When I was applying to PhD programmes in the Fall of 2014, there was very few resources in my undergraduate institution about what a PhD entails and what the application process is like. I began to look for information on the web, mostly from Reddit (r/gradadmissions, r/gradschool and r/askacademia) and gradcafe. I took notes as I went a long, and this post is the result of that.
I wrote this primarily for those in the same situaton as me (i.e. a Psychology undergraduate from Singapore), so many of the examples and scenarios are more applicable to someone who has done their undergraduate education in Singapore, although most of the stuff are generally applicable to anyone. Also, this was written in 2016, so some of the informaton might be outdated. A copy of this can also be found on the NUS Psychology Society website. Please feel free to contact me if any of the points I make below don't make sense or are blatantly incorrect. All the best! --------- Why should I go to graduate school? Career options
Masters (coursework/research) vs PhD Masters (coursework/research)
Should I do a Masters (research/coursework) or PhD?
What are the differences between US, UK, Canadian, Australian, German, Dutch, Singaporean etc. PhD programmes? US vs UK
Non-UK European programmes are a bit chapalang. I’m not too familiar with non-UK European programmes, but I think that they see it more as a job than a “study-ship”. I have only looked at German/Dutch programmes, but I think French and other non-UK European programmes are similar. They will have specific openings for PhD applicants to work on specific projects which they have already pre-determined. Most UK schools have such arrangements as well. Check the following websites for PhD studentship openings:
How do I apply to graduate school? Identify your areas of interest. You can start by identifying your favourite classes and topics. Start researching on which professors (not schools!) you would like to work with.
Take the TOEFL/IELTs (required for some US and Canadian applications). It is relatively easy; not much preparation is required apart from taking a look at the sample tests to get a feel of the format and difficulty. Write your Statement of Purpose (SOP). See section below Write your research proposal (if applicable). Mostly only for UK programmes Write your CV. Get letters of recommendation (LORs) from your professors. See section below Have enough money. You will need:
How do I ensure that I get in? You can’t. It’s not like undergrad where straight As will get you into most courses. You can, however, improve your chances. Research and relevant experience.
Sample Application Timeline (or: when should I do what?) May
Decide which school you are going to accept
—————————————————————————————————————————- The above sections can be expanded upon quite a bit more but I think that’s enough to give you a general idea on the graduate school application process. If you still need more info (especially about personal statements, research experience, choosing an advisor, interviews) feel free to contact me. All the best!
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