Master the art of selecting the perfect PhD supervisor and avoid years of frustration and setback with my NEW course: academy.academiainsider.com/courses/smart-supervisor-selection
One of the professors that I reached out to last year was impressed that I even knew one of his students' work (that is relevant with my proposal) and he was happy that I could mention how one of his works could be applied to my research. I wasn't successful with my application (I was recently admitted to another university, so everything ended well), but it was a good experience about communicating with a potential supervisor
I did read proffesros papers, took me almost a day learn well this. Sent about 150 emails, and yet only one proffesor from caltech reply, I applied to 10 PhD programs (which is a lot for a southamerican economical possibilities) and I have been rejected from all of the programs I have applied. My friend did send the generic email to 1500 proffessors he did applied to the same number of PhD programs as I did (I had way more experience in research and lab techniques) and yet he was accepted in three Universities. Applying to PhD programs as science there is no dogmatic way to do it, maybe I had a very bad luck or maybe my friend had very good luck but either way he is in the USA and I still trying to get accepted...
The experience you have is valuable. I think you lack in selling yourself better based on an emotional email, as mentioned in this great video. You will achieve it. ¡Good luck!
Your knowledge is seriously invaluable! I constantly find myself coming back to your channel. Absolutely amazing. I also think it's great when you start your videos from the first second and don't waste time on anything else.
Thank you! I'm just an undergraduate student but this definitely applies when sending those emails to professors. And most people don't tell me this, but (generally speaking) everything is sales and sales is everything.
yes, obviously you want to put yourself in the best light. But a fair amount of the selection process is whether or not a specific. advisor needs YOU. Case in point: a student is invited to interview in a PhD program. Five different professors want to speak to the student, and after the interview process was over, a sixth professor who had never spoken to the student was the one who ultimately became the student’s advisor. The reason? The background of the student much more matched the needs of this particular advisor versus the ones who initially did the interview process. The long and the short of it is that you may have a skill that’s relatively minor in your résumé or your repertoire, but if it matches more closely with what is needed by a specific PI in a department you may ultimately be assigned that PI. It’s supply and demand.
But Andy we can write the most perfect email and not get a response. So are we supposed to put hours into researching people who potentially might not even respond?
This is currently my predicament. I spend days drafting a mail, trying to understand the research work of the professor and even sometimes suggesting research directions but at the end, I don't get any response. Not even a "No, I'm not recruiting new trainees" response. It breaks my heart, really.
An hour or two's work in crafting an email might have a 5% of getting a positive response, which I agree is demotivating. But a mass email has no chance, so even if it takes less time, it's a bigger waste of time.
In my opinion, Yes. Indeed, it takes time to craft an email to every potential supervisor, especially if you want it to be personalised (not simply a generic email sent to all potential supervisors), but that effort is crucial. You email a potential supervisor because you are interested in his recent (even previous) works or his lab, and perhaps you have done something similar or related to his works. You can only showcase that interest by briefly citing some of his works in your first email, especially if you know there's actually a PhD project under his supervision. It would help if you already know what research area you are interested in, sometimes even the uni/country of your choice, then you can narrow down the list of potential supervisors you might want to email.
This was genuinely helpful advice. I’m really enjoying your channel and getting lots of help. I really wish your channel get more attraction! Can I recommend one thing in that regard? I think it’d be nice if you change your background from time to time 😂 It all looks same so when I search your video it’s kinda confusing which is which
Wow, could youtube have suggested this video at any better moment!! Btw, what is a resonable duration to follow-up with a professor who hasn't replied. I'm looking for something that doesn't pester them and neither make me look desperate nor make it seem like "not serious".
I’m so glad I came across your channel! You find a way to make information fun and entertaining. I haven’t found a channel quite like it. Thanks for sharing! It’s been so helpful!
God bless u more bro. Please i have a zoom meeting with my PhD Health program Potential supervisor this Tuesday noon. Please can you help me with some of the expected questions they usually ask a student
I've got question Andy. Hopefully you see this. Once you finished your PhD, did you do anything to thank your supervisors? I am about to finish a masters by research and have seriously had the best, superpowered supervisors in the world. However, I am poor lol. Is it important to show my appreciation in some way? I would like to but don't know what's appropriate. Thanks.
One of the best ways to thank your supervisors is with a nice heartfelt handwritten card or letter and a small token of appreciation. I once printed off a photo of me and my honors supervisor and framed it with a note on the back and he nearly cried. It doesn't have to be extravagant - just heartfelt. There is so much criticism and negativity in academia that a small thing like this can be really impactful. Congratulations on your masters!
Andy would you like to prepare a similar video for postdoc applicants? I've attended several interviews for postdoc candidates, and I have in mind a list of fatal mistakes you should never make if you want to have a chance. First and foremost, never present someone else's work as you did it (even though you are the 1st author on the paper). As you said, we can smell it, and as soon as we find out you will feel extremely uncomfortable during your presentation. But i'd love to hear your thoughts.
Terima kasih Andy. Saya amat terharu menerima kiat-kiat sebelum melamar program doktor. Saya menyimak penuh nasihat Anda dan mudahan berbuah manis dalam usaha mendaftar doktor di tahun depan. Salam dari Lombok, Indonesia 🇮🇩
Greetings sir. I have loved your videos for a long time. I applied for a PhD and was contacted by 2 professors who were interested in my proposal. After interview with them, they were both very happy to take me on board. However, there's a problem. They don't both seem to have funding and are asking if I could fund my study with them. I'm yet to be offered official admission but I'm more confident I will be admitted. Is there any institution that could sponsor my study?
I really liked this video, it confirmed a lot of things I have come across in the phd application process. When would you say is that point that you ask for opportunities?
Dear Dr. Andy, will it be possible for me to have a call or virtual chat with you for 10,15 minutes, I need some specific advice relevant to my application and interviews coming up?
Sir,it's me again. I have trying to sell myself to potential supervisor for the last 2 years and I recieve answers, that my GPA and research is great but my University is not a reputed one.I am 32years old now.Should I still keep trying.?
Hi Anupam. That's a tough question to answer. Has the supervisor told you what you need to do to be accepted? If there's nothing you can do to satisfy them it may be time to look for other opportunities.
![How to identify a research gap EASILY [Sanity-saving tools]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Mvj1Q5WoGb8/mqdefault.jpg)
Master the art of selecting the perfect PhD supervisor and avoid years of frustration and setback with my NEW course: academy.academiainsider.com/courses/smart-supervisor-selection
One of the professors that I reached out to last year was impressed that I even knew one of his students' work (that is relevant with my proposal) and he was happy that I could mention how one of his works could be applied to my research. I wasn't successful with my application (I was recently admitted to another university, so everything ended well), but it was a good experience about communicating with a potential supervisor
How did you write your cold email? Kindly help
I need help too. Please do tell@@lindseyColline
I did read proffesros papers, took me almost a day learn well this. Sent about 150 emails, and yet only one proffesor from caltech reply, I applied to 10 PhD programs (which is a lot for a southamerican economical possibilities) and I have been rejected from all of the programs I have applied. My friend did send the generic email to 1500 proffessors he did applied to the same number of PhD programs as I did (I had way more experience in research and lab techniques) and yet he was accepted in three Universities. Applying to PhD programs as science there is no dogmatic way to do it, maybe I had a very bad luck or maybe my friend had very good luck but either way he is in the USA and I still trying to get accepted...
The experience you have is valuable. I think you lack in selling yourself better based on an emotional email, as mentioned in this great video. You will achieve it. ¡Good luck!
Your knowledge is seriously invaluable! I constantly find myself coming back to your channel. Absolutely amazing. I also think it's great when you start your videos from the first second and don't waste time on anything else.
I would recommend also staying in touch with relevant lecturers and professors. They can advise you as you go along.
Can you show us a Sample Email..?
Thank you! I'm just an undergraduate student but this definitely applies when sending those emails to professors. And most people don't tell me this, but (generally speaking) everything is sales and sales is everything.
Excellent couch. Very unique. What about if you don't have previous research experience?
yes, obviously you want to put yourself in the best light. But a fair amount of the selection process is whether or not a specific. advisor needs YOU. Case in point: a student is invited to interview in a PhD program. Five different professors want to speak to the student, and after the interview process was over, a sixth professor who had never spoken to the student was the one who ultimately became the student’s advisor. The reason? The background of the student much more matched the needs of this particular advisor versus the ones who initially did the interview process. The long and the short of it is that you may have a skill that’s relatively minor in your résumé or your repertoire, but if it matches more closely with what is needed by a specific PI in a department you may ultimately be assigned that PI. It’s supply and demand.
This is so helpful! Great tips for when I reach out to potential supervisors when applying to PhD programs for 2023.
Good luck with the application.
But Andy we can write the most perfect email and not get a response. So are we supposed to put hours into researching people who potentially might not even respond?
This is currently my predicament. I spend days drafting a mail, trying to understand the research work of the professor and even sometimes suggesting research directions but at the end, I don't get any response. Not even a "No, I'm not recruiting new trainees" response. It breaks my heart, really.
An hour or two's work in crafting an email might have a 5% of getting a positive response, which I agree is demotivating. But a mass email has no chance, so even if it takes less time, it's a bigger waste of time.
In my opinion, Yes. Indeed, it takes time to craft an email to every potential supervisor, especially if you want it to be personalised (not simply a generic email sent to all potential supervisors), but that effort is crucial. You email a potential supervisor because you are interested in his recent (even previous) works or his lab, and perhaps you have done something similar or related to his works. You can only showcase that interest by briefly citing some of his works in your first email, especially if you know there's actually a PhD project under his supervision. It would help if you already know what research area you are interested in, sometimes even the uni/country of your choice, then you can narrow down the list of potential supervisors you might want to email.
Same here.. i think to some extent timing matters too..
This was genuinely helpful advice. I’m really enjoying your channel and getting lots of help. I really wish your channel get more attraction! Can I recommend one thing in that regard? I think it’d be nice if you change your background from time to time 😂 It all looks same so when I search your video it’s kinda confusing which is which
That's exactly what I needed. And I also want to change fields for a postdoc and I think it's impossible for a PI to hire me.
Wow, could youtube have suggested this video at any better moment!!
Btw, what is a resonable duration to follow-up with a professor who hasn't replied. I'm looking for something that doesn't pester them and neither make me look desperate nor make it seem like "not serious".
I’m so glad I came across your channel! You find a way to make information fun and entertaining. I haven’t found a channel quite like it. Thanks for sharing! It’s been so helpful!
God bless u more bro. Please i have a zoom meeting with my PhD Health program Potential supervisor this Tuesday noon. Please can you help me with some of the expected questions they usually ask a student
Your videos are so useful and you have so much personality!
I've got question Andy. Hopefully you see this. Once you finished your PhD, did you do anything to thank your supervisors? I am about to finish a masters by research and have seriously had the best, superpowered supervisors in the world. However, I am poor lol. Is it important to show my appreciation in some way? I would like to but don't know what's appropriate. Thanks.
One of the best ways to thank your supervisors is with a nice heartfelt handwritten card or letter and a small token of appreciation. I once printed off a photo of me and my honors supervisor and framed it with a note on the back and he nearly cried. It doesn't have to be extravagant - just heartfelt.
There is so much criticism and negativity in academia that a small thing like this can be really impactful.
Congratulations on your masters!
Andy would you like to prepare a similar video for postdoc applicants? I've attended several interviews for postdoc candidates, and I have in mind a list of fatal mistakes you should never make if you want to have a chance. First and foremost, never present someone else's work as you did it (even though you are the 1st author on the paper). As you said, we can smell it, and as soon as we find out you will feel extremely uncomfortable during your presentation. But i'd love to hear your thoughts.
That's inceridbly useful, not only in that situation
Terima kasih Andy. Saya amat terharu menerima kiat-kiat sebelum melamar program doktor. Saya menyimak penuh nasihat Anda dan mudahan berbuah manis dalam usaha mendaftar doktor di tahun depan.
Salam dari Lombok, Indonesia 🇮🇩
Hi, how's it going with the PhD position?
I know you get that many times a day, but man, you are really helpful :D
what if one does not have a publication
Quick question, what do I use as the subject of the mail I'm sending to a potential supervisor?
Potential graduate student inquiry for Fall 202..
I want my PhD topic around Green HRM, employee's perception, and the environment. Can someone suggest a topic with objectives?
Thanks so much Andy. This is abundantly helpful!
You're very welcome!
Should you ever contact more than one potential supervisor from the same university? The same department?
Greetings sir.
I have loved your videos for a long time.
I applied for a PhD and was contacted by 2 professors who were interested in my proposal. After interview with them, they were both very happy to take me on board. However, there's a problem. They don't both seem to have funding and are asking if I could fund my study with them. I'm yet to be offered official admission but I'm more confident I will be admitted.
Is there any institution that could sponsor my study?
Thank you for the tips. Are these tips applicable for postdoctoral position as well?
I really liked this video, it confirmed a lot of things I have come across in the phd application process. When would you say is that point that you ask for opportunities?
Dear Dr. Andy, will it be possible for me to have a call or virtual chat with you for 10,15 minutes, I need some specific advice relevant to my application and interviews coming up?
Sir,it's me again. I have trying to sell myself to potential supervisor for the last 2 years and I recieve answers, that my GPA and research is great but my University is not a reputed one.I am 32years old now.Should I still keep trying.?
Hi Anupam. That's a tough question to answer. Has the supervisor told you what you need to do to be accepted? If there's nothing you can do to satisfy them it may be time to look for other opportunities.
How long should the email be ?
( it seems alot to include everything)
make sense
Thank you Andy.
Hi sir, my brother phd had terminated,is he re registered phd. Please tell me sir.
Good content but had to unsubscribe because of the annoying newsletter promo