a day in the life of a harvard ph.d (first year)

What does the average day of a first year in a Ph.D look like? I am a student at the Harvard BBS program at Harvard Medical School who is passionate about making science accessible. I show you what it's like to be in the midst of classes and making lab decisions.
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RELEVANT LINKS
► PhD Program: www.hms.harvard.edu/dms/bbs/
► Cambridge Science Festival: www.cambridgesciencefestival....
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MUSIC
► Music Credit: LAKEY INSPIRED
Track Names: "Smile", "Island", "Wonder"
Music By: LAKEY INSPIRED @ / lakeyinspired
License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported "Share Alike" (CC BY-SA 3.0) License
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OTHER
► Glasses: Warby Parker - Daisy
► Jacket: The North Face Women's Outer Boroughs Triclimate Jacket

[@warrenpiers3322]

Good luck as humanity will look up to what you will give us in terms of research. Congrats you made it to Harvard

[@Sanyu-Tumusiime]

she's LITERALLY curing cancer and saving lives. that's amazing

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Most Handsome Doctor Ugly

[@meds0390]

You seem to be a fan of anime, that "my hero academia" poster looks so cool, I really need to get one soon!

[@canliu7503]

You live such an inspiring life! Harvard BBS is one of my favorite program for biology. Hope that I can be there one day!

[@TheProductiveGeneralist]

Thank you. ... hopefully i get into the PhD in virology next and your content is just what i needed. .. keep them coming lol .. much love.

[@hueyfreeman8865]

@yuanjanero Study of viruses...

[@jasminec.7074]

Hi Lilian~ I am a PhD student majoring in Transportation engineering in the second year in China. I am happy to watch your video and learn about your daily life. Hope us will finish our research and enjoy this experience! ❤️

[@Fleur1229]

I'll be starting a Ph.D. in computer science this fall, and I am so psyched! Lol that's how I stumbled upon your videos - I'm so desperate to be immersed in the academic life that is grad school. One of the things that stands in stark contrast in CS vs other sciences is that most students already have a research adviser upon entering. Well, that, and that fact that we don't have actual labs. Since I'm in theoretical CS, I can take my work anywhere including cafes (oh my poor grad student stipend :')) which can be both liberating and, at times, very unstructured! P.S. really appreciated your fellowships video, now that fellowship application season is soon upon us!

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I totally understand wanting to be as immersed in academic life as possible - I wish there had been grad school vloggers before I started! It's so cool that you get so much freedom - you don't have to come to lab on days when you're sick or when it's too cold to go outside. Wishing you the best of luck in your program, and looking forward to hearing more from you!

[@Fleur1229]

Thanks! Best of luck in your second year!

[@RoshnaOmer94]

As a CS grad student I've been structuring my feed (KZbin, Twitter, even tumblr) to inspire me to be a better student and I'm glad I stumbled upon this channel as well

[@Fleur1229]

Agreed! I've been trying to do the same with Instagram, but there is a surprising lack of motivating PhD accounts (esp. compared to the amount of med school/law school accounts there are)! Hoping to post more grad school related content on mine once I start classes haha so we'll see how that goes :)

[@shriyanirale3451]

Heyy Lillian! Thanks for this video!!😍 Can you please make another 'a day in my life' video, now that you're in G4? Would love to watch that! Love you! ❤️

[@MotherMuse]

Great video, thank you for sharing. It's really cool to see the inside peek of being a Harvard student. I'm currently a rising 2nd year in a clinical psychology phd program. In the spring we chose/applied for our labs. No rotation for us, sadly. I do wish we had a chance to learn more about all the labs. i may actually be looking to apply to transfer to other schools due to some unexpected family crises this year, life is crazy. Also I'm a mom to 4 kids.... My one advice for anyone would be to get your phd before having kids whenever possible! Now I need to see if you updated your journey! xo

[@josephgatambia5679]

You have really inspired me to pursue a professional carreer,you seems to be really happy with what you're doing,i'll have to keep watching your stuff.. beautiful

[@k.d0721]

Nice video, greetings from a PhD in Business Economics student in Malaysia

[@petluv214]

Nice video. I love graduate school and am learning a great deal. I am a DNP student and work as a college professor FT as well. Love learning.

[@UnknownCartoonEditor]

Love the poster!

[@abcdxx1059]

this was good i usually hate these type of videos the content is mostly same having free coffee brushing teeths etc etc this was informative

[@General_Chaos_Mad_Scientist]

Nice. I'm thinking a lot lately about changing my major for a science career in Bio and this video gave me some inspiration. It is really neat

[@estherfrankel1669]

Thank you for sharing this video.

[@Srinivash29]

Thanks for the video. Please make one every semester at least one every year, which would be great!

[@elizawilson199]

I am from India and currently I am doing my undergraduate course from Indian Institute of Science education and Research(IISER).Even i want to do phd in biology because I think that is what I love to do.. I loved your video as i also want do do phd from Harvard. I don't know whether i will able to achieve my dream..But your video is really great especially for me..Keep on making such videos...

[@saksham9112]

Dear, i am also aspiring for iiser would you please share something about the academic environment at iisers and career options after gradution also in which iiser you are ,your batch and your journey to iiser

[@abhart]

​@@saksham9112 heyyy! 5 yrs later.... what are u doing rn? In terms of academics?

[@guilhermeavila9153]

Hey, Lillian, Im a undergrad student in accounting science, looking forward to a phd in economics and your video really helped me understanding a little bit more about the phd student's life even tough we are in very different study areas. Its so good that we have people like you that offers this kind of video in order to help others understand more about this program. Thank you for the good videos, good luck on your phd. Hugs from Brasil!!!

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Hugs back!! So glad you liked the video :)

[@ricardonodarifroesdecastro6664]

Congrats for your PhD! The video is really inspiring. I'm an undergrad student from Brazil and I currently study cis-regulatory elements that are associated with genes responsible for hypertrophy in muscle cells. I will send my application for foreign PhD programs in the end of this year!

[@biology9214]

Plzz guide how i apply......Post graduate in human genetics

[@ricardonodarifroesdecastro6664]

@@biology9214 take a look on the page of the program of your interest. Harvard, for example, requires TOEFL scores (if you're a foreign student) and some programs require GRE scores.

[@AbdifetahIOmar-zd6gh]

I am really enjoying your videos as am also a graduate student, kindly update us on your work, thanks for your time too.

[@Austin-yp2xk]

Really neat stuff! I want to pursue a PhD-MD after I complete my undergrad in Biochem. Best of luck in completing your PhD!

[@emmasexperience]

Hi ! What’s a phd-md ?

[@livelife2324]

@@emmasexperience it's a PhD integrated into the MD program. So instead of a 4yr MD they do a 7 yr MD+PhD. after they finish the preclinical years they do the PhD component and then join the clinical part

[@Sanyu-Tumusiime]

@@livelife2324 there's non point doing it tho what a waste just do the MD only. u save time and earn $$$

[@willm678]

If u really wanna do that, do it, but an MD is 1000x better than a PhD.

[@Ur0pinionDoesntCount]

this is so cool! thanks for making this vlog ill be subbing! i started my masters in medsci (immunology)

[@vassilissamelis3130]

Hey, keep making your videos!!

[@winx12432]

Thank you for making these videos! I'm actually applying to the virology program this year...fingers crossed

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Good luck!

[@TheProductiveGeneralist]

How did it go???.... I'm intrigued because I'm planning on applying this year...

[@MPierce1]

God bless you! You are an inspiration and your scientific work in the medical field will save lives! =D

[@ValerySyrchin]

Very motivational content🔥 Thank you!!

[@freddycardoza8033]

What a very pleasant voice and countenance. Very kind and nice. I hold a Ph.D. and serve as a Dean, but I seldom see Ph.D. students with such wonderful personal warmth and without flashing attitude. I've spent a little time on the Harvard campus and Lillian represents the best of Harvard, as her style is not quite what I've typically seen on Harvard Yard! Go Lillian.

[@ayasal_]

I am an undergrad environmental science student right now doing my graduation project on the effects of volatiles produced by Bacillus megateruim on some fungi genera and its working very well but i can relate so much to how much hard work does it take and spending so many evenings in the lab just for the sake of one good result 😂 I wish you good luck sister 👏🏻👏🏻 And congratulations you made it to harvard!

[@Sunvee1000]

i love the way u talk 😇 humble and sweet. 😍

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Thank you :)

[@DipanshuGhosh]

So cool! I'm a M.Phil student in Life Sciences from India.... Loved your Video..😍

[@biology9214]

Which uniiii

[@DipanshuGhosh]

@@biology9214 University of Calcutta

[@melisaepriani3256]

hi im Melisa from Indonesia, Im a undergrad student in Biology education. nice to see ur video

[@shyspeaks9238]

Thin chance you'll see this but Hi! I'm absolutely in love with this video. I adore that before you even began the day you debriefed when it's like to be a graduate student in your major/program. I'm nowhere near where you are. I'm actually a first year student majoring in Child Development in a local community college 😂 but I really love watching the vlogs that show the real, raw, beauty and complexity of what it's like to be in the advanced margin of your academic stance. Hope you're doing well present day!! 💜💜

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Thank you for watching - I love making connections with people in other fields. 😭 Wishing you the bst of luck on your journey!

[@shyspeaks9238]

@@lillianinequilibrium Thank you so much!!

[@dr.k.selvamkesavan7569]

Excellent no words to say

[@dengpan3570]

love your sweet smile

[@Jubair194]

Great video!

[@YWu-ft3nc]

Survive the biology lab!!!

[@Subholik3]

You know what...!.. Am. Alos a biology student ❤❤❤.. You are so inspiring 😌

[@dimitrislymperis5556]

Great videoo. Thanks Thanks for helping me

[@nirjharaloy6108]

A very nice video. Please post a video on the coursework at Harvard and how does it help your research. I'm approaching the end of first year and our coursework has a very weird design. We have in-class written exams every week. It's simply insane and cramming like this will never be converted in long term memory and skills and that's a known fact in neuroscience. Please mention about total credits required from coursework in your programme. Do you have any option of repeating a course if you fail or are those students directly dropped?

[@mariaaliciamazocanas8415]

I study yo be lawyer and already I am tired with wishes to receive my grade hahahahaa Watching videos like this I fell a huge responsability with myself because you're doing a phd are happy and proud of yourself, I haven't reassons to say it's enough. Congratulations!! I'm colombian

[@elenadelgadoEHS1]

Thank you!

[@ameysalunkhe7570]

Hey your videos are really inspiring and helpfull .. could you make a video of how did you apply for this program and the selection criteria and eligibility.

[@PoetCatRussell]

What a wonderful experience! Congratulations on attending Harvard! Just as an aside, did you type in closed captioning yourself? It's much better than what I normally see when I click CC on KZbin.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Yes I did! YT has a nice new option now where you can just upload the transcript and it'll sync the audio to the transcript automatically. Thanks for the support :D

[@billwang4928]

I'm still strugling for applying phd,hope there will be good news this fall

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Keeping my fingers crossed for good news

[@teresan8223]

Cool Video! Can you do a video about what its like to be a grad student in boston? How is the commute, parking, etc.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Ah yeah! That's pretty specific to the area of where you're commuting to and from though, so I can do a FAQ style video if you had any particular questions you'd like to send my way :)

[@syedahmed1227]

I have the exact same poster!

[@katuzim.d.7888]

Nice information thank you so much

[@maalig]

Thank you

[@0guerrier0]

Please do an updated A day in the life.. video! 😊

[@alwaysincentivestrumpethic6689]

Interesting stuff

[@katiei5098]

Hi! I'd love for you to make a video about your PhD application process! I'm currently starting that process now and it seems pretty daunting.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Absolutely! That is one of the next videos I'm working on. Stay tuned

[@TechnicalMahtab]

*Great job alpha*

[@vitoriarodrigues4468]

You seem so young and smart🤩😍

[@zhezhao1906]

Hi! I like your video and wondering if you could share about your time management skills for PhDs? Thanks you so much!

[@evianyang0213]

nice posters

[@kenzareguouat6921]

cool ! its my first year too . good luck ✔

[@lillianinequilibrium]

You as well! :D

[@vijaypatil5466]

How much get paid there

[@betheofficial5416]

Amazing

[@dencelestra506]

Hi! How long does it usually take for you to finish a PhD degree in Harvard?

[@nastaranhdz1529]

Hii, this video was so encouraging, thanks for the late-night motivation I needed to keep studying hahaha! Btw I'll probably start a PhD in the future (I'm majoring in Pharm.D but I work specifically in biotechnology mainly!), I was wondering if it is possible for me to reach out and get some advice from you please???

[@SmashMegan]

Hey, I'm looking to apply to BBS this year, I was wondering if you knew how many international students were in your intake?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Awesome!! I'm not sure exactly how many but if I had to guess... maybe 1/4th of my cohort is international? Something around that.

[@THELEGEND-so7vs]

Hello, I have an important and concrete question. I would generally consider my English not to be very bad. I study the language and have been studying at a boarding school for a certain time. Now I have to say that when I examine your language skills, I see that you think in the language, have totally taken it and subconsciously use it. I would love to get to that point. My English meets the standards of C1 with a tendency towards C2. To gain more fluidity and confidence with the language I would very much like to ask for your advice. Perhaps you can reflect on what has helped you and help you to use English at the level of speaking and writing. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Hmm.. I'm not sure if I'm the right person to ask. I grew up speaking English as my native language.

[@livelife2324]

This is so interesting! I didn't know grad students did rotations 🤭 all this time i thought first year would be just classes/lectures/labs with an exam at the end and then you are allowed to do your own research thesis....please do more vids like this for ignorant ppl like me😓 How long does your PhD typically last?

[@vishalpise3619]

hi maam i also want to do phd if I will get into harward we will meet there thankyou so much for sharing valuable experience

[@lawyar_mohammadalrashaideh6191]

كيف يمكنني أن ادرس دكتوراه القانون في هارفارد...؟ من خلال نظام المنح الدراسية...؟ ارجوا المساعدة...؟

[@NK-ge8iy]

Hey great video! Could you tell how to get into MD medical program ?

[@ashasreekutty5092]

Ma'am I had 6 backlog history in my degree and if score a good GPA in my Masters and score well in Tofle and GRE there is any chance to get admitted University like hardward for phD course with scholarship.

[@space4639]

Harvard Is my dream I hope at least I can study Ph.D. in Harvard🙏🏻💔💔

[@user-jr1cz4nh6l]

Same 😭

[@Biomeducated]

0:15 Cool, an anime poster in the background! I have one of Attack on Titan hanging around in some of my videos :D 1:55 In Europe (Belgium in my case), we don't have obligatory classes during a PhD. We DO need a Master's degree BEFORE going to a PhD program, though... 7:39 Clearly your homework was on cancer cell metabolism :D 7:55 Play some chess to relax? The whole idea is the simulation of a battle! When I play chess I get pumped! 9:48 Check out my channel and find out :D PS: Keep rocking that septum piercing, just because it's Harvard and it's clashing with the Ivy-league image that I got from typical American hollywood movies ;)

[@sarthakchaudhary8892]

Hey, I loved your videos, I’m a budding graduate student from India, my major was biology as well. I know you probably wouldn’t see this but I would love to have a conversation with you about science career and my PhD in the subsequent years. Thanks so much!

[@abhart]

Did u got in or are u applying?

Hey Lillian, great quality video!! Can I ask for some advice on Vlogging for PhDs? I'm starting a channel and am wondering if you have any tips? Thanks a million!!

[@edenchang3819]

I really want to know how many students for each year they accept

[@naturezone-hemantsingh8030]

Keep it up 😁

[@Pearlsvlog76]

Hey Lillian , please I am from India and currently I am doing my bachelor's in psychology I want to do my PhD from Harvard, please guide me please

[@iamsuryaonly]

Hi, I did my master degree in india and looking for PhD in History can we do PhD in History and Tell him now fee's and admission process

[@hidayatullah6740]

Any apportunity for PhD in Biotechnology especially in human neurogenetics then please tell me....?

[@reshmajose3150]

I am from a Chemistry background.You are so lucky . Can u do videos of Chemistry PhD in Harvard

[@chandravamsich]

Any chance for pharma people to enter Harvard for post-graduation....?

[@abhinavbhattarai1466]

Hey Lillian, is there any minimum GPA required for BBS eligibility? Also, can you say your email address? I needed to ask you a few questions regarding admission. Thanks for the informative video :D

[@1am636]

I would pick biology but the only problem is I have no interest in doing anything in biology. I just wanted the knowledge, not necessarily use that knowledge. For that reason, I'm picking another major.

[@fatimasohail6563]

Hey, there! How could I connect to you?

[@PawanKumar-pc9kq]

how much is your stipend?

[@paromarthochaudhuri]

Hi, i am middle school student trying to get into harvard. im in 8th grade. last year i had very bad grades. this year they maybe improved. what should i do to make it to harvard.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Hi! It's totally possible - I had bad grades for a long time as well. If you're asking about Harvard undergrad, I don't know much about that since I didn't attend Harvard College. But as long as you keep your grades up in high school, challenge yourself, and stand out in the things you are passionate about, it can be a possibility. Best of luck!

[@vijaypatil5466]

How much fellowship do you have there is there salary

[@itsmeayana3220]

WOW .. you are so lucky

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I know - I honestly still can't believe I'm here sometimes. Trying to spend every moment taking advantage of it to the fullest extent :)

[@itsmeayana3220]

AlphaGenesis I wish you more success & happiness in future. It’s easy to say.. you are lucky.. but the truth is.. there might be alot of struggle & hardwork behind what you are now!

[@anjulkumar1994]

You are really pretty

[@bashirahmadrasheedy1081]

I will do my postdoctoral in Hravard in sha Allah, I follow my dreams, that is my last word.

[@philipbaldassini9528]

I am a biology major at UMB, and if you don’t mind me saying your wicked beautiful, and you have to balance the time and I like the idea of playing chess after a certain time. Does that help you relax mental but keep you engage in the field of protein work in the lab ?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Yeah! I just think that not thinking about science sometimes is really important. I find that when I am focused on other things, sometimes my greatest ideas come about.

[@isagrey7289]

I can't help but think of the cell cycle every time you say you are in G1 😂

[@jackieewhackie]

for anyone that asks you for admissions help, ask them to compensate you for your time lmaoo

[@nsa7637]

"Homework is something you don't have to worry about." I wish 😂😂 I'm a research msc student in mathematics and I worry way too much about homework and how it takes up my time and delays my research.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

RIPPPP wishing you all the best and I hope you get to a point where homework is no longer keeping you from your work (sooner rather than later~)

[@nsa7637]

@@lillianinequilibrium Thanks! Lucky for me this day will come in June 2019, 1.5 years into my 2 year program 😅

[@user-rt1dc4py9d]

Hey Lillian, Im a PhD student in my first year From Morroco, im working in essential oil bio-activity, and i want to make a research internship in USA, and why not harvard hhh, so can you give me an advice, and how can i achieve that

[@anuraglahon8572]

How to get into Harvard?

[@aashishsehrawat7860]

Hey mam can you please guide me I want to study in harvard university in fild of Biological research. I complete my 12th this year. I am from India please guide me mam🙏🙏. After a lot of effort i found your channel please help me

[@AdityaKumar-kt6rr]

I want to discuss with you about how get in harvard from INDIA in M.A ECONOMICS? Please reply...

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Ahh I really don't know anything about the economics field so I don't think I'll be helpful unfortunately.

[@Verifyfacts.]

Do you get stipend?

[@gaurav4981]

You look like Nora fatehi

[@nabeelcs]

Hi lillian, How can I get admission for mathematics masters at harward, I am from India

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Hi Bulu, I'd check out my Ph.D admissions series. Also feel free to call the admissions department to get information about requirements.

[@krishnachandramurmu3279]

Aeh u're a otaku Hun cooool girl !!

[@gauravagrawal3498]

Hi, I am from India. I am looking forward to applying to Harvard BBS program at HMS. Can you help me with admission requirement and further application process?

[@MinhNguyen-wz2wn]

college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

[@indranilaich2467]

Hello lillian am a biotechnology student from India completed my masters in biotechnology preparing for my GRE. Is there any cutoff for GRE scores for Harvard and is subject GRE compulsory?? can you please help me out with all these queries because Harvard is my dream to..

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Hi indranil! It really depends on the program you are applying to. Subject GREs were not required for mine. In general, biology programs tend to view things holistically, but I am not sure whether there are GRE cutoffs or not. I do know things may be different for international students, so I'd focus on just doing as well as possible. I think what will make a far bigger difference are your letters of recommendation and research experience.

[@indranilaich2467]

thanx a lot.....let see what happens...if there is any query i will ask again....thank you..