How I got into Every PhD Program I Applied to (Including Harvard!)

[@monaalqassimi2068]

I have been obsessing over GRE a lot. As a 40+ woman who hasn't done any studying since i got my masters degree in 2015, the GRE has been the thing that stressed me the most. Your video made me realize that I can actually do it. Thank you so much!!!! I do feel so much more relaxed right now and I'll put more effort on my SOP and on contacting possible supervisors. I have gone through the faculty members of the universities I'm applying to, but I haven't been in touch with any. I'll do that ASAP. Thank you again!

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Yes YOU GOT THIS! The GRE is really just a formality - the score does not matter. Most programs don't even require it anymore, so if you can avoid it, I would! Yes I would definitely put more energy in your SOP and networking with professors. If you want any additional pointers, please don't hesitate to reach out!

[@monaalqassimi2068]

@@OfficeHourswithJess Jess, you're a sweetheart. Thank you so much for offering to help. I have my GRE next week on Tuesday. Unfortunately, it is required in all of the Universities i am applying to, so I really have to do it. I'm dividing my time now between doing a little bit of studying and researching professors. I've actually found a few that I would love to get in touch with as they are researching a couple of topics that interest me the most. Thank you! and Good luck!

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@monaalqassimi2068 Good luck next week on the GRE! You are going to do great - especially since it sounds like you've been working so hard. If you haven't found my other website yet that details my PhD App advice in writing - here it is! jessthebest-gets-phd.blogspot.com

[@nanas273]

Jesus!!! I just submitted my application for Population Health Science Phd at Harvard.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Best of luck!!

[@Vicdeba]

You are amazing! Congrats ! You just inspired me to launch my own channel !

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thank you Vic!! I can't wait to subscribe to your channel when you launch - please do share it with me!

[@adhithmathewjacob]

Loved the video Jess! Next time can you do a video on how to get into Harvard for international students for pre med etc would appreciate that greatly 🙌and once again thanks a lot for this video Jess this was my very first video from your channel and i loved it ❤️

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thank you Adhith for the support and suggestion! I unfortunately don’t have experience with applying to medical school, but I’m sure some of these tips can be relevant! Please let me know if you have any other questions!

[@taimoorkhan9398]

Thank you. This is very helpful.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Of course! I’m glad you are finding my videos helpful. Please let me know if you have other suggestions for what you’d like to see!

[@taimoorkhan9398]

@@OfficeHourswithJess sure

[@perynsbg_tropical4513]

excellent Video ...good luck jess

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thank you!!

[@perynsbg_tropical4513]

Youre welcome, I just sent an email to you,,,,thanks jess

[@aniketkedare8]

thank you for ur recommendation and guidance

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Of course! Thank you for visiting my channel! Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

[@aniketkedare8]

@@OfficeHourswithJess about connecting to Grad school professor and is it necessary to write thesis from start ?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@aniketkedare8 you usually don’t start your thesis/dissertation right away! But yes you do want to connect with professors before applying

[@manuelazac]

thank you so much of this information, im planning to apply to get my PhD im still an undergrad student now but I still have 1year to graduate.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

That’s great you are already thinking about your application!! Let me know how I can help you out in your journey! My email is [e-mail] if you ever want to connect!

[@yooskkitagawa]

This video is so helpful, thank you! I'm wondering, have you ever had someone not respond to your cold email? I'm having that issue, where nobody is responding to my cold emails. What do I do to make a connection?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@yooskkitagawa I’m glad you found this helpful! Sometimes people don’t respond - professors can be very busy! It is more than okay to send a follow up email in case your first email got buried. I also have a template on my website jessthebest-gets-phd.blogspot.com

[@flowerpie6107]

Im currently doing my Masters in Pakistan. I wish to do phd from Harvard school of Education. But i literally have no idea how to apply as an international student and if there are any scholarships. Many things matter money, luck amd hardwork. I hope to have what is best for me in future.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thanks for sharing your story and concerns. I'd be happy to connect more in the future if you want to discuss some of these things. Please feel free to reach out to me at [e-mail]

[@OormiTaLes]

Thank you for the video..How can i get the contact information of professors? I couldnot find it in the harward website..Please help me.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@OormiTaLes All professors usually have their email on their profile page for their university! You can also try googling more, usually you can find it somewhere!

[@dr.gargigandhi]

Thank you so much for this! I am a recent dental graduate and I want to apply for the Population Health sciences program. I have experience in health promotion research studies but I don’t know if that’s enough? Can you please help me out?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Yes of course! And that’s great you are applying to PhD programs and the PHS program specifically! Feel free to email me and we can connect: [e-mail]

[@xiangceleste7943]

Hey Jess, thanks a lot for your tips! Here's an asian applicant for Harvard PhD program this year;) you mentioned that you'd love to share your PS, may I ask to have a look at it? Many Thanks!

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Yes let's connect via email! Send me a message at [e-mail] and we can take it from there!

[@TalkA.I.]

Thank you. Quite informative. Do you mind sharing your Msc GPA/ number of publications prior to applying ?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@TalkA.I. I’m glad you found this video helpful! And I didn’t have a master’s GPA (since it was not letter grade) and I had 1 publication (a commentary) prior to applying! Those definitely are not the most important parts of the application.

[@TalkA.I.]

@OfficeHourswithJess Thank you. I've just completed my second (UK) masters with a distinction. I am yet to publish. Should I submit my dissertation as a writing sample?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@TalkA.I. Yes! Your dissertation would be a great writing sample!

[@deeaanjhinduja5225]

Thank you so muchh

[@albertoshin8178]

Hi Jess! Thank you so much for your super helpful video. Your first tip was especially helpful (networking). I am applying to three biology PhD programs at Harvard for Fall 2024 admission. I was also delighted to hear that you would be happy to share your personal statement and statement of purpose. Would you be able to share these with me too? I am currently working on my statements, so it would be great if I could have a successful sample! Thank you so much again!

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

I’m glad you are finding my videos helpful! Feel free to reach out and email me at [e-mail] and we can connect more about personal statements there!

[@albertoshin8178]

@@OfficeHourswithJess Wonderful! Just sent you an email! You are the best!

[@adi_5fq3c]

Hi! Is it possible to get into a PhD program in the US as an international student with an MS degree, research experience, and conference papers, but without any publications? Or is this only possible in Canada and the EU?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Great questions! I always say publications are not required, but can only help. If you don't have any publications, I would just showcase in your application that you are working towards a publication somehow (anything in review?) and really emphasize how your research work might be leading to a publication. I hope this helps!

[@ilektronio666]

Hey! Awesome video:) I was just wondering, because many of the programs I am applying to require a personal statement and an academic statement, but I am not sure what exactly to include in each. Do you have any tips on that?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thanks for reaching out! I've been getting this question a lot, as I think recently they have been dividing up those statement (instead of having one personal statement). I would say the personal statement, focus more on your background/personal history/personal experiences that brought you to where you are now, and link it to why you want to pursue a PhD in your area of interest. And the academic statement can focus more on your actual research/job experience in detail. Both should still tell a somewhat of a story!

[@nathanielyoung8309]

Hello Jess ,i appreciate this video alot ,i will be glad we connect or have a conversation soon ..

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@nathanielyoung8309 I’m glad you found this video! Please feel free to reach out to me at [e-mail] and we can have a conversation from there!

[@mingtsang3594]

Great. Tips

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thank you!!

[@ayasarsour2860]

Thank you for the information, Just a question: in order to register for a PhD, do I first need to find a supervisor who agrees to work with me? Or is it possible to find a supervisor after I've been accepted for phd programme?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

So it may depend on the program. You don’t have to find someone before you apply, but once you are accepted you do need to be “paired” with an advisor. So I would highly recommend finding out who that professor is before applying. I hope this helps!

[@ayasarsour2860]

Thank you very very much for your time and your explanation, you helped me a lot 🙂 @@OfficeHourswithJess

[@full-timefbabyfiz41]

i need help in SOP for university of Michigan and UC Davis. someone please help me

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Hi! If you want to reach out and connect, feel free to email me at [e-mail], and I can try to help with your SOPs!

[@nafisakabirrhyin2621]

For people applying to fields different from their undergrads, what sort of accreditations are generally accepted for the required courseworks? Say if someone wants to apply to a stem phd program although their undergrad wasnt in a similar background, will covering required math contents on your own, and highlighting it in your SOP work? I know its a very far fetched question but still would like to know your thoughts.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Hi Nafisa, it certainly depends on the program and field! I know since public health is so interdisciplinary, what you are describing sounds sufficient. However for more lab/science programs, that may be different. I would maybe contact the programs you are interested in applying to and asking them/their students. I hope this is helpful!

[@nafisakabirrhyin2621]

My undergead is in business administration and I would like to apply for economics phd programs. So its not necessarily completely lab based but very mathematics intense. So I started going through calculus on my own and am continuing to do so. I have like one year to go before applying so I might not be able to cover up everything that's required but can get a hold of the most crucial parts. So that's why I'm asking as for mailing profs I need to attach a CV which necessarily wont have relevant course contents, or even relevant research experience. So it's kinda very confusing for me as how to curate this entire thing.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@nafisakabirrhyin2621 Yes I'm definitely not as familiar with economics PhD programs, but business is not that far off! I would just try emailing professors and if they point out your math experience (and say it is not sufficient) you can ask why/ etc. and what you could do to bolster that part of your application.

[@VladyslavKL]

🕊

[@navpreetkaurs]

Dear, what'd I have to do to have a look at ur personal statement? Is it on the blog? I really want to see it 😄

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Please email me at [e-mail] and we can go from there :)

[@navpreetkaurs]

@@OfficeHourswithJess sure

[@plum7t]

Do you have any suggestion about what to talk about to the professor? Since I'm not in America, I can't naturally have a conversation with them and would have to email them. Should I talk about interest in their research? Please help! I am applying to Business Administration though

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Hi Noona - this is a great question! I have some tips about this in my blog that I created about my step by step process of interviewing. Here is a link to my part that specifically describes networking calls with professors: jessthebest-gets-phd.blogspot.com/p/networking-calls-with-professors.html Let me know if you have any other questions!!

[@plum7t]

@@OfficeHourswithJess Thanks for your reply, dear. Tbh I don't think I have enough achievements to standout among the candidates for PhD, but I was thinking of trying anyway. What do you think about messaging them on LinkedIn? There is a professor for the GSAS program that I'm interested in that i have as a connection and they have done similar research as me.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@plum7t I wouldn't hesitate to reach out - you never know! And I would just directly email them, introduce yourself briefly, and attach your CV/resume. I have an email template on my website as well. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@deeaanjhinduja5225]

Would love to read your SoP!

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Hi! We should definitely connect - email me at [e-mail]

[@r.monroe7038]

Hey! Would you be willing to speak to me about my Harvard application?

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

@@r.monroe7038 yes of course! Please email me at [e-mail] and we can go from there!

[@r.monroe7038]

Hey! I’ve emailed you my papers. I’m excited to hear your feedback! 🙏🏾

[@r.monroe7038]

@@OfficeHourswithJess Thank you so much!

[@Mark-sy2bx]

They make it hard to get in so they can charge you more.

[@tony4012]

u do know most phd programs pay you right?

[@stephenasare1759]

The idea of been rejected is heartbreaking but to reject a program which you have built strong connections will really be something else. How did you go about that after been accepted by all these professors and you had to choose only one. 🤣🤣🤣 Well this may not be important but I am just wondering because it will be very hard for me to reject an offer from a professor you built a connection with.

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Yes it was actually quite hard to say "no" to certain programs - but the professors understand why it happens. I'd be happy to chat about this further in detail if you'd like - feel free to reach out to me at [e-mail] and we can pick up this conversation from there!

[@stephenasare5787]

@@OfficeHourswithJess Okay.

[@vanrosauch5659]

Congrats 😂🎉❤

[@OfficeHourswithJess]

Thank you haha!