Should I include a curriculum vitae (resume) in my
application? What is a curriculum vitae?
How do I apply?
Will I have to retake the GRE before
applying?
The answer to this question depends on the requirements of the programs to
which you are applying. Some programs will accept your prior GRE scores, but
some programs will require you to retake the GRE if a certain period of time has
passed since you took the GRE. Don't let having to retake the GRE deter you from
a PhD, however!
What are my chances of being accepted into a
PhD program?
There are no statistics on the rate of acceptance into PhD programs. What may
be the more important question to consider is why people don't get accepted into
PhD programs. Acceptance into a PhD program depends on many factors that are
specific to the institution/department, as well as on the characteristics of the
applicants. Realize that if you do not get accepted into a program, it may have
less to do with your qualifications and more to do with insufficient funds to
support you, or that the advisor you wish to work with does not have an
available space, and so on.
Apply to the programs that you have identified as a good fit with your
interests and needs, and if you do not get accepted into the program inquire as
to why you were not accepted. You may need to consider re-applying to a
particular program in a subsequent year.
What should be on my statement of purpose?
Some institutions provide explicit guidelines for the statement or purpose on
the application, whereas others provide little guidance. When less guidance is
provided, an applicant may be unsure what the program is "looking for" in a
statement of purpose.
Some content the programs may be looking for in the statement of purpose
includes the following:
- Why are you interested in entering a PhD program? That is, are you
interested in an academic and research career?
- What has motivated you to seek the PhD?
- What are your areas of interest?
- What background do you have in research?
- What are your academic and personal skills that make it likely you will
succeed in a research doctoral program?
Don't be shy about advertising what makes you a strong candidate! At the same
time, make your long-term career goals evident.
Should I include a curriculum vitae (resume) in my
application? What is a curriculum vitae?
In your application, you should definitely include a curriculum vitae (CV).
Think of a CV as an expanded resume. For academics, the CV is a record of the
person's accomplishments - employment, publications, professional activities
including editorial review, professional presentations, and so forth. Inclusion
of a CV in your application provides a clear, succinct presentation of your
accomplishments and can highlight your strengths as a candidate.
Download
Finding a Research PhD Program [PDF, 1.7MB] to see a sample CV and
hints for preparing your CV. In your CV you want to highlight your
accomplishments that are particularly relevant to your ability to pursue
doctoral study and a career in teaching, research, and other scholarly
activities.
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