We asked Duke students, faculty and professors for the tips and tricks they have picked up throughout their academic careers.

Dionna Gamble, Ph.D.

An Excel document keeping track of all the documents required for each school can be very helpful.

Dionna Gamble

Ph.D Graduate, Genetics and Genomics

How do you start researching PhD programs? 

Your research interests along with any geographical preferences you have can be great starting points for researching PhD programs. Also speaking with a college advisor or mentor can provide great insight and add additional programs to your list. 

What should you look for in a PhD program? 

The following are a few of the important things to look for in a PhD program: 1. Caliber/breadth of research, 2. Engaging faculty, 3. Presence of community and resources for graduate students.

What questions should you ask in your campus visits? 

Be sure to ask about resources the program has to support students through the various stages and milestones of their graduate school career. 

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process? 

Avoid sending documents to the wrong program or omitting pertinent information from your applications by remaining organized during the application process. An excel document keeping track of all the documents required for each school can be very helpful.

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Dionna Gamble

Jarvis C. McInnis, Ph.D.

Reviewers are far more interested in your ability to think creatively and solve complex problems than what moves you.

Jarvis C. McInnis

Assistant Professor, English 

How do you start researching PhD programs?

The most important factors to consider are your research question(s), preferred discipline and/or methods, and faculty mentors. Ask yourself: What is the question or problem you want to address in your graduate studies? Then, you’ll want to consider which discipline(s) and/or methods will best equip you to answer or address said question or problem. Finally, identify faculty members who are either doing similar work, or whose research will equip you with the necessary training to answer your unique research question or problem. 

What should you look for in a PhD program?

The answer to this question depends on what you plan to do with the PhD. Ideally, you should select a program that can support you in reaching your research and career goals, and where you can thrive both professionally and personally. Make sure that there are at least 2-3 faculty members with whom you can work within the department or at the university. It is often the case that students’ research interests change or their relationship with their primary advisor is less than optimal. So being in a place with multiple potential advisors/mentors is ideal. Additional factors to consider include: supportive mentorship and advising; funding for graduate student research; and opportunities to cultivate the skills needed for career success (e.g., opportunities to teach, if you plan to enter academia). 

One of the most important factors to consider is whether the university’s location is conducive to your life and work. Are there opportunities to engage in your hobbies or the various activities or communities that sustain you beyond your research? Try to imagine your personal and professional goals over the next 5-7 years (or however long it typically takes to complete the program), and ask yourself if the university/location under consideration will enable you to achieve them. 

If you are a woman, person of color, queer person, or another underrepresented minority, consider the university’s and department’s track record with people whose identities are similar to yours. Do they tend to thrive there, or do they tend to leave the program prematurely? You should also inquire into the department’s job placement rate and the average time to degree. This information can speak volumes about how well the department prepares and supports its students (the economy and the changing landscape of the academic job market notwithstanding). 

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

You should always ask current graduate students at different stages of the process (from course work to dissertation writing) if they are happy and feel supported in the program and at the university. Ask about all forms of healthcare (physical and mental) and whether the living stipend is sufficient to cover expenses. Current students’ experiences are often the best indication of whether the program will be a good fit for you. You should also ask faculty members about their approach to graduate advising and mentorship to determine if their style matches your needs. You might also ask them if they plan to leave the university during your tenure there; losing an advisor can be most disruptive. Time to degree and job placement rates are important factors to consider as well. If your work is interdisciplinary, ask about the possibility of taking courses in other departments and including outside faculty members on your committee.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

Be sure to articulate your research question, problem, or intervention clearly, as well as why the faculty, department, and/or university are the right fit for your proposed project. Refrain from writing about your “passion” and instead focus on your intellectual contribution. Reviewers are far more interested in your ability to think creatively and solve complex problems than what moves you. If you have a blemish on your transcript or below average test scores, address it in your personal statement (e.g., perhaps you had a family crisis that semester, or you have test anxiety), but don’t belabor it. Simply acknowledge it and assure readers that it has no bearing on your intellectual ability or future success in the program. Make sure to ask recommenders to write a strong or favorable letter of recommendation; even lukewarm letters can be a red flag to admissions committee members. Finally, please be considerate of reviewers. They are often reading hundreds of applications, so please adhere to application guidelines regarding the length of materials such as writing samples and research statements. 

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McInnis

Amanda E. Hargrove, Ph.D.

Research is tough and often fails - what challenges, however small, have you overcome that could show how you overcome setbacks and failures?

Amanda E. Hargrove

Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Biochemistry

How do you start researching PhD programs?

Think about what types of research you are most interested in, and then look for programs that offer those options. You want to identify places that have multiple PI’s asking questions that fascinate you and you’d love to work on. Research mentors and professors at your current institution are great resources for ideas of places to look. Ask as many people as possible!

What should you look for in a PhD program?

In addition to multiple research groups of interest (mentioned above), you’ll want to make sure the culture is one that will allow you to be as productive as possible. For most people, this means specific programs to help first year graduate students acclimate, rotations, etc. as well as career and support resources. Look at the students who are there and who you meet - are they people who you want to be?

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Ask about research! See how people talk about it, what they are excited about, and how they respond to questions. Ask graduate students what they love and what they would change. Ask what they do outside of lab (just to make sure there is something). What department and university resources exist to help you succeed? What have students taken advantage of?

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

Your personal statement should be a balance of personal and research experience. What draws you to research? Research is tough and often fails - what challenges, however small, have you overcome that could show how you overcome setbacks and failures?Common pitfalls include being entirely personal or entirely research-based. Personalize them as possible, but remember the worst is when a student personalizes for the wrong university! Make sure you have as many people read your statement and provide feedback as possible. If it feels like no one else has read it or it was hastily put together, it will appear that you do not care.

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Amanda E. Hargrove

Gustavo M. Silva, Ph.D.

Your PhD in sciences will be less about becoming an expert in a field and more about learning how to think science, how to do science, and how to broadly thrive in this field.

Gustavo D. Silva

Assistant Professor, Biology

How do you start researching PhD programs?

Start by checking out the institutions where the authors of your favorite articles are located. Also, search for umbrella programs that could provide you with a variety of lab options to explore. Investigate the best departments in your area of interest and always, ALWAYS ask for advice and suggestions from your network (mentors, colleagues, professors). 

What should you look for in a PhD program?

Look for the best learning opportunity. Your PhD in sciences will be less about becoming an expert in a field and more about learning how to think science, how to do science, and how to broadly thrive in this field. Look for programs that also offer opportunities for career development. Find a department where you could have multiple choices of advisors who have great track records as scientists and mentors.

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Ask your potential advisors what their current and potential research projects are (the website might be outdated); if they are interested in taking students on that particular cycle; about their mentoring style (and whether it matches your needs); and what one needs to do to be successful under their mentorship. Also, talk to people working in their laboratories and read between the lines. Remember, it is your chance to interview the professors as well, and assess your fit in their lab.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

Your undergraduate research experience is important, but do not forget to connect the skills you’ve learned to your research vision and future goals in graduate school. We are recruiting YOU and not the work you did in the past. Also, make clear the reasons why you are applying for that particular program/institution. Write a tailored statement. The committee will always look more favorably if you have a legitimate interest in joining their program.

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Gustavo D. Silva

Melyssa Minto

Once you have vetted the program content wise, you want to also want to make sure that it is somewhere you can feel safe, build a community, and have fun!

Melyssa Minto

Ph.D. Student, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

How do you start researching PhD programs?

At the beginning of senior year, I started looking into PhD programs. You have to prioritize what is important to you whether it is the faculty, research focus, location, etc. For me, location and research focus were really important. I looked at the PhD programs that fit my research interest in the Triangle and from there I identified faculty within the programs that I wanted to work with by reading through their current research. For the faculty that I felt strongly about, I emailed them about my interest, attached my CV and asked them for recommendations for my application. While most of them did not offer any hard advice, it was good opportunity to ask more questions about their research and to get my name floating around.

What should you look for in a PhD program?

Graduate school is a huge commitment so you want to make sure you choose an environment where you will be happy in and have opportunity to grow. Most times programs that satisfy that are flexible to requirements and milestones, diverse both culturally and intellectually, and highly collaborative both within the institution and with surrounding institutions. You should also look into the course requirements and prerequisites and the average time a student spends in the program. Most programs have pre-requisites and it’s okay if you have not completed them. If you haven’t, reach out to the program coordinator and ask if there is any flexibility in the prerequisites.

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Once you have vetted the program content wise, you want to also want to make sure that it is somewhere you can feel safe, build a community, and have fun! You should ask about housing conditions and affordability, how the current graduate students feel about the program and their lab, and about the social aspects of the surrounding area. Then depending on your personality, determine if the “vibe” of the institution and its location is a good fit for you. 

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

When I was applying I spent months revising my personal statement. In your personal statement, you want to make a huge effort in writing about why the specific program is the next step in your career. Spend some time talking about your qualifications but don’t forget to mention some of the faculty that you would want to work with. This will show that you have researched the program well and you are confident in what your interests are. 

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Melyssa Minto

Bryce Gessell, Ph.D.

Don't connect your self-worth to your admissions results—there are more important things in your life than getting into the graduate program you think you love.

Bryce Gessell

Ph.D. Graduate, Philosophy

How do you start researching PhD programs?

Ask current PhD Students in your field. They have already done the work you need to do; you don't need to do it all again. Learn from their successes and mistakes.

What should you look for in a PhD program?

Look for a program that will allow you to become an independent researcher; you should also look for a place where your personality fits, and where you'll have enough money to live on (it is not as easy as you think to figure this last one out).

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

(a) How many students have quit the program? Why did they quit? (b) Do the faculty support the efforts of graduate students toward professionalization in their discipline? How do they do this, specifically? (c) What is the actual placement record like—not just the placement record reported on the department website?

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

(a) Don't check websites where students self-report their admissions results; you'll only drive yourself crazy. (b) Don't not have a backup plan: in other words, have a backup plan. (c) Don't connect your self-worth to your admissions results—there are more important things in your life than getting into the graduate program you think you love.

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Bryce Gessell

Thomas P. Witelski, Ph.D.

Campus visits are great for forming impressions of quality of life issues, some things that might be intangible and don’t translate directly into email questions or web searches.

Thomas P. Witelski

Professor, Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

How do you start researching PhD programs?

US News and World Report's lists of top graduate programs can be a good starting point. Everyone needs to filter lists like these to suit their own interests and priorities, but it identifies some strong programs and shows what are active areas for current study. Digging further is done by looking at department and faculty websites, and even downloading recent papers that look interesting.

What should you look for in a PhD program?

Ideally programs should have sets of faculty that cover a spread of current research topics, but share some interests and produce students that are well-versed in broad areas and could potentially do interesting research in several directions. Look for the recent productivity of faculty and the career placement of students.

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Campus visits are great for forming impressions of quality of life issues, some things that might be intangible and don’t translate directly into email questions or web searches. Cost of living, housing and neighbors around the school can be an important consideration, just like department culture, office space, campus culture, and typical working week duties.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

Start the process early, and leave a lot of time for revising essays, getting letters of recommendation, submitting materials and preparing for GRE's.

Consider carefully who you get recommendation letters from—it's more impactful to get letters from professors that know you in the context of more advanced courses, or more individualized research projects. Make them aware of your goals for graduate school and your broader background (share your CV, essay and other application materials with them so they can write more holistically informed letters).

Write personal statement essays that give concrete and specific examples illustrating your experience moving toward research in the area. Knowledge of the field, contact with advanced topics in courses and showing commitment to struggling with challenging problems can carry more weight than narratives about early motivation and general formative experiences. Readers of your essay will be expert researchers—don't hold back on detail, seek to present your knowledge at a professional level.

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Thomas P. Witelski

Sinja K Küppers

The most important questions in your campus visits are the ones you ask yourself: whom can you imagine working with?

Sinja K Küppers

Ph.D. Student, Classical Studies

How do you start researching PhD programs? 

Browse the departmental websites of different universities. You may want to apply to a university that offers the resources and experts you are interested in and that allows you to build the professional profile you are seeking. You can also reach out to graduate students and faculty in universities before applying to find out more about how the program and the faculty’s research intersects with your interests. 

What should you look for in a PhD program? 

For a US PhD program check whether the program and faculty reflect your interests, but make sure that the program also allows you to broaden your expertise, in particular in the humanities and social sciences.

What questions should you ask in your campus visits? 

The most important questions in your campus visits are the ones you ask yourself: whom can you imagine working with? A good advisor – student relationship is sometimes more valuable than sticking to a topic idea. Consider, too, how much guidance in your research you are looking for. The amount and kind of support an advisor can offer may differ depending on how busy your advisor is. Also important: Do you appreciate the graduate community among whom you will spend the next years? 

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process? 

Make sure to personalize your application. Address the questions how you fit into the department and how you can benefit from the resources provided. You may also want to include in your application what fascinates you about the research you have done so far or you are interested in. 

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Sinja Küppers

Eladio Bobadilla

Metrics might be a worthwhile consideration, but students should also look beyond numbers (such as rankings).

Eladio Bobadilla

Ph.D. Student, History 

How do you start researching PhD programs?

Obviously, a simple web search is the simplest and first step. There is a lot of valuable information publicly available for almost any program in the country. It’s important to look at each program’s strengths and weaknesses, to assess student outcomes, and to reach out to faculty members that students may want to work with. 

What should you look for in a PhD program?

Metrics might be a worthwhile consideration, but students should also look beyond numbers (such as rankings). Above all, “fit” should be a priority. Students should focus on finding potential faculty they would like to work with and institutions that serve their unique needs and priorities. There are lots of issues to consider, from teaching expectations to geographic location to whether a program is family-friendly. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to graduate school. Different students will have different priorities and needs, and there is no sense in spending money, time, and effort to apply to programs that may not be good fits. 

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Again, I would recommend asking questions that will help determine whether a given university is a good fit: What are the funding policies? What are the teaching/work expectations? What interdisciplinary opportunities are there? How diverse are faculty and cohorts? 

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

Faculty that do not respond to emails or that are not helpful are red flags. If a professor can’t be bothered to answer a quick question, will s/he be available when you need them as an advisor or mentor? Relationships are crucial in graduate school, and first impressions matter. You want to be in a program that values you, your dignity, and your experience. Look for universities, faculty, and programs that appear open, transparent, and welcoming. Trust your instincts.

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Eladio Bobadila

Roxanne Springer

In the end, which university you attend is not as important as the person you work with.

Roxanne Springer

Professor, Physics

How do you start researching PhD programs?

I would talk to people who are in my field of interest. If you don't personally know such a person you can generally find one within a few degrees of separation. (For example, a work colleague of my brother has a daughter interested in astronomy and they sent her to me because I would know where to send her.) I think it is not so helpful to look at web sites or rankings. These are fickle and often out-of-date and/or misleading. Some great research groups don't maintain web sites and other research groups care way more about selling themselves than doing great work. In the end, which university you attend is not as important as the person you work with. It is your advisor and his/her support, mentorship, and contacts, that will determine your experience and your opportunities. And finding a good advisor match is best done by obtaining information from people who know that advisor—people already in the field.

What should you look for in a PhD program?

You want to go to a program that is both challenging and supportive.

You want to be surrounded by a cohort of students and faculty who are excited about research, excited about working on hard problems, and want to see everyone around them succeed at solving those hard problems.                     

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

You want data, such as time to PhD and placement after PhD. These may be very different for different research groups within the same department. Senior students in the group and the director of graduate studies of the department may know this information. Before joining any research group you will want to discuss with as many students as possible what their experience has been like, both positive and negative. That is because you can read research papers to see if the research interests you, but the only way to know what it feels like to be working until 2am on something due in the morning is to ask someone who has already done so in that group.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

(1) Sending a generic statement without doing your research. You will want to know enough about the research done in the department to which you are applying so that you can make an argument for why they should want to admit you. 

(2) Saying that you are interested in a specific group or professor without any back-up. Professors go on sabbatical, switch universities, lose funding, have too many students already, etc. If your statement indicates you have only one person in mind to work with and that person is not able/willing to take you, you won't be admitted. So be sure to be able to speak knowledgeably about more than one group.

Plus it is never a good idea to matriculate to a department that has only one group or one professor who is a good match for you. Personalities clash, life happens, and you want to go to a university where you have more than one option.

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Roxanne Springer

Elliot Mamet

Graduate school is difficult in a variety of ways, both expected and unexpected, and you want to live in a place that gives you joy amid these challenges.

Elliot Mamet

Ph.D. Student, Political Science

How do you start researching PhD programs?

I would begin researching PhD programs by speaking with your college advisors and mentors and asking them what programs to consider. They often will have specialized knowledge about particular programs—their pedagogy, research areas, strengths and weaknesses—which can help you begin the research process. 

Next, make a list of the senior scholars in your area whose work you most admire. Find out where their institutional home is, and whether they supervise PhD Students. You can also research the editors of the major journals in your subfield, the officers of major disciplinary associations, recent disciplinary award winners, or people who have themselves advised scholars you admire. 

Lastly, acquire data. Consult rankings, but be careful to note the limits of those rankings. Schools specializing in a particular, specialized area of research may not be as highly ranked overall, but still worthy of consideration; highly ranked programs may nonetheless falter at graduate education. Find statistics for placement record, the average time to completion, and the average debt load of PhD graduates. Duke’s Graduate School does a marvelous job of posting this data online, and if other programs don’t have it readily available, email them for it.

What should you look for in a PhD program?

First, think carefully about finances. The decision to go into debt for education is a deeply personal one, but at least in the humanities and humanistic social science, I would strongly recommend only attending a fully funded PhD program, which generally includes tuition, fees, as well as compensatory package of some kind. 

You should also look for a PhD program in a location where you will be happy to live for five years or more. Graduate school is difficult in a variety of ways, both expected and unexpected, and you want to live in a place that gives you joy amid these challenges.

You can’t predict exactly how your own interests will evolve over your time in graduate school. You will inevitably pick a school with depth in your own research area—but make sure that program also has the breadth to allow you to explore a range of other questions and puzzles. 

What questions should you ask in your campus visits?

Dig beyond the website and program brochure to find out what a program is really like. Ask if it would be possible to sit-in on a class or workshop, and schedule meetings with as many faculty and students as possible, both within and beyond your research area.

For the graduate students, I would ask: what is life like in that city? How competitive is the program, and how much collaboration is there? What is your favorite part of the graduate program, and what is one thing you wish you could change?

For faculty: how do you advise graduate students? Is co-authoring with graduate students common? What makes your school’s program different from other programs? What kind of research projects are you working on currently?

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in the application process?

One pitfall to avoid is to apply for graduate programs without also applying for fellowships, scholarships and grants. These awards can help offset the cost of graduate school—and, in turn, open up new intellectual networks while serving as a signaling device to future employers. A second pitfall to avoid is the assumption the application process works objectively. The vicissitudes of applying are many—and whether or not you are accepted to a given program is not an evaluation of your worth as a person or scholar.

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Elliot Mamet