Research Career DevelopmentResearch Career Development

Choosing a Doctoral Choosing a Doctoral ProgramProgram

Gail P. TaylorGail P. Taylor

Fall 2010Fall 2010

08/31/2010

Dr. Gail P. TaylorDr. Gail P. Taylor►Asst. Program Director MBRS-RISEAsst. Program Director MBRS-RISE►Research Training Program SpecialistResearch Training Program Specialist►Professional Development CoordinatorProfessional Development Coordinator

► Beyond the Beakers: SMART Advice for Entering Graduate Programs in the Sciences and Engineering. Gayle R. Slaughter, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine/National Science Foundation. 2005

► Survival Skills and Ethics Program:Survival Skills and Ethics Program: Beth Fischer Michael Zigmond www.pitt.edu/~survival

► The Leadership Alliance –The Leadership Alliance – Graduate School Guidehttp://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/grad_guide.pdf

Tips on Preparing for and Applying to Graduate Schoolhttp://www.theleadershipalliance.org/pdf/tips.pdf

► Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond (1996). Committee on Science, Engineering, and Public Policy (COSEPUP) http://books.nap.edu/books/0309053935/html/11.html

Acknowledgements:Acknowledgements:

What You Should Consider What You Should Consider Regarding Doctoral EducationRegarding Doctoral Education

► What is doctoral education?What is doctoral education?► What can you study, and where?What can you study, and where?► Is doctoral education worth the trouble to you?Is doctoral education worth the trouble to you?► Can you get into graduate school?Can you get into graduate school?► What field do you want to pursue?What field do you want to pursue?► What school/program will you apply to?What school/program will you apply to?► How do you successfully apply?How do you successfully apply?

Standard Ph.D. Training Standard Ph.D. Training PathPath

UG – BiologicalChemistry

M.S. Degree

Post BaccResearch

DoctoralStudies

Academic Postdoc

Industry Postdoc

Government Postdoc

ContinueEducation

Other Career

Academics

Government

Industry

Other

1-2 Yrs

UG – Engineering

EngineeringWork

3 - 6 Yrs

4 - 7 Yrs

What Can You Study, What Can You Study, and Where?and Where?

Graduate School Graduate School Fields/ProgramsFields/Programs

► Neurobiology/NeuroscienceNeurobiology/Neuroscience► PhysiologyPhysiology► Microbiology/Immunology/Microbiology/Immunology/

EndocrinologyEndocrinology► Cell/Molec./Dev. BiologyCell/Molec./Dev. Biology► Biochemistry/Biological Biochemistry/Biological

chemistrychemistry► Biomedical EngineeringBiomedical Engineering► ChemistryChemistry

GreenGreen OrganicOrganic ManufacturingManufacturing

► Pathology/Molecular ToxicologyPathology/Molecular Toxicology► PharmacologyPharmacology► Radiological SciencesRadiological Sciences► BiostatisticsBiostatistics► Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering► Ecology and Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary

BiologyBiology► Environmental Health SciencesEnvironmental Health Sciences

► EpidemiologyEpidemiology► Oral BiologyOral Biology► Biological and Medical InformaticsBiological and Medical Informatics► BiophysicsBiophysics► Civil EngineeringCivil Engineering► GeneticsGenetics► Computational Computational

Biology/BioinformaticsBiology/Bioinformatics► PharmacogenomicsPharmacogenomics► ForestryForestry► Integrative BiologyIntegrative Biology► Molecular and Biochemical Molecular and Biochemical

NutritionNutrition► Plant BiologyPlant Biology► Vision ScienceVision Science

► And Many MORE!!And Many MORE!!

Where Doctoral Training Takes Where Doctoral Training Takes PlacePlace

► Look for “Graduate Programs” or Graduate Look for “Graduate Programs” or Graduate SchoolSchool

► At “Universities”At “Universities” http://www.utsa.edu/graduate/

► At Academic Medical Centers/SchoolsAt Academic Medical Centers/Schools http://gsbs.uthscsa.edu/main/

► At Academic Veterinary SchoolsAt Academic Veterinary Schools http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/resgrad/grad/index.sht

ml

► In association w Graduate Schools:In association w Graduate Schools: Organizational Funding – HHMI Organizational Funding – HHMI

► Janelia Farms Research Campus Janelia Farms Research Campus http://www.hhmi.org/janelia/grad.html NIH Graduate PartnersNIH Graduate Partners

► In classes at UniversityIn classes at University►All or part of research at NIHAll or part of research at NIH►https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/gpp

Can You get Into Can You get Into Graduate School?Graduate School?

Specific School’s Pre-requisites –Specific School’s Pre-requisites –Can You Get In?Can You Get In?

► Entrance RequirementsEntrance Requirements GPAGPA GRE (variable)GRE (variable) Courses (Particularly at end of UG studies)Courses (Particularly at end of UG studies) ExperienceExperience

► ResearchResearch► Publications/presentationsPublications/presentations

Your personal characteristics/motivationsYour personal characteristics/motivations Strong letters of RecStrong letters of Rec OtherOther

► Number to be admittedNumber to be admitted► InterviewsInterviews

Number givenNumber given Funded or unfundedFunded or unfunded

Building Your Credentials-Building Your Credentials-

►Look at what Graduate Schools look Look at what Graduate Schools look for, and do it…for, and do it…

► Ultimately: Ultimately: Will be a good financial investmentWill be a good financial investment Will be a good time investmentWill be a good time investment

General - What Doctoral Programs WantGeneral - What Doctoral Programs Want

► Someone who will successfully complete the Someone who will successfully complete the program and become premiere researcher! program and become premiere researcher!

► Has background required for successHas background required for success Coursework/foundation in fieldCoursework/foundation in field Can survive coursework- GPA/GRE (C’s are failing in Can survive coursework- GPA/GRE (C’s are failing in

Grad School)Grad School) Research preparationResearch preparation

► PublicationsPublications► PresentationsPresentations

Knows what they are getting intoKnows what they are getting into► Has motivation required for successHas motivation required for success

Programs, summers, backgroundPrograms, summers, background► Has skills or potential to perform activities of Has skills or potential to perform activities of

sciencescience Can reason critically/analytically (understands and Can reason critically/analytically (understands and

extends research).extends research). Can communicate professionallyCan communicate professionally Can balance research and coursework Can balance research and coursework Will assist in school’s research effortsWill assist in school’s research efforts

General - What Doctoral Programs WantGeneral - What Doctoral Programs Want

► Fits well with their programFits well with their program Has compatible research interests with facultyHas compatible research interests with faculty Has potential to eventually run own labHas potential to eventually run own lab Will impact “energy” of schoolWill impact “energy” of school May make great breakthroughs for themMay make great breakthroughs for them Will be a good representative for their Will be a good representative for their

program, foreverprogram, forever Increase the program’s diversityIncrease the program’s diversity

► Emotional:Emotional: Works independentlyWorks independently Takes criticism constructivelyTakes criticism constructively ResponsibleResponsible Easy to work withEasy to work with Good characterGood character

Transcripts/GradesTranscripts/Grades

► Balance activities to promote GPABalance activities to promote GPA► Most scientists weren’t -very high- GPA peopleMost scientists weren’t -very high- GPA people► Shows how you did your job as a studentShows how you did your job as a student► Last two years most importantLast two years most important► Shows your motivation and consistencyShows your motivation and consistency► Challenging coursework betterChallenging coursework better► Minimum 3.0….better if higherMinimum 3.0….better if higher

Show improvement over time, if lowerShow improvement over time, if lower Important in upper division major coursesImportant in upper division major courses

► Can be overcome if…Can be overcome if… Great lettersGreat letters Pubs/credentialsPubs/credentials Great Statement and InterviewsGreat Statement and Interviews

GRE Test ScoresGRE Test Scores► Required by nearly all schoolsRequired by nearly all schools

Of varied weightOf varied weight May also want subject testMay also want subject test

► Will also count on some grantsWill also count on some grants► Take GRE Prep courseTake GRE Prep course► Vocabulary flash cards!Vocabulary flash cards!

People can’t talk over your headPeople can’t talk over your head► Take practice testsTake practice tests► If low, study and retakeIf low, study and retake► Try to get at least 1000Try to get at least 1000► Take spring or summer prior to applying, if possibleTake spring or summer prior to applying, if possible► Can be overcome if…Can be overcome if…

Great lettersGreat letters Pubs/credentialsPubs/credentials Great Statement and InterviewsGreat Statement and Interviews

If your Credentials are If your Credentials are Weak…Weak…

►GRE: Study for and retakeGRE: Study for and retake►Grades: At least begin M.S. training and Grades: At least begin M.S. training and

get “A”sget “A”s►Research: Job as Research Asst or Research: Job as Research Asst or

PostbaccPostbacc Think like a researcherThink like a researcher Get hours inGet hours in Get Letters of RecGet Letters of Rec Get pubsGet pubs Confirms commitmentConfirms commitment Helps to confirm interestsHelps to confirm interests

Where Do You Want Where Do You Want to Apply?to Apply?

Not all Programs are EqualNot all Programs are Equal

►Which schools/program have good Which schools/program have good rep?rep?

►Where is someone doing what you Where is someone doing what you want to do?want to do?

► It’s often the Researcher, more than It’s often the Researcher, more than the school, that counts!the school, that counts!

Finding Info about SchoolsFinding Info about Schools

► Talk to Talk to professors/Your professors/Your Mentor!Mentor!

► Work in LaboratoryWork in Laboratory► Summer Summer

Programs/InternshipsPrograms/Internships► ConferencesConferences► AdvertisementsAdvertisements► Graduate FairsGraduate Fairs► OnlineOnline

► Visiting ProfessorsVisiting Professors► Professional SocietiesProfessional Societies► LibrariesLibraries

Ratings GuidesRatings Guides

► College Career CenterCollege Career Center► RecruitersRecruiters► Campus visitsCampus visits► Speak to Grad Speak to Grad

StudentStudent► Direct Request:Direct Request:

ApplicationApplication CataloguesCatalogues BrochuresBrochures Grad admissions appsGrad admissions apps Financial aid appsFinancial aid apps

Program DescriptionsProgram Descriptions

► Descriptions of Schools: Descriptions of Schools: ► http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx ► http://www.gradschools.com► http://www.cgsnet.org/► http://www.graduateschool.com/index.cfm► http://www.schoolguides.com/► http://www.phds.org/rankings/► http://graduate-school.phds.org/

Program RankingsProgram Rankings

► Rankings!Rankings! US News Grad School RankingsUS News Grad School Rankings

► http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools graduate-schools/top-science-schools

PhDs.orgPhDs.org► http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings http://graduate-school.phds.org/rankings

Faculty Quality Varies…Faculty Quality Varies…► One particular? (usually no!)One particular? (usually no!)

Flexibility to change directionsFlexibility to change directions► Ability as educators and mentorsAbility as educators and mentors► Ability as scientistsAbility as scientists

►GrantsGrants RO1 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r01.htm RO1 http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/r01.htm

►PublicationsPublications Nature, ScienceNature, Science

►AwardsAwards Nobel PrizesNobel Prizes

►National Academy of Sciences MembersNational Academy of Sciences Members http://www.nationalacademies.org/http://www.nationalacademies.org/

Know how to “Play the game” of science…Know how to “Play the game” of science…

► Mentoring vs Reputation…Mentoring vs Reputation…

► Degree StatisticsDegree Statistics Time to DegreeTime to Degree Degree CompletionDegree Completion

► Course requirements for PhDCourse requirements for PhD► Qualifying exams?Qualifying exams?► LocationLocation

Size, schools, culture, job for spouse, cost of living, transportationSize, schools, culture, job for spouse, cost of living, transportation► Size of SchoolSize of School

Total size, # Doctoral studentsTotal size, # Doctoral students► Campus environmentCampus environment

Academic Academic ► Library and computersLibrary and computers► EquipmentEquipment► Programs for retentionPrograms for retention► Course offerings Course offerings

Cultural and social activitiesCultural and social activities Diversity of student populationDiversity of student population

► Degree requirementsDegree requirements Courses, research rotations, examinationsCourses, research rotations, examinations

Program/School Qualities I Program/School Qualities I

Program Qualities IIProgram Qualities II

► Information for Prospective StudentsInformation for Prospective Students► Preparation for a Broad Range of CareersPreparation for a Broad Range of Careers► Teaching and TA PreparationTeaching and TA Preparation► Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development► Career Guidance & Placement ServicesCareer Guidance & Placement Services► Program ClimateProgram Climate► Overall SatisfactionOverall Satisfaction► Strong doctoral studies committeesStrong doctoral studies committees► Graduate placement (last five yrs)Graduate placement (last five yrs)

Industry, academic, government?Industry, academic, government?► Quality of mentoringQuality of mentoring

http://www.nagps.org/ National Association of Graduate Professional Students

Program Qualities IIIProgram Qualities III

► Financial Aid ConsiderationsFinancial Aid Considerations Programs should pay tuition and basic living expensesPrograms should pay tuition and basic living expenses Med Insurance is important!Med Insurance is important! May promise one year or more of supportMay promise one year or more of support Must apply on time to obtain supportMust apply on time to obtain support Institutional (from university)Institutional (from university)

► Fellowships and Traineeships – payment for studyFellowships and Traineeships – payment for study► Research Assistantship – Payment for workResearch Assistantship – Payment for work► Teaching assistantships – Payment for teachingTeaching assistantships – Payment for teaching

Non-InstitutionalNon-Institutional► Why? Prestige, higher stipend, sophistication, portable, Why? Prestige, higher stipend, sophistication, portable,

flexibility in selecting advisorflexibility in selecting advisor► NSF Pre-doctoral, Ford Foundation Doctoral for NSF Pre-doctoral, Ford Foundation Doctoral for

Minorities, GEM Pre-doctoralMinorities, GEM Pre-doctoral► http://mbrs.utsa.edu/html/Resources.htmhttp://mbrs.utsa.edu/html/Resources.htm

Contacting FacultyContacting Faculty►Research their work onlineResearch their work online►Read their pubsRead their pubs►Write directly to them (Keep it brief)Write directly to them (Keep it brief)

Personalized email notePersonalized email note Interested in their research and graduate Interested in their research and graduate

programprogram Tell about youTell about you

►CVCV►Curriculum track that interests youCurriculum track that interests you►Research that interests youResearch that interests you

Actually ApplyingActually Applying

About Specifying a FieldAbout Specifying a Field

►Find a field to which you’d like to Find a field to which you’d like to apply…apply… Some schools require application to Some schools require application to

particular fields/departmentsparticular fields/departments Some allow general admission, and a Some allow general admission, and a

student chooses which programstudent chooses which program

How to Convey Your How to Convey Your Credentials?Credentials?

►Application PackageApplication Package Grades/Transcript (sent by registrar)Grades/Transcript (sent by registrar) GRE ScoresGRE Scores LettersLetters Statement(s)Statement(s)

►Successful InterviewSuccessful Interview Why do you want to go?Why do you want to go? Show that you understood your research!Show that you understood your research!

Applying to Graduate School:Applying to Graduate School:

► Research the schools’ characteristicsResearch the schools’ characteristics► Check out potential mentors/res. Check out potential mentors/res.

interests.interests.► Examine Online application/catalogExamine Online application/catalog► Pay very close attention to deadlines!Pay very close attention to deadlines!

Turn in early as possibleTurn in early as possible► Request letters of recommendation earlyRequest letters of recommendation early► Begin working on Essays (look at Begin working on Essays (look at

directions!)directions!)► Submit everything far before deadlinesSubmit everything far before deadlines

Letters from FacultyLetters from Faculty

► Required at all levels of scienceRequired at all levels of science► The better they know you, the betterThe better they know you, the better► Can they write very good recommendation?Can they write very good recommendation?► Prioritize:Prioritize:

Research mentorsResearch mentors Other researchers with whom you’ve workedOther researchers with whom you’ve worked Program Director RISE/MARCProgram Director RISE/MARC Course Instructors- Tenure trackCourse Instructors- Tenure track

►Once they’ve written one, the next is easyOnce they’ve written one, the next is easy

Letters ContinuedLetters Continued

►Ask earlyAsk early►Provide personal statement, CVProvide personal statement, CV►Provide program nameProvide program name►Provide link to programProvide link to program►Provide info on why you want this programProvide info on why you want this program►Set appt. to talk to themSet appt. to talk to them►Provide schedule of due datesProvide schedule of due dates►Provide envelopes/stampsProvide envelopes/stamps►Gently remind as needed (they will Gently remind as needed (they will

procrastinate)procrastinate)

Personal StatementsPersonal Statements

► Represent you!Represent you!► Are part of your “Package”Are part of your “Package”►Questions may varyQuestions may vary

Very commonly are asked for as a:Very commonly are asked for as a:►Personal statementPersonal statement►Statement of purposeStatement of purpose►Personal essayPersonal essay►Statement of background and goalsStatement of background and goals►Expression of your qualities as an applicantExpression of your qualities as an applicant

► Think them out carefullyThink them out carefully► look at program goalslook at program goals

Personal Statements Personal Statements Convey…Convey…

►Your technical writing abilityYour technical writing ability►Your ability to express yourselfYour ability to express yourself►MotivationMotivation►MaturityMaturity►Passion for the fieldPassion for the field► JudgmentJudgment

http://gradschool.about.com/cs/miscellaneous/a/want_2.htm

Overall…StatementsOverall…Statements

► It may take you a good while to It may take you a good while to complete, but a good statement can complete, but a good statement can be considered artwork. Make sure to be considered artwork. Make sure to take the time to refine, so that you take the time to refine, so that you represent yourself well!represent yourself well!

►Don’t get so bogged down that you Don’t get so bogged down that you don’t finish it! don’t finish it!

More Information – More Information – Visit a Training ProgramVisit a Training Program

► If applying, then visit!If applying, then visit!►May be invited without appMay be invited without app►Money is often available for minority Money is often available for minority

students to visitstudents to visit► Can meet with faculty as well as see Can meet with faculty as well as see

campus!campus!► Talk to Dr. Taylor to see if she knows Talk to Dr. Taylor to see if she knows

someone at the university…someone at the university…

Double CheckingDouble Checking

►Make SURE that your transcript arrivesMake SURE that your transcript arrives►Make sure that your LoRs arriveMake sure that your LoRs arrive