How I got into Stanford for a Physics PhD

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This is a video about applying to various US physics PhD programs. I applied to Duke, Stanford, Cornell, Harvard, Caltech, Penn State, Columbia, Maryland, CUNY with varying results.
Link to blog post where you can also find an example of my personal statement: janetzh.people.stanford.edu/t...
Links to other resources:
- Link to my PhysicsGRE forum post: physicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?...
- Video I found helpful re external funding (where I got mission statement tip from) • essentials for winning...
- Podcast between Steven Strogatz and 3b1b. In this, Steve describes also being okay-ish at standardised tests and grades, but he is now a well known maths professor • Steven Strogatz: In an...
Timeline:
00:00 Intro
00:30 Overview of my application
00:57 GPA
01:08 GRE
01:32 Research experience
02:08 Personal statement
02:30 CV, Awards, Recognitions
03:03 References
04:31 Other
05:07 My results
05:57 Apply for a range of schools
06:31 Research fit
06:54 External funding
07:36 Field matters
08:30 Judicious life choices
09:51 Emailing faculty
10:58 After you've submitted...
About me:
I am a first year applied physics phd student at stanford. Currently, I am studying remotely from Australia. Previously I did a bachelors and mphil at the Australian National University. In my free time, I like sunsets, photography, skateboards, podcasts, solo travelling and people.
Twitter: / janetzhong82

Опубликовано:

6 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 82

@kian3319 2 года назад

Great informative video! Thank you for sharing your experience. I look forward to your future videos.

@AmSofiane 2 года назад

Finally a person that talks about exactly everything we need with no other aim than helping others ❤

@stephendaedalus7841 2 года назад

Easily the most helpful video on the topic. Thanks! (Now I just need to write my personal statement by tomorrow XD )

@hedge_in 2 года назад

Thank you so much! Not a physics major perse but want to do a PhD in Computer Graphics (CS) and I feel like these tips are broadly applicable :). There's no much content on the grad school admissions process so this is a very helpful video

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

I'm glad it was helpful! Best of luck if you do end up applying down the line!

@ShanHe2022 10 месяцев назад

Helpful tips! Thanks very much :)

@Mr35diamonds 2 года назад

Hi! Really helpful video, I’m doing a PhB undergrad in Physics at ANU now, and found this really useful. Thank you!

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

I think anu physics prepared me well :-) Good luck!

@tragozedd 2 года назад

Thank you so much for this video🥰

@pepaxxxsvinka3379 2 года назад

Hello! I am here from the GRE forum!

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

You are the most humble person I seen giving this advices. It was awesome. Never change.

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

wow that's really nice, thanks!!

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

@@janetzh7538 Stanford is my dream PhD. If I get in for the 2024 fall I will look for you and buy you a coup of cofee or something. I whish you all the best in your endeavours.

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

@@ivantamayoromero1668 That would be super cool! I look forward to it! If it doesn't work out there are many other great options too, so best of luck!

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

@@janetzh7538! 🙌🏾 ❤ 💪🏾 🙌🏾

@donboscongwina1479 5 дней назад

This cideo is well done. Thank you

@rhishabrajbhandari8788 2 года назад

Hey would love for you to make more videos during your time as a phD students like vlogs or discussions on your research and so on

@addielalba 2 года назад

thank u for this video I'm gonna apply for the MBA 2023

@MoThemby Год назад

Lol I don't even have a Bachelors degree (curiosity doesn't always kill the cat) but I know awesome when I see it. And you ma'am are awesome personified .

@kartikeyaarora6114 2 года назад

Thanks a lot for the video. It was very helpful😁. It would be helpful if you could make more videos like this..

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

thanks!

@springdayamelie1220 8 месяцев назад

Hi Jane, thank you for your generous tips!! I was pondering whether I should apply for a PhD because I felt like I wasn't sure my contribution to my research could have a great impact. I also wasn't sure how much research I should do. Do you know what is the most important thing when we select research teams and also what else is important outside research? Thanks!!

@ssarkar2996 2 года назад

I wonder how people live in the bay area on 45K?

@CrystalStackhouse 2 года назад

Wow this was really helpful! I’m a junior biomedical engineering / physics double major planning on applying to biophysics PhD programs. I hope that applying for a more niche field and “sculpting” my app a certain way will improve my chances. Also, I noticed you shirt which says your initials and photography!! It’s so funny cause that is my favorite hobby. Physics and Photography what can I say?! I wanted to ask one question. I love my undergrad research, but I know there’s so much more out there. Like you, my research has focused heavily on one area, with a publication in the works. Do you think I should stick with my “field” as I’m applying to bolster my app? Or is there opportunity for branching out? Do most undergrads continue what they did in undergrad to grad school? I got heavily involved in research early on, and I was just unsure if people stuck with their research area once they’re in it. I’m just really unsure how uncommon it is to switch. I’m so invested in what I’m doing now, so there’s not too much time to do anything else at the moment. I’m just worried I’ll miss out on something I never knew. Thanks!

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

thanks for the nice words! this is hard to say re your question. Sticking in one area for me probably helped (topological photonics) as I had more research output by the end, which maybe helped as other aspects of my application was not as outstanding (like grades/ gre). It may help with catching the attention of specific groups if you have a deep background. But that said, there is a lot of benefit trying new things (your own interests might change), and I definitely have all-rounder friends that also got into the schools they wanted. So it is hard to say, and up to you. Although some schools make students pick advisers at the beginning of their phd, stanford and maybe some other schools have a rotation system, so some people may switch topics/ field entirely after getting in. It may even be a tactful thing to do for some people, I suppose. Probably just follow your interests, good luck!

@adamnugroho7496 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing

@sahanbandara3326 2 года назад

Thank u very much It was Extremely helpful video. And Looking forward to more videos about your Physics Phd Life

@shahishmam6826 Год назад

Hello, Amazing video. learned loads from it. But the link to personal statement is broken/invalid. Can you please give a new one? Would love to read it and will help me out a lot! Thanks for making the videos! Going through them all! :D

@kartikeyaarora6114 2 года назад

Hey...Can you do a video on various External Funding opportunities for international students?

@Jason-ch9jg Год назад

Thank you for the great information. I have one question. Isn’t Masters degree required for applying to PHD ? Did u get one?

@mdmahmudulhasan8308 2 года назад

Thanks for sharing your experience and valuable tips. Could you make video on life science subjects for MS and PhD programme,please?

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

thanks! not sure I know enough on the process for life science subjects, but good luck!

@asthatiwari2648 2 года назад

Hi Janet. I am pursuing physics hons in India and I wanted to know how does one land up with various research opportunities in the first year of undergrad itself? what all aspects do we need to look for?

@lightyagami6362 23 дня назад

Thankyou

@viniciusjdasilva8555 2 года назад

Currently applying for high energy experiment wish me luck folks ! And good luck for anyone else out there applying this cycle

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

good luck!

@lavondali6882 9 месяцев назад

Hi Janet, the PS link doesnt work, would you mind updating it? It will be very useful for me to look at!

@qftymasfisicateorica.2811 2 года назад

Im studing maths un México and doing research as undergraduate in TQFT but im not sure if i can apply for phd im physics, i love physics more than maths.

@sajeedhasan9136 2 года назад

Need more videos!

@abhishekbaruah3182 2 года назад

I'm trying to apply for the phd physics program currently but worried about the financial stats. Will one be able to survive only scholarship?and how to get it. And english profiency marks required if I'm from india? Sooo confused

@ianwilson2455 10 месяцев назад

Hey congrats. Physics is definitely an emerging field right now. I’m sure you’ll do fine both in school and the job market; especially because you present well. Keep it up full-bright!

@user-xs6rz7zw9r Год назад

Hi Janet, I'm a physics student from ANU. I'm wondering where and when you took the GRE physics test. I couldn't find any available test dates in Australia. Also, do you recommend doing the GRE general and physics tests? They took a lot of time to prepare :(

@janetzh7538 Год назад

i think i had to do my general GRE in sydney! At the time when I did it (2019) there was a subject GRE test date at ANU. I'm not sure how commonly GRE is required these days - perhaps it's gone down since covid, but worth looking if the schools you want to apply to require it, I suppose. Best of luck if you do it!

@rcman8741 6 месяцев назад

Can a student coming from chemical eng,mechanical eng background get a chance to do phd in Physics from stanford?😢if yes,then what is the process of that

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

So Janet, would you consider making a video about living in Palo Alto on the 47k stipend Stanford pays its Doctorate Students? Did you consider negotiating for more?

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

I think most phd stipends are pretty fixed, im not sure how negotiable they are. Though, my funding is external scholarship + top up to regular PhD stanford student pay. Since I was bringing in external funds, I asked if they would bump me up to their fellowship amount/ offer anything extra. Other schools all said no, but Stanford said yes to bumping me up slightly their SGF fellowship amount. My funding is probably a bit confusing though, so my case may not be as applicable to others. But the takeaway it is worth asking for things if you do it reasonably

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

@@janetzh7538 awesome, thanks! And do you think someone could afford to live in Palo Alto with the standard stipend?

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

@@ivantamayoromero1668 yes, it is generous for a phd stipend, even if housing is expensive gradadmissions.stanford.edu/admitted-students/financing-graduate-study/estimated-expense-budget

@ivantamayoromero1668 2 года назад

@@janetzh7538 I saw that page and it worried me. It says that you need over $48,000 a year but the $47,000 stipend is before tax. After tax you get about $10,000 dollars short of their own estimated yearly budget. That is what worries me. Do any of your classmates live on the stipend alone? I too am competing for additional fellowships, but I would like to know if the stipend alone is enough, just in case.

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

@@ivantamayoromero1668 I haven't had to do my taxes yet but I don't think it is that much, some other ppls thoughts can be found here: www.reddit.com/r/stanford/comments/gwzuou/some_insight_into_typical_stem_phd_student_budget/ and from next year we also don't have to pay health insurance anymore, which saves 3k

@TrangNguyen-pz9ht 2 года назад

You got in because you are super smart

@sitinuraini_27 5 месяцев назад

Helo, do you have a mentor for preparing your PhD program?

@theganske5748 2 года назад

Hey nice job there! Greetings from Ayan

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

Hi Ayan! :D greetings from janet

@Aoina376 2 года назад

How is the stipend relative to cost of living, especially as someone who cannot work in the US outside of the university? Also, what was the fulbright funding you received? And did you apply for the Monash scholarship? I'm also from Australia!

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

Stanford's stipend is pretty generous compared to most schools though the cost of living here is indeed much higher compared to other areas. It is enough to live comfortably. I have the Fulbright Future scholarship - it actually works out to be less than Stanford's stipend for physics, so what Stanford does is use up the external funding and then they "top-up" the difference bw that and what other students get. So I am mostly funded by Fulbright and a bit from Stanford. I did apply for Monash but was not successful! There is also a bunch of other scholarships (westpac, gates, rhodes, uni specific ones) worth applying for, so good luck if you do!

@Aoina376 2 года назад

Thank you for your response!! Looking forward to any more videos you might put out!

@Sasha-ro2il 2 года назад

👍👍

@curiosityzero2151 2 года назад

I am applying for fall 2022 as an international student. Hopefully it goes well

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

good luck!

@curiosityzero2151 2 года назад

@@janetzh7538 Thanks Janet. I will let you know if I get into a grad school. I will be applying for theoretical.

@brendanm4379 2 года назад

@@curiosityzero2151 Did ya get any admits? If so, where?

@anveenraphael5961 Год назад

Please do day in life video

@alexguo2970 2 года назад

I’m pretty sure it’s not 81% for a 4.0 on the gre writing or am I tripping

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

dunno man, i just copy paste

@moments8838 2 года назад

Please everyone....read this carefully : I am in my third PhD year and I have a year a half to finish and academically never struggled. If you intend to do a PhD just because you are passionate about an area of research or seeking a prestigious title, then DO NOT DO IT. ONLY do it if you have been contracted by an Organisation or university to do your phd ,fully funded with a secured job awaiting you . Otherwise do not even think about doing it. It will make you less employable, more poor down the line.

@Cat_Sterling 2 года назад

Hey Max, could you please expand on your original message a bit more? Why would a PhD make a person less employable? Some positions (very well paid) require a PhD to even apply.

@moments8838 2 года назад

@@Cat_Sterling Hi..You are right there are posts that require PhD with much higher pay...the question is : Are they gonna give those posts to you ? are those guaranteed ?? One way to have a secure employment is to opt for funded and contracted PhDs. For example , a Uni puts an ad and say they require phd researchers in such and such area ,they will fund your studies and also secure a job after the completion of your phd . This is the only way you must do your PhD . Otherwise you would be wasting your time, money and energy . PhDs are market driven nowadays and no one gives a monkeys about your knowledge or passion. It is not like 19th or early 20th century where the most knowledge thirsty would consider doing a PhD .

@Cat_Sterling 2 года назад

@@moments8838 I hear what you are saying and I agree. The only thing that I’m not fully getting, is why a PhD will make you less employable?

@moments8838 2 года назад

@@Cat_Sterling cos when you do your PhD and then realise that not many Research assistant jobs or lecturing positions are available for you and you fail interview after interview and it's mainly due to its tough competitiveness , then you would have to aim for positions that do not require a PhD . Most employers consider you overqualified and a nuisance .Therefore ,they look for a BA ,BS or even MA,MS holders with relevant experience which would leave you high and dry.

@Cat_Sterling 2 года назад

@@moments8838 Thank you. That’s true for the academic positions, but what about industry research, is the situation there similar? It does seem that industry has more openings then academia for research opportunities.

@Sasha-ro2il 2 года назад

Please share your sop

@janetzh7538 2 года назад

it is somewhere here! janetzh.people.stanford.edu/tips-applying-us-physics-phd