Once you’ve made the decision to apply for a PhD, how can you prepare effectively and strengthen your candidacy?

The importance of pre-PhD research

Your research is a vital part of your PhD application – you need to have clear reasons for pursuing advanced research in your field, and you need to be able to show that you have the research skills to succeed.

Pursuing a PhD means dedicating yourself to high level research in your field. Admissions committees (rightly) expect that before deciding to do that, you understand what that type of research involves, and that you demonstrate the potential to succeed in an advanced program. Your grades and GRE scores serve as confirmation that you can succeed in grad school – this is not to discount the importance of those numbers. But you will not get into a top PhD program without strong research skills or well-thought-out research interests.

If you’re still an undergrad, participate in research. If your department offers the chance to do a thesis, write it. Try to find other ways of developing your research experience and building your skills: volunteer in a lab, assist a professor or doctoral student with research, etc. Some universities have a formalized system for assigning undergrad researchers to labs. If yours doesn’t, contact professors in your department and ask about lab opportunities. (The best way to do this is to contact individual professors: explain your qualifications/background and ask if there are volunteer positions available in their labs.)

If you’ve already graduated and don’t have enough research experience, try to fill that gap. If you’re near a university, contact faculty in your department of interest and ask about volunteering in their labs. If you’re working in industry: have you conducted research for your job? If so, think about how to present this experience in your application (and ask a supervisor to write you a recommendation that addresses your research skills).

Stay in the loop in your field

Whether you’re applying directly from undergrad or have been out for a few years, stay current with the publications in your area of interest.

Building strong research skills will enhance your PhD application and set you on the road to a successful graduate school experience.

Do you have the strongest admissions profile possible? Have you done everything within your power to present your candidacy at its very best? Work one-on-one with your personal Accepted advisor to create an application that highlights your greatest strengths and positions you for admissions success at your top-choice PhD program. Check out our Graduate School Consulting Services for more information on how we can help you GET ACCEPTED.

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Related Resources:

• 5 Fatal Flaws to Avoid in Your Graduate School Statement of Purpose, a free guide
• Are You a Competitive PhD Applicant?
• How to Write About Your Research Interests