The PhD application game has changed
It’s a long ride, but you’ve got this.
Hello dear fellow subscriber to the Better Biologist newsletter.
I wanted to send you an email of encouragement, in case you’re at a point of exhaustion while looking for a suitable master’s/PhD position, and writing all those applications.
It’s such a draining, long and unloving process.
I’ve been working with several students recently, and most honestly, the competition for these spots is becoming not short of ridiculous.
There are multiple factors at play, but whatever they are, number and quality of applicants per positions has nearly doubled in the last 3 years.
That’s not to say you don’t have a shot.
But it means you will be more likely to be treated as “just a number” when applying to big programs/labs, and it would be wise of you to prepare for a long ride of looking for places where you can compete with specific skills/advantages your own application brings.
Take at least 6-12 months if you don’t want to lose your mind chasing like a headless chicken.
Your application is probably good.
But nowadays - to stand out - it’ll need to be a near perfect match between you and the lab/program, and it’ll do you good to plan for multiple points throughout a year where you can:
upskill
and
network on conferences and similar events.
All in all, hang in there.
I hope this email, despite its high dose of pessimism, brings you some calm, because all candidates are facing the same, not just you.
So - be patient, be strategic and distance your emotions from rejections as much as you can.
Good luck.
If you need guidance in this path, as always, you can make a booking on this LINK.
Wishing you all the best,
Kenan Krakovic