PhD Applications Q&A Live (November 2021 Edition)

Name: PhD Applications Q&A Live (November 2021 Edition)
Uploaded: 2021-11-21T19:29:46.000Z
Duration: 4 h 22 min 57 s

PhD Application Q&A

In this video, the speaker answers questions related to PhD applications, specifically in STEM and social science disciplines in the United States. The speaker provides advice on contacting faculty before submitting an application, when to submit an application, and what to do if a program requires three recommendation letters but only two are available.

Contacting Faculty Before Submitting an Application

It is not bad to reach out to faculty close to the deadline.

Contacting faculty can be helpful for a fact-finding mission.

Do not expect a response before the deadline.

Mention that you are aware of how close it is to the deadline and that they don't need to respond right away.

When To Submit An Application

Some programs may not look at applications until after the deadline.

Submitting an application closer or further from the deadline does not matter in most cases.

Recommendation Letters

Some programs may require all pieces of an application before looking at it.

The speaker does not know if having two instead of three recommendation letters would affect your application.

Admissions Process and Research Topics

In this section, the speaker discusses the admissions process for graduate programs and how missing components of an application may affect its consideration. They also touch on the appropriateness of suggesting a research topic when contacting faculty.

Admissions Process

The speaker notes that checking if all components of an application have been completed is not a huge burden, but it may be more difficult in programs with less administrative support.

If one of the required letters of recommendation is missing, it may not necessarily be a deal breaker, but having all required components is better.

It's recommended to follow program requirements and not go against them. If there are concerns about meeting requirements, it's best to contact the program directly.

The speaker notes that some recommenders may not submit their letters by the deadline. While this is not ideal, applications may still be reviewed without them.

Suggesting Research Topics

The appropriateness of suggesting a research topic when contacting faculty depends on the discipline and country. In some STEM disciplines or countries like the UK, submitting a separate research proposal as part of an application is common.

When reaching out to prospective advisors, it's important to mention why you're interested in their work and how your interests align with theirs. This can include mentioning specific research topics or areas of interest.

Advice on Writing a Statement of Purpose

In this section, the speaker provides advice on writing a statement of purpose for a PhD program.

Tips for Writing a Statement of Purpose

Consider broader versions of your research interests and provide examples.

Focus on the topic rather than the project if you are unsure about your options.

Avoid leaning too heavily on things that are not directly related to the program or department you are applying to.

How to Talk About Fit for a Specific Program or School

In this section, the speaker provides recommendations on how to talk about fit for a specific program or school other than mentioning specific faculty.

Recommendations for Talking About Fit

Mention centers or programs at the university that align with your research interests.

Be careful not to lean too heavily on things outside of the program or department you are applying to.

If mentioning faculty outside of the department, also mention faculty within the department.

Example of Mentioning Centers at University

In this section, the speaker gives an example of how to mention centers at a university in your application.

Example

Mention centers at the university that align with your research interests. For example, if you're interested in law-related research, mention both faculty and centers such as "the Silicon Flatiron Center for Law and Technology" at that university.

Nothing in Your Application is a Deal Breaker

In this section, the speaker provides general advice about how nothing in your application is a deal breaker.

General Advice

Nothing in your application is necessarily going to be a deal breaker.

Personal Statement vs. Diversity Statement

In this section, the speaker answers a question about whether personal statements and diversity statements are similar or different.

Answer

Personal statements and diversity statements can be similar or different depending on the application requirements.

Personal Statement and Diversity Statement

In this section, the speaker discusses personal statements and diversity statements for PhD programs.

Personal Statement vs. Diversity Statement

A personal statement is about how you as a person are influencing why you want to get a PhD or what you want to do.

A diversity statement often has a specific prompt that asks how your personal experiences impact diversity.

If not doing a personal statement, some of its content can be included in the statement of purpose.

What to Include in a Diversity Statement

Talk about your positionality, background, and personal experience.

Discuss being part of an underrepresented group or having certain challenges such as being a first-gen student or having a disability.

If lacking relevant personal experience, discuss supporting students in teaching or being part of a diverse research group.

Referees for PhD Applications

In this section, the speaker discusses referees for PhD applications.

Number of Referees Required

Follow the application's instructions regarding the number of referees required.

Do not submit more than requested as it may not be read or accepted.

Importance of Referee Selection

Choose letter writers who will provide the best and most relevant letters.

Letters from someone with whom you conducted research are strongly recommended.

GRE Conversation

The speaker discusses the importance of submitting GRE scores when applying to graduate programs and how some programs are now either not requiring them or making them optional.

Submitting GRE Scores

Not submitting GRE scores does not necessarily mean that the applicant did poorly on the test.

Admissions committees should not look badly on applicants who do not submit GRE scores, as they may have decided not to take it due to financial constraints.

Some graduate programs are dropping or making GRE scores optional because they cost money.

Leveraging JD and PhD in Applications

The speaker talks about how they leveraged their JD and PhD in their application by discussing their interest in studying the intersection of law and technology.

Relevant Experience

The speaker wanted to study the intersection of law and technology, which was an understudied area at the time.

They believed that having a law degree would be relevant to this field of study.

Their statement of purpose focused on why they wanted to pursue a PhD in this area.

Reference Paper for Recommendation Letters

The speaker answers questions related to recommendation letters, including whether they need to be on letterhead and if a co-author who is a PhD candidate can provide a reference.

Letterhead for Recommendation Letters

While letters of recommendation usually come on letterhead, it is not necessary for them to do so.

It is not bad if a letter of recommendation is not on letterhead.

Co-Author Providing Reference

If possible, it is better for a letter of recommendation to come from the PI or faculty member rather than a co-author who is a PhD candidate.

However, if it's impossible to get a letter from the PI or faculty member, then a letter from a co-author who is a PhD candidate can be acceptable.

Writing Letters of Recommendation

In this section, the speaker discusses who should write letters of recommendation and how to choose the right person.

Choosing a Faculty Member or PhD Student

If a faculty member is not going to write a good letter, consider getting a PhD student to write it instead.

It's okay to mention more than one person in your statement of purpose if you are interested in working with multiple people.

If you are only interested in working with one specific person, it's okay to only mention them. However, if there are other relevant people in the department, it's important to mention them as well.

Structuring Your Statement of Purpose

In this section, the speaker discusses how to structure your statement of purpose for PhD programs.

Narrative Structure

The narrative structure should start broad and get more narrow towards the end.

The last two paragraphs can include names of professors you're interested in working with.

The structure depends on your personal narrative and what makes sense for you.

Including Unpublished Manuscripts in Your Application

In this section, the speaker addresses whether or not having published work is necessary for admission into a PhD program.

Importance of Research Experience

Having published work is not necessary for admission into a PhD program.

What matters most is the research experience and what you did during that time.

It's perfectly fine to include an unpublished manuscript in your application.

Writing Samples for PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker discusses whether or not writing samples for PhD programs should be single or double spaced.

Spacing

The spacing of a writing sample does not matter.

It's important to check the program requirements to see if a writing sample is necessary.

International Applicants

The speaker explains that international applicants are treated the same as domestic applicants in the application process. However, depending on the program and finances, it is possible that international applicants may not be invited to an in-person interview or open house due to the high cost of flying people to another country.

It should not impact your application at all.

There is a chance that you might not be flown out for an interview if you are an international applicant.

Zoom interviews have become more common over the past two years.

Some programs fly people out before admission while others do so after admission.

Mentioning Faculty Names in Statement of Purpose

The speaker discusses whether mentioning one faculty name in a statement of purpose is bad and how it can affect your application.

Mentioning one faculty member's name is not bad, but there may be situations where there isn't anyone else relevant to what you're interested in.

If there's literally no one else there that you like, then maybe mentioning someone else would be better.

Mentioning what you might get out of interacting with other faculty members in the department can only be good.

It shows that you did your research and are thinking about who else in the department you might interact with.

International PhD Application Process

In this section, the speaker discusses the application process for international students applying to PhD programs.

Priority Deadline

Some universities have a priority deadline and a later one.

It is best to submit your application as soon as possible if they are doing rolling acceptances.

If you cannot submit by the priority deadline due to missing scores, email them and ask for advice.

CV for PhD Application

There are no specific rules for formatting a CV for a PhD application.

Structure your CV in a way that highlights your strengths and relevant experiences.

Include any publications or research experience that you have.

UK STEM Subjects

In the UK, applicants typically apply to research projects where they propose their own research product.

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

The most common way to end an SOP is by explaining why you want to attend that particular program.

Targeting different programs can be done by changing only the last two paragraphs of your SOP.

Paper Citation Format

It does not matter what format you use for paper citations on your CV. Use whatever is most common in your field.

Pursuing Another PhD Program

If you have already completed a PhD in India and want to pursue another one, follow general advice given to all applicants.

Job Prospects After Completing a European PhD Program

The speaker does not know if completing a European PhD program will lead to job prospects in the US.

Gap in PhD Advisor Response

The speaker discusses whether a gap in response from a potential PhD advisor can affect admission.

Can a gap in response from a potential PhD advisor affect admission?

It is unlikely to affect admission.

Don't take it personally if you don't receive responses, as it may mean nothing.

Advisors may be busy and miss emails sometimes.

Chance of Admission with Weak GPA but Research Experience

The speaker provides general advice on the chance of getting into a program with weak GPA but research experience.

Is there a chance of getting into a program with weak GPA but research experience?

It's difficult to say if there is a chance of getting into any particular program.

Strengths can make up for weaknesses in an application.

Acceptance rates are not particularly useful information to know.

Every application is considered, and interviews are not always conducted.

Writing Convincing Emails to Professors

The speaker gives advice on how to write convincing emails to professors when applying for PhD positions.

How can one write convincing emails to professors when applying for PhD positions?

Lack of explicit research experience is not necessarily a deal breaker.

Be polite and professional in your email communication.

Explain why you are interested in working with that professor specifically.

Research Classes and PhD Applications

The speaker answers questions related to research classes, PhD applications, deadlines, writing samples, GRE scores, and concluding a statement of purpose.

Research Classes

Research classes are specific to each discipline.

PhD Applications

Acceptance rates vary for different programs within the same university.

Deadlines for applying to a PhD program in computer science differ for each program.

Submit your best work as a writing sample regardless of whether it is an entire paper from a seminar or an extract from a thesis.

If GRE scores are optional and you have a bad score, do not send them unless you are confident that they will help your application.

Concluding Statement of Purpose

The most common conclusion for a statement of purpose is why that program.

Dealing with Anxiousness

Find someone to talk through some of your anxieties with. Avoid obsessing over grad admissions subreddit or acceptance rates at every university.

Do things that make you happy and distract yourself while waiting for results.

GRE Scores

Some programs may not care about GRE scores.

Admissions Process

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to the admissions process for PhD programs.

Relevance of Research and GPA

The speaker cannot answer whether a student's research or GPA is relevant or helpful in getting into a PhD program.

It is difficult to determine if a good GPA in Masters and two years of research experience are enough to get into a PhD program.

TOEFL Scores and Application Deadline

The speaker does not know if it is okay to send TOEFL scores after the application deadline.

Some universities start looking at incomplete applications, which may include missing test scores. However, it is best to confirm with the university if they have specific rules regarding incomplete applications.

Letters of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation from a teacher who is currently a PhD student is acceptable as long as they can write an excellent letter about the applicant's research skills and potential as a colleague.

It is important to choose recommenders who can write strong letters that highlight the applicant's strengths and potential as a researcher.

Application Deadlines and Accepting Offers

Some universities allow professors to send their references for a few days after the application deadline, but it varies by institution.

The timeline for receiving and accepting offers varies by field, with some programs starting offers as early as February while others may be later in March or beyond.

In general, there is usually a date by which programs cannot require applicants to make decisions before that date (April 15th).

Following up on Applications

In this section, the speaker provides advice on how to follow up on applications and what to do when you start hearing back from places.

Following Up on Applications

It is helpful to have a common message that you can send to different places when following up on your application.

If you start hearing back from places, you can email other places and say that you are still excited about their program but need to make decisions soon.

Listing Ongoing Projects in CV

In this section, the speaker talks about whether it is advisable to list an ongoing project in a CV.

Listing Ongoing Projects in CV

If it's just a product and not even a paper yet, it doesn't go on your CV unless you want to have a section for research experience or research projects.

You could talk about the ongoing project in your statement of purpose instead of listing it in your CV.

Interpreting Non-responses and Google Analytics

In this section, the speaker talks about interpreting non-responses and Google Analytics.

Interpreting Non-responses and Google Analytics

Do not read too much into non-responses or Google Analytics data. It does not necessarily mean anything significant.

Undergrad Dissertation as Research Experience

In this section, the speaker answers whether an undergrad dissertation counts as research experience for PhD applications.

Undergrad Dissertation as Research Experience

Yes, an undergrad dissertation counts as research experience for PhD applications.

Implications of "What Else Are You Applying To" Field

In this section, the speaker talks about the implications of the "What else are you applying to?" field in PhD applications.

Implications of "What Else Are You Applying To" Field

The information provided in this field is not used to hurt your application. It may be used to calculate the odds of whether you will come if admitted.

This information may impact how many students are admitted overall but should not impact individual admissions.

Admissions Q&A: PhD Applications and Research Experience

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to PhD applications and research experience.

Importance of Math in PhD Applications

The speaker emphasizes the importance of math in PhD applications, especially for programs that require a strong quantitative background.

Waitlists often exist because schools make more offers than they expect to accept. This is why it's important to understand how many people are applying to a program.

Research Experience and Changing Interests

Undergrad research experience is valuable even if it's not in the same area as your current research interests.

It's important to have a narrative for your research experience and how it relates to your current interests.

GRE Waiver and Application Rates

The GRE waiver may encourage more people to apply to PhD programs who were previously discouraged by the test.

Contacting Professors and Applying Without Contacting Professors

It is perfectly likely to get into a PhD program without contacting professors, especially in some disciplines where it's not common practice.

You should still try applying even if you haven't heard back from a specific professor or lab yet, but don't read too much into not hearing back from faculty.

Admissions and Master's Degree

In this section, the speaker discusses admissions and whether students without research backgrounds should apply for a master's degree before pursuing a PhD.

Applying to Programs

Students should not assume they won't be admitted because they haven't heard back from someone.

Research experience is not necessary to get into a PhD program, but it can make an application stronger.

Getting a master's degree can help with research experience and better letters of recommendation.

Applying to PhD and Master's Programs

Students can consider applying to both PhD and master's programs.

There are many reasons why people don't want to get master's degrees, including cost.

Waiving Rights to See Reference Letters

In this section, the speaker discusses whether students should waive their rights to see reference letters.

It is normal for people submitting reference letters to waive their right to see them.

Unless there is some reason not to, students should probably waive their right as well.

Getting into English Literature PhD Program in the UK

In this section, the speaker discusses getting into an English literature PhD program in the UK.

The speaker cannot answer whether someone would be able to do a PhD in English literature in the UK based on percentages alone.

The speaker cannot tell anyone whether they are likely to get into any particular program given any particular stats.

Speaker's Program

In this section, the speaker talks about their program in information science.

The speaker assumes that the person asking is referring to the PhD in information science.

Department Overview

This section provides an overview of the different types of researchers in the department and where graduates typically go to work.

Types of Researchers

The department consists of human-computer interaction researchers, data scientists, and social scientists.

There is a variety of work done in the department, with a big chunk focused on social computing and HCI research.

Information science looks different in different departments depending on whether it's more like library science or computer science.

Graduate Employment

Graduates from the program typically go on to work in the tech industry.

Examples include a researcher at Facebook and another at Spotify.

Admissions Questions

This section answers questions related to admissions into graduate programs.

GRE Scores

It's hard to say how heavily GRE scores will weigh for admission as it varies by program.

Some programs may not care about GRE scores while others may place significant weight on them.

Early Application Submission

Submitting an application months ahead of time does not provide any advantage.

Programs do not usually have rolling admissions, so they won't look at applications until after the deadline.

Mentioning Faculty Members in Statement of Purpose

This section discusses mentioning faculty members from other departments in your statement of purpose when applying to one department.

Affiliated Faculty Members

If you mention faculty members who are affiliated with both departments, it's appropriate if they could potentially be your advisor.

For example, if you apply to a computer science PhD program and mention an information science professor who is also affiliated with computer science, that would be appropriate.

Unaffiliated Faculty Members

If you mention faculty members who are unaffiliated with the program you're applying to, make it clear that you're not implying they could be your advisor.

Mentioning unaffiliated faculty members as potential advisors can hurt your application.

Writing Samples and Choosing Advisors

In this section, the speaker discusses what makes a good writing sample and how to choose a good advisor.

Writing Samples

A clear writing sample is required for most applications.

The best example of work should be something that you wrote entirely or mostly by yourself.

If you submit a published paper where you are not the first author, make it clear whether you wrote it or just contributed to data analysis.

Other options for writing samples include papers where you were the first author, papers for a class, or an undergraduate thesis.

Choosing Advisors

Questions to ask when choosing advisors can be found in the speaker's video on choosing advisors.

Advisees of potential advisors are the best source of information about them.

Questions to ask potential advisors include their research style and whether collaboration is common in their department.

Second Round Committee Interview Questions

In this section, the speaker discusses what questions to ask during a second round committee interview.

Good questions to ask depend on what came up during the first interview.

Start by asking what questions they have.

Ask about exciting research happening right now or about research styles such as collaboration.

Honors Thesis and Contacting Potential Advisors

In this section, the speaker answers two questions related to honors thesis and contacting potential advisors.

Honors Thesis

Talking about your honors thesis is great.

Discuss both what you did and what you learned from doing it.

Contacting Potential Advisors

Contacting potential advisors is helpful but may not be possible if they are unavailable due to holidays or other reasons.

Reaching Out and Personal Statement Structure

In this section, the speaker provides advice on how to reach out to programs after the deadline has passed and gives tips on structuring a personal statement.

Reaching Out After Deadline

If reaching out after the deadline, acknowledge that they may not have time to respond but express interest in talking or asking questions.

Consider why you are reaching out and if you have specific questions. Even if the deadline has passed, they may still answer them.

Personal Statement Structure

Personal statements vary for everyone, but they often start with a big picture view before narrowing down to why you want to join a particular program.

Don't stress too much about having a perfect narrative hook or starting with an interesting story from your life.

Letters of Recommendation

In this section, the speaker discusses letters of recommendation and who should write them.

Who Should Write Letters of Recommendation?

The most important factor is who will write you the best letter rather than someone impressive who writes a not useful letter.

A letter that only says "this person got an A in my class" is useless and won't be helpful in any sense.

TOEFL Scores

In this section, the speaker talks about whether bad TOEFL scores look bad on applications.

Bad TOEFL Scores

The speaker doesn't know what constitutes as a bad TOEFL score or what is considered good.

It's unclear what "bad" means in this context.

University Requirements

The speaker explains that some requirements are university-wide and cannot be waived by the department. They suggest asking if a requirement is actually necessary if you don't meet the minimum.

Minimum Requirements

Some requirements are university-wide and cannot be waived by the department.

Ask if a requirement is actually necessary if you don't meet the minimum.

Addressing Weaknesses in Grades

The speaker discusses how to address weaknesses in grades when applying for a PhD program. They suggest explaining any extenuating circumstances that may have affected your grades, but also note that an upward trajectory in grades can look good.

Explaining Weaknesses

It depends on what the explanation is for weaknesses in grades.

A low GPA is not an absolute deal breaker for a PhD program.

An upward trajectory in grades often looks good.

Examples of reasons that would not look bad include something bad happening or changing majors.

Imposter Syndrome

The speaker addresses imposter syndrome and encourages those experiencing it to not stress too much about it. They also suggest considering ways to improve your application or do research outside of a PhD program.

Imposter Syndrome

Everyone experiences imposter syndrome, especially before getting into a PhD program.

Consider ways to improve your application or do research outside of a PhD program.

Work Experience and Going Back for a PhD

The speaker notes that having work experience is not a bad thing when going back for a PhD. They suggest making a case for why you want to be a researcher now and why you want to do that instead of what you're doing currently.

Work Experience

Having work experience is not a bad thing when going back for a PhD.

Make a case for why you want to be a researcher now and why you want to do that instead of what you're doing currently.

Emailing Professors and Undergrad GPA

The speaker questions the idea of professors rejecting someone via email, but notes that strengths can always make up for weaknesses in an application.

Emailing Professors

It's strange if professors reject someone via email.

Strengths can always make up for weaknesses in an application.

PhD Admissions Q&A

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to the PhD admissions process.

Contacting Potential Advisors

It is unusual for a top university to explicitly state that PhD applicants should not contact potential advisors until they are admitted. However, it can save time if professors do not want to hear from students before the application deadline.

Relevant Projects and Teaching Experience

When a university asks for relevant projects, they mostly mean research. However, teaching experience in the field is also relevant and can be mentioned.

Faculty Enjoyment of PhD Admissions Process

The speaker enjoys running PhD admissions in their department and finds reading people's applications to be one of their favorite things. They love imagining possible futures and knowing that even those who don't get into their program will go on to do amazing things elsewhere. The only downside is having to reject people which can be upsetting.

Writing Samples and Interview Questions

A paper project for a course would be sufficient as a writing sample if no publications are available.

The speaker does not know much about formal interviews during the PhD admissions process as it is not typical in their field or department. However, conversations with faculty or other decision-makers may occur where technical questions could potentially be asked depending on the program's requirements.

Public Scholarship and Media Coverage

Media coverage such as being cited in an article or invited to a podcast can be included in a CV under a public scholarship section or selected press section respectively.

Applying to Graduate School

In this section, the speaker provides advice on applying to graduate school and answers questions related to the application process.

Taking Initiative in Applying for Scholarships

The speaker encourages students to take the initiative in applying for scholarships such as GRFP.

Students should mention the area they applied to and provide background information when emailing professors.

Students are not tied to an advisor after year one.

Emailing Faculty Members

When emailing faculty members, students should be clear about what they want to know from them.

If students know that they won't be admitted to a particular group, they can still email other faculty members.

Students can ask if faculty members will be taking new students or inquire about their research areas.

Evaluating Master's Program Students

The speaker suggests evaluating master's program students who have finished coursework but haven't started a thesis in the same way as any other applicant.

Applicants without research experience should show why they want to do research and what interests them.

Evaluating International Students

International students are evaluated in the same way as domestic students.

Submitting GRE Scores

If applicants believe that their GRE scores improve their application, they should submit them. Otherwise, it is optional.

Updating Letters of Recommendation

Professors may not be exhausted by being asked to resubmit letters of recommendation if there is anything new that improves the applicant's application.

Mentioning Faculty Members in Statement of Purpose (SOP)

It is alright to address recent publications and interesting points of faculty members in SOPs.

However, it is more common to talk about research areas than specific publications since mentioning multiple publications can take up too much space.

Law Leaning Ethics Issues in Tech

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to law leaning ethics issues in tech.

Researching Patentability and Law Leaning Ethics Issues

The speaker has a law degree and has researched copyright.

However, the speaker does not do much law-related work now since none of their PhD students have an interest in it.

Writing Sample for Application

If a writing sample is requested, a legal memorandum or an older work product similar to a traditional thesis may be acceptable.

English Using Law Review Notes in PhD Applications

In this section, the speaker discusses the use of law review notes in PhD applications and how to explain equal contribution on a paper.

Writing Sample for PhD Application

The speaker suggests that if a PhD application requires a writing sample, submitting a law review note is appropriate.

Co-Authorship on Papers

The order of co-authors on a paper does not matter as much as the work that was done.

If there are multiple authors but it was an equal contribution, it can be explained in the statement of purpose.

Research Experience and Author Order

Any research experience is helpful regardless of author order.

It's important to think about the experience gained rather than just focusing on being published.

English Contacting PhD Students and Mentioning Teaching Experience in Applications

In this section, the speaker discusses contacting current PhD students and mentioning teaching experience in applications.

Contacting Current PhD Students

It's more common to talk to current PhD students when trying to decide where to go rather than where to apply.

If there are questions that need answering before applying or talking to faculty, reaching out via email is acceptable.

Mentioning Teaching Experience in Applications

For research-intensive programs, teaching experience may not be as important as research experience.

However, mentioning relevant teaching assistant experience could be beneficial if it relates to the area of study being applied for.

Understanding PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of being able to teach a subject and how it can be useful for research and communication. They also provide advice on how to resume a PhD program after leaving it for several years.

Teaching as an Indicator of Understanding

Being able to teach something suggests that you understand it in a way that is useful for research and communication.

Resuming a PhD Program After Several Years

If you want to go back to a PhD program you were in, reach out to them and start a conversation about it.

Classes may start expiring after some number of years, usually around 10.

English Language Requirements for PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker provides advice on English language requirements for international students applying to PhD programs.

Minimum Score Requirements

Look up the minimum English language score requirements at your university before applying.

There is a university-wide minimum that individual departments do not have control over.

Emailing About Scores

If you are under the minimum score requirement, email someone and ask if you should still submit your application.

Writing Your Statement of Purpose (SOP)

In this section, the speaker provides advice on writing an effective statement of purpose (SOP).

Structure of SOP

Start big picture and talk about your experience, what you're interested in, and end with why this particular program.

There are different structures but starting big picture tends to work well.

Identifying Research Areas

Talking about labs or research areas and interests are equivalent.

Generally, the same advice applies for both.

Applying to PhD Programs

In this section, the speaker provides advice on applying to PhD programs.

Acceptance After Discussion

It is possible to be rejected even after discussing opportunities and research topics with a supervisor who is interested in having you as a student.

Decisions may depend on funding, teaching assistant lines, or other factors.

Number of Applications

The number of applications you should submit depends on how many places there are appropriate for you to apply to and how many places you want to go.

Consider if you would still attend a program if it was the only one that accepted you before applying there.

Reaching Out to Potential Advisors

It is common to reach out to potential advisors and ask if they need PhD students.

This is not annoying unless it's not something people do in your discipline.

Grad School Q&A: Admissions, Applications, and More

In this section, the speaker answers questions related to graduate school admissions and applications.

Experience as a Committee Member or Student Volunteer

Having experience as a committee member or student volunteer can help with getting accepted into graduate school.

However, it is not a magic button that guarantees acceptance.

Recommender Without Institutional Email

It does not matter if your recommender does not have an institutional email. You can use whatever email they have.

Leadership Experience

Being a department student government representative or club president may demonstrate leadership skills.

It is not necessary to spend a paragraph talking about it in your statement of purpose but include it on your CV.

Showcasing Research Experience

Talk about existing research experience in undergraduate research projects or ongoing papers.

If the research experience is in a different topic or field, spend more time talking about what you are interested in now.

Reapplying After Weak SOP

Applying again after submitting a weak statement of purpose (SOP) should not cause any trouble.

It is highly unlikely that the admissions committee would remember an old application from years ago.

PhD Interview Tips

Watch the speaker's video on PhD interviews for tips and advice.

GPA and GRE Scores

GPA does not tend to be important for some people when considering candidates for admission.

The speaker does not care about GRE scores either.

Best Possible Candidate for Admission

There is no specific formula for what makes the best application since everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

Highlighting unique experiences such as blogging could make an application stand out.

Including Workshops on CV

Include workshops on your CV if you think they are relevant and helpful.

There are no strict rules about what goes on a CV so long as it is relevant.

Working on an Article Independently

If you are working on an article for publication independently and are the only author, talk about it in your application.

This demonstrates research experience.

Odds of Success After Being Waitlisted

It is unclear what the odds of success are after being waitlisted.

However, being waitlisted is a good sign that you have a chance of getting accepted.

English Understanding PhD Candidate Requirements

In this section, the speaker discusses what it means to be a PhD candidate and the requirements for becoming one.

What is a PhD Candidate?

A PhD candidate has passed their dissertation proposal and usually finished coursework.

Coursework is not always required, but it is typical.

Research experience is not necessary to become a candidate.

Research Experience

Lack of research experience is not always a fatal flaw.

Undergraduates often have limited opportunities for research.

Relevant research experience can be critical.

Submitting GRE Scores

GRE scores are optional in some programs.

Submit scores if they are helpful, do not submit them if they are not required or helpful.

English Admissions with Disabilities

In this section, the speaker discusses how admissions committees view applications from individuals with disabilities.

Disability Impact on Admissions

Having a disability should not negatively impact admissions decisions.

Overcoming adversity can be impressive in diversity statements.

Scholarships and funding may be available for students with disabilities.

Disclosing Disabilities

It is up to the individual's level of comfort whether to disclose their disability or not.

Disclosing a disability may open up scholarship opportunities.

English Follow-Up Emails and GRE Scores

In this section, the speaker provides advice on follow-up emails and submitting GRE scores.

Follow-Up Emails

Wait at least one week before following up on an unanswered email.

One follow-up email is appropriate; do not take it personally if you don't hear back.

Submitting GRE Scores

The importance of submitting GRE scores varies by program.

English Chance of Getting into a PhD Program

In this section, the speaker talks about the chances of getting into a PhD program and what factors can influence it.

Factors that Influence Your Chances

Everyone has a chance to get into a PhD program.

Moving to the US with your family for your PhD shows how serious you are.

Personal stories about diversity or personal connections to research can make an application stand out.

Including references in your writing sample is important.

Writing a Good Statement of Purpose

The speaker recommends watching their video on writing statements of purpose for tips.

Applying to a program with only one professor you're interested in working with is okay, but keep in mind they may change universities or leave the program.

A good statement of purpose should focus on both past and future research interests.

Differences Between Master's and PhD Statements of Purpose

The speaker admits they are not an expert on this topic.

Research Master's and Diversity Statement

In this section, the speaker discusses how a research master's statement of purpose might look similar to a PhD statement of purpose. They also answer a question about mentioning being a queer person in the absence of a diversity statement.

Research Master's Statement of Purpose

A research master's statement of purpose may look similar to a PhD statement of purpose.

Mentioning Being Queer in Absence of Diversity Statement

If there is no diversity statement, it is okay to mention being a queer person if it is relevant to why you are applying to that program.

It would be perfectly fine to mention that one of the reasons for applying to the program is because there are lots of marginalized identities, including queer people, women, and people of color.

Graduate Admissions Committees and Faculty Members

In this section, the speaker answers questions about how graduate admissions committees work and whether faculty members make decisions on their own.

How Graduate Admissions Committees Work

The way graduate admissions committees work varies.

It would be unusual for a faculty member to make a decision completely on their own.

Faculty Members' Role in Decision Making

Faculty members often have an incredibly strong role in decision making if it is a program where you're tied very closely to an incoming advisor they might have a lot of input but they're not making the decision completely on their own.

Final Remarks and Good Luck Wishes

In this section, the speaker gives final remarks and good luck wishes for those finishing up PhD applications.

Final Remarks

Once your application is submitted, there isn't a lot more that you can do at that point.

Try to relax and find your social support.

Don't obsess over constantly looking on Reddit to see if other people have gotten decisions back because it won't help you.

Good Luck Wishes

Good luck to all of those finishing up PhD applications right now!

For those in the US, have a nice holiday next week.