Questions tagged [application]
This tag refers to the application process for an academic course or an academic employment.
224
questions
32
votes
10
answers
6k
views
How does the admissions process work for Ph.D. programs in Country X?
This is a special community wiki 'canonical' question that aggregates advice on a frequently-asked question. See this meta discussion. Please feel free to edit this question to improve it.
Please give ...
44
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Graduate school admission with a degree in a different field
Can I be admitted to graduate school in a different field from my degree? Specific cases include:
If I've taken plenty of advanced courses in field X in the process of completing a degree in another ...
68
votes
1
answer
28k
views
Choosing research ideas to include in a statement of purpose
The internet is littered with information on what makes a good SOP, but I would like to ask a specific question regarding mentioning one's research interests in SOP.
What points should a student keep ...
- 22.8k
15
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Does it make sense for the professor to write a recommendation letter that is directly readable by the student?
It seems that US universities usually provide a link to the professor of the applicant, and let him/her directly upload the recommendation letter to that link, meaning that the student would have no ...
- 335
40
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Details an applicant should include/exclude in an introductory letter to a prospective grad school adviser?
I'm applying for graduate school (PhD in computer science), and I'm considering writing to faculty whose research areas match with what I intend to pursue, to understand:
Whether they'd be looking ...
- 9,561
12
votes
3
answers
28k
views
Can I mention professors' names in the statement of purpose?
For PhD applications, I have mentioned that I am interested in some research areas. Besides, I am thinking about mentioning some professors' names, so that it shows I have read their websites and I am ...
- 1,719
77
votes
5
answers
93k
views
What does it mean if a professor asks you to draft his reference letter for you?
This question is, honestly speaking, probably somewhat opinion-based, but I still want to give a shot.
A professor acceded to my invitation of writing a reference letter for me. Nevertheless, unlike ...
- 7,596
13
votes
2
answers
6k
views
How much detail about mental health issues should one include in "Special Circumstances" section of graduate school applications?
This question is inspired by answers and comments to the question "Should a postdoc talk about his depression with his mentor?" on this website.
Suppose that an applicant to a graduate program ...
user10761
54
votes
5
answers
23k
views
How to handle not having my PhD advisor as a reference?
I received my PhD in 2009 and my adviser will not provide a good recommendation for me. This is mostly because we have fundamentally different approaches to science, and in retrospect I see that I ...
- 3,275
49
votes
5
answers
32k
views
How to find a good topic for a PhD research proposal?
In many countries an application for a PhD position includes a written research proposal, so my questions is what are some advises/strategies to come up with a good topic/idea for a PhD research ...
- 993
37
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Value of light-to-none peer reviewed pay-to-publish articles
I have been approached by an international student about doing a PhD with me. As an MSc student in his home country he has published 3 articles in pay-to-publish venues, that are known to have little ...
- 104k
29
votes
5
answers
21k
views
PhD application asking what other insitution I am applying to, how to answer?
I understand that schools are trying to gauge the chances of an offer being accepted by a potential candidate. Similarly to what has been described for job applications and other questions that a ...
- 11.5k
59
votes
4
answers
34k
views
Should I waive my right to view my recommendation letters?
Most graduate applications provide a choice for applicants to view their recommendation letters at a later date. There is a mention of some US mandate alongside.
Is it a better option to forgo this ...
- 22.8k
36
votes
3
answers
108k
views
How much detail to include in first email to potential PhD supervisor?
First, I must mention that I found these questions helpful:
Prospective PhD contacts potential supervisor but receives no answer after 2-3 emails, what to do?
What to do when emails to a potential ...
- 1,497
10
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Apply for PhD before finishing my Master's degree
I am now in the middle of my master's degree and I plan to graduate in August 2015. I currently study in Germany and for most engineering students here it is common to finish the five-year program (3 ...
- 203
60
votes
3
answers
6k
views
How to evaluate potential advisers on grounds other than their research/publications?
While accepting an offer to grad school, one is basically entering into a lasting relationship with one's adviser - most likely, someone whom the applicant has never met before, and the only exposure ...
- 9,561
34
votes
5
answers
17k
views
How do academics make money from applying their research?
There are a lot of very smart people in academia. They are at the front of human knowledge and push it further. Obviously, the research that comes out of academia is very new. My question is who ...
- 2,335
31
votes
11
answers
19k
views
Can I hide my bachelor and master degrees in CV when I apply for a PhD position?
I have 1 Bachelors degree and 2 Masters degrees. They are in different subjects, not closely related. I am now planning to apply for a PhD program.
Question: Do you think that I can only mention the ...
- 483
28
votes
5
answers
23k
views
What do admission committees look for in a diversity essay?
I'm sitting here with my friend, who is in the process of applying to graduate school. She's come across a prompt that looks like this:
If you are a member of a community that has historically been ...
- 391
10
votes
2
answers
21k
views
Doing bad in undergraduate but good in a masters program
Suppose you do bad in undergraduate school in say computer science. But you do very well in a masters program in computer science. If you want to apply to a PhD program in computer science, will the ...
- 101
22
votes
7
answers
18k
views
To do another Master's, already holding a PhD
If a STEM PhD holder applies for a Master's in another STEM major, would this be an advantage or disadvantage in the eye of the admission committee?
- 538
21
votes
6
answers
9k
views
Should I omit some of my qualifications in my application materials to "surprise" with during an interview?
I am applying for a fellowship so that I can pursue a PhD in the US. The selection process includes an interview for shortlisted candidates.
I like to save the best for the last in order to surprise ...
- 8,190
19
votes
2
answers
6k
views
What are some good practices for applying to the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program?
Is it possible if I could get 4 letters of recommendation?
How far in advance should I notify those who are writing my letters?
Does activity on sites like Quora, Stack Exchange, and Reddit's ...
- 10.8k
29
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Should seemingly arbitrary things like "play piano for Church" or "intramural badminton" go on M.S. or PhD applications in sciences/engineering?
And if they should, I assume that these things should go on a resume under something like "Activities and Community Service". I mean I consider being able to sight read music to play at my Church as a ...
- 496
26
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Is one spelling mistake in the academic CV a big deal?
Just after submitting my CV to graduate school for masters admission, I realized that there was one spelling mistake on the first page of my CV. I misspelled the word 'merchandising'(missed the h). Is ...
user117353
13
votes
2
answers
2k
views
How do selection committees ensure that they won't steal an applicant's ideas as presented in his/her research statement?
Academic job applications usually require the submission of a research statement, which describes not only the applicant's research experience, but also future direction of their work. As such, it may ...
- 8,411
12
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Is it rude to ask the status of an application?
I have applied for a PhD position in October 2015. I was not informed about the result since then.
Is it appropriate to send a mail to a member of the hiring committee (with whom I have contacted ...
- 12.2k
7
votes
2
answers
11k
views
How to refer to a university that changed its name?
More than 10 years ago I went to University A School of Engineering, in the USA and used this name on all resumés, etc. Now, I am applying to attend this same school again (for another degree).
Over ...
- 1,007
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Unclear terms: Statement of Purpose, Academic Statement and Personal Statement
I'm so confused. I can't distinguish between them. It seems to me that sometimes the statement of purpose (SOP) is the personal statement (PS), sometimes it is not the PS, and by the definition I'll ...
- 8,190
1
vote
2
answers
547
views
What is common in most PhD application procedures in the UK?
I am almost done with my master's degree in mathematical finance. I'm done with thesis and have one course left to take. I am taking it in a 3rd world country and am interested in applying for a PhD ...
- 1
24
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Do I need to mention having survived a life-threatening illness when applying for a new academic position?
Do I have to (or is it wise or unwise) to mention having survived a life-threatening illness (such as cancer, a (early) heart attack, etc when applying for a new (non-leading) academic position?
...
- 375
17
votes
3
answers
47k
views
Indicate Journal name for "under review" and "accepted/in press" publications on CV
there are similar questions on how to list on CV publications that have not passed the accepted or in press stage when applying to junior research positions ( PhD/postdoc).
I am not clear if such ...
- 11.5k
15
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Is hiding publications in CV a good idea?
Here's my story:
I study computer science. When I started my master's degree, I had good research ideas and I wanted to publish them immideately (I now realize being in a hurry is the worst thing I ...
- 12.2k
12
votes
3
answers
965
views
mentioning MOOC's I took in my scholarship application
I'm preparing my application for a master degree scholarship, would it help to put the MOOC's I took in the application, I earned five MOOC certificates and expecting another two in the near future.
- 559
12
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Should a dismissal from PhD in graduate application be listed as academic misconduct?
I'm wondering whether dismissal / withdrawal from a PhD program should be listed as disciplinary action on subsequent applications. A Master's program application usually asks questions like:
Have ...
- 323
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Reapplying to same PhD program after one year, should I state I applied the previous year?
I was wondering if someone who is reapplying to the same program after it was not accepted the previous year is seen as a negative thing.
If in the application form I am asked if I applied the ...
- 11.5k
11
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Is it acceptable to apply for two different postdoc positions in the same institution at the same time
It is discussed here that it is generally okay to apply for multiple jobs in different ranks at the same university, but I want to know is it acceptable to apply two different postdoc positions in the ...
- 233
11
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Are participations in competitions well recognized for a Ph.D. application?
During undergrad, students can face several opportunities, ranging from participation in (1) research groups, (2) study/training for competitions, (3) internships, (4) opening start-ups with ...
- 979
6
votes
2
answers
498
views
Getting into gradschool from a "real job"
I'm interested in going to grad-school but I have been working at a "real job" as a software engineer for the past few years (since I graduated with a BS in Math in 2010). What are the best ways to ...
- 501
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Switch PhD program: how to contact possible PhD advisors when already enrolled in PhD program?
Say a student is enrolled in a PhD program in the US and is in the first or 2nd year and has not started their thesis work but has only done coursework. The student has always been in the same lab (no ...
- 11.5k
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
Does choosing not to submit GRE scores look bad (particularly for CS PhD programs)?
I am preparing to submit applications to high ranking CS PhD programs in the US. My GRE quant score is not quite what I wanted (162V/163Q). I have strong research experience, good letters from ...
- 19
1
vote
1
answer
11k
views
Should you list irrelevant work experience on graduate school applications?
(1) On graduate school applications that ask for a work history, is it permissible to omit jobs--such as waitressing, temping, working retail--that have nothing to do with the program to which you are ...
- 1,057
211
votes
9
answers
18k
views
How can I recover professionally from being a crank?
Three years ago I got kicked out of graduate school in physics. I was suffering from mental illness, which led me to believe I made a huge discovery in physics. But my advisor kept saying that what I ...
- 1,183
68
votes
9
answers
16k
views
Is it considered normal to publish job offers inviting candidates to apply based on their gender and/or race in academia?
I was browsing PhD position offers in Europe on different websites and I was quite surprised to find that several offers contained sentences such as
University of X value equality and diversity. We ...
60
votes
11
answers
29k
views
Dismissed from PhD due to disability-related misconduct: how to answer question about dismissal?
I committed plagiarism at the end of my PhD. My psychiatrist found that the plagiarism is related to a psychiatric disorder (mental health problem). I have published many papers in top journals and ...
- 613
38
votes
7
answers
10k
views
Photo requirement on CV?
I came across an advertisement of an academic position (in Europe) that states explicitly:
Application package should include:
(1) a complete curriculum vitae (with a photo), (...)
I have ...
- 7,851
35
votes
8
answers
5k
views
Will anybody actually read your research and teaching statements?
When applying to faculty jobs, how much weight is given to your research/teaching statements? Talking with a few folks on admissions committees at Very Good Departments in Big Research Universities, ...
- 5,788
34
votes
4
answers
6k
views
How do I deal with diverse interests when applying for a PhD program?
I have a master's degree in Computer Science. I have applied to PhD programs, and decisions are trickling in. I may soon have to choose between two or more PhD programs. I am outside of the US.
...
- 891
31
votes
4
answers
11k
views
For undergraduates, is publishing "weak" research better than not publishing?
As an undergraduate student, I have worked on some projects for my own interest, and recently a professor said that one of these works can be published (in a Elsevier journal with impact factor of ...
- 877
30
votes
5
answers
21k
views
Professor wrote me a letter of recommendation, but sent it to both me and the institute
So after all these crazy days of trying to finish my application and encouraging professors to finish the letters of recommendations (LORs) for me, there is the next thing - my professor sent the ...
- 661