Getting Started on PhD Applications: 3 Things That Helped Me

Hello! In this blog I will walk you through some things that helped me get started on my PhD applications.

I am by absolutely no means an expert, but I have recently started preparing my PhD applications, and it was honestly very intimidating at first! Not knowing where to start climbing and looking up at the intermeshed wall of programs, essays, fellowships, recommendation letters, and more lends itself to procrastination. I’m hoping putting this out there might help even just one other person going through something similar.

This will give you an outline of things you can get started on to get the ball rolling. I’ve found that PhD applications are like going out for a run. If you can tie your shoes and get going, it’s genuinely fun! After all, you get to look at a myriad of extremely cool and fascinating research labs and envision the future of your life at each one. Who doesn’t love to daydream?

1) Developing your program list

This was the first thing I started with. Try to find out what your non-negotiables are. For some, it’s weather and proximity to home; for others, it’s cost of living and program size. For me, it was research fit and a city-based campus.

Once you know what matters to you the most, sort through options while keeping it at heart! Don’t add places to your list where you think, “Ehhhh, I’ll just apply here in case I don’t get anything else.” With so many universities and programs out there, each one on your list should be somewhere you can truly see yourself going. You have to find the right fit! From everything I have read and heard, a targeted approach is much better than simply trying to “spray and pray.”

Speaking of a list, I used this spreadsheet that you can download a copy of and fill out as you find your programs.

2) What do you want to do in life?

Before you can write any essays, I think it’s important to do some internal reflection. Whether it’s with pen and paper, typing in your notes, or even in a vocal conversation with an LLM, try to figure out what actually excites you. What kinds of research questions do you keep coming back to? What parts of your past experiences have made you think, “I could do this for a really long time”? And just as importantly, what do you want your life after the PhD to look like?

You absolutely do not need to have everything figured out. I certainly don’t! But having a general direction makes writing about yourself so much easier. For me, I realized that I am most excited by developing computational methods around biological problems, especially when something does not work as expected and figuring out why becomes the interesting part. I also realized that, long term, I want research, teaching, and mentorship to all be part of my career. Once I could put those ideas into words, the rest of the application process started to feel much less abstract.

3) Consider applying to the NSF GRFP

With the cuts to research funding, a lot of programs simply have less money to support PhD students. The NSF GRFP is a chance to bring your own funding with you, which can make you an easier student for a program or lab to support.

The GRFP is open to eligible U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents who are entering or early in an eligible research-based STEM graduate degree. You can check the NSF eligibility requirements.

Even if you don’t get it, I think the application itself is worth doing! It forces you to start thinking about your research interests, future goals, and why you actually want a PhD. These are all things you’ll need to figure out for your applications anyway.

I learned about this myself last week, and a good guide I’ve been using is Alex Lang’s NSF Fellowship guide.

That’s it! I also want to say that if you’re just starting your applications now, you aren’t too late. Most program deadlines are December 1. For the 2027 GRFP competition, reference letters are due October 16 at 8:00 p.m. EST, and applications are due October 19-23 depending on your field. Tie your shoes and get moving!!!