My Journey Through PhD Applications in the USA: Lessons Learned

As a student from a lower-tier university applying to numerous PhD programs across the United States and one in Singapore, I encountered a mix of challenges and opportunities. During my application process, I applied to a total of 18 US universities and one in Singapore, facing numerous ups and downs along the way. Here’s a detailed account of my experiences: 🌍

Admission Outcomes

• PhD Offer: UC Berkeley
• Admission to PhD Programs: UC Davis, Colorado Boulder, Northeastern University
• Admission to Masters Programs: NCSU, UIUC, Penn State, UCLA, USC
• Rejections for PhD Programs: ASU, Miami, Northwestern, UT Austin, Michigan, Duke, Rice, Georgia Tech, Nanyang Technological University
• Rejections for Masters Programs: Columbia University

Strategies for Application

For each school, I tailored my application specifically to my field of interest. I reached out to professors via email, expressing my genuine interest in their work. I often reviewed their papers and asked pertinent questions, as I believed this showed my commitment to the program. 🤓

Despite the effort, over half of the professors did not respond to my emails. A few encouraged my applications, and I appreciated those who took the time to reply, even if just to say “Go for it!” I approached my applications with a straightforward mindset, focusing on my strengths without dwelling too much on the concept of “networking” or “fishing for opportunities.”

Unfortunately, I didn’t pursue fee waivers or press for interviews, especially since I had already secured an opportunity at Berkeley. The only professors who followed up with me on my application included a faculty member from Penn State who initially requested my thesis draft but later did not follow up.

The Interview Experience

Interestingly, the professor from Berkeley reached out after I submitted my application and scheduled an interview. Conversely, I had an interview before submitting my application to Nanyang Technological University. These two experiences stood out as pivotal moments during my application process.

I was strategic in my inquiries; knowing which professors were not seeking new students helped streamline my efforts and reduce unnecessary emails. 📨

Scholarship and Funding Insights

I found that many PhD programs did not offer scholarships initially, and I noticed a pattern of no funding offers following my acceptance. However, since I had already secured my spot at Berkeley, I didn’t pursue further information about RA, TA, or fellowship opportunities. It’s crucial to note that tailored emails didn’t seem like template responses to me; each seemed specific, likely because I avoided mass emailing professors.

Networking and Support

To better understand program intricacies, I tapped into online communities, particularly Chinese student groups. In the National University of Singapore group’s chat, I still remember the encouragement from a senior who reframed my “would-be” identity into “will-be.” Those supportive words kept my spirits up during the challenging times. 💪

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, I decided against accepting the full scholarship offer from NUS for various reasons. One important lesson I learned during this journey is that not applying means missing out on opportunities. Although my experience at Berkeley has had its challenges, I still hold admiration for the students at Ann Arbor; I can only dream of one day receiving an admission offer from Michigan. 😔

This journey may be tough, but with resilience, determination, and support, we can navigate through various upper-level educational landscapes. Keep applying, keep believing in yourself, and remember, each application is a step toward achieving your goals! 🚀