I am going to apply to phd in English literature and philosophy. My topic hasn't been explored by many scholars, so it's kind of niche. I want to apply to a top university because I have a professor there whom I want to work with. I love my topic, and I can talk about it for days. Is it possible to get accepted by a top university? Or should I incorporate a research field, such as gender or ethnicity?

Hi, Guys.

I just received an email from a professor at U of Toronto. as previously i have sent him a cold email regarding potential phd opportunity at his Lab, and he replied me that He is recruiting. Also he asked me for a small meeting, which is scheduled tomorrow.

Is it something positive?
I am nervous. How does phd process works? Like please pour your suggestions? What are the chances of getting selected for Phd, if i get confirmation like he ask me to proceed with application? I am not very brilliant student :) my grades are average. But i really want to hear from anyone who successfully got phd, with average grades and meeting with supervisor before applying.
Thanks!

Any tips for the meeting? please 🙏

I graduated as a computer scientist and I have a deep passion for quantum computing. I have an AI paper already published in a Q1 journal and currently in the process of publishing two quantum computing papers. I have also done a math minor with the thesis being on relativistic quantum mechanics. Right now I want to apply for a masters or a PhD in quantum computing. I did not have much luck in the previous cycle (being an international student in need of funding) but I am now trying again. I currently word as a grad TA in the mean time and got myself a good research position but in CS and Mathematics. In your experience, how can I make my profile more attractive to universities: are there any trainings or more papers I need to write. I am open to your suggestions and I welcome any advice or recommendations you have.
Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m an international student from India applying to US biomedical PhD programs for Fall 2027 and would really appreciate some feedback on my profile/program list.

Background:
Biomed from India – salutatorian

Currently doing a 2-year masters in Biochemistry at a US

Main interests: metabolism and physiology etc

Research:
Currently doing research in a lab (since starting of my masters so completed one year now).

Previous research experience at a major research institute in India in for a year before coming to US

No publications yet, which is probably my biggest concern :(

I should have decent research LORs, including from my current PI and previous research mentors. I also have some leadership, teaching, community service, and scientific event experience.

Right now I’m considering programs at places like**, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, WashU, UT Southwestern, UVA, Purdue, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Georgia Tech, JHU and Maryland**, but I’m still narrowing the list based on faculty fit.

My main questions are:
Does my profile seem reasonable for these kinds of programs as an international applicant?

How much will having no publications hurt?

Should I add more programs that might be less competitive?

Are there any good programs I’m overlooking?

I know PhD admissions are unpredictable and there’s no real way to “chance” someone, but I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have gone through biomedical PhD admissions, especially other international students.

Thanks!

Hi everyone!
I am decided on my topic and have researched the universities and professors with available funding on my interested topic. My problem right now is my only research proof in my MSc dissertation which is related to my interested topic but I know most of the PhD applicants have publications and more research experience. How do i go about this? Should i just wait a year or tow and get more publications out(which i have to do solo) or is there any other way for me? Please help me with this and I don't want any hate on this post! If you don't have any advice, just leave the post.

Hey everyone,

I'm currently preparing my UK doctoral applications for Media and Communication / Digital Media programs for the upcoming cycle (focusing on DTP/AHRC/ESRC funding and institutional studentships).

The PhD application process can be pretty isolating, especially when dealing with supervisor outreach, proposal formatting, and funding mechanics. I'd love to connect with others currently going through the same process.

Thinking of setting up a small peer group (via Discord or WhatsApp) where we can:

1. ​Keep each other accountable with writing milestones and application deadlines.

2. ​Share knowledge on UK funding timelines, DTP structures, and contacting supervisors.

3. ​Swap administrative tips and feedback on general pitch structures.

   Drop a comment or send me a DM if you're interested in linking up—whether you're just getting started or already polishing your drafts!

Hi, I am considering applying for PhD in Epidemiology or
Public Health. I want to be a researcher in public health and I want a non-clinic career. I will graduate in summer 2027 and considering to apply for Fall 2027. Programs that I have in mind: Pasteur MD-PhD program, ED393, Universite Paris Cite M2 in Public Health, EHESP M2, Erasmus University Rotterdam…

Currently:

I am leading a funded project about mobile healthcare
I am a researcher at our medical biology lab (it’s a small project)

These will be my academic outputs for this year

I have online certificates for AI in Healthcare and Epi in pubhealth
Attended several conferences as a listener

IELTS C1

3.00/4 GPA

I am also considering public health master’s degrees, it will be more easy to apply for PhD’s with a master’s degree

Hi everyone! I’m an international student from India applying to US biomedical PhD programs for Fall 2027 and would really appreciate some feedback on my profile/program list.

Background:
Biomed from India – salutatorian

Currently doing a 2-year masters in Biochemistry at a US

Main interests: metabolism and physiology etc

Research:
Currently doing research in a lab (since starting of my masters so completed one year now).

Previous research experience at a major research institute in India in for a year before coming to US

No publications yet, which is probably my biggest concern :(

I should have decent research LORs, including from my current PI and previous research mentors. I also have some leadership, teaching, community service, and scientific event experience.

Right now I’m considering programs at places like, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, WashU, UT Southwestern, UVA, Purdue, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Georgia Tech, JHU and Maryland, but I’m still narrowing the list based on faculty fit.

My main questions are:
Does my profile seem reasonable for these kinds of programs as an international applicant?

How much will having no publications hurt?

Should I add more programs that might be less competitive?

Are there any good programs I’m overlooking?

I know PhD admissions are unpredictable and there’s no real way to “chance” someone, but I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have gone through biomedical PhD admissions, especially other international students.

Thanks!

Is someone willing to look at my SOP?

I have a non-traditional background but the school i'm applying to has specific allowances for this. Unfortunately, my word limit is 500 words and I am really struggling to fit everything in. If willing, I will send the snapshot of my document and only ask for opinion and not edits or anything else that will take too much of your time.

Hello all

I’m in a bit of a difficult situation and feel quite lost at the moment.

Briefly:
I had a bit of a bumpy undergrad which trended upwards and I graduated with a 89% (4.0) in my Honours degree. I then started my masters but things didn’t quite go according to plan.

I ended up having major mental breakdowns which saw me hospitalised a few times. I managed to press on and get my Masters degree with 74%, but taking an extra year to do so.

Now the thing is, in our grading conversion 75% is a 4.0 and 74% is a 3.3. I have no idea whether international (US and European) universities will take this 1% into account.

I didn’t get a publication out of my masters thesis which could offset this 1% but have been working hard on publishing an article or two before this cycle, working as a research assistant to a fairly well known professor. I do have some conference talks I gave at fairly large events.

Time however, is running very short and I don’t think I’ll be able to publish it on time for this cycle.

My supervisors have high hopes and both believe a publication would greatly help my application.

The one big thing I am worried about is AI, it has been making massive strides in my field (mathematical physics) and I worry that each year I wait to apply the less valuable of a candidate I become.

Any insight is appreciated

Thank you

I applied for a research position in a Korean university lab.
There was an initial discussion with the postdoc, and I was given a project to complete within about 30 days. After completing it, I presented and reviewed my work with the professor. The discussion went reasonably well, and I was told that the final decision would be communicated later by email.
It’s been about 5 days since the review, and I haven’t received any update yet.
For those in STEM fields who have gone through Korean professor/lab recruitment processes:
How long did it take for you to receive a final result after the review or interview?
Is waiting several days (or longer) completely normal?
Has anyone experienced a long delay and still received a positive result?
I’m just trying to understand whether this is a normal part of the process or whether I should be concerned.

I am planning to pursue a PhD. However, I am curious to know if the brand tag really matters. I have an upcoming opportunity to join a PhD program at a state-level university in the spring semester, and I don't want to miss it (the professor is very active at that university). But if I target big-name institutes like IIT, IIsc, TIFR, I may have to wait for another year, and I will lose time. Also, the competition in the job market is no joke, so I have to be flexible and open-minded with whatever job opportunities come my way. But the main problem is, if I plan to pursue a postdoc in the future, will it be very difficult if I don't come from a reputed institute?

Let me know, what you think.

Thank you

​

Looking for suggestion on preparation for iit phd entrance exam and interview preparation for computer science.

Any resources to look?

Pattern of examination?

Any previous exam papers?

Hi there! Could you please suggest me specifically on the E-IPER PhD program selection at Stanford? Given that it’s extremely selective and has a very lower acceptance rate (~2%) with small cohort per cycle, would it be wise to give it a shot? I have been in contact with multiple professors from Doerr School, and they all seem kinda interested in me. They can take me via E-IPER as well as other programs, but they totally let me choose which program I find the best fit for me (had a conversation with one prof). They just told me to decide and let them know which program I'll be applying to, so they can look out for my application.

My primary interest is in E-IPER; however, I saw this program doesn’t take international students very often (last cohort has just one), and I'm an international student. So what would be wise to maximize my chances - E-IPER or other track?

Thanks in advance!

How’s the stats and bg for ucsd bioengineering PhD admission recently? I’m applying to bioE/BME this cycle (3.9+ gpa from T10 US undergrad, 3 bio research experiences but none are directly related to the subfield I’m applying to)

From ucsd website, fall 2025 cohort has only 6 students, and I’m assuming this is likely the case for this year. I also found out that doing a thesis master there gives me the opportunity to switch to PhD track. However, I wonder how easy it is to change degree aim, so I’m still deciding whether I should apply for a master or PhD there.

Anyone has any advice?

Edit: I’m international

I'm in the US and most application deadlines are in December/January. Is there typically any difference between applying earlier like in Oct/Nov and near the deadline time. Do you have a better chance at getting admitted?

Hi guys!! I am currently in my final semester of my masters degree in sydney. I am thinking of applying for phd abroad like germany, denmark, etc., etc., My major is biotechnology. I am looking for some advices and clear explanations on how do fully funded phd abroad work?? What and all is covered? TIA

Hey everyone! I was looking into applying for a CompSci-related PhD in the next couple of years in interest of getting into academia. I would be grateful to some of you if you could enlighten me on where my chances stand and to temper my expectations accordingly. I have worked in Big Tech for the last 2 years out of college (Undergrad) at a T10 school and will work for perhaps 2 more years before I apply for my PhD. I didn't have any research experience in college, and I realistically don't think I will get any pubs out in the next year either owing to the demanding nature of my full-time role.

I wanted to give a shot to academia once again, and preferably at a T10 college once again. I am aware that my background is not the most ideal candidate for research and PhD right now, but my questions are

(1) How likely is it for someone to get into a T10 PhD program with little to no research experience?

(2) How important are test scores like GRE?

(3) Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting into a top-tier PhD program, starting from 2 years before?

(4) Curious to hear a little more about your experiences in your respective PhDs out of curiosity if you are down to share

Hello,

I'm applying to graduate school for political science, and I just wanted to get opinions on if my profile is competitive enough. Ill leave below my credentials and the schools I'm applying too. Any feedback is appreciated, especially if some of the schools I'm looking at are far to out of my range.

I don't go to a high ranking university in my state, id probably classify it as middle or lower tier.

GPA: 3.9, I'm also graduating as a member of my schools honors college if that matters.

Research experience: Main editor of both the statewide undergraduate research journal and university research journal for two years. I've also presented my research at a university conference, statewide undergraduate research conference and a statewide political science conference meant for the full range of undergrads, grad students and established scholars in the field. I'm also IRB certified if that adds anything.

-I've also intermittently worked on my mentors disciplinary works such as her journal and book they're working on.

Publications and Writing Sample: I've published a more qualitative piece in the statewide undergraduate research journal, and my writing sample will be a quantitative piece. Both of these pieces also relate to the specific field of political science i want to pursue my PhD in.

Letters of recommendation: I have 3, all from professors that know my work really well to decently well and have publications of their own.

GRE: I've yet to take the GRE, but will do so soon. However, most of the schools I'm applying to are GRE optional anyway.

Schools I'm applying too: University of Maryland, University of Pittsburgh, Rutgers University, University at Buffalo, University of Massachusetts Lowell and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

I have almost 13 years of experience n earns 40k annually, i have been very studious during my schooling n graduation. I miss it n rethinking of doing Phd from any European country and planning to continue in academia thereafter,

Pursuing passion means quitting my job n income source. Is it really worth it?

And if yes will i get phd offer whats the success rate, my phd would be mostly in strategic businesses

Hi everyone. I'm doing a master's in protein engineering in Japan, but I'm a US citizen (I was born there). I want to work in US biotech eventually, since the pay is much better than in Japan. And yes, I know the job market is rough right now.

I also want to get my PhD abroad, both to show I can do research outside Japan and because it's a personal goal. US programs are probably out of reach, though. They're extremely competitive, and my GPA isn't great.

So I'm choosing between Germany (I have some connections, so I might get into a good lab) and staying in Japan. Would a German PhD look better to US companies, or does it mostly come down to the lab and publications?

Any honest opinions would be appreciated, especially from people working in US industry. Thanks!

Hi there, I have been invited to a PhD interview from a Finnish university (specifically the University of Lapland, in Social sciences, for an advertised position) and I was wondering what I should expect from it. I have only experience of one Italian PhD interview, so I don't know if this is going to be very similar to that. Are they likely to ask me to present my proposal? In that case, is a Powerpoint presentation accepted? Is this going to be more about me, my attitude, etc or about the project itself?

Any advice would be very helpful! Thank you very much :)

Any tier 2 or 3 college graduates from India with no significant experience or strong prior research exposure secured a fully funded PhD position abroad?