Before you contact a potential PhD supervisor, be prepared to do your research on their research. It's also worth finding out how many other students they have, and what kind of interaction there is between students (are there research group meetings, for example). If you haven't chosen someone to contact yet, have no fear, we've got a guide on how to choose the right PhD supervisor to help you. Menu. For more information, please see our Looking up the supervisor will give you an insight into their research interests, what topics theyre currently researching, and whether theyve made any notable contributions, be it a publication, a book or a talk ata leadingconference. Because these projects and their funding arent pre-defined, their interviews can be more flexible. Youll want to make sure you come across as well as possible during your interview and give a fair impression of your academic potential. Yet the discussion it enables will still play a crucial role in assessing your potential for PhD study. MPhil Economics/Economic Research Cambridge 2023, university of cambridge foundation year 2023, Chemistry Olympiad Prep 2023 - study buddy, NICS Staff Officer and Deputy Principal recruitment 2022, Official UCL 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Thread. Its well known that contacting a potential PhD supervisor before applying to their position can greatly increase your chances of success. If you are applying for a PhD, you must ensure that your email is error-free. Cookie Notice Starting an email to a professor with Dear Dr rather than Dear Professor wont only annoy them but will imply you have poor attention to detail. There are many different formats for a PhD interview and varying degrees of formality. This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail. For PhD students, hold a meeting with your student's other supervisor(s) to clarify your expectations, roles, frequency of . future research collaboration opportunities, The Steps To Conducting Research For A PhD, 3 Tips For Contacting Professors For Potential PhD Programs, Making The Right Choice: Exploring The Differences Between A Forestry And Plant Science Degree, Can A Computer Science Degree Help You Develop Mobile Apps? Do maintenance loans classify as income in student finance application? Don't just attach a CV - I probably won't even bother opening the attachment. If so, find out what their differences are, and more importantly, which one is better suited for you. As a postgraduate student applying to a PhD position, your email needs to be error-free. But it is important that each contact should be carefully considered. Hopefully, you would have already have done this before deciding that they would be suitable for your project. Based on my own experiences, Im going to share 10 of the best ways to impress a supervisor 5 for before they agree to take you on, and 5 for when you become one of their PhD students. Finding a PhD has never been this easy search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest. This will show the supervisor that you have thought about the direction of your research and have undertaken detailed research around the topic. Youve been living in a fantasy world. These might include visits to research spaces and opportunities to chat with staff and students. Supervisors are extremely busy people. I think if you are interested in doing a PhD in that professor's lab, it is a good idea to have regular contact with her. Many applicants or prospective students will not be able to meet the advisor in question in person and will have little reason to inquire about the offer, so the offer is insignificant on the part of the busy academic. Each hinges on a discussion of your academic interests, achievements and goals. FindAPhD. Academic integrity wins out, but money doesnt always work. Being proactive assures your supervisor that your project will advance in the right direction, and when you do need support, its for genuine issues that warrant their time. Find out all you need to know about the role. Here are some things to keep in mind when emailing potential PhD supervisors to increase your odds of getting a response. Copyright 2010-2020, James Hayton PhDTraining. Your interviewer/s will probably refer to it. Gabrielles a 2nd year Immunology PhD student at the University of Michigan. I suggest going somewhat dressed up but suit and tie is overdoing it IMO. It is unlikely that the meeting will have an impact on whether or not you are accepted into university. Specify who you are, your educational background, that you are interested in their project, why you are interested in their project, and include a copy of your resume. A good letter can be as follows (the students name and phone number are fictitious): Thank you for your letter of instruction. It may be useful to briefly explain why you are interested, or how you discovered the supervisor, which can be a good way of building rapport with them. Finally, a pen and paper wont go amiss (handy if you want to make notes as a question is asked). Danyal Hussein was found guilty at the Old Bailey of stabbing to death Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27, in a park in north London (Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire) A potential PhD supervisor should also be someone you feel comfortable working with and who you can trust to give you honest feedback on your work. Whether you chat with a supervisor or sit before a panel, you can expect to spend some time discussing your research proposal. There may be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further. Goals of Your Meeting with a Potential PhD Advisor Here are the goals you should have set for your meetings with potential PhD advisors. I have a very different kind of relationship with every PhD student I supervise, even though I like to think I approach everyone the same way. How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation or Thesis, Enquiry for NERC-funded PhD in Climate Change, Prospective Applicant EPSRC Material Science PhD. All rights reserved. It may also be worth reacquainting yourself with your emails to the potential supervisor. Meeting with potential PhD advisor. Address Them. 71-75 Shelton StreetLondon, United KingdomWC2H 9JQ. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions about the PhD program and the supervisor's research group. It's mildly disrespectful to the candidate really, in my opinion, but that's academia for you. Your supervisor may not need to assess your suitability for a specific project, but they still need to be sure that you have the knowledge and skills to carry out research in their field. Our guide to writing a research proposal has more detail on how you can make a success of this important part of a PhD application. And that discussion is important, however it takes place. But youll benefit from the resources, training and support available within your programme. The DBA and the PhD are both doctoral degrees that are equal in academic status so how do you choose between the two? You havent completed your profile yet. An advisor can be someone who has studied your field or topic for you. As you can imagine, the length of a PhD interview varies according to its format. When looking at the research web pages of a prospective supervisor, carefully read the topics they are interested in and identify the details in sufficient detail so that they can recognize that you are not sending the same message to them. 5 Ways to Impress a PhD Supervisor Before They Agree to Supervise You 1. Write a concise and professional letter. Some interviews may ask you to give a more specific presentation as well as answering questions. We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Remember to evaluate your potential supervisor, checking if they are a right fit for you. In addition, its a polite way to inquire about the supervisors motive. Meetings with your PhD supervisors can either feel a bit daunting or they can feel like endless chats with no real purpose. Privacy Policy. To build your professional reputation, contact professors by email. But you will need to be the kind of student who can develop the necessary skills and expertise in the time available. Make sure youve provided evidence of your commitment to (and experience in) this particular research area. This would be extremely specific enough to indicate that the candidate understands what they are doing and is genuinely interested in that topic. It is understandable that when you apply for a PhD program, you must provide information about your desired PhD advisors. This could take place in their office or in an informal setting on campus. If the University isnt offering projects with pre-defined titles, then instead indicate which specific areas of the research field you are interested in. In contrast, not having well-thought-out answers will give a poor impression of your level of commitment and/or ability. This may involve formal questions and answers, or it might simply involve talking through what youve written. But this doesnt mean that the interview for a self-proposed PhD is easier than one for an advertised position. Communicate Clearly PhD supervisors are busy people, they receive countless emails every day from panicked students, colleagues chasing up peer-reviews, and potential PhD candidates like yourself. Plan Your Timelines. If you consult with a PhD supervisor before applying, you will have a better chance of success. Do employers care about a 2.2 after a few years? That would defeat the function of the PhD as an academic training exercise. Make sure you use the supervisors correct title. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. Our guide covers how to approach a potential PhD supervisor, email etiquette and the all-important first meeting. Get the All Access Pass for weekly group calls and Q&A sessions with James, Build your skills and confidence with our detailed video courses. Students frequently ask professors for PhD positions at universities. Nothing makes a supervisor happier than an active student taking full responsibility for his or her project. You now have an opportunity to discuss your interests, ask questions, and meet your potential supervisor to see if they are compatible with you. Your goal isnt to flatter them, but to be able to clearly explain how your project applies to them and why you would like them to be your supervisor. . coaching, courses & quick tips for PhD students, who you work with is just as important as what you do. Potential supervisor is genuinely interested in professors for PhD students, who you with. Frequently ask professors for PhD students, who you work with is just important! Before applying, you can expect to spend some time discussing your on... An informal setting on campus benefit from the resources, training and available! 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