XXXXXXphd2021
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Everything posted by XXXXXXphd2021
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Ahh that's too bad. That thread has been so helpful!!!
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Did anyone notice the whole thread of PhD 2020 was gone?
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Thank you SO much for this post and for your positivity! And for all the accomplishments that you have achieved and will achieve! One thing I absolutely love working in this field is that I am surrounded by inspiring and committed individuals. I believe eventually we will be in a place where we truly belong to. Yes, de-stigmatize rejection! As our research interests overlaps a bit (Implementation Science), one thing I learned from this application cycle is that different programs/groups might really mean different things even using the same term, as the field isn't really well-established yet (or to some people it has been there for a long time, just with a different name). I actually had a lot of reflections on this. But, we need more implementation science researchers !!!
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Also rejected from Harvard PHS SBS. Debating on if I should reach out to POIs to discuss my applications. I do feel that although our research interests quite overlap but still a bit different directions. Great program with great (phd student standard) funding package tho.
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I would say in the U.S. context, asking about your ranking on the waitlist is totally ok, and would appear to be less desperate compared to talking to the program about self-funding. In the U.S., usually people would expect PhD funding from top programs in the science and social science field, which is very different from some of the European programs (I know some European faculty ONLY takes students through government scholarships, I think to some extent it is unethical or just sad). As an international student, the funding issue is constantly on my mind, as we do not qualify for government training grant, which is kinda depressing already (in terms of being a competitive Ph.D. on the job market/finding a postdoc and do a dissertation that I really love). For me, I would prefer the program and the faculty to be willing and have the capacity to invest in me instead of "we can provide you the tools, here you go, go figure". That being said, if you really want to attend the program, definitely reaching out to the program and asking about options of self-funding or applying for external scholarships. It does make a huge difference for some programs, but definitely not others. Especially with international applicants, if you can apply for external scholarships (e.g. government scholarships), programs might feel more at ease about it.
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For example, I am good at taking tests and standardized scores, so I am not at a disadvantage on this aspect. Removing the GRE requirement for application takes me into a disadvantage because I am good at it. But I support this from an equity standpoint of view and especially when research shows that GRE is not a good indicator for graduate school success. There might be different reasons for a program not having many URMs, it could be their evaluation metrics put people into disadvantage, but it could also be that although they have made efforts, ppl don't feel that they fit in and choose not to apply. And I am interested in hearing from admin and faculty about their opinions on this matter, in terms of what efforts they have made to recruit these folks. And I do plan to be part of the efforts during my phd education and beyond, if there are opportunities to do so. I applied because there are faculty members that align with my research interests, and also for funding concerns (public schools don't have good funding mechanisms for international students as we are not eligible for government training grants). But there are so much more beyond research interests that I also care about. The only program that I interviewed so far completely removed GRE from application consideration and covered all the mentioning of GRE in the package before sending for reviews. If I get a spot, I get a spot, if not, I will try next year.
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I actually planned to bring this up during the interview and had a mock interview exercise in terms of how better approach this concern without being aggressive (I ended up not getting an interview from that program LOL. Maybe not a good fit afterall ?).
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Some PhD students do take on loans and self-fund, even in some reputable public health schools. Also I think sometimes it is a bit tricky to work as a volunteer RA with a professor without getting paid (unless taking course credits), some institutions/departments will not allow that. I agree with the equity and inclusion aspect. I personally tried to avoid programs that sends out admissions and ask students to get their own funding (e.g. finding a GRA), which sounds a bit stressful to me.
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Yes we are competing with other applicants in terms of there is a review committee or a group of faculty reviewing our applications and pick the ones to interview/accept. No I don't view other applicants as my competitors because of our unique paths. For example, as an asian, I would fight for the rights of under representative minorities, although that means it might work against me, against my personal interests, and some one might take the position that I wanted. But this is what I truly believe in and the science community for sure needs more diverse opinions. This is bigger than me. I truly wish everyone a successful career, in regardless of the application results, because we can success together, in regardless of me getting into Harvard or not. Not getting into any PhD programs does not make me a loser. Also, as an international student, I SO appreciate posts sharing background, info., and results, because it helps other applicants dramatically. When I applied to schools in the U.S., other than U.S. News ranking, I had no other references, no other source of information other than these online forums. None of my professor could provide any advice in terms of picking schools and application tips. This goes the same to many other applicants in the U.S. as well.
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I did a dual degree masters for three years, with 2500+ hrs RA, one TA, 1000 hrs practicum, and I would get strong letters, I could have applied to PhDs but decided not to right after my masters, although a PhD has always been what I wanted. A few years have passed and I am in the process of applying (not to social work programs but with my research interests a heavy focus on social justice & health equity). Looking back, that was probably one of the most appreciated decision. I was in my early 20s, exhausted during my masters because I ‘wanted it all’, eventually I wasn’t sure if I want to be committed to the crazy academia lifestyle (later I realized it is indeed a choice).I also want to get more real life exposure so if I ever pursue a PhD, I can use my PhD time more effectively. As others have mentioned, having post MSW work experience would add advantage, but for my cohort I knew ppl without post MSW work experiences getting into good/great social work phd programs and now being faculty. They did not have as much research experiences as I had during masters when they applied (I’m an international student so I was fully loaded to make a living as I can’t do off campus jobs). Now I’m financially more stabled so I can enjoy life more on a PhD stipend. There is not a ‘right way’ because everyone is different. That was just my two scents.
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Every school/program also has its own personality. E.g. if they prefer students with very strong quantitative backgrounds, very defined research interests etc. If you already got interviews then at least you got what they value already! Just be yourself and sometimes your gut feeling will tell you I noticed some of these differences in preparing for my applications (e.g. if the program asks for a personal history statement and how many under representative students are in the student cohort) and talking to POIs.
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I contacted SBS a while back and was told all notifications would be released by Feb 11. Looking at today Feb 4, I think this matches with what you say. I don't feel particularly bad about being rejected, a little bit disappointed of not getting the chance to talk to my POIs more, but I'm sure there will be opportunities in the future. Congrats to those get in (or about to get in?) I also just received a rejection from UW Global Health Implementation Science. Waiting for UCSF.
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I attended their info session so I took a screenshot of their admin stats. On average 8 people got off from the waitlist across departments. Good luck!!!!!!! Finger crossed!!!!
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Also sometimes I really think it is about the 'fit'. It is such a hard to define term. But different programs have different personalities. Sometimes a rejection only means that you would maximize your potential somewhere else.
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I had only interviews with one program (and not acceptance yet ) so I am not experienced with interviews. I might be a bit excessive too. When I applied to programs, I checked POIs recent pubs, youtube videos if they have ones, grant portfolios, their twitter accounts. I read the student handbooks and curriculums into details. I also checked their student profiles to get a picture of their background and interests. Browsed through my top program's student dissertations if they are publically online and try to get a vibe out of it, e.g. from the acknowledgement section (luckily it is a small program). Ofc, checked out some of the research centers etc. Above posts' questions are really helpful, I prepared those questions too. But I also realized that interviewers might bring up similar questions asking in different ways, so the answers I practiced/mock interviewed were a bit different from what i prepared LOL but I think at least they are authentic. I resonated with ProspectivePhD, I did all these prep so I can avoid asking sth that I could find answers online. For example, because my background is in Implementation Science, I asked if the interviewers think I will blend in well in an epi program with students mostly interested in traditional epi. These types of questions are related to my own experiences and background, and I do want to know the answer before I can commit myself. Actually during my interview with the faculty, after briefly introducing myself, she directly asked if I had any questions for her. So I got the chance to ask about her perspectives on the field I'm in -- since I have decided to leave my current institution and join another one, different research groups might have different viewpoint and approaches. I think every interview might be different. Good luck with your interviews
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WOW That is a very quick turnaround deadline! I wonder if an extension could be requested. That doesn't seem to be fair for accepted students when many other schools haven't made the final decisions yet!
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From my understanding the international/domestic status doesn't matter for WUSTL Brown School, no separate reviews. I talked to a professor for advice seeking. Some professors aren't aware of funding challenges for international students, so I reminded him the funding issues for me (my target school is a public school), and he told me at WUSTL everyone's the same.
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I have a feeling that at least for SBS, students would need interviews for admission. The second POI I emailed knew that I had a zoom with the first POI so she said she didn't have much to add. She said if my application moves to the interview stage of the review processes, she would probably be one of my interviewers. I think this indicated that all students would need to get into the interview round. Well I have not heard from them so I am assuming I didn't get into the next stage.
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Hang in there! It is not over yet. Even this application cycle is over, we always have another round. Sorry about what happened to your brother, that must be extremely tough.
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My POI at UW tweeted that he had never read so many applications, not even after 2008? Some professors from other schools/programs replied that they saw a huge increase as well, for some it was not that much increase tho, so I think it depends on specific program.
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In the meeting the other student was a domestic student. I would rather not sharing their initials. I don't really have research experiences in the specific content area with these faculty members so my story might be different than many other applicants. I was applying to the "planned behavioral change" track, then after I submitted my application I realized they updated their website and that track was revamped and basically gone...(now it's "planned social change" but they meshed the social epi & this track with the same competencies.)
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For Harvard SBS, I contacted two professors. Had a 30 mins zoom with one. There were two prospective students in the meeting so we took turns to ask questions, it was a generic getting to know the program kind of meeting. Another professor replied email saying she didn't have much to add (she did answer my question in the email so to me it was still a very positive interaction). I think Harvard PHS is stronger committee based, and their stipend does not have RA responsibility (that's my understanding, I might be wrong). I am an international student, at UCSF the funding mechanism would be more relying on faculty grant and students work about half time efforts throughout the years (unless they secure their own funding at year 3, which is challenging for international students as we don't qualify for federal training grant and most of the university fellowships. Again my understanding). I think that explained a bit about the dynamic differences. Good luck to both of us
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An update, I received an email notification Jan 12 for UCSF Epi & Translational Science program interviews. So far have scheduled interviews with a postdoc (phd alumni), a POI, and one member of the admission committee in the coming weeks (till the first week of Feb). I contacted a POI before my application and got positive responses, but the one who would interview me is a different faculty that I also listed on my statement. I also applied to Harvard PHS Social and Behavioral Sciences and UW Global Health Implementation Science track and have not heard back. Good luck everyone!
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I feel that they don't admit many students for the IS track. Hope your other applications go well!
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Did you receive an email or checked the portal? I haven't heard back from them. My status is still 'submitted'. At this point I'm just assuming I'm rejected with a slight bit of hope...
