5 Things to Do in a Statement of Purpose for PhD/Grad School | PhD SOP + an example (mine!)

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I've had a lot of requests to talk specifically about how to write a statement of purpose - so though some of these tips are redundant from my previous videos (links below!), I've distilled them here into the things that I think it's most important for a statement of purpose to do (and also what a statement of purpose is NOT - it's not a personal statement). These tips are probably also useful for the kinds of things to emphasize in a grad school interview! And stay tuned for future videos about farther along in the process!
00:00 Introduction
01:24 Convince them you want a PhD
03:46 Describe research experience & motivations
05:03 Show passion for a topic
06:55 Explain why that program
10:04 Demonstrate that you can write
11:32 This is not a personal statement
13:12 If you're applying to masters programs
13:57 My statement of purpose
18:31 Get feedback!
Other videos about applying to PhD programs:
- Should you get a Phd at all? Good reasons and bad reasons: • Should You Get a PhD??...
- PhD application tips including more about reaching out to potential advisors, letters of recommendation, etc.: • PhD Application Tips! ...
- Figuring out where to apply for a PhD: • Deciding where to appl...
- Summary of reasons why PhD applicants are rejected, including the ones you have no control over: • Reasons PhD applicants...
RELEVANT LINKS
- Template for reaching out to potential advisors: / 1301907707579031555
- What it's like to be a professor (do you want to do this?!): • What is it like to be ...
- More on "it's not you it's them" re: academic job searching: / the-academic-job-searc...
Feel free to ask questions in the comments and I'll do my best to answer! But as always, also make sure you're getting advice from people in your discipline!
Find Me
+ TikTok / professorcasey
+ Twitter / cfiesler

Опубликовано:

2 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 271

@tehminakakar8753 3 года назад

1. Convience them you want a PhD (right reasons) a. Love research b. care deeply for a topic c. aspire to a career in academia 2. Describe Research motivation a. why, what, b. proof that you know what research is? 3. Show Passion for a topic a. it shouldn't be too general or too specific 4. Tell them why that program a. specific faculty member (Flexible topic) 5. Demonstrate that you can write

@jean-pierrecoffe6666 2 года назад

Thank God for this

@jonathanabimael 2 года назад

I have a question, is it recommended to name the faculty member you are interested in the SOP?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

In my discipline yes, but you may want to check that there aren’t different norms in yours.

@mulebanshimbi9770 7 месяцев назад

Great summary

@ivancamacho7668 2 года назад

Great specific presentation on the topic. Thanks for working on this video and posting it.

@isidoraperezurzua9071 8 месяцев назад

Thank you for your clarity and recommendations! Took several notes 💜

@abdulquddus3545 Год назад

You summarize well the components of SoP. Thank you, mam.

@Basilisk-tu7ud 7 месяцев назад

I am currently writing a statement of purpose for PhD programs and I just want to thank you for making this video! It was very helpful to my writing process! Also, I love your d20 earrings

@garlicflowerzzz 8 месяцев назад

Your account is truly a god send, thank you sm 😭

@AhmedAbouHalima 2 года назад

the second video i watched for you professor casey, thanks for your advice and tips.

@jakebimrose 3 года назад

Currently writing my SOPs and personal statements for my PhD apps, I appreciate you putting this video out! Taking notes :)

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

You're very welcome, and good luck!!

@neel6978 2 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD thank you for this amazing video. I also have a law degree and am applying for the law phd while working as a ui designer. But I dont have any mentor to recieve feedback for my SOP and Recommendation letter. Any advice on how to find one? I'm gonna apply for contract law. Thx in advance

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

@Thug life theory This video has all of my best advice on SOPs!

@inigoantony9029 2 месяца назад

This is gold. Thank you for the video.

@Empathetics 3 года назад

I'm so appreciating these videos Casey! Even though I'm long done with this part of my scholarly journey, watching these has been a really wonderful reflection on it. This one inspired me to go back and look at the personal statements that I wrote when I applied to grad school, which, while slightly cringe-worthy from a scholarly standpoint over a decade later, I was seeing so many of your suggestions in there (including research topics I was interested in, experience and collaboration with researchers, fit with departmental faculty and overall focus, lots of customization based on where I was applying, etc.). But I figured out that I needed to include those things through lots of discussions with my networks at that time, including lots of grad students and faculty who were quite generous in their advice. Basically, I had a ton of privilege that supported me to get into grad school. And I was aware of it at the time, of how I was getting access to the 'hidden curriculum' of the academy because of who I knew. What I love is that you're pulling back the curtain so that we can support others who don't have the same networks, and privilege, to do well in terms of accessing, and hopefully, thriving, in research and scholarship. I'll definitely be sharing with folks that come to me with questions on how to navigate grad school and the academy. Keep up with the awesome. 🤓

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Oh yes, that's actually exactly why I'm doing these videos! I can always tell when applicants haven't had mentorship, and I'd love for there to be a more equal playing field. Thank you for sharing!

@ruininghu6378 Год назад

Thank you for posting this video! It's really helpful.

@williamkeaveney3694 3 месяца назад

Grateful for your guidance as I consider pursuing my PhD in Information Science from Long Island University, where I earned my Master’s Degree whilst working full time as a member of the Technical Services/Cataloging Team of NYU’s Bobst Library. Been out of school and work as I transition to full time wheelchair mobility as the result of a degenerative neurological condition. Thank You Casey

@soumyajitsarkar2372 2 года назад

Writing SOP is the most stressful thing of applying for higher studies.

@bassamal-kaaki3253 Год назад

You are absolutely right! I am having this stressful time applying for a PhD degree in Business.

@mahsazarifi5280 7 месяцев назад

Really?

@user-bl2rs9nw8n 7 месяцев назад

I have been redoing mine over and over the last 3 months

@anngelyleeds7680 6 месяцев назад

Hi Casey, just wanted to come back and say thanks for all the tips. I ended up getting into my top PhD program with your helpful advice! Thanks for the great advice! :)

@CaseyFieslerPhD 6 месяцев назад

Congratulations!

@Simzoid 7 месяцев назад

Clear and useful video. Thank you!

@readingtimewithpickle Год назад

Hi Casey, I wanted to let you know that I have been following your channel as I prepared to apply for PhD programs, and took the advice you shared in this video when writing my statement of purpose. I was accepted into 2 different PhD programs this cycle! THANK YOU!!! I believe that your video really helped me write a strong statement!!!

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

Oh that's wonderful, congratulations!

@emeraldradiancemadinamunawwara 3 года назад

Very helpful, Casey, thanks! Who else is reminded of the adorable Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds when you see Casey getting into the geeky talk about her subject? ❤️️

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

LOVE HER THANK YOU. :)

@HarvestingThings 3 года назад

Honestly thank you so much for your videos. Im currently in my 2nd year of my MA in psych and getting ready to apply for a PhD in clinical psych and it's SO overwhelming just to think about. You help make it feel a little more real. Keep it up plsss 🥺

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

You're very welcome!! New video tomorrow morning. :) And best of luck to you!

@zawilwilliam-thephddiaries4966 3 года назад

Thank you so muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.. This is what I have been waiting for. 😊😊😢 It's really helpful for us. Thank you!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Oh good! Best of luck to you!

@bigmikecastle Год назад

Thank you so much for this video! I just graduated with my MFA in creative writing and I am applying for a PhD in English now... dont ask me why! I'm a glutton for punishment!

@viviannwogo5450 2 года назад

Thank you for all the tips. I started writing my sop yesterday though still on the first paragraph. First, I introduced the topic of interest, when the idea was borne as a teenager and the event that led to the birthing followed by the most recent triggers to do research on the field and finally, the need to contribute to the solution needed desperately in my country and at large.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

Good luck!

@oriettaagasaro3884 2 года назад

Thank you so much for all the resources you share with PhD applicants. I was recently accepted to my dream PhD program and your videos were my primary go-to for application tips.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

Congratulations!!!

@toyincole2035 7 месяцев назад

Congratulations

@pharmclare 2 года назад

This video was helpful. Thanks for sharing

@farahwassem5535 3 года назад

Thank u so much casey for the video 🌹

@iNoThings 2 года назад

inspirational. thank you. 🙏🏼

@KunalsinhChauhan 8 месяцев назад

Thank you so much Incredibly helpful

@cindyvermillion7866 3 года назад

Very helpful to me. Thank you.

@OmarFaruk-dt3hs 3 года назад

Thank you for such a good initiative. I am looking for someone who will review my SOP.

@donthatethegame42 Год назад

Love the d20 earrings!

@obertdzvimbo3295 2 года назад

Thanks for your assistance

@goglam07 2 года назад

So helpful!!!

@ShoukotAli 3 года назад

Thank you for the detail explanation & clarification. My question is - How to organize PhD SOP or what to focus on PhD SOP if the candidate has less research experience or no/ 1 published article.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Focus on any research you do have and especially WHY you want to do research and what you're passionate about! I personally do not think it's necessary to have publications in order to apply for PhD programs.

@kaiyuan6745 3 года назад

I keep watching these despite being a undergrad freshman who has no idea if they want to pursue research... thanks for the info though!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Well you're in a great position because you get to figure it out! Get some research experience while you're an undergrad. :)

@tianlongwang7238 10 месяцев назад

Thank you so much!

@rohitkundu2120 2 года назад

Thank you so much for your tips. I'll be applying this year to PhD in STEM. I'll update this comment where (if any) I got accepted.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

Good luck!

@vwathsvwaths3385 3 года назад

I followed your tips and got accepted at the first try. Thank you so much.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Yay, congrats!!

@karenzhang1020 3 года назад

Congrats!!

@ParminderKaur-zm4kw 2 года назад

Hey can you plz share your SOP

@larissacury7714 2 месяца назад

Thanks!

@alicec8776 2 года назад

thank you for your video

@DINAHDITASSARPEYmonamie 3 года назад

Your videos have whet my appetite for a PHD pursuit. I thought it was beyond my reach but no,. Keep it up.

@Msdrmanish 3 года назад

Excellent

@blec.g7522 3 года назад

Thank you so much

@manelmiaadi9647 3 года назад

Hi Casey! Do you recommend attaching a cv when contacting a potential advisor? Thank you

@GeenaPoldnev 3 года назад

you write and speak so beautifully

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Thank you, that's so kind!

@larissacury7714 26 дней назад

Hi, Casey! Thank you very much! Is a SOP the same as a statement of interest?

@gabrielchukwuka5629 3 года назад

Thanks Prof. Casey for these insightful videos. Could you shed more light on the difference between a statement of purpose and a Statement of Interest, or are they basically the same?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I'm afraid I don't know! I don't tend to see statement of interest as a term, so my guess is that it's probably the same thing.

@romaehsan2696 2 года назад

Can you guide if statement of purpose and personal statement are same?

@ellenofori848 3 года назад

Thank you so much Casey for sharing this! How long should an SOP be?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Sometimes there are specific guidelines; if not, I would say typical is about 2 pages. Good luck!

@charlottegreene8522 3 года назад

Hi! Thanks so much for this video. I have kind of a specific question. I have talked to two potential major advisors in a program that have pretty different research in their labs, but both interest me and I want to appeal to both equally in my statement. What’s the best way to write about that? Thanks!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

If there's SOME common thread for their research area, then you could lead with that, kind of like the example of being interested broadly in algorithms+ethics in the video. The three different people I mentioned actually have very different research. But I guess just zoom out to find whatever they have in common: "I am really passionate about X, for example, Prof work on A and Prof work on B." Or if they are REALLY different: "I am excited to explore different aspects of [discipline]. For example, I am interested in Prof A's work on X because Y and Prof B's work on C because D."

@tomatochemist 2 года назад

I’m wondering if I should mention that I’ve been a caregiver for my own spouse throughout my education til now (he was disabled in a wreck). I’ve also worked the entire time, sometimes two or three jobs to make sure we were okay. Part of me thinks they’ll assume I’ll have a lot of distractions and competition for my time, but my spouse is doing better now and independent; that experience has given me so much tenacity, resilience, and time management skills that I don’t think I would’ve developed otherwise. Setbacks are a part of life and they don’t get to me as much as they do my peers. I still managed a 3.8 gpa in STEM. With the support of my husband and our families I’m now at a place where I can focus 100% on my own goals.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I can't answer this for you! If you think it is relevant and you want to disclose that you certainly can.

@aroosafarooq6838 2 года назад

I Wish i would get an interesting and cool and so easily understanding professor as my phd supervisor 😍😎

@ParnaKaz 8 месяцев назад

Hi Casey! Thank you for the informative video. I am just starting writing my SoP for PhD applications and watching your videos has been very helpful. Would you recommend including more than one research interest if your research interests are diverse? There are more than one research topic that I hope to be able to do research on over my lifetime and I am not sure if I should mention all of them or pick one and focus on that.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 8 месяцев назад

You should consider what these multiple things are examples of or have in common, and use that to structure.

@charlesrhea5257 3 года назад

Thank you Casey! I found this video at the perfect time. I was wondering if you could speak to how to write the introduction? I’ve tried to making mine engaging and personal by sharing an anecdote about what first got me interested in my area of research interest. It’s very brief, and I don’t talk about it past the first paragraph, but do you think it’s okay to include something like that? Or should I cut it out and write something else? I don’t want it to be too “personal statement-ish”. Thanks!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I think that's fine! I've seen lots of different kinds of openings, and nothing stands out as being particularly ill-advised, as long as it's well-written and a nice narrative. Good luck!

@jalilafouad3657 3 года назад

Thank you for this. Do you think it matters when the project you're applying for is in a different field than the research you've already done in your masters ?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I have some advice about that here! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bUNnpNizGws.html

@psychastheneia7 2 года назад

This is very valuable advice. However, I want to emphasize my disagreement with the "writing needs talent" part. Actually, this is one of the biggest problems of academia. There are designated writing centers at each university that specifically teach you writing. Writing is not a talent but a trainable skill. These writing centers remain empty because students are not encouraged to spend their time learning how to write. Instead, they are milked for producing more data and results and then they are left stranded when the time comes to write a paper. You kind of, possibly accidentally, reflected this attitude when you spoke as a PI saying "I can teach you how to X, Y, Z but I can't teach you how to write".

@thetiffingpoints 3 года назад

Hi Casey. Thank you for the video. Is it okay to mention prospect faculty in my SOP even though I haven't communicated with them directly? I'm familiar with their research interests based on their publications and the PhD thesis of their advisees so I've tried to frame my PhD concept note based on that.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Yes, you absolutely should!

@juliansommer4347 7 месяцев назад

Hi Casey, thanks for the wonderful video. Would you recommend to cite papers within the statement of purpose, when talking about specific topics I would be interested in?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 7 месяцев назад

I rarely see that! Though I don’t think it would necessarily hurt. (Would probably make more sense if it’s work in that department.)

@juliansommer4347 7 месяцев назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD ok, thank you very much!

@haticerecaioglu1451 Год назад

Thank you for the video, it's really helpful 😊 Currently, I am also getting prepared for PhD application. And I have noticed that some programs require a letter of motivation or letter of intent instead of SOP. Could you please make a video about how to prepare them as well? Thanks in advance!

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

If that is somehow different than an SOP I don’t know how!

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

If that is somehow different than an SOP I don’t know how!

@ImSoCool2403 3 года назад

Omg the earings

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

They're my favorites. :)

@isaacselby3668 Год назад

Hi Casey! I'm new here and just starting my applications. I really appreciate all the resources you share with applicants. My question is, is it advisable to mention other faculty members whose research areas are connected to yours but never replied to your cold emails in addition to the only one who did when writing your SOP?

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

Yes, it’s typically advisable to mention more than one faculty and I tend to suggest not reading too much into not getting an email response.

@radhikasathe5749 Год назад

Hey Casey! Does the SOP require a well flashed out hypothesis ? Or should I write 1-2 questions that i seek to solve through my research? Great tips btw! Thanks!

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

This video basically has my tips on SOPs! Beyond this I imagine it might be different by field.

@Gnina43 3 года назад

Thanks for your videos!! I have a specific SOP question: what do you think about including references (for particular data)? It is recommended?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Oh that's a good question! I'm guessing it would be, e.g., for a paper you've published? I see it very rarely so it's definitely not necessary, but I don't think it hurts - I would probably use a footnote.

@Gnina43 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD I'm using footnotes. Thank you! Your work is amazing.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

@@Gnina43 Oh I'm so glad it was helpful, good luck!

@pooryasabzehkar 8 месяцев назад

Hi Casey, I'd like to thank you for this channel at the start. I was in a stem phd program as an international student and because of financial reasons I had to leave the program with a masters degree 2 years ago. I was a TA at the department during the program and the payment was fair but the pandemic complicated my situation. After a year of working in the US, as I was planning to go back to school, instead, I ended up coming back to my home country. Now I am applying again and my interest has shifted a bit within the area, so that I am applying for other schools, I wonder how much do I need to explain about all this in my statement of purpose? If I have to at all. I understand that a faculty want to make sure a phd student would work through their research so the funding would come to some fruition. Thank you again and my apologies for this long-winded question.

@pooryasabzehkar 5 месяцев назад

I just wanted to give an update here that I received my answer after watching your most recent video up this date, titled "PhD Application Q&A (November 2023 Edition). So the short answer is, it depends. Organically, this matter would be something that the committee wonder about, but at the same time it is not necessary to be elaborated for privacy protection reasons. Thanks.

@awsaf49 8 месяцев назад

Thank you Dr. Casey Fiesler for your amazing video. Will you be able share the template of email you mentioned to reach out to the faculty member?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 8 месяцев назад

There is an entire video on my channel about reaching out to advisors, and includes the template in the description!

@lawalbukola250 10 месяцев назад

Thanks so much Prof., i find all the tips helpful. Would you advice 2 pages long or A page SOP is okay for a phD application.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 10 месяцев назад

I have a hard time imagining a one page SOP that could cover what you need to cover!

@sali.friends2kh911 Год назад

You seem soooo cute and kind. thanks for your great help

@malinee.s7676 7 месяцев назад

Hi Casey, Thank you for this. Can you please provide some guidelines on how many words and number of pages should a SOP be? Most universities have mentioned 2000 words. Than You!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 7 месяцев назад

If the guidelines don't state (such as that 2000 words) then I would say 2 pages is pretty typical.

@doniadb4385 3 года назад

Thank you so so so much for this video....!!! It is very helpfu! I have a question. In the statement of purpose, Phd programs, are we supposed to mention about our extracurricular activities? or it is NOT necessary for the Phd level! and are we suppose to make our statement a little bit personal? so we can show and share some emotions with the admission officer ? Thank you again !

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I think it depends on whether the extracurriculars are relevant to research or to things that show your potential as a graduate student.

@doniadb4385 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD Thank you very much !

@XxXxxLucky13xXxX 2 года назад

I love your earrings !!!

@rashiagarwal8800 2 года назад

Thanks for the amazing guidance. I am currently writing my SOP and struggling with a few things. Any advice on these would be very helpful. 1. Including appropriate academic experience. Is it required? If yes, what fraction of SOP shall it be? 2. I am a physics graduate applying to STEM Education programs. Will it be a good idea to mention articles or research works in STEM education that inspired my interests? 3. To show my interest in the program, is it advisable to mention the information I obtained about the program from current students or alumni?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I'm not sure what you mean by "academic experience." There's no need to recite your credentials that are elsewhere in your application though. As for the other two, it's somewhat unusual to include references in an SOP but I'm not sure if norms vary by field, and I think in saying why you want to be in particular program you can include whatever information you have that is relevant.

@lol-ey3tp 3 года назад

Thank you for such an informative video! I do want to ask if you think mentioning multiple faculty members in a SOP is appropriate if you have been in contact with a specific one. I am currently reaching out to professors and one of them responded by saying that my experience was highly relevant in his research and encouraged me to apply, so I am not sure if I should mention other faculty in my SOP.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

You're welcome! So I of course can't speculate how any particular faculty might react, but I do think that a way to do this is: "I am particularly excited at the prospect of working with Professor A, due to their research on X. However, this program as a whole seems like a wonderful fit because of additional synergies with Professor B's research on Y and Professor C's research on Z."

@nguyettoleanh9288 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD basically I need to reach out to professors before I apply for graduate schools?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

@@nguyettoleanh9288 You don't HAVE to, but I think that it can be very useful. There's a bit more detail about this in the PhD application tips video.

@soccutd77 2 года назад

Hi Casey! I had a question on mentioning specific professors: for some of the programs I'm interested in, I'm interested in several professors that are in different departments: the overall research they're doing attack similar problems that I'm interested in, but one professor might be taking a slightly different angle than another, hence they're in a different department. Also worth mentioning is that this is in the biomedical sciences/engineering field, which is extremely interdisciplinary. In this situation, is it acceptable to say you would be interested in a professor outside of the department that you're applying to?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

If you mention professors in other departments make sure that it's clear that you realize they are potential collaborators but not advisors. (Unless they're affiliate faculty and might be able to be advisors but even then be careful that someone wouldn't read your statement and wonder why you didn't apply to that department instead!)

@TheYay1995 2 года назад

Hello Casey, Thanks for the guides! I have a question.. is listing more than one faculty member increases chances of admission if i am applying to a program where the application goes to faculty, or number of faculty i list have no impact? Like speaking if let's say they both have the similar research questions, but i have a preference for one... how is this looked at from their end? Thanks!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I can't tell you how this is perceived by any particular faculty or program. Just that in my experience this is useful. It's a good sign if there is more than one person in the program you could potentially work with. Also you never know who might be accepting students, etc.

@aghedolaura6452 7 месяцев назад

Thank you Prof. Am really grateful am confused about something in demonstrating my resesrch experience and I picked my Master's thesis experience but eventually i have about 1200 words instead of 1000 words am so confused right. After trimming and all but I still have 1200 words

@CaseyFieslerPhD 7 месяцев назад

Hi there! I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. :) What are you confused about?

@stephenfavour3531 2 года назад

Thanks a lot professor Fiesler. Is it appropriate to mention specifically a research topic to a proposed supervisor especially when you are just reaching out to him the first time?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I'm guessing that their research is the reason you're reaching out to them, so you should certainly mention that. :)

@rasu1371 3 года назад

Thank youuuuuuuuuu!!!!! I am currently doing my masters and just started working on my thesis proposal. I am writing my SOP for a PhD program, I feel good about all parts I wrote except the one about my masters. I wrote about everything I did so far in my masters in this part (not in a random way though, i mean with good flow). Do you think this is the right way? Do you think I don’t need to focus THAT much about my current degree? I feel like I’m trying to convince the committee that I’m doing lots of things and in different disciplines... like: My manuscript is under review, systematic review is under preparation, i’m preparing a poster etc. I have all these in my CV!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I think you should focus on research-relevant things! But not, e.g., the classes you took in your masters. Good luck!

@rasu1371 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD thanks. Yes I’m talking about search I was part of and referred to one course because it shifted my research interest

@jalilafouad3657 3 года назад

also, would you say that a master's memoir counts as scientific production ? Because I'm applying for a phd and they ask for that in the documents but i'm not sure if they essentially mean scientific paper or..

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I honestly have never heard the term "scientific production" before, but perhaps it just means research experience.

@nguyettoleanh9288 3 года назад

Thank you so much Casey! I want to ask if I did not take any formal courses in field A and I self study it (A is a subfield in field B) and now I want to do PhD about A, as an extension from my Master's thesis with the knowledge I self-study. How to prove it is possible and compelling in SOP to get selected?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I think you say exactly this. :) (For what it's worth, I don't think that coursework is very important!)

@nguyettoleanh9288 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD thank you! is it my weakness? how to fill the weakness?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

@@nguyettoleanh9288 As I said, I don't think coursework matters! If you're concerned about switching research fields, I think the important thing is to explain why, and how your previous work relates to what you want to do next.

@crm3q 2 года назад

Thanks so much for this Casey! Do you review SOPs? I'm submitting this week and would love to have your feedback. If not, I understand.☺️

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I do not, but good luck!

@crm3q 2 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD okay, thank you 😊💜

@damsssoltani5126 2 года назад

Hello, well first thank you for these amazing series! It helps us alot. I'd like to know something if possible, for an international student who wants to have a PhD then work in a big company rather than teach/follow the researchs. Would it be appropriate to mention that? In the SoP? Thank you!

@damsssoltani5126 2 года назад

Not to get me wrong, I am currently passionated about research and I really wanna involve into it. But I dont want to continue my whooole life doing it specifically!

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

If you're wanting a non-research job in industry are you sure that you need a PhD?

@damsssoltani5126 2 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD PhD opens door for more jobs with a higher salary (I'm not doing it just for the salary). Why not maybe I can discover a new thing or lead to a new breakthrought? I mean that's my purpose!

@andrewmajeste3269 Год назад

Hi There! Great video! I'm currently working on my SOP. Like you, I already have a doctorate (mine is a clinical doctorate) and want to purse a PhD to truly be a scientist in my field. When discussing your research interest and citing statistics, facts/figures, etc. is it best to cite the material in the body of the SOP or include a reference page? For example, "The Endocrine Society in the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline estimate that hyperglycemia accounts for 30% of hospitalized adult patients." vs. "Hyperglycemia accounts for 30% of adult hospitalized noncritically ill patients (ENDO, 2022)."

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

I've actually never seen citations in an SOP but perhaps this is a different norm in other fields.

@dhksmt Год назад

Some programs require to apply with a research project outline as well. If that is the case, should I be more specific about the research topic?

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

This is more common outside the US so I’m not as familiar with the norms.

@morimori-qs7gi Год назад

This a very amazing video and thank you so much. I have a question, my background is different than CS my undergrad is in accounting, and have three masters in marketing, finance, and business analytics, but I really like to move to CS Ph.D. How can I connect my past education and work to the program? do you have some suggestions for me? Thanks in advance for your time

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

I can't answer this for you because I don't know what the connection is!

@muhammadazeem4803 2 месяца назад

Can we add a para about the excellent results after facing life hardships as a proof of resilience and hardwork? Please reply

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 месяца назад

I think that whether to write about hardships is a very personal decision.

@heidihellenbrand1206 10 месяцев назад

I know it's been a while since this video uploaded but should I include writing about my research experience if I am just starting potential research in this upcoming semester? I'm going into my senior year of UG but I know that I want to continue with a PhD and do research. I don't know if I'll have a lot of experience by the time I begin my applications.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 10 месяцев назад

I think I answered this for another comment!

@FA-wd5or 2 года назад

Hi Casey. I like your videos. I have an urgent question and need your help. When I answer the question "What faculty are you interested in working with and why?" besides research interests that aligned with prof x, may I also mention that I watched plenty of his lectures on youtube and I like how clear and passionate he is?? or shall I only focus on the research and that is it? Thanks for your time

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I think you can mention whatever you like, though I'd say research is the most relevant thing to evaluating you as an applicant.

@FA-wd5or 2 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD thank you appreciate it :)

@prabhathiyaherath4091 7 дней назад

What are your views on mentioning academic achievements in emails to potential PIs. Noticed your email template didn’t have such info and was quite short

@CaseyFieslerPhD 7 дней назад

I’m not sure what the purpose of that would be?

@VladyslavKL 3 года назад

🕊

@brentfordatemkeng3215 3 года назад

Oohh! No I equally forgot mentioning faculty members in my Statement of Purpose...

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Don't stress about it, none of these things are dealbreakers!

@younesabuelayyan4520 Год назад

I have a question, If I have already defined a gap of knowledge in a particular field and wrote a research proposal on how to fill that gap of knowledge -answer that research question-, should I mention that in the SOP or should I mention that I have read enough articles on that field?

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

It sounds as if that's the research interest you're going to talk about! And I think it's fine if you say you've identified a gap! But I would just recommend being cautious; a lot of people think they've identified a gap when they actually just haven't found the relevant literature (though this might be a bigger issue in my field, which is very interdisciplinary - so people often just don't look for that work in other fields). And this is just my perspective (others definitely disagree so take this with a grain of salt) but I don't think that a literature gap alone is a sufficient motivation for research - there are a lot of things that haven't been studied because they're not worth studying. I'd rather hear about why something is important and worth studying than the fact it hasn't been studied before.

@younesabuelayyan4520 Год назад

thanks, I appreciate your advice, I know that things are different in different fields, but the gap of knowledge I'm talking about is the roll of a certain protein in a given disease, and there are many scientific evidences that indicate its involvement, and it haven't been studied before in that particular disease.

@salsabilarabi6690 3 года назад

Whenever I sit for writing SOP, I open this video :) I have a question regarding SOP. I have research experience in A, however, no professor of that field replied me. However, I am working on a project in field B which in not yet submitted, but got interview from 2 professors closer to that field. Now I am to emphasize more on B in my SOP. How would I use the publication of A to make my SOP strong for B. To be generic, do the research experience and papers of one field can add strength to my SOP if I am applying for another field? Thanks :)

@salsabilarabi6690 3 года назад

Let me say briefly. I have more research experience and publication in A, but less experience in B. But I want to do PhD on B. So how can I use the experience of A to make SOP strong?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

Yep, you can definitely talk about your research in one area to show that you have research experience and understand what it is to be a researcher, but then talk about your interest in now conducting research i na different area. (Though also don't let not hearing back from faculty be the only reason to shift your interests.)

@salsabilarabi6690 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD Thanks a lot for your suggestion :)

@ajreed3112 2 года назад

In regards to showing passion in a topic, I have already spoken with a faculty member at a school I want to attend, and they already expressed they would be my advisor and named two other people that would serve on my committee. Could I express this in my SoP or write it in a way that I would like to have these three people when studying at my future PhD program?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

Mentioning specific faculty in your statement of purpose is important!

@bijayshakya9596 2 года назад

Is it good to mention the particular faculty or their research groups in SOP? What if the professor does not have openings or is not in the admission committee?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

This varies a bit based on discipline but usually even when it's not critical it's still a good idea to mention specific faculty because it shows you did your research. Even if that person doesn't end up being your advisor they can still be a reason you want to be there.

@haroonzeb7087 3 года назад

Hi ,I have a question .Is statement of purpose and letter of motivation .plz do video on letter of motivation

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I'm afraid I have never heard that term before! It might be the same thing.

@lucasmattoso286 2 года назад

Loved it, Casey, thank you! I have three questions: 1) when mentioning the reasons for that particular program, is it bad to mention very pragmatic reasons, like financial or family support, and other aspects of student life? 2) Should the SOP be organized in sections (like topics of interest, why I want a phd and so on)? 3) How formal must it be?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

(1) I think this depends on the reason... like (in my opinion) it seems a little tacky to say "I want to go here because you pay the most!" but something like "my family lives in the area" or "I really appreciate that there seems to be a supportive student community" seem just fine. (2) I don't think this matters! (3) I'm not sure what you mean by formal, but it is a document aimed at the people who you want to imagine you as a graduate student.

@spkr23 2 года назад

My master's GPA was excellent; however, my BA GPA was under 3 due to an accident occured to me in the 1st semester of the bachelor degree. Should I include that tn SOP?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

If you think that it is significant and that you can talk about it in a way that's appropriate (i.e., overcoming adversity, not making excuses) I think this can be fine, but this is entirely up to you.

@avinashanand8626 2 года назад

Is it ok to say that I am working in banking and justify my reason to PhD is to up skill myself and go deep into learning data analytics in order to link my work and data analytics to stop financial crime. I do analyse data but mostly using excel. I don’t have knowledge of Python or any other programming but I am ready to put efforts in my PhD. I do have masters degree in business but zero knowledge of research and no paper published till now.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I really can't answer this, but it seems like banking and data analytics are related! Good luck!

@sirajanand4272 2 года назад

Hi, I have done an MBA in business economics. Also done some research project in my master's. My MBA was mostly related to analytics field. Can i get some research PhD in data analytics field ? I am asking this because some universities like ETH Zurich does not allow MBA to apply in its PhD programs. Please guide if i should aim for a PhD or it would be difficult to get into a PhD due to my MBA degree.

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

I'm afraid there's no way for me to answer this question, but good luck!

@karenzhang1020 3 года назад

I have read a good amount of non-fiction books in the past few years, and currently I am working on my first non-fiction book. Do you think it counts for research experience?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 3 года назад

I don't think it really matters what "counts"; you should talk about whatever seems most relevant!

@karenzhang1020 3 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD I understand :) I meant, if I apply for psychology program and I have read some non-fiction books related to the topic, it can be a resarch experience and I should include it in my SOP, correct?

@drpedagopuviswamohan7778 Год назад

Dear Mam your videos are impressive and knowledgeable..Thanks for that a lot...I have a doubt could an already PhD holder apply for a PhD scholar again for double PhD...Whether they consider our application or not... High Regards

@CaseyFieslerPhD Год назад

They would just need to make a good argument for why they want/need another phd!

@naganandakk1510 2 года назад

I'll be applying for phd in theoretical physics. I'm more or less sure that I don't want to continue in academia and would instead like to get an industry position. But, I have no idea what kind of industry jobs I am looking for. My plan is to figure it our through my PhD. People are advising me to not mention this and just say that I want to be a faculty. Will it be a negative if I mention I don't want to get into academia?

@naganandakk1510 2 года назад

@@CaseyFieslerPhD I thought that was needed as part of 'what I want to do with phd degree '

@manishkhanal2571 2 года назад

I have just started my PhD application process. I have some questions about SOP: 1. Is it a good idea to brag about the certain achievement? (Like I got certain percentile in GRE quants). 2. If I am want to change my field of study, how can i put this in sop?

@CaseyFieslerPhD 2 года назад

Your GRE score will already be in your application! So unless it's somehow relevant to your narrative, I'm not sure how you would mention it in an SOP. And if you're changing fields you should probably just have a narrative for why.