PhD admissions (pt 2): choosing graduate programs

Welcome to the second part of the Ph.D Admissions Series! Tre and I discuss how we chose which Ph.D programs we would apply to and what factors were important to us. For more info on finding grad programs to choose, definitely read papers and talk to your current mentors/professors for their thoughts on faculty whose research interests align with yours.
** For some reason this session only recorded onto the left side of the microphone. Apologies for that! I'll work on fixing that for the rest of the series videos.
#phdadmissions #gradschool
RELEVANT LINKS
► Tre's website: trepigenome.com/
► Getting into Harvard: • Answering "How Do I Ge...
► My PhD Program: www.hms.harvard...
AUDIO/VIDEO
► Sony a6000
► Samson G-Track Pro-USB Condenser

[@JespMusic]

In the future, you can set the microphone to onmidirectional or figure 8 and it will mic both sides. It's in cardioid mode now which is only miking the speaker on the right.

[@AhmedAshraf-pd7mu]

I just discovered this channel yesterday, and here I'm wasting my time watching your videos instead of working on finalizing my applications X'd

[@lillianinequilibrium]

LOL oops. I do the same thing as well. Good luck on your applications!

[@XxBurnTtOaStxX1]

Great points for deciding between programs. Would you consider following up with a video or comment about how you expressed the points mentioned in the video when writing your application essays? In other words, how do you effectively communicate the things you like about the program you’re applying to? Also would you consider making a video about how you organize/keep your lab notebook?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Yes! The series will address how to write your essays to properly demonstrate your interest. And that's a great idea, I'll definitely consider it :)

[@XxBurnTtOaStxX1]

@@lillianinequilibrium thanks! This series is coming at the right time. Will apply next cycle.

[@hannalee8319]

Thank you for the helpful tips! I had a question about going straight into PhD after undergrad. Is this common in your field? I was curious whether or not you considered going to a Masters program beforehand and why you decided to pursue a PhD instead. Thanks!😊

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I'd say it is more common in my field than other fields to go directly into a PhD. I also think it's a common practice in the US because our PhD programs are so long. I decided not to do a Masters because they are expensive. I also wanted to finish my PhD sooner rather than later.

[@Dx3vDc]

Ayy thumbs up for the benchling shirt!

[@monikachoudhary5123]

Can you please make a video on how international students can apply to PhD programs at Harvard, MIT and others. I'm a Masters Neuropsychology student from India. Good luck.. Keep it up. 👍

[@preetinamdev9842]

Same question ...but I am a microbiology student.... And I m looking for PhD in microbiology from US.

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I don't have much experience with this but I'll do some research on it and see if I have enough to make a video on it! Officially for the GSAS programs, I believe Harvard says the international students go through the same exact process as everyone else. But don't take my word for it!

[@monikachoudhary5123]

@@lillianinequilibrium thanks for replying. 😊

[@namratadeka4755]

Do I need to contact faculty members of my interest before submitting an application? Do I need to have an active relationship with the school before application or should i focus on meeting the application requirements only? Thank you for these videos!

[@lillianinequilibrium]

That depends on the field. In my field (mol/cell bio), you don't have to contact faculty members in advance. In fact, if you do, they'll mostly just say "okay here is the link for the application, lmk when you get in." But in some fields you apply to work with a specific advisor and in that case I'd say that is a requirement for the application.

[@nayfin308]

I’m not sure if you know, but I just wanted to let you know that the audio is only in the left ear!

[@nayfin308]

But i love the idea behind these videos! I’m really starting to plan grad school, so I’m really thankful for the advice

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Thanks for letting me know - not sure why my microphone only recorded into one channel. I'll have to find a way to split it for future videos :)

[@zahrap4326]

Hi, thanks for your helpful videos. I have a question about the statement of pupose, I know it's personal but I really need a help with that. I don't know if it should be all about my research or not, or how much about my research, do I need to talk about it in very little details or in general?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

SoP video will be up in the coming weeks! Stay tuned and thank you for your comment :)

[@luisaalmeida2645]

Loving your tips! I have some questions, since I'm a student applying from Brazil. hope you could help me

[@lillianinequilibrium]

Sure! Please feel free to post any questions in the comment section and I am happy to answer.

[@abdulmoid3188]

Is mailing or making connections with professors before applying is important?

[@abdulmoid3188]

I had mailed 4 professors but none of them responded. Since then i am very much discouraged in applying to the universities.

[@vishaltuli6913]

While applying for your PhD, did you have to submit a research proposal? If so, did all the universities you applied to need it?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I didn't have to, and as far as I'm aware none of the programs in my field required it. But you might have to do it for fields where you have to apply directly to an advisor.

[@vishaltuli6913]

@@lillianinequilibrium I apparently am applying to the same field as you, so thanks for the info!

[@lanakim680]

Hi there! I'm interested in the LHB program at Harvard and Lillian I just saw your picture on their home page. Can you discuss your participation in this more translational med focus while doing BBS (basic science)?

[@lanakim680]

just found your channel and this is hugely helpful; I'm local to Boston and hoping to apply to PhD programs this cycle!!

[@afnanaldoghmi1158]

which program accepts higher number of students(internationals), (I mean the chance for acceptance): DMS/BBS or DMS/neuroscience, knowing that I am interested in neuroscience ??

[@lillianinequilibrium]

By number it would be BBS because BBS accepts more students every year in general. Not sure of % by class though. You can apply to both and see how it goes.

[@biancamachado4183]

Hi Lilian. Do you have any advice on how to find programs if you don't even know where to start? I'm not from the US, so I guess I don't have the basic knowledge on what schools are good on a research field and which are not.

[@abhijeetkumar7375]

Kids choose Georgia university Mens choose Columbia Legends choose Harvard Ultra legends studies from open university

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I'd say read papers from fields you are interested in and see which faculty you'd be interested in working with and what schools they are in. I didn't know anything about the schools themselves when I applied - just the faculty in each program.

[@kamflo8981]

What fellowships do you suggest applying to???

[@lillianinequilibrium]

I think that depends on your goals. The Ford Predoctoral Fellowship and NSF GRFP aligned with mine so I applied to those. For more info on fellowships, I'd talk to a professor to see if there are any aligned with yours. :)

[@luisdiaz1997]

Stanford is a small program, but for the number of students, not the faculty lol

[@uditkumar6897]

nice

[@abhijeetkumar7375]

Can u hear me

[@BallinCollin98]

I am in community college ; Why the hell am I watching this?

[@lillianinequilibrium]

You never know where life will take you - it's best to be prepared :D

[@VladyslavKL]

🐋