How to apply for a PhD | The secrets no-one else has told you! PhD Admissions

In this video I go through all of the tips and tricks for applying for a PhD. I share with you some of the secrets that no one else has told you!

0:00 – introduction
0:53 – do not spam
2:56 – apply for an existing research position
5:27 – develop a research proposal with an academic
9:51 – create a funnel
14:31 – summary

[LazerEyez_Lenin]

Emailing can be an intimidating process. You don't want to ruin your chances of admission before applying by sounding generic or ignorant. And the no response thing can be demoralizing, but don't give up. I was very fortunate to receive responses from so many professors from the past couple months and have started email chains with a few of them. It's not a guarantee that I'll be admitted, but it's a start. I attribute this to me being specific with what my aim is with regards to research. I didn't necessarily have a research proposal, but didn't leave room for them to guess what my interests are. Take it from myself, someone from some a smaller state university where the department I'm part of doesn't even have a PhD program itself, getting responses and starting email chains from professors from more "prestigious" institutions in my field. Wish me luck this fall 🤙

[shinra]

Getting INTO the PhD is as hard as doing the thing!!

[slaozcelik]

I was feeling very intimated and hopeless. I had 2 rejections already, I know it is very normal but still it gets to me. After watching your videos and seeing all the comments I feel a lot better. Thank you :)

[janswanton]

Fantastic advice, as ever! You have been so helpful to me.
I have recommended your videos/newsletter to a good friend who is looking to apply to do a PhD soon.
A template would be very useful, but I know here in England, universities often have a template of their own for proposals. But using a template from you, tweaking proposals to suit will be a lot easier.

[davidmilner]

I found that one of the main reasons I had a leg up on other PhD applicants was because I had contacted PIs before admissions season began. Maybe I was more specific or something, but I really think it's a good move to get in contact early and often with professors you want to work with.

[janematanaicake-lumon]

Thank you for this video. Very informative and now I can be guided with on what I need to do next. Thank you

[pooriaaminazad]

Thank you so much for making this video!!

[rony]

Many many thanks, Andy! Helpful video, as always!
I think there's a third way for applying for a PhD: is to apply for a PhD program of a given university.
It is neither necessarily part of a project nor a research proposal with an academic (though some applications for PhD programs require a research proposal).
So a given university offers *annually* a certain amount of scholarships for almost (if not all) every department of the university.

Although most of the PhD applications in Europe (for instance) fits in the 1st type you've spoken about in the video, I've seen some applications as I mentioned above, especially in Italy.

I'd love to know your opinion about this type of PhD application.

[reijiriho]

I got my offer the same time this vid was up 🤣 very useful information nonetheless. Also, I just want to thank you for your vids, so helpful and informative. I don't think I would be able to nail the interview without the info you've shared... very excited for this new journey but at the same time, my anxiety is up the roof lol... never actually felt imposter syndrome this intense before 😩

[mahmudaislam]

I really like the way you talk. It looks like your hands and eyes are talking too. You are genuinely trying to be helpful 😊👍

[massimoneri]

Hi! Keep up the great work!!!
I was wondering if you had a video explaining how the citation system works in academia? How are they updated on google scholar? I would find that super revealing!

[davidh]

Hello Dr. Andrew.... we appreciate your efforts, the information you share are very insightful. I would love to get the template. Thank you

[janematanaicake-lumon]

Yes the template would be really useful.

[joeboxter]

Why don't YOU start a research by publication institution? You get grants. Get students. Help them publish 3 or 5 papers. Grant done and multiple students walk away with PhD title and experience.

[momentsma]

Appreciate if we can have the template from Andy

[snkhan]

Kindly make one video upon how to write phd research proposal.

[nurkleblurker]

Is this specific to the UK and Aus? As far as I know PhD students in the US do not write a proposal to begin a PhD.

[TrolleningIshraq]

How can I subscribe to the newsletter? I do not see my subscribe button in the newsletter website

[bobonaqa]

should you only mail professors or also postdocs or even phd students?

[DD-xgfe]

I’d really lovely if you could sketch a template😊 thank you in advance