Do I need a PhD for the career I am interested in?
Am I excited about original research? Am I a self-starter? Curious?
Am I ready to work toward a PhD?
Most schools receive applications in the Fall for the following school year. For example, you might send your applications out November 1st, visit the school in the early Spring, and begin working in a lab that summer. Check program websites for final application deadlines, which range from about December 1st to Febrary 15th.
Usually, your application is reviewed in depth by one or more faculty members, who then present it and discuss it with an admissions committee of faculty from multiple programs. You may want to ask what the average GPA and GRE scores are for the first year class to get a sense of the other accepted students in the program. Often, the most important parts of an application are the statement of research interest and the letters of recommendation. Try to get letters of reference from those who know your research promise, like summer research mentors and undergraduate research advisors or faculty who know you well from an upper level course.
How will my PhD be paid for? In general, pursuing a PhD in biomedical sciences does not cost you money. Often, a cost of living stipend will be provided to you to defray living expenses. In some cases, this stipend requires that you have a teaching assistantship, but beware of schools that ask you to teach every semester (you need time to do your research). Financing should not be your concern.
You can and perhaps should apply for fellowships to support your work, as they are often prestigious awards for your scientific promise. They also appear on your resume for the rest of your professional life. There are NRSA (NIH) NSF, MARC predoc fellowships, DOD in certain areas (prostate, breast cancer, neuromuscular disease), minority supplements as well as scientific societies, disease specific organizations like ACS, private foundations, and travel funds for conferences. Often you can think about these once youÕve started graduate school.
Programs want to gain insights about applicants, learn about their commitment and perseverance. ItÕs also a way for candidates to see the institution, the city, and meet the people. In some cases, if travel costs are really high, they may set up local interview or phone interview. Try to get good airfares; usually the program will arrange the accommodations. Do provide input on which faculty you would like to meet, but remember that sometimes faculty are not available. Let people know ASAP if your plans change.
How should you dress? Not as formal as a medical school interview, but comfortable and not expensive. Wear nice shoes but not new, as some campuses are big and you may walk a lot. Ask your relatives to buy you a gift certificate for interview gear.
What points do you want to make? You want to convey your interests and qualifications in a professional way to highlight your strengths and accomplishments. You may wish to make a spreadsheet/folder on each school youÕre going to with info about the program, size, mentors, course, format. You can print it out from the schoolÕs website and read it on the plane. Review your research positions and results, contact lab for updates, be ready to talk about research. You may also want to actually say that you are interested in the institution (if you are). Talk about your goal and why you need a Ph.D. to do it. Realize if you need to explain issues. For example, what were weaknesses, circumstances or obstacles, and what are your strategies to overcome a problem? Be prepared to discuss low scores on GRE or low grades in particular classes. Be honest. You donÕt have to reveal personal information you donÕt want to discuss. If you raise an issue, you open the door to questions.
What sort of studies will graduate students do in your lab?
Who will I work with day to day? What is your training philosophy?
What kind of positions have your recent graduate students/ postdocs gone to next?
How will we decide upon a project?
(you will already have looked up some papers on PubMed and will have some ideas or questions about the research particulars)
Faculty are interested in your goals, motivation and character. What do you think will be hard about grad school? Graduate school is designed for people who want to develop strategies and direct work. What makes you suited for doing science? Science is challenging and very rewarding.
Are you prepared for grad study? What courses were most important? What is your research preparation? Be ready to speak in detail about research experiences. Tell me about: the goals of lab, your project, why important? What did you do, how did you do it. You do need to explain what you learned. What did you accomplish? You donÕt have to have positive results to get in. and you donÕt have to have a publication to get in (but they help!)
What projects are you interested in for grad school? You should be prepared to mention research going on at that school.
Listen to the question, and make sure you understand the question
Gauge the length of the answer needed. Most interviews are about 30 min. Often there are leading questions at the beginning of interview (Tell me about your research experience) and shorter, focused questions at the end.
Give answers that open the door to give you a chance to make a point you want to make.
Ask faculty how each graduate PhD programs is different. For example,
What courses are required, which are elective?
Which labs can I rotate in, how long are rotations? How are rotations evaluated?
Can I take courses outside the department?
What activities may I do with other students outside my department?
Am I required or allowed to do teaching?
What have recent graduates done next?
What is the programÕs standing nationally?
Are there developments on campus that offer new opportunities?
Ask students about their experiences. Are they happy? Excited about their prospects? Students also often have input on who is accepted.
The application and interview process can be exciting and tiring but is always a great learning opportunity.