experience where a prospective student was rude to them after they were unable to provide a mechanism for fee waivers.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being polite in all interactions, especially with administrative staff who can influence admissions decisions.

Fee Waivers

The speaker explains that their university does not have a mechanism for fee waivers.

However, they suggest that some universities may have official policies for fee waivers that can be found by searching online.

Taking Time Off Before Applying to PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker discusses whether taking time off before applying to PhD programs affects admission chances.

The speaker explains that taking time off before applying to PhD programs is common and does not necessarily affect admission chances.

They mention that many students in their program took time off before starting their PhD, including some who worked for several years before returning to school.

Does Undergraduate Institution Prestige Matter When Applying to PhD Programs?

In this section, the speaker shares their opinion on whether undergraduate institution prestige matters when applying to PhD programs.

The speaker believes that undergraduate institution prestige does not matter when applying to PhD programs.

They argue that where you go to college is based on what you did before college, and by the time you're applying to PhD programs, your undergraduate institution is not as important.

Research Opportunities and Manuscripts

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of research opportunities for students and whether mentioning academic papers that are in preparation on a CV is a good idea.

Importance of Research Opportunities

Attending a better-resourced university may provide more research opportunities.

Students who attend non-research universities but still manage to gain research experience are considered impressive.

The speaker does not consider the university attended as important when reviewing applications.

Mentioning Academic Papers in Preparation on CV

It is common in humanities to include manuscripts under preparation or books under contract on CVs.

In fields with faster publication cycles, it is less common to include manuscripts under submission or review on CVs.

It is recommended to seek advice from letter writers regarding what is normal in your field.

Specificity in Searching for Professors

In this section, the speaker discusses how specific one should be when searching for professors whose research interests match their own.

Being Too Specific in Search

Being too specific can limit options when applying for PhD programs.

Example given where searching for faculty doing work on copyright law and online communities would have limited options significantly.

Finding Advisors with Similar Interests

Consider what your interest is an example of rather than being too specific.

The speaker found an advisor doing work on online communities and creativity which worked well despite not having expertise or interest in copyright law.

How to Choose a PhD Advisor

In this section, the speaker provides tips on how to choose a PhD advisor and make your research interests more attractive.

Choosing a PhD Advisor

Look at the papers led by their PhD students and see what range of stuff they advise. This gives you an idea of the range of things they are willing to do.

Be specific in your search but not too specific. If you want to do computer science research, there needs to be at least a subfield that you're interested in. Give examples if you're not sure what you want to do in that subfield.

Making Your Research Interests More Attractive

Word it in such a way that it makes it clear that you're open to lots of different kinds of things under that umbrella.

Provide examples of your interest in a general field and then specify the subfield or area within that field where your interest lies. For example, "I am interested in studying technology ethics as a general field and, in particular, I'm really interested in issues of algorithmic ethics."

Ranking Potential Schools Based on Application Fees

In this section, the speaker discusses whether ranking potential schools based on application fees is reasonable.

It is completely reasonable if you can't apply to many schools because of application fees.

Some places have mechanisms for waiving application fees or special programs for underrepresented students.

You can ask prospective advisors directly about any mechanism for waiving application fees or email university admissions.

If you can only apply to five schools and three of them are your top choices, you might want to throw in a university that is not as expensive to apply to.

Programs in the UK vs US and Publications for PhD Applications

In this section, the speaker discusses programs in the UK vs US and whether publications are important when applying for PhD programs.

The speaker is not a great person to shed light on how programs in the UK differ from those in the US.

Faculty members in the US have their PhDs from elsewhere.

Publications are not necessary but they improve an application like many other good things such as a perfect GRE score or GPA.

PhD Funding and Programs

The speaker discusses the different types of funding available for PhD programs, including external fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and university or external fellowships. They also discuss how location can be a factor in choosing a program.

Types of Funding

Students cannot be paid to do their PhD more than once.

Common funding models include tuition being paid by someone else while students receive a stipend from working as a research or teaching assistant or receiving a fellowship.

Work experience can be relevant to getting into a PhD program if it is related to the field and can be tied to why the student wants to pursue a PhD.

Choosing a Program

Location can be an important factor in choosing a program but ultimately depends on what is most important to the individual student.

When writing about oneself in the statement of purpose, it is important to focus on why one wants to pursue a PhD and what kind of research they want to do.

Contacting Potential Advisors

The speaker discusses when it is appropriate to contact potential advisors and when applications are typically due.

Contacting Advisors

It is recommended that students wait until September before contacting potential advisors but emails may start coming in as early as November.

Work experience can be relevant to getting into a PhD program if it is related to the field and can be tied to why the student wants to pursue a PhD.

Applying Straight Out of Undergrad

The speaker discusses whether work experience can help or hurt a student's application if they are applying straight out of undergrad.

Work Experience

Work experience can be relevant to getting into a PhD program if it is related to the field and can be tied to why the student wants to pursue a PhD.

Applying for Graduate School

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to applying for graduate school.

Best Time to Apply

Fall is generally the best time to apply for graduate school in terms of funding.

Some programs only accept new PhD students in the fall.

Following Up with Professors

If a professor does not respond to an email, follow up once after a week or two.

It is not weird to email multiple professors in a department at a time.

Updating Applications

There is no way to update applications once they have been submitted.

If something significant happens after submitting an application, such as winning an award, it may be worth mentioning it when corresponding with prospective advisors or during interviews.

Emailing Potential Advisors

This section covers common mistakes and best practices when emailing potential advisors.

Writing the Wrong Lab Name

Mistakes happen and writing the wrong lab name is not a deal breaker.

If the professor responds, pretend like nothing happened.

When following up, make sure to mention the correct lab name.

Early Replies from TAs

Usually, PhD applications are all due at the same time and are reviewed at the same time.

Grad School Rankings

The speaker discusses grad school rankings and their usefulness.

Best Ranking Source

There is no clear answer on which ranking source is best for shortlisting potential graduate schools.

The speaker personally does not find rankings useful.

PhD in English vs HCI

In this section, the speaker discusses the advantages of pursuing a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) over English.

Better job prospects with HCI

Pursuing a PhD in HCI provides better job prospects compared to English.

The speaker feels good about the job process for their PhD students who want to get academic jobs.

Ethical perspective on job prospects

In this section, the speaker talks about their ethical perspective on job prospects for their students.

Comfort knowing students have options

The speaker hopes that their PhD students who want academic jobs get them.

It is comforting for the speaker to know that even if their students don't get academic jobs, they can work at companies like Facebook or Google.

Pursuing a PhD in HCI puts one in a good position for industry research positions.

Time limit and unanswered questions

In this section, the speaker sets a time limit and addresses unanswered questions.

Time limit and unanswered questions

The speaker has set a time limit of 20 more minutes.

If there are any unanswered questions, they will be answered later in the comments of the video.

Choosing potential supervisors based on publications

In this section, the speaker answers a question about choosing potential supervisors based on publications.

Importance of looking at first author and last author papers

When searching for potential supervisors, it is important to look at both first author and last author papers.

Looking at where someone is listed as last author might be even more important because it tells you what research their students are doing and what kind of research you might be doing if you work with them.

Considering cost of living when applying for PhD programs

In this section, the speaker answers a question about considering cost of living when applying for PhD programs.

Personal decision on considering cost of living

Whether to consider cost of living when applying for PhD programs