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Marina
Student
Lawton, Oklahoma
2
Questions
Asked
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Will the college I choose support the goals for my future?
My plans include getting a PHD in a science field. I am undecided in what colleges to attend and still working on applications. How will I be able to determine if the colleges I have applied to have programs to support my goals, mentorship opportunities, and future internships availabilities. #futurescientist #PHDbound #cantstopmenow
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1 answer
Shulin Low
Ph.D., mucosal immunology
24
Answers
Japan
Updated
Shulin’s Answer
Hi Marina,
Good to know you want to have a Ph.D. degree in Science. To answer your question, the answer is you never know. You said you are working on the application ( I was wondering, isn't most of the universities have closed application?), I believe that you browse through the program.
First, Do they have any PrincipleIinvestigator's research are interesting to you? if yes, can you imagine your life in the next 4-7 years, you are trying to puzzle in that research topic? If it's not for both questions, nothing interesting, you don't like to work in that field, probably this is not a good program you want to go.
Then, there are some programs, some professors. Maybe you can ask around, gather more information. Any friends, seniors in the program, in that university. Information about the lab atmosphere, the personality of PI, how's the PI funding situation (will the lab short of money during the time you are there). Most importantly, does the PI has the intention to have new Ph.D.? student the year you enroll?
Probably you might also want to know the fellowship, scholarship. After the interview, if you receive a lot of offers, then congratulation!! You have another difficult decision to make which program to go. But, in that case, it will be much easier, choose the one you like the most, the place, the offer, the potential project.
One last piece of advice, I did say "you never know", did I? In the ?ideal situation, you enroll in your dream school, the offer is great, the place is awesome. Maybe your PI was recruited to another university and decided to move. Well. every thing is going to change. What I want to say is, be a Ph.D. student, you need to embrace changes. I guess you are all set! good luck!!!
Good to know you want to have a Ph.D. degree in Science. To answer your question, the answer is you never know. You said you are working on the application ( I was wondering, isn't most of the universities have closed application?), I believe that you browse through the program.
First, Do they have any PrincipleIinvestigator's research are interesting to you? if yes, can you imagine your life in the next 4-7 years, you are trying to puzzle in that research topic? If it's not for both questions, nothing interesting, you don't like to work in that field, probably this is not a good program you want to go.
Then, there are some programs, some professors. Maybe you can ask around, gather more information. Any friends, seniors in the program, in that university. Information about the lab atmosphere, the personality of PI, how's the PI funding situation (will the lab short of money during the time you are there). Most importantly, does the PI has the intention to have new Ph.D.? student the year you enroll?
Probably you might also want to know the fellowship, scholarship. After the interview, if you receive a lot of offers, then congratulation!! You have another difficult decision to make which program to go. But, in that case, it will be much easier, choose the one you like the most, the place, the offer, the potential project.
One last piece of advice, I did say "you never know", did I? In the ?ideal situation, you enroll in your dream school, the offer is great, the place is awesome. Maybe your PI was recruited to another university and decided to move. Well. every thing is going to change. What I want to say is, be a Ph.D. student, you need to embrace changes. I guess you are all set! good luck!!!