My piece of advice here: Check very (VERY) well who you will be working with. Look at their number of alumni. Are they successful? Were they happy? Did they keep in touch with their advisor (check publications)? Also, you want to understand where you will be going: Do they have people from your ethnicity? Do they recruit and guarantee people with your demographics succeed? Don't simply follow big names. You will be mentored (or not) by people who may fit or not your goals, expectations, background, and experiences. Evaluate very well who that mentor will be: burnout is real, mental health is real, and especially, your well-being is by far the most important factor you should have in mind. Hopefully, you'll meet a great mentor. Just be cautious, as you don't want to work with people who don't see you, disrespect you, or invalidate you. Good luck!

Just got an interview for my top school last week. I thank you so much. I used your CV examples and they were really helpful. This vids are pure gold

I totally agree with Casey! For my whole undergrad career, I have had professors who are chairs of the admission committee tell their students that they don't care about grades as much as they care about research. Graduate school is mainly about research and if the committee doesn't feel you are a good researcher, they won't let you in. PLEASE make sure you get some research experience before applying.

My first Ph.D. application got rejected. I received an email today stating that they received many applications this time, hence the competition is extremely high. I'm looking at this as a stepping stone to other opportunities. I will keep trying. Sometimes 'No' means 'Not Yet' :-)

Probably this is the first time someone is saying publication is not a MUST. That helps a lot! Thank you

Wow I was feeling so anxious because I will be applying to PhD this year, but this video gave me so much relief lol. Thank you so much!

Thank you again! I hope the advisor I end up with has an attitude like yours :)

Despite I have research experience as a master's student and two publications, but it seems that the standards of some Ph.D. programs are so high. I find the most difficult part is writing the motivation letter because I have to answer so many questions like, why I want to do this research, do I really have the ability they need. Thank you Casey for this video, which gives me more confidence to apply for Ph.D. positions.

I’m a sophomore planning on doing a phd after graduating and this video helped me figure out what I should prioritize for the next 2 years in order to make myself a more competitive applicant! Thanks so much :)

I got rejected many times! It's a competitive world, and timing I guess is really important.

Thank you so much for this series! This is giving me so much more confidence in preparing to apply for PhD programs.

Holy moly these points were so informative and spot on!! Wish I could’ve found you earlier before I submitted my applications! But now I’m just waiting for the results while binging on your videos just in case I’ll have to apply again. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights!!

Looking into a PhD in applied linguistics. SOOO helpful. Thanks so much!!!

Thank you so much for such a lovely and encouraging video. I did masters but did not have any publications and I almost lost hope. But your words give me hope. Thank you

One comment to alleviate many of the issues you raise. Contact a prospective advisor to find out if: 1) that that prof is accepting students. In the sciences accepting a new Ph.D. student is often tied to funding availability; 2) your specific research interests are consistent with the prof's interests at the time. Communication with propective advisors is essential in my opinion to get a good match and to avoid wasting time and money applying to programs where you have no chance of doing what you want to do if you are admitted. I base these comments on my experience as a prof (now retired).

I have my 2 cents to share: every program is different, and you can't predict what they like. I have two MS ( two 1st author journal publications, 6 conferences, etc) and tried to apply to a very prestigious research facility. I got rejected for the first time and asked for a current Ph.D. student for his insight. What he said really shocks me: this program doesn't like people with MSs, they barely recruit students with MS, they like younger students. Undergraduate students who have a very solid background but not very rigid/defined research intereste can appear more welcoming to that committee. They like students with more flexibility. I guess the takeaway is that the Ph.D. admission is really unpredictable.

Exceptional mastery of subject matter, eloquently expressed with great examples making Casey Fiesler the go-to person.

Thank you so much! This definitely helped me lower the anticipation and anxiety whole awaiting a decision. Thanks a ton and do continue with your series❤️

You have boosted me so much with positivity that I now feel better in this process of application. Thank you very much!

This is super helpful. Thank you. I just graduated and am between either applying for MS or PhD programs right now. It looks like MS is honestly a better fit for me and where I want to go. alight, hope you have a good one.

This is really a helpful and encouraging video! Thank you so much for your advice and experience, hope I can get into my dream program.

Thank you very much. I've been in a lot of anxiety with my applications. I will be following your suggestions.

Hey, super useful video (along with the others)

Thank you this was lovely! :) Also, I love your positive energy

One of the reasons for rejection for a PhD study is that the topic is either not novel or will not make an original contribution. The other reason is that a university receives many applications and has a place for only a few.

Excellent, detailed, very informative, and practical video... Thank you so much

Our program expects a minimum of a 3.0 GPA to be considered for admission. The average GPA of admitted students is significantly higher. We typically interview ~10 to 15 applicants and accept 8 to 10, based on funds. I cannot recall an applicant that was accepted without research experience. All admitted students are guaranteed 5 years of funding from the program. All admitted students are required to do two to three rotations, even if they are certain which lab they will join. It is surprising how many people who fought against doing rotations end up changing their minds. I selected my mentor based on lab culture. People in the lab knew who to make life in the lab fun. I viewed my thesis research as a way to keep myself busy while I went about the process of learning enough about the field. so that I could make an informed decision about my postdoc.

This is so helpful. THANK YOU!

Love this explanation! Thank you, Prof. Casey...

Thank you for this. Incredibly helpful.

Thank you so much for making this video! Such a gem! 💎

Very very practical advice I have ever seen. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much Casey. I'm pumped to apply to my dream universities. Thanks for all the good advice.

Yes, it was a wonderful video in which very main points about the rejections of applications were discussed. Thanks for this kind of informative video.......

Thank you Casey for sharing your incredible insight on why one may not be accepted into a graduate school program & the reasons behind them. As someone who did indeed receive a condolence letter from a completed (and I might add ahead of their time statement of purpose) application, I know all to well the sting of rejection. It was even harder & of little comfort when a couple months later the Varsity Blues scandal broke, and the university I had applied for was majorly implicated within the cheating scheme of the rich, wealthy, and connected cult of celebrity. C'est la vie. Needless to say, I no longer want to attend that university (maybe just a little but in a different field), but I remain passionate about pursing my graduate studies elsewhere. Many Thanks & Cheers!

I received a rejection email from a prospective supervisor after weeks of going back and forth, talking about funding opportunities, enthusiasm about my proposal from other members in the department,etc. The main reasons listed where that my scope of the proposed research wasn’t clearly indicated and that my personal familiarity with certain techniques wasn’t plainly evident. It felt like a list of excuses rather than a legitimate indictment of my unsuitably. The program that I wanted to enter requires that the first year of the program is dedicated to the design of the project. That is precisely when scope and the designation of particular techniques should actually be developed. I don’t know. I’m crushed more than anything. I have a masters, two bachelors and know that I am a fit candidate for a PhD program.

Thank you very much. I found all this information to be very helpful.

Fun video to watch after already being accepted for three positions this fall!

Thank you for this video. It includes some really good advice. I only wonder if all academics are as open minded as you are. I am glad grades are becoming decreasingly important. Some geniuses in the history and science had bad (or, at least, not so good) grades. So, it is reasonable for universities to take this into account and realise that, at least in some cases, people with bad grades can actually be really talented people.

Very helpful, thank you so much!

Thank you so much for your sharing your precious tips! I highly appreciate it! 😌

Thank you so much for this video!! I spend nearly 9 months to apply for a PhD position. I only got 1 accepted out of ~60 places. But this isn’t my 1st priority so I keep apply for loads of them. I think the reason why I’ve been rejected that much because I don’t have too much experience and my motivation letter doesn’t show up much about myself. Like you mentioned in the vid. I got 2:1 upper second for Bachelor, distinction for Master. But I only have exp in the uni. I’m really exhausted at the moment and I doubt about my ability. But I believe one door closes, another door opens. I try until I can’t try anymore. 💪🏻

Excellent video. To the point, informative, motivational. Thank you so much. You have helped me a lot today. Have a great day. :)

The video is excellent! I plan to do a PhD but in political science.

Dr. Fiesler, it would be great (maybe you have already done so) if you had a video explaining how to identify prospective advisors: help students identify good ones from bad ones. Thank you so much for your service! I'm a fan of your fantastic work :)

That was super helpful, thank you!

just had an interview for a PhD position in an European country. I was really startled with the number of detailed technical questions they asked regarding the research proposal I wrote for the position. I expected a challenge but not to this extent. I still hope I get the position.

Casey, this is great and remarkable

The videos are super useful. Thanks a million!

Thank you so much for the tips, this was worthy of the watch. Awaiting admission decisions from the programs that I applied to. The anxiety is high but your video helped me a lot.

Thank you for this wonderful piece, all you have said is true, I have been in the last point, I sent the wrong SOP to the wrong school and got a rejection almost imediately.

What a discovery I adore your energy and yes you are very useful to me Thank you 😊

great video. thanks for the good advices!

I love this series. I'm applying to PhD programs right now and these were beyond helpful. I do have one question - I already took the GRE, before I realized that most of the programs that I'm applying to are not looking at GRE scores this year due to COVID. I paid for the test, studied, and did really well. I was excited when I saw my results and then subsequently disappointed when I realized that they won't be looked at by 90% of the schools I'm applying to. Should I still send in the scores? I feel like they can't hurt, but your comment on making mistakes and attention to detail made me reconsider. Will they think I was sloppy with my application if they received a GRE score from me when they were not asking for one this year?

1. Should I mention the faculty members in my SOP, whose work actually made me interested in applying to that institution, and what paper specifically? 2. Does the final year Masters dissertation count as Research Experience? I joined a job in a related field after my Masters and I'm applying for PhD now after 1.5 years, I'm really confused whether they will treat me the same as a current student out of Masters or not. That being said, you are amazing! Thanks a ton! This video gave me a ray of hope for my PhD Dream.

Thank you so much Casey!!! You helped a lot, in fact, you made me feel motivated! Thank u again

Woww these are really helpful advice. Thank you!

great advice. thank you so much. God Bless!!!

Thank you so much!!!! You're great

thx for such awesome information. you talk very sweet and honest.

Excellent. The video definitely inspired me.

I can feel you. Keep going do more of such.

Awesome video! Love it!!

Thank you so much this is so helpful. I am just a bit sad to know the fact that my low grade may affect my application even though I have my research publication and research experiences.

Love it. This video improved my moral 😊

That was an amazing video mam! Very informative!

Thanks a lot for the tips.

Really valuable content in the video. Thank you for all the tips and suggestions. (Subscribed)

My BS is in Computational & Data Science... a hard major that's not related to psych, but related to research. I believe that my GPA of 3.5 is considered pretty alright in this major, because its difficult coursework!

Thank you so much, bad timing was my issue the last time. The expert in my field left after he encouraged me to apply. This was really sad.

You are great! thanks

Thank you so much ma'am once again !!

It really helped me when I had written down SOP. Thanks, Casey, but I don't know why most of the schools are putting me into the waitlists XD Probably applying Ph.D. is coming more and more competitive..

thank you dr. please to explain doctorate by research, and to explain PHD online program to give some points about these tow topics , thank you

Ma'am, your advice helps a lot!

Thank you for guidance❤

I had a 3.7 GPA in undergrad 3 published papers as a third author and 2.5 years of research experience and 2 post baccalaureate certificates but all schools denied me because I could only get 2 letters of recommendation ..... disgusting that a stupid letter of recommendation determines your future

great advice...thanks

woaaah these words bring peace to my mind. I applied this year and tomorrow I have my first interview with the prof. I'm interested to work with. I was nervous for no reason. When you mentioned the do's and don'ts I realized I did it right. If I don't make it, I'll try next year! (:

Dear professor, Your videos are very helpful. I would like to seek your advice regarding switiching to a different research area and graduate program. I am currently in the third year of my graduate program. Because of multiple unforseen circumstances we had to change the project direction into a completely different area that is not of my interest and expertise. I am looking to change my reasearch area back to biosciences, in which I am a post graduate in. I am feeling extremely stuck in my career as I did some research and found negative thoughts about switching a PhD program after two years. Is it impossible to start afresh with a new PhD program?? I really want to do a PhD in the area of biosciences. I have never been more motivated but finding a position seems difficult and I feel very depressed with the possibility that my PhD dreams might come to an end. Kindly guide on this.

I am a 5th year medical student from a European university. I will graduate next year and apply for a PhD program in virology. I cannot even describe my passion for research and understanding viruses, and for immunology & vaccinology. I am fixing to apply for an 'advanced' residency program in infectious diseases (preferably in the USA after passing the USMLE). An advanced residency program allows candidates to earn a PhD degree by the time they finish their residency training. As a medical student in Europe, it has been extremely hard for me to find some short-term related programs where I could collaborate, assist or anything. Lab internships are extremely rare here. I am currently writing a review paper on a virus and its infectious mechanisms, additionally a case report with two other doctors on a rare type of infection. I might attend a microscopy course (SEM/TEM) in another country in a few months to boost my resume. I feel helpless as of now. Do you have any tips for me, or can you make a video for medical graduates going for a PhD? I sincerely appreciate the work you do.

I took time to look at how much work you have done, now am wondering, why are you an Associate Professor and not a Full Professor. I think you deserve Full Professorship.

Every professor says it doesn't matter you have published a paper or not But in reality they firstly emphasis on research papers as they need a skillful labour in low budget to solve their own miseries and published their pending work along with your own work

Hey, thanks for your great set of videos. It's a great help! I had a few additional questions: 1. Do applying to a PhD and a Masters simultaneously in the same dept. of a University reflect badly? Does it have any negative consequence? 2. There are multiple depts. faculties are affiliated to. For instance PhD in CS, HCI or Info. Sci. Does applying to all or multiple of them increases my chances? Or it has something related to the view "the candidate is confused"?

Casey, you've been so so helpful! Thank you very much. I have a question: I understand that I should mention professors that I would like to work with. However, should I mention that the professor replied to my email saying that my thesis sounds interesting, or is it too much? lol I appreciate your time and generosity

Thank you so much!!!

I wonder why the clinking of the dog collar should make anyone nervous.

I finished Master's study as well as Master's thesis in Astrophysics which doesn't have that many positions. Got low grades in some courses (aproximately equivalent to D) because, maybe, I was not used to English oral exam or not able to follow what professors were saying in class haha. My grade of my second-year thesis was decent (like A?) and I thought I could flaunt about it if I got an interview. But the truth that I only got 1 interview out of ~20 application (which I failed) in the past whole year really makes me wonder if I am undercompetitive. Well I don't mean to request an answer because your video is detailed enough, but just want to spit my feelings out to a stranger because I don't think anyone I know can relate and they might just say "then try to do ***". I just feel like I am not motivated to apply anymore because I have almost zero (let alone positive) feedback for what I have been doing, but I occassionaly got anxiety attack at late night and had thought like "what if I could know this earlier or do better" in recent time. Anyway, thank you for your opinions and advice!

Thank you so much for this video! I will be completing my master program next spring. It’s a non-thesis track which means less research requirements.However,I’d work as a associate scientist at a pharmaceutical company with years of lab experience. Would this be consider as a research requirement when applying to a PHD program? Thank you.

It could be so helpful if you make a video about how to get GRE !? And talk about the scores. Because a lot of universities don't have minimum score requirement.

Very helpful 👌

I missed the first 50 sec because of focusing on the names of books on the shelf; I know we are numerous!

Thank you dear professor.

Very informative...

Thanks for the great video! I had a question. I've only worked on a review paper and I was wondering if that would be helpful (compared to a research paper).

Thank you for this video!! I am in the midst of finishing my MS in Behavioral Neuroscience and am applying for PhD programs in the same field and at the same University -- however with different PIs. Specifically, I'm applying to the same university because of the programs dedication to a just and equitable system, it's community, academic rigor, and research facilities. I am also applying there because I am somewhat geographically locked for now due to my partner's job in the area. When you mentioned that it should be mentioned if you "Adjusted" to your circumstances, what do you mean specifically and what is a good example of what to say to explain my geographical situation? Thanks!!

Hi Casey, I got rejected to my PhD but they offered me Master instead. However, I plan to go for Master. Can you make video about Master student should do to success to become PhD and the workload of Master student (bc some of them can have part-time job). Appreciated!

What are some ways to talk about how you're a fit for a specific program other than talking about faculty members in the personal statement?

Actually I am really taking it serious to become a college professor in specific communication, I would like to be a communication professor, however I would like to earn a Master's degree in Media Studies. I can't earn a Ph.d I am not that type of person that is capable of earning a Ph.d a master's is the highest I could work, the silver lining is with a master's I could teach at a junior college and a university.

Hi Casey, nice to see your video. I just want to ask a question. Is it necessary to have published research papers before applying for a Ph.D?