10 FAQs about academic applications
I get asked these all the time. Here are the answers, in this email, for you.
Over the last 5 years, I reviewed hundreds of CVs, cover letters, statements of purpose, and project applications to help biology students land their dream lab positions for internships, MSc and Ph.D. programs.
Some questions keep popping up so I gathered 10 of them here with short, clear answers, in case you need an answer to any of these.
1. What I must include in my motivation letter for a Ph.D./MSc position?
A great hook that will make them read more (give them something that will immediately pique their interest).
An example would be mentioning a particular experiment that might ring a bell in their mind and talking about how that experiment inspired you to do something on your own… that led to some cool result in your research.
See how in one sentence you can:
make them interested (mention something relevant to them)
make a story (make them keep reading)
showcase some result/skill you acquired (make them get you on a Zoom call)
Good writing takes time, but if you learn how to do it, each sentence can be a little bomb that breaks barricades.
2. How do I make my CV more attractive to my potential supervisor?
Make it extremely easy for them to find what they are looking for.
Read their papers, lab history, contact lab alumni, and see do you fit in that lab.
Then tailor your CV such that in about 5 seconds, they can find the keywords they might be interested in.
For example, in one of my applications, I noticed that the supervisor is super keen on finding independent scientists.
Then I thought about my past experiences where I showcased that I can be successful independently, and made that point very easy to scan in my CV.
3. How do I make sure that the professor I want to work with answers my email?
Give them value in your email.
Imagine professors as millionaires who are super busy.
Except their currency of value is not money, but reputation.
When you write an email asking for a position without any preparation and serious investment, it’s like saying to some multimillionaire:
“Hey could you please give me some money, I need it”.
No one gives out money like that. And no respected professor gives an interview invitation like that.
Instead, prepare, read everything you can about them, come up with some ideas for projects you would work on (even if they are not perfect) and make your email demonstrating of your qualities.
It takes a minimum a month of preparation to write one successful email. Start early.
4. Will my bad grades destroy my application to a top institution?
The worse they are, the higher the chance they will, because your grades are an indicator of your work ethics.
However, not necessarily, there is a way out.
First, professors do take in consideration that some countries have a culture of not giving out high grades, even if you’re a great student.
Such is the case in India or France for example (so I’ve heard from my colleagues).
Additionally, even if your grades are low, there is one thing you can do to make up for them: do something that’s much more impressive than good grades.
An example would be to win a grant for a small research project, to develop some project of your own, start a small company, change something in your local research community.
Yeah, all these are tough, and even tougher than just getting a good grade on a test, but worth it, because they can set you apart from most other people even if you don’t have a perfect GPA.
Couple this with a strong vision for your future and some great writing skills, you have a shot.
5. How do I decide whether I should do a Ph.D. or go to industry after my master’s?
Only do a Ph.D. if you’re crazy about research and figuring out how the world works.
There’s plenty of other things worth doing for 5 years other than a Ph.D.
Like start a family, make a business, make some money, write a book, ride horses.
But if you love research, get at it please, the world needs you.
6. How long should my CV be?
You should have one long version that contains your full history (push yourself to update it at least once every 3 months), and then for each position you apply for, make a 1-page monster where every sentence is relevant and screams about you being the perfect person for the job.
7. What are some things in my writing that will eliminate my application from the next stage?
Misspelling people’s name. Grammar mistakes. Writing “Dear Sir/Madame”, or “To whom it may concern”, generally being generic.
Having no structure. Not investing effort in making it perfect. Writing “ever since I was a kid I wanted to study biology”.
8. Should I apply to a Ph.D. program or directly to a supervisor?
Even if you’re applying to a Ph.D. program, try to get in contact and establish communication with 1-3 potential supervisors, way ahead of application deadlines.
If you manage to do this with success, even if you have to go through formal selection process, your name be more familiar to the committee which will skyrocket your chances of getting the position in the sea of faceless CVs.
9. What criteria should I use to find a perfect-match supervisorr?
Number 1. Are they ethical?
Being with someone hungry for publications, who will do whatever it takes to publish a lot will inevitably corrupt you.
You need someone who places scientific ethics at the top of their thinking.
Number 2: Relationship with their students, what kind of a mentor are they.
Number 3: Quality and personal interest in the projects of the lab.
10. Should I just apply to a 100 positions and hope someone gives me an answer?
No. Even if someone gives you a position like this, you’re throwing dice, not knowing what you’re getting yourself into.
You’re risking getting into a horrible lab environment and making your whole experience difficult.
This is your career, create it with command, don’t leave it to chance.
Explore many positions, but invest a lot of time to think about what you’re after, what fits you best, where would you love to be. You need a vision of your future to get after it, not a roll of the dice.
Talk soon,
Kenan
P.S. I’ve been working on something for several months now, that you might be interested in.
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