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SELECTING TARGET PH.D. PROGRAMS
Applying to Ph.D. programs should be your decision, based on academic interest, your
professional objectives, and/or a desire for personal fulfillment. One practical step in choosing
programs is understanding the admission standards of various programs and institutions. Such
information can be gleaned from departmental websites, which typically provide some
information such as average GPAs and GRE scores. Keep in mind that having a similar GPA and
GRE score does not guarantee admission. Admissions committees consider other factors,
including your fit with the program, your preparation to pursue doctoral studies, and availability
of professors to work with you. For this, committees will look to your statement of purpose,
letters of recommendation, and grades in courses relevant to your proposed Ph.D. studies.
In considering options, think about whether the program and the institution are a good
research and training fit, the career outcomes of former Ph.D. students and your career goals,
funding, and whether the community of the program and institution feels right for you.
▪ Do faculty members whose scholarship you admire work at this institution?
▪ Are there at least two faculty members whose interests intersect with yours? Are
these full-time faculty members (not lecturers, visiting assistant professors, adjuncts,
or emeriti)? Do these faculty work with graduate students?
▪ What is the department known for? For example, is there a specific school of
thought, theory, or project the department is famous for, or does the department
present itself as having strengths in particular research areas or methodologies? And,
if so, do the department’s strengths coincide with yours?
▪ Are there research colloquia, workshop or speaker series, centers for research, or
opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration that appeal to you?
▪ What are the program’s course requirements? Are the course requirements aligned
with your research interests and training needs? Do the course requirements suggest
that you will be able to finish your Ph.D. in a timeframe that works for you?
Research and Training Fit
Do I need to decide on one discipline/field of study, or can I apply to multiple fields?
In general, it is important to know which discipline/field of study you want to pursue, because it
is typically seen as an indicator that you are serious about your proposed research and know
what you want. Having said that, some research questions can be approached from multiple
angles. In this case, it can be appropriate to apply to more than one discipline/field of study.
Beware though that admissions committees may be able to see that you applied to more than
one program (especially if both programs are housed within the same institution). As such, it is
crucial that you do not propose two separate research programs; rather the proposed research
should be the same, but each statement of purpose should be tailored to the specific discipline
you are applying for.
There are some joint or dual Ph.D. programs. If you are interested in such a program, be sure
that you explain why a joint or dual program is the right fit for your research interests. In other
words, it needs to be clear to the admissions committee that the joint or dual program is
necessary for you to pursue your research interests.