Category Archives: PhD

PhD

Comments about my PhD program that I just don’t want to hear

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There are pros and cons to everything in life right? But for some reason when it comes to my PhD program everyone who hasn’t been in my program feels the need to jump in and tell me ALL of the cons. A PhD is already challenging but these comments make it just that much more difficult as you are getting through.

It’s a waste of time

I get it, most people can’t see themselves spending an extra 4+ years in school for a specific subject. But for me that is how the experts are made. I want to be an expert in my field and actually contribute something meaningful to it. That was not possible with just an undergraduate education.

You will be homeless/You will make no money

People always push on me that I will be some starving grad student during my program. I understand that is a real concern and some of the stipends if any are very small for graduate students. And I also understand that the job market is tough. However, knowing all of this information makes you better prepared and I am now receiving one of the highest stipends in the US for a grad program and I have an additional scholarship on top of that. I am aware of the issues but I also know that does not have to be the case for everyone.

You’ll never graduate

People talk about spending 10 years on a project to not have it work out in a graduate program. And though it may be true that some people spend an unnecessarily long time in their program compared to others, I also understand some of those reasons why. I already did a Masters alongside PhD students and know what I am getting myself into and choosing a good mentor is key for me graduating in a reasonable amount of time. I know what it takes and I am willing to take the risk that it may take me longer than expected to graduate. But that does not mean I will not be successful during or after my program.

Those are some of the comments I just don’t have time in my life and I am tired of hearing. What are some comments you’re tired of hearing about your career path??

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PhD

How on Earth did I get into a PhD program

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Really though, someone please tell me how I did it.. especially at my dream school….

For the past few years I have been saying I would apply and then it came time to actually apply and interview…. then overnight it seems I became a future PhD candidate. But the thing was it wasn’t overnight.

Though I see myself as a slightly average PhD applicant, I showed my dedication to research over the years. I’ve had some substantial experiences that have stuck with me and I am passionate about specific areas of research.

I want to briefly note how I think I got in with my less than perfect grades and GRE scores (though that exam may be a thing of the past anyways). This will probably change as I actually start my program but this is how I think I got into Columbia Univ’s program:

Quality over Quantity

I had a few unique laboratory experiences that seemed all over the place but they were experiences that I learned a great amount of information and put a great amount of work into. I was also able to talk passionately about them during my interview. Surprisingly, the interviewers were more interested in my lab work in a plant diagnostic laboratory than one of my higher profile cancer laboratories

Be Unique

This leads me to my next point was that I was unique. I was non traditional and had a unique set of skills to bring to the table. I was artistic, active in sports, and causes that I care about. I didn’t trap myself in lab all day, I went out and lived my life and had a good work life balance.

I am (or at least try to be) a good scientific writer

I had a lot of writing experiences from writing protocols to assisting with writing grants with my PIs. I had a lot of writing under my belt and still keep up with it to this day. Also proofread the fuck out of your personal statement.

I can talk science

I had a lot of practice during my Masters program with presentations and talking about scientific papers and research which the interviews seemed to really like. Talk with confidence and talk like you know what you’re talking about. Just try it out and even if you are wrong it will be okay, it is way better than not trying at all.

I own my whole identity

This is something that has just helped with my confidence in general. I walked into my interview with my two nose piercings, queer af, and being my apologetically black self. This showed them that I owned every part of myself and was confident as a person already. Maybe they liked it, maybe they didn’t but confidence always gets you where you need to go.