PhD Application Tips
/PhD Application Tips:
The PhD application process can be very stressful and confusing for most applicants; it can be very daunting to figure out which program to apply for and what to write for your application. I put together some very important tips on putting together an excellent application that will help you gain access to your dream program.
I remember when I put together my application, I made sure I put my application through several revisions, with the help of my friends and colleagues. What I realized was their feedback and input was generally the same. They spent a great deal looking over my research interests. It is generally a rule that in order to make your application stand out, you should have a defined research area. You should also do your homework and figure out potential supervisors who can support your project.
It is important to strategically pick a supervisor that you know will be interested in working with you. This person will generally have some years of experience; some professors are not a good fit because they may be close to retirement and cannot support your project. Remember, when someone decides to supervise you, that can mean they are taking you on as a student for 4+ years at the minimum. Some programs can be much longer. You can see how that won’t work for some Professor who are closer to retirement age. In some department, some Faculty at times may advertise that they are looking for new students, and those Professors are the best to choose as potential supervisors. Your supervisor should also have similar research interests, which is important.
The reality is good application can set you apart from the hundreds of other applications. When you are applying for graduate school, especially at a well-known, reputable institution, most of the other applicants will be ‘A’ students. They will have a great record of academic success, volunteer and perhaps professional experience. What often sets a student apart from the others is: their research interests and their ability to ‘fit in’ with the department.
It is important to understand that any applicant that meets the minimum requirements will move on to the second round which will include a review from the admissions committee. So chances are that great academic achievement often is just the minimum requirement for most Universities. Which is why you want your application to stand out!
The admission committee often is comprised of Faculty, Admissions Staff and Students all of which have a say on who will get admitted into the program. Your job as an applicant is to make sure your application is a strong one. Your application is your chance to make a compelling argument that YOU deserve the opportunity to teach and research at your chosen institution. So how do you do that? Here are some important tips I gathered that can help you.
Tip 1: Write a good application (obvious right? Not really)
You will be amazed how many disorganized applications are sent to committees every year. These candidates do not mean to send in a terrible application, sometimes they are just unaware of what goes into a strong application. This is why you need to do your homework which includes reading helpful tips, and online resources for support. One of the problems people make is they get carried away and apply to many different Universities and they make the mistake of using the same application for different Universities. That is huge mistake! Remember the committee is looking for someone who is a good fit for the department, so it is important that you can name a potential supervisor and explain why your research fits with theirs. You cannot use a generic application for all Universities; it needs to be specific!
Of course some of the application can be reused, such as your background, and experience. But, each application should be tailored to the University/ department you are interested in applying to. It is important to understand that a not so good application really can destroy your dreams of gaining entry into your top choice University. What most people fail to realize is that there is a big difference between a not so good application and an excellent application, the latter will surely increase your odds of gaining acceptance.
Tip 2: Fake it until you make it
I remember sitting in my first course during my Master’s degree and they asked what our research interests were. The truth was that at the time, I decided to pursue a Master’s degree to help me get a job in teaching. I was an aspiring elementary teacher and I had just finished my degree in Teaching. My class had both Masters and Doctoral students; I watched as the Doctoral students shared their research interests and area of expertise. I was speechless. I went to my undergraduate Professor, who had laughed and said most people do not know what they are really going to do for their research, they do have a general idea. She told me to just fake it until you make it. Now as a 4th year Doctoral students, I can spend hours discussing my research area, but in reality it took me 3 years to get HERE. Most Doctoral students gain more insight when they complete their comprehensive exams, which right around the time they gain their candidacy.
So the point is, write your research area and interests, but understand that it might change and that is okay. You still want to show the admission committee that you have a strong desire in doing research. It is a general rule that you should have a general idea of the area you want to research but don’t worry in what exactly you want to contribute as a researcher. You will have plenty of time when you are a student to figure that part out. Generally, the Proposal stage is helpful in figuring out what you want to set out to do. In the meantime, try to be confident in your ability to contribute and highlight that in your application.
Tip 3: Research the department
Research, research and research! Remember most departments want to know WHY you are choosing to enrol at their department. This is important because if all you can come up with is: “I want to do my PhD” then that is not compelling enough. The admissions committee can tell who puts in effort in who is really interested and who is not. They are aware that people apply for back up programs, and that is perfectly fine but do not make it obvious. The last thing you want to do is to not get into your chosen University while also being rejected by all the other programs you applied to. Give all your applications a good amount of your time. This will allow you to have options and make the best decision for your academic career.
Tip 4: Have options!
Apply to at least 3 Universities at the minimum. I think applying to too many Universities is not realistic unless you are interested in only attending Ivy league programs or if you are open to relocating. I live in Toronto, so that left me with a couple of options. Some people may realistically only have one option because they have a steady job or family. If you are applying abroad remember there are different requirements for each University. I know from a couple of my friend’s experiences that some Universities require interviews. So you must keep that in mind. Some Universities also require GRE test. This leads me to the last tip.
Tip 4: Start early!
It is helpful to start your application early. I would suggest starting to research the programs you are interested in during the summer. If you are currently enrolled in a Master’s program or Undergraduate program (for direct entry PhD programs), I would suggest starting to write your application in the summer. We all know the fall is the busiest month, and applications often close in December or February. It is easy to push it aside and focus on your current studies, but deadlines can go by rather quickly. Also, keep in mind that if you are applying to Universities in America, they will often require a GRE test. So be mindful of deadlines. Not all applications have the same dates to apply, so remember to make a list of your choices with the dates their application cycle closes. Lastly, starting your application early can also help in having time to complete multiple revisions. Which is very important!
You will be surprised to know that many people do not follow these tips, and often it’s those simple tips that can make an application stronger and get you into your dream school! Good luck to all those embarking on their PhD journey! The application cycle and enrolling in a program is just the beginning of your journey! Believe me the years go by fast! Enjoy it while it lasts!
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XOXO
Shukri
