I just subscribed! Thank you so much for taking the time to create these helpful videos! I'm in a Master's program now and have a little over a year before I'm done, so I'm doing research now on exactly what to expect and how to prepare for the PhD application process. My question to you is, if you've applied to multiple programs, is LOR the same for every school you've applied to (so, basically a copy and paste)?
Thanks for your comment! Well the letters of recommendation aren't written by you but rather by someone else. I haven't seen mine personally, but I do believe they are copy and paste. If you are referring to the essays like the statements of purpose, for me those were mostly copy and paste but I edited the intro and ending to be relevant to the program I applied to. But some schools had more statements than others so I'd say I did have to personalize every application.
Thanks for these videos! Quick question: Did you tailor / change your letters of rec depending on the institution and program? As in, depending on which pieces about your character that you wanted highlighted to fit that program, you used a different combination of LORs? Or, did you use the same combination of LORs for each application. Thanks in advance!
yeah, I was having a similar question - do you need different recommendations for each uni you apply to or they are completely universal I thought before that CV is universal but it actually changes too, there should be slight variations depending on the program
Hello Lillian, thanks for making this Admission Series. I'm considering to apply for a Phd at the moment and I was wondering whether it's common to ask an academic or your previous professor to write multiple recommendation letters for your application? Also, would you recommend to ask your previous professor even if you haven't been in contact with them like in more than 3 years? Thanks again! Love your videos!
Thank you for your question! I may not understand your question well. If you mean asking them to write recommendations for multiple schools or different applications, then yes that is totally normal. As for asking a professor you haven't had much contact with, that is always a possibility, but I'd think about whether they can truly speak to your life path strongly enough to help you get into grad school better than other people can. If so, and if they are willing, I don't see why not.
What happens if you want to apply for the PhD lab that you're currently getting your research experience in as an undergrad? Does the PI write to himself/herself...?
I am applying for a physics PhD for fall 2021 at 8 schools. One of the things that worries me is that no referee of mine is an accomplished researcher, they are simply my BSc and MSc teachers , but who know me well.. Would themselves not being accomplished researchers hurt my application?
Wonderful video series! I am a freshman who is very keen on pursuing research as a career and I have a few questions, sort of for the purpose of guiding the remainder of my undergraduate studies. Firstly, is it okay that some of my research experiences so far have not been connected? For instance, one lab I researched molecular biophysics with nanopore technology while another investigated effect of protein acetylation in e.coli. I learned a lot from both but also learned what I would be less likely to pursue in the future. Furthermore, would it be disadvantageous for one of the PIs I ask to not research what I am applying to graduate school for? I'm sure it is not because it's more so about my potential as a researcher in general, but my irrational brain is taking over in that regard. Likewise with recommendations, would it not be appropriate to ask my graduate student mentor in a lab to write me a letter, as opposed to the PI? I feel as though my graduate student mentor and I are much stronger connected and she has seen me grow as a researcher from the very beginning. The PI isnt present in the lab all too much, but we still communicate a good amount and he knows what I do and my capabilities. Thank you :)
Thanks for your questions! I'll try my best to respond. 1) It's totally okay that some of your research isn't connected. Diversity of research experiences imo is a strength. Just make sure you think deeply about how to craft a narrative in your essays when discussing them. A lot of programs don't even expect you will continue researching what you did before. 2) I don't think that's a disadvantage. What matters more is that someone who is a PI sees potential in you as a scientist, not necessarily their field. 3) There are pros and cons to grad student letters. The big con is that in rec letters program advisors want a sense of how you stack up to other students, and a grad student won't necessarily have that perspective. You could ask if the grad student and PI are willing to co-write a letter. In my case, I think my PIs talked to my daily supervisors to be able to write more about me. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for creating these videos, they are very helpful. I am thinking of applying to the Ph.D. program in Literature there at Harvard. So my question for you is, upon been enquired and stating your interest in the program if a professor responds by writing that I 'urge' you to look into the GSAS, does it mean the professor is interested and will consider the student for the admission?
Hi Midhat, thanks for your comment. Different professors have different writing styles so I can't extrapolate from just that phrasing. A professor's sway in admissions depends on how the program is structured and whether they are on the admissions committee. You'll never find out if you don't apply, but I don't think I'd take phrasing as an email to necessarily mean you're in. Good luck!
I've personally never seen my LoRs before. Applications will ask you to waive your right to see it. Some people will share it with you anyway, but generally if you don't waive your right to see it, the admissions committee will be less confident with that letter.
@@lillianinequilibrium Hi Lillian, can you expand on the process of Harvard's LOR. How to send it? Do they send a link to the professors who will then send it to the university directly? Or is there any other process?
Thank you so much for making the video. I have a question in my mind I graduated from an Indian university and I want to apply for a Ph.D. in the U.S. can my Indian professor with whom I have worked with during my research write a LOR and send it to the respective website of the University to which I want to get in?
What if I have no research experience but there is a doctor I have and she does research and also teaches in my program? Can I use her? I'm starting to plan for PhD program at a specific University for Fall 2023.
Thanks so much for the video. I'm currently a first year undergrad Psychology student. Is it too early to get involved in research? Should I just approach researchers if I can join them? Sorry, I'm not quite sure what to do.
Hi John, I would say it's never too early to get research experience! Perhaps you can talk to a few professors you have and ask for advice in this regard since the best way to approach professors depends on the field and the school. Good luck!
Could you, please tell us whether you contacted professors before applying? Is it really Important? If they dont answer you email do you think there is a low opportunity to get in that program?
Hello there, I'm thinking of applying PhD program in Harvard, and the application process mentioned in the official site is pretty confusing, it'll be great if you could clear up the overall procedure what are the fee particulars etc.,. If you have a LinkedIn account it'll be great to get a new connection and get my queries solved, hope to get a reply, thanks ! :-)
Hello, the only SNS I really use is YT so this is the best place for questions. Also Harvard does have a contact email listed on the site in case anything is confusing about the process.
HI Lilian, how are you hope doing well.I have a question the marks in my MBA is very less 50 percent and i want to pursue my PHD with scholarship.What are the requirements require in United states under this percentage.Thank you
Hmmm.. I wouldn't say I'm qualified to answer that question. The most important thing is that you show research ability, but for specific inquiries, I'd ask the admissions office of departments you're interested in.
I just subscribed! Thank you so much for taking the time to create these helpful videos! I'm in a Master's program now and have a little over a year before I'm done, so I'm doing research now on exactly what to expect and how to prepare for the PhD application process.
My question to you is, if you've applied to multiple programs, is LOR the same for every school you've applied to (so, basically a copy and paste)?
Thanks for your comment! Well the letters of recommendation aren't written by you but rather by someone else. I haven't seen mine personally, but I do believe they are copy and paste. If you are referring to the essays like the statements of purpose, for me those were mostly copy and paste but I edited the intro and ending to be relevant to the program I applied to. But some schools had more statements than others so I'd say I did have to personalize every application.
Thanks for these videos! Quick question: Did you tailor / change your letters of rec depending on the institution and program? As in, depending on which pieces about your character that you wanted highlighted to fit that program, you used a different combination of LORs? Or, did you use the same combination of LORs for each application. Thanks in advance!
yeah, I was having a similar question - do you need different recommendations for each uni you apply to or they are completely universal
I thought before that CV is universal but it actually changes too, there should be slight variations depending on the program
Hello Lillian, thanks for making this Admission Series. I'm considering to apply for a Phd at the moment and I was wondering whether it's common to ask an academic or your previous professor to write multiple recommendation letters for your application? Also, would you recommend to ask your previous professor even if you haven't been in contact with them like in more than 3 years? Thanks again! Love your videos!
Thank you for your question! I may not understand your question well. If you mean asking them to write recommendations for multiple schools or different applications, then yes that is totally normal. As for asking a professor you haven't had much contact with, that is always a possibility, but I'd think about whether they can truly speak to your life path strongly enough to help you get into grad school better than other people can. If so, and if they are willing, I don't see why not.
Can I ask LORs from my Master's course professors?
What happens if you want to apply for the PhD lab that you're currently getting your research experience in as an undergrad? Does the PI write to himself/herself...?
Hi Lillian. I have to submit three LORs for my PhD program and I want two letter from my masters program and one from my BA.
Will it be okay?
I am applying for a physics PhD for fall 2021 at 8 schools. One of the things that worries me is that no referee of mine is an accomplished researcher, they are simply my BSc and MSc teachers , but who know me well.. Would themselves not being accomplished researchers hurt my application?
Wonderful video series! I am a freshman who is very keen on pursuing research as a career and I have a few questions, sort of for the purpose of guiding the remainder of my undergraduate studies. Firstly, is it okay that some of my research experiences so far have not been connected? For instance, one lab I researched molecular biophysics with nanopore technology while another investigated effect of protein acetylation in e.coli. I learned a lot from both but also learned what I would be less likely to pursue in the future. Furthermore, would it be disadvantageous for one of the PIs I ask to not research what I am applying to graduate school for? I'm sure it is not because it's more so about my potential as a researcher in general, but my irrational brain is taking over in that regard. Likewise with recommendations, would it not be appropriate to ask my graduate student mentor in a lab to write me a letter, as opposed to the PI? I feel as though my graduate student mentor and I are much stronger connected and she has seen me grow as a researcher from the very beginning. The PI isnt present in the lab all too much, but we still communicate a good amount and he knows what I do and my capabilities. Thank you :)
Thanks for your questions! I'll try my best to respond.
1) It's totally okay that some of your research isn't connected. Diversity of research experiences imo is a strength. Just make sure you think deeply about how to craft a narrative in your essays when discussing them. A lot of programs don't even expect you will continue researching what you did before.
2) I don't think that's a disadvantage. What matters more is that someone who is a PI sees potential in you as a scientist, not necessarily their field.
3) There are pros and cons to grad student letters. The big con is that in rec letters program advisors want a sense of how you stack up to other students, and a grad student won't necessarily have that perspective. You could ask if the grad student and PI are willing to co-write a letter. In my case, I think my PIs talked to my daily supervisors to be able to write more about me.
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for creating these videos, they are very helpful. I am thinking of applying to the Ph.D. program in Literature there at Harvard.
So my question for you is, upon been enquired and stating your interest in the program if a professor responds by writing that I 'urge' you to look into the GSAS, does it mean the professor is interested and will consider the student for the admission?
Hi Midhat, thanks for your comment. Different professors have different writing styles so I can't extrapolate from just that phrasing. A professor's sway in admissions depends on how the program is structured and whether they are on the admissions committee. You'll never find out if you don't apply, but I don't think I'd take phrasing as an email to necessarily mean you're in. Good luck!
After they accepted writing a LoR for you, did they show you the letter before submitting it? Can a student ask to see the letter?
I've personally never seen my LoRs before. Applications will ask you to waive your right to see it. Some people will share it with you anyway, but generally if you don't waive your right to see it, the admissions committee will be less confident with that letter.
@@lillianinequilibrium Hi Lillian, can you expand on the process of Harvard's LOR. How to send it? Do they send a link to the professors who will then send it to the university directly? Or is there any other process?
Thank you so much for making the video.
I have a question in my mind I graduated from an Indian university and I want to apply for a Ph.D. in the U.S. can my Indian professor with whom I have worked with during my research write a LOR and send it to the respective website of the University to which I want to get in?
What if I have no research experience but there is a doctor I have and she does research and also teaches in my program? Can I use her? I'm starting to plan for PhD program at a specific University for Fall 2023.
And I haven't done research but might see if I can do research with her on her topic she does research on (my interest is in that specific area).
Thanks so much for the video. I'm currently a first year undergrad Psychology student. Is it too early to get involved in research? Should I just approach researchers if I can join them? Sorry, I'm not quite sure what to do.
Hi John, I would say it's never too early to get research experience! Perhaps you can talk to a few professors you have and ask for advice in this regard since the best way to approach professors depends on the field and the school. Good luck!
Could you, please tell us whether you contacted professors before applying? Is it really Important? If they dont answer you email do you think there is a low opportunity to get in that program?
I didn't contact any professors. They're very busy people so I wouldn't take it personally.
Hello there, I'm thinking of applying PhD program in Harvard, and the application process mentioned in the official site is pretty confusing, it'll be great if you could clear up the overall procedure what are the fee particulars etc.,. If you have a LinkedIn account it'll be great to get a new connection and get my queries solved, hope to get a reply, thanks ! :-)
Hello, the only SNS I really use is YT so this is the best place for questions. Also Harvard does have a contact email listed on the site in case anything is confusing about the process.
HI Lilian, how are you hope doing well.I have a question the marks in my MBA is very less 50 percent and i want to pursue my PHD with scholarship.What are the requirements require in United states under this percentage.Thank you
Hmmm.. I wouldn't say I'm qualified to answer that question. The most important thing is that you show research ability, but for specific inquiries, I'd ask the admissions office of departments you're interested in.
Wow you really help me a lot. I want to apply for harvard Phd. how can i contact you personally?
The comments section of my videos is the best way! I have a video on Harvard PhD here: th-cam.com/video/jERy7q4Jv2w/w-d-xo.html
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼thank you！
🐋