Tag Archives: PhD program

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.

mental health

Fighting through depression and anxiety before PhD program

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I have to admit, I have definitely been battling with depression during this time. Between having to quit my job, start a PhD program in the fall, and stress with what is going on in the world AND balancing a relationship with my girlfriend… all of it is weighing on me.

Though I am fortunate enough to work at home, I am constantly triggered when working as my current boss exhibits some behaviors as a previous, abusive one. I want to leave my job as soon as possible, but I am just waiting out the days to try and save some money before my move to NYC.

Also, NYC has been one of the worst cities hit by the pandemic and it isn’t possible for me to visit and explore and get acquainted with me new home. I also worry about not being mentally prepared for my PhD program after this quarantine. My brain does not feel ready to embark on a whole journey and I constantly worry about if I am “going to make it.”

I am also worried about how my relationship will take form during all of these transitions. A lot of worries on my mind… but after crying on the phone with my therapist on Tuesday, I am beginning to feel more settled as I adopt new tools to help me.

I’ve been role playing in my head certain scenarios I have been feeling anxiety over, and soon I think I will be able to role play with other people I trust, like my girlfriend. This helps me plan for a moment or a conversation and decreases my anxiety over the situation as a whole since I know how I am going to handle it.

I have been trying to maintain constant sleep and wake times as it helps with my overall mood if I have something constant in my life.

I have been writing my feelings down, and spending more time talking about them instead of constantly distracting myself from them.

In these times, the world is constantly changing so we must as well. As much as my body hates changes, I have been trying to use these tools to the best of my ability to manage all of this extra time I have with my own thoughts.