The PhD Experience
What is your favorite part of your research?
Everyone’s experience is different, and everyone loves something different about their research!
“For me, I love two things equally: the people that I do my research with, and the sheer fun of learning new things about fish evolution. The community in my lab and my scientific field is unparalleled, and my labmates have become some of my closest friends. Secondly, it is simply incredible to get paid to ask my heart’s deepest questions about how fish evolution works.” -Katherine
“I absolutely agree with everything that Katherine said! One thing that I love about graduate school in general is the flexibility that I have to participate in a variety of activities on campus.” - Alexus
How do you overcome setbacks, failures, and imposter syndrome??
This is definitely a tough one! Setbacks are inevitable in a PhD. The key is to remember that a PhD is a marathon, not a sprint. You will have many opportunities for successes alongside failures, but don’t give up hope. Remember that you’re not alone--everyone is dealing with these feelings and these experiences. A PhD is not about how many times you are set back, it is about how many times you get back up and persevere. Also please feel free to check out these slides on navigating imposter syndrome from our 2022 program: imposter_syndrome.pdf
“When I’m feeling particularly struck by impostor syndrome, I do a few things. When it’s really rough, I talk to my mentors--my advisor is great at the pep talks after a big setback! I also have a folder in my email account where I put emails that make my heart warm (compliments from students, emails about successes, etc.) and I refer back to those emails when I’m feeling really down about my work. Last but definitely not least, I try to remember that to think I am unworthy is disrespectful to the mentors who have encouraged me. I trust and value their opinions, and so to think that they are wrong about me is to do them a disservice.” - Katherine
“Feelings of impostor syndrome are very normal and it takes practice to learn how to combat those feelings. These feelings often come up for me when I have just received an award of some kind. At first, I am excited and honored and then I begin to wonder whether I am being recognized based on merit or because the group needed to check their diversity box. One thing that I always do to recenter myself is remind myself that I am in one of the best evolution and ecology grad programs in the country and I work with one of the leading researchers in my field. I did not end up here by mistake, I was chosen by my advisor and by the admissions committee because they believed that I have what it takes. This is not at all to say that you should put your value in what others think of you, but it does all those people that believe in you a grave disservice when you decide that they are either lying or don’t know what they are talking about. If they have their stuff together, then they knew what they were doing when they chose you! Trust and believe that!” -Alexus
Everyone’s experience is different, and everyone loves something different about their research!
“For me, I love two things equally: the people that I do my research with, and the sheer fun of learning new things about fish evolution. The community in my lab and my scientific field is unparalleled, and my labmates have become some of my closest friends. Secondly, it is simply incredible to get paid to ask my heart’s deepest questions about how fish evolution works.” -Katherine
“I absolutely agree with everything that Katherine said! One thing that I love about graduate school in general is the flexibility that I have to participate in a variety of activities on campus.” - Alexus
How do you overcome setbacks, failures, and imposter syndrome??
This is definitely a tough one! Setbacks are inevitable in a PhD. The key is to remember that a PhD is a marathon, not a sprint. You will have many opportunities for successes alongside failures, but don’t give up hope. Remember that you’re not alone--everyone is dealing with these feelings and these experiences. A PhD is not about how many times you are set back, it is about how many times you get back up and persevere. Also please feel free to check out these slides on navigating imposter syndrome from our 2022 program: imposter_syndrome.pdf
“When I’m feeling particularly struck by impostor syndrome, I do a few things. When it’s really rough, I talk to my mentors--my advisor is great at the pep talks after a big setback! I also have a folder in my email account where I put emails that make my heart warm (compliments from students, emails about successes, etc.) and I refer back to those emails when I’m feeling really down about my work. Last but definitely not least, I try to remember that to think I am unworthy is disrespectful to the mentors who have encouraged me. I trust and value their opinions, and so to think that they are wrong about me is to do them a disservice.” - Katherine
“Feelings of impostor syndrome are very normal and it takes practice to learn how to combat those feelings. These feelings often come up for me when I have just received an award of some kind. At first, I am excited and honored and then I begin to wonder whether I am being recognized based on merit or because the group needed to check their diversity box. One thing that I always do to recenter myself is remind myself that I am in one of the best evolution and ecology grad programs in the country and I work with one of the leading researchers in my field. I did not end up here by mistake, I was chosen by my advisor and by the admissions committee because they believed that I have what it takes. This is not at all to say that you should put your value in what others think of you, but it does all those people that believe in you a grave disservice when you decide that they are either lying or don’t know what they are talking about. If they have their stuff together, then they knew what they were doing when they chose you! Trust and believe that!” -Alexus
Finding a Good Fit
How did you get letters of recommendation coming from a very large undergrad institution?
Getting letters of recommendation can be intimidating, but people understand that this is a critical part of a students graduate school or job application. No matter the size of the institution you are graduating from, it is important to get LoRs from people who know you and can speak to your strengths! Have you had an on campus job, volunteered or worked in a research lab, spent ample time with a professor in office hours, or have you been an TA? Any professor or manager who you have worked for or studied under are great examples of people who you can ask to write you a LoR.
When do I start talking to graduate students to assess happiness/fit?
You should start talking to students as soon as you can! One great way to learn about a lab (even in the fall while you are writing applications) is to reach out and have a zoom/skype meeting with the students in the lab, or meet up with them at a conference.
What do you do if you are interested in joining a PI’s lab following the initial zoom conversation? How do you reach out - should you ask if they will take you as a student?
I would recommend emailing them after the meeting and telling them that you really enjoyed the meeting and will be applying to their lab. Whether they can take you as a student is not just up to the PI--generally, you will also have to be accepted by the program and that is often out of the advisor’s control.
I have some research experience but don’t feel like I know a lot about any specific topic, do I have a chance to get into graduate school?
You definitely have a chance! As long as you know what you want to study, you are in great shape. If you knew everything about a specific topic, you wouldn’t have to do a PhD! Not knowing everything is normal.
How much do you think soft skills affect an application? For example, although I can transmit my curiosity and interest in research, I need to improve a lot in my communication skills in English. What are the expectations of universities in that regard?
Soft skills are extremely valuable! Much of your performance in graduate school will come down to your ability to plan and manage projects, think critically, communicate your research ideas effectively, etc. However, most universities will require a student to obtain a certain minimum score on one of two standardized tests in order to be admitted to graduate studies. The two most commonly accepted tests are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Additionally, the tests often need to be taken within a certain amount of time before applying to graduate programs in order for the scores to be considered valid (at Davis, scores are no longer valid after two years). However, communication is just one of the many things that will shape your success in grad school, and it’s important to remember that grad school is a time to grow your skills—no one comes in being amazing at everything!
Should I ask faculty about campus DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and outreach efforts?
Absolutely! These issues are crucial to the growth and well-being of a program and institution, and you deserve to know what the program is doing to increase equity and inclusion in their community. How the faculty respond will tell you a lot about the culture of the community.
What should you do if you love everything about the advisor/lab/program/etc., but you absolutely hate the place?
If this is the case, you should think seriously and carefully about what is important to you. Your experience with your advisor and your lab are two of the most meaningful pieces of the PhD that will affect many things in your day to day life, but where you live also affects your quality of life in many ways! I would recommend weighing the different factors and thinking hard about what you want the next 5-7 years of your life to be like. Remember--it’s a whole 5-7 years, but it’s also only 5-7 years and you may have some options to work remotely for some period of time depending on your research and your lab.
What if I don't get in?
If this happens, I think the best thing to do is to use this as a learning experience. Reach out to the advisors you applied to and ask if they have any advice on how you can be a better applicant the next cycle. Work on refining your research interests and gain valuable skills as a Lab Manager, Lab Technician or other research-focused position. Also note that not getting into a program is sometimes out of your control, such as a PI not get enough funding to support a graduate student on a project. Also check out our resources tab where we have a few links from Astrobites and the American Psychological Association on steps forward.
Getting letters of recommendation can be intimidating, but people understand that this is a critical part of a students graduate school or job application. No matter the size of the institution you are graduating from, it is important to get LoRs from people who know you and can speak to your strengths! Have you had an on campus job, volunteered or worked in a research lab, spent ample time with a professor in office hours, or have you been an TA? Any professor or manager who you have worked for or studied under are great examples of people who you can ask to write you a LoR.
When do I start talking to graduate students to assess happiness/fit?
You should start talking to students as soon as you can! One great way to learn about a lab (even in the fall while you are writing applications) is to reach out and have a zoom/skype meeting with the students in the lab, or meet up with them at a conference.
What do you do if you are interested in joining a PI’s lab following the initial zoom conversation? How do you reach out - should you ask if they will take you as a student?
I would recommend emailing them after the meeting and telling them that you really enjoyed the meeting and will be applying to their lab. Whether they can take you as a student is not just up to the PI--generally, you will also have to be accepted by the program and that is often out of the advisor’s control.
I have some research experience but don’t feel like I know a lot about any specific topic, do I have a chance to get into graduate school?
You definitely have a chance! As long as you know what you want to study, you are in great shape. If you knew everything about a specific topic, you wouldn’t have to do a PhD! Not knowing everything is normal.
How much do you think soft skills affect an application? For example, although I can transmit my curiosity and interest in research, I need to improve a lot in my communication skills in English. What are the expectations of universities in that regard?
Soft skills are extremely valuable! Much of your performance in graduate school will come down to your ability to plan and manage projects, think critically, communicate your research ideas effectively, etc. However, most universities will require a student to obtain a certain minimum score on one of two standardized tests in order to be admitted to graduate studies. The two most commonly accepted tests are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Additionally, the tests often need to be taken within a certain amount of time before applying to graduate programs in order for the scores to be considered valid (at Davis, scores are no longer valid after two years). However, communication is just one of the many things that will shape your success in grad school, and it’s important to remember that grad school is a time to grow your skills—no one comes in being amazing at everything!
Should I ask faculty about campus DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and outreach efforts?
Absolutely! These issues are crucial to the growth and well-being of a program and institution, and you deserve to know what the program is doing to increase equity and inclusion in their community. How the faculty respond will tell you a lot about the culture of the community.
What should you do if you love everything about the advisor/lab/program/etc., but you absolutely hate the place?
If this is the case, you should think seriously and carefully about what is important to you. Your experience with your advisor and your lab are two of the most meaningful pieces of the PhD that will affect many things in your day to day life, but where you live also affects your quality of life in many ways! I would recommend weighing the different factors and thinking hard about what you want the next 5-7 years of your life to be like. Remember--it’s a whole 5-7 years, but it’s also only 5-7 years and you may have some options to work remotely for some period of time depending on your research and your lab.
What if I don't get in?
If this happens, I think the best thing to do is to use this as a learning experience. Reach out to the advisors you applied to and ask if they have any advice on how you can be a better applicant the next cycle. Work on refining your research interests and gain valuable skills as a Lab Manager, Lab Technician or other research-focused position. Also note that not getting into a program is sometimes out of your control, such as a PI not get enough funding to support a graduate student on a project. Also check out our resources tab where we have a few links from Astrobites and the American Psychological Association on steps forward.
