Few academic decisions are as momentous as selecting where to pursue your Ph.D. degree. In fact, I would argue that deciding where to get your Ph.D. is more influential for your academic and professional career than the decision regarding your undergraduate institution. Yet, I’m constantly surprised that more prospective Ph.D. students don’t do better homework before jumping in to a Ph.D. program. In today’s post, I share 5 things to do before applying to a Ph.D. program.
Applying for a Ph.D. program can easily be a five to seven year commitment. The quality and prestige of your program will also determine your career options and opportunities after graduation. Moreover, even your chances of graduation can be influenced by your choice of program.
As a result, you need to do your due diligence before committing to a program. In fact, I would suggest you need to do work before even applying to a program. Specifically, I recommend you do the following 5 things before applying to a Ph.D. Program.
1. Get best GRE score you can
We all know that standardized tests are problematic, however a good GRE score is still a key for admission and funding decisions. I don’t recommend a GRE prep course. I find these too expensive and not worth the investment. Rather, I suggest spending some time on a good test prep book to relearn math formulas you’ve forgotten and get used to the types of questions asked on the test.
2. Visit campus and surrounding area
I would never apply to a Ph.D. program that I hadn’t visited first. You should get to know campus. Look for a place to live. If you’re spending several years in a place, you should know if it is somewhere you want to live. To be sure, not every Ph.D. program is in a desirable location, but you need to seriously consider the place you will be living.
3. Speak with director and potential adviser(s)
Each program will have a faculty director that is responsible for the academic and administrative aspects of the program. This person will be able to give insights about the program, degree requirements, and admissions expectations. In addition to the faculty director, you should try to meet with any potential advisers. More so than any other degree, it is vital that you have a faculty member that shares your research interest and is willing to take you on to their research. If an adviser isn’t willing to meet with you as a prospective, they may not as an active student either.
4. Talk to current students
The absolute best source of intelligence on any program is students currently enrolled in the program. Ask about everything! Students are most likely to give it to you straight and help you understand what it would be like to be a student.
5. Compare financial offers
You should avoid paying for your Ph.D. if at all possible. Talk to students and the faculty director about what the typical financial offer looks like for your prospective school. Call other programs and ask about theirs. The more information you can gather will help make the best decision possible.
Committing to a Ph.D. program is a huge step in your academic career. Take the time to think through the issues, carefully consider you options, and follow this list of things to do before applying to a Ph.D. Program.
