admissions Archives

185. I got accepted! Now how do I choose a PhD program?

November 29, 2022November 29, 2022 Daniel Leave a comment

We often talk about the myriad factors you should consider when choosing a PhD program.

Location. Research. Stipend. Work culture. Livability. Peers. Prestige. The list of things to remember seems endless.

But way back in pre-history, we were just humble undergrads ourselves, feeling our way around and trying to make life-changing decisions with very little information.

This week on the show, Josh regales us with insights he learned from his own PhD journey. (Check out 178. I Didn’t Even Know “Research” Was a Thing! for the beginning of his tale.)

Just a year after learning that research existed, Josh applied to several PhD programs. He talks about the interview process, knowing how many applications is too many, and trusting your instincts.

We also discuss the power of prestige. Is it worth it to go to a big-name private university for your graduate training, or can you get a good education at a state school or small college?

No matter where you are on your training journey, it can be helpful to hear stories from others who walked the same path. We invite you to reminisce about your OWN life-changing choices, and maybe share them with a fellow traveller who could gain insight from your successes (and failures!).

183. Mailbag: Finding Balance, Master’s En Route, et al!

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022 Daniel Leave a comment

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This week, we open the mailbag to answer your questions! We hear from a new grad student who has some old responsibilities, and learn about how to earn your Master’s degree while enrolled in a PhD program!

169. Change Your Plans, Not Your Goals

January 31, 2022February 15, 2022 Daniel Leave a comment

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Even as a child, Alexandra wanted to study space. She had a Bachelor’s degree in physics from Cambridge University, so she seemed like the perfect candidate to for a PhD program.

But after graduation, she didn’t feel ready. She’d need a Master’s degree first, but money was tight and her student visa had run out.

She found a job prospect at a particle accelerator lab, but was turned down because they wanted more programming experience. So she packed her bags and headed home.

Her goal remained the same – to study astrophysics and earn a PhD. But due to circumstances, her plans had to change.

167. Mailbag – Am I Ready For Grad School?

December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 Daniel Leave a comment

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This week, we dive head-first into the mailbag to answer listener questions about grad school readiness, teaching experience, and more!

153. Where Do PhDs Work? The Answer Shouldn’t Surprise You.

March 29, 2021March 29, 2021 Daniel Leave a comment

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If you went to graduate school before the turn of the millennium, you probable expected to (eventually) land in a tenure-track position at a University. You may have known a few peers who got teaching gigs, or *gasp* went into ‘industry positions’, but the expectation was to follow in your mentor’s footsteps.

Today, lots of students earn a PhD knowing full well they won’t set foot on the tenure-track. They want to be science writers, policy advisors, staff scientists, or entrepreneurs.

And thankfully, graduate training programs are starting to adapt to this new reality. The first order of business when trying to help students achieve their myriad career goals is to start tracking key metrics.