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What are the first 5 things I should do when looking into Phd/Graduate school programs?
I graduated with a Bachelor's in Political Science a year ago and am interested in these fields: social work, ethnic studies, and law/policy. I have work experience in higher education, mentorship, Ethnic Studies, writing and research, and retention programs.
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Mairead’s Answer
Hi Sara,
I am based in the UK, so please note that my answer is based on experience in my location!
A PhD is as you know a huge commitment of time and energy. I have a PhD in Chemistry and for sure I appreciate the experience it gave me. But there are often multiple paths to get to the same outcome. So I would always recommend also looking at direct routes into your preferred profession.
Are there graduate schemes that would accept you directly with your Bachelor's degree?
If not, or you have a real burning desire for additional study it's really important to get the best fit for you.
Just a few thoughts below - I hope they help!
1. Location - I feel it's important to think about where you will be happy studying - you want to be in an environment where you are happy and can enjoy studying and be at your best.
2. Subject - The subject is super important, you will be spending a lot of time and effort researching in this area - so you want to have a genuine passion for it!
3. Career route - It sounds like you are already connecting your study choice to your final career path which is great.
4. Who will you be working for - I would recommend connecting or meeting with the Professor you plan to study with before committing to the program. What is the work culture?
5. Who will you be working with - ideally, also meet with their current PhD student team. What is the dynamics of the team? Do you think you will enjoy working there?
I am based in the UK, so please note that my answer is based on experience in my location!
A PhD is as you know a huge commitment of time and energy. I have a PhD in Chemistry and for sure I appreciate the experience it gave me. But there are often multiple paths to get to the same outcome. So I would always recommend also looking at direct routes into your preferred profession.
Are there graduate schemes that would accept you directly with your Bachelor's degree?
If not, or you have a real burning desire for additional study it's really important to get the best fit for you.
Just a few thoughts below - I hope they help!
Mairead recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Baljit’s Answer
Hi Sara
You could try researching the school- rankings and any ratings.
Location of school. Did you want to stay close to home?
Cost of attending i.e tuition, food , housing, books. How much parents can contribute.
Talk to admissions about any outstanding issues or questions you need to ask.
On campus jobs-work study.
You could try researching the school- rankings and any ratings.
Location of school. Did you want to stay close to home?
Cost of attending i.e tuition, food , housing, books. How much parents can contribute.
Talk to admissions about any outstanding issues or questions you need to ask.
On campus jobs-work study.
Updated
Devon’s Answer
Hi Sara,
Similarly to Michael, I think the most important step towards your future is figuring out what *you* want out of your post-grad life. I would encourage you to journal about how much you can imagine yourself living sustainably in each of these prospective pathways. Envision and research the pro's and cons of both being in school for this profession, and working in that industry. I can tell from your interests that you really care about helping and advocating for other people. Social work as a profession is very hands on, and you can be instrumental in helping someone get the resources they desperately need. It's also a line of work that can be very draining emotionally, and demand a lot of rigor. Law/policy is very similar in that you have the ability to advocate for marginalized folks in a highly exclusionary and often violent space that tries to push them out. It also means you have to go through a ton of school that is incredibly competitive and expensive. Ethnic studies, which is the pathway I am choosing, allows you to be a part of children's liberation and finding curricula that represents them. It is also work that is emotionally and intellectually demanding, as many of the lessons you'll teach are largely up to you to create on your own.
There's always a give and take with any occupation you choose. What matters at the end of the day is what kind of person you want to be in the world. I encourage you to journal about your "non-negotiables" aka values -- what principles will I not compromise on, and which of these fields would best honor my commitment to these things? Whatever decision your intuition guides you towards, I can sense that you are bound to change more lives than one. Narrow it down to one field first, and then start doing some research on those particular grad programs. Reach out to graduate students who are a part of those programs and ask them about their experience. Look up the faculty members in that particular department, what kinds of research and work they do, and see if that aligns with your interests.
Apologies for the long read, but hope this helps! If you have any questions about why I chose my ethnic studies pathway, I'm happy to share aswell :))
Similarly to Michael, I think the most important step towards your future is figuring out what *you* want out of your post-grad life. I would encourage you to journal about how much you can imagine yourself living sustainably in each of these prospective pathways. Envision and research the pro's and cons of both being in school for this profession, and working in that industry. I can tell from your interests that you really care about helping and advocating for other people. Social work as a profession is very hands on, and you can be instrumental in helping someone get the resources they desperately need. It's also a line of work that can be very draining emotionally, and demand a lot of rigor. Law/policy is very similar in that you have the ability to advocate for marginalized folks in a highly exclusionary and often violent space that tries to push them out. It also means you have to go through a ton of school that is incredibly competitive and expensive. Ethnic studies, which is the pathway I am choosing, allows you to be a part of children's liberation and finding curricula that represents them. It is also work that is emotionally and intellectually demanding, as many of the lessons you'll teach are largely up to you to create on your own.
There's always a give and take with any occupation you choose. What matters at the end of the day is what kind of person you want to be in the world. I encourage you to journal about your "non-negotiables" aka values -- what principles will I not compromise on, and which of these fields would best honor my commitment to these things? Whatever decision your intuition guides you towards, I can sense that you are bound to change more lives than one. Narrow it down to one field first, and then start doing some research on those particular grad programs. Reach out to graduate students who are a part of those programs and ask them about their experience. Look up the faculty members in that particular department, what kinds of research and work they do, and see if that aligns with your interests.
Apologies for the long read, but hope this helps! If you have any questions about why I chose my ethnic studies pathway, I'm happy to share aswell :))
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