Applying to PhD Programs After Your Masters

Applying to PhD Programs After Your Masters

PhD, i.e. Philosophiae Doctor,  is often used as an umbrella term for all doctoral programs. However, research doctorates (PhD, EdD, DFA etc.) and professional doctorates (PsyD, DWS, DrPH etc.) can have different requirements and purposes. Make sure to explore all of your options! You can check out this page for an extensive list of different types of research and professional doctorates, and this list of doctoral degrees in the U.S.

 

Keep in mind that this guide is tailored towards research doctorates, however, resources listed here are still useful for searching and preparing for professional doctorates too!

 

Table of Contents

  • Searching for Programs
    • Important Factors For Choosing A Program
  • Application Timelines 
  • Funding and Financial Aid
  • Application Materials
    • Application Letters & Statements of Purpose
    • CVs and Resume
    • Writing Samples
    • Letters for References 
  • Standardized Tests

Searching For Programs 

The following comprehensive graduate school sites can help you explore options for PhD programs:

 

  • Peterson’s Graduate Channel: PhD programs in the U.S., blog posts on how to prepare for different types of PhD programs, database of scholarships
  • GradSchools: PhD programs in the U.S,Canada, and Europe, information on application requirements for different programs.
  • FindAPhD: World's largest database for PhD programs.
  • PhDScanner: PhD positions in the U.S. and Europe, academic professional development resources.
  • PhDPortal:  PhD positions in the U.S. and Europe, compiled information on application requirements and timelines.
  • Euraxess: Grant-funded research and PhD positions in Europe.

Important Factors For Choosing A Program

  • While PhD programs in the U.S. and Canada may only require an undergraduate degree, having a master's degree in a related field is often a positive factor in admissions. It is not uncommon for programs to admit students who have an undergraduate or a master's in an unrelated or loosely related field too if they demonstrate an adequate scholarly ability.
  • PhD programs across Europe and the U.K. typically require a Master's degree, often in a related field. Take this into consideration while searching for programs.
  • Conventions for program completion timelines vary across countries and institutions:
    • Programs in the U.S. and Canada require more coursework and have longer timelines. 
    • Programs across Europe and the U.K. can require minimal to no coursework and have much shorter timelines since they already require a Master's degree.

Application Timelines 

  • Start searching for programs that you might be interested in early on, ideally a year in advance. Keep in mind that an application cycle can take up to a year.
    • PhD applications in the U.S. and Canada typically open in early to mid-Fall and end in December, with interviews and campus visits in Winter and decisions by late Spring for a program that starts in August or September.
    • It is common for PhD positions in European institutions to be classified as jobs. These positions are typically only open for applications when there is an active project with funding available, so they do not open on a regular basis.
  • Programs in different countries may have different conventions around application fees:
    • It is common for programs in the U.S. and Canada to require an application fee.
    • Application fees are rarer in institutions across Europe and the U.K. 
  • Keep in mind that some programs might allow requests for application fee waivers based on your financial situation.
  • Consider the overall cost of application fees when deciding on how many programs to apply to.

Funding and Financial Aid

  • Many PhD positions are fully funded, meaning that the funding covers tuition costs and a stipend. It is also possible for PhD funding to cover tuition costs only depending on the program type or the country. Search for programs according to your funding needs.
  • Completion timelines for different programs might vary depending on the funding amount:
    • It is common for PhDs in the U.S.and Canada to offer 5-year or longer funding packages.
    • Financial assistance in the U.S. ranges from loans to fellowships to scholarships. You will find that some assistance is allocated on the basis of need while other funding is awarded for merit, special achievements, or service to the institution.
    • PhD programs across Europe can rely entirely on external funding resources or state funding for research that you might need to apply for separately. Requirements for funding applications can also vary for EU citizens and non-EU citizens.
  • Some deadlines for financial assistance may be earlier than the admissions deadlines. Pay close attention to eligibility requirements, application procedures, and deadlines. 

Here are several web resources devoted to financial aid information:

Application Materials

A typical graduate school application will request:

  • An application letter (that can go by many names such as a cover letter or a statement of purpose)
  • A CV or a resume
  • A writing sample
  • Letters of reference 

Additionally, some programs may require:

  • Standardized test scores
  • A personal essay or statement in addition to a professional letter of application

Application Letters & Statements of Purpose

An application letter or a statement of purpose is structurally very similar to a cover letter, and it is often the first document that the admissions committee will read.

  • These letters are typically around or under 2 pages, and they follow the Present-Past-Future template in summarizing your relevant academic endeavors.
  • The content of your essay will be defined by the guidelines outlined on the application:
    •  Some programs will provide little structure, allowing you to choose the aspects of your background you wish to highlight.
    •  For others you may be asked to respond to specific questions. 

The essay is your chance to elaborate on your academic background, your research interests within the discipline, your ideas and aspirations for future career directions, and why you are applying to that specific program.

With that in mind, consider these points before you begin writing:

  • Be clear, concise and organized. Write efficiently, with no ambiguity. Develop your ideas in an orderly fashion, using examples when needed.
  • Be positive. Sell yourself, highlighting positive qualities; approach weaknesses in your background cautiously, keeping the tone of your document positive, not apologetic.
  • Be honest and direct. Don’t inflate your achievements, but also don’t underestimate your potential. Be sure to address specific questions that are asked.
  • Be personal. Essays are your chance to convey a more complete picture of yourself, beyond test scores and grades. Take the opportunity to share something of yourself that will have meaning for the admissions committee.

Some programs may also require additional personal statements or diversity statements. These documents typically focus on your personal background that may or may not have affected your academic work and goals. These types of essays, if required, are your chance to convey a more complete picture of yourself, beyond test scores, grades, presentations, or publications. Take the opportunity to share something of yourself that will have meaning for the admissions committee.

CVs and Resumes

  • Most programs will require you to submit a CV, and not a resume. You can check out the key differences between CVs and resumes here.
  • Keep in mind that some programs across Europe are considered job positions, and might require a resume instead in line with the regular job application conventions there. 

At the UCC, we are trained to focus on industry job searches. If you are a student who is looking to develop your curriculum vitae (CV) for a tenure-track faculty role, we suggest that you work with your advisor or another faculty member in your department. Other resources that can help include: 

Writing Samples

A writing sample is where you showcase your abilities in scholarly writing. While a writing sample within the field that you're applying to is preferred, many programs also accept writing samples from other fields as long as they showcase scholarly writing. If you are unsure about the relevance or the content of your writing sample, it’s okay to reach out to the program and ask clarifying questions!

A writing sample can be:

  • A chapter from your Master's thesis
  • A term paper
  • A conference proceedings paper
  • Any other example of scholarly writing that you wrote as a single-author for a grade or publication.

Writing samples are typically 20-30 pages long maximum, while some programs may allow additional length for including bibliography or appendices.

Applicants who would like to submit longer samples such as a full length M.A. thesis are often encouraged to provide an excerpt shorter than 30 pages, with a one-page coversheet contextualizing the excerpt within the larger body of work.

Letters of Reference  

Letters of reference provide committees with additional perspectives on your past performance and future potential, and play a key role in the application for graduate and professional school, employment, scholarships, enrichment programs.

  • Programs typically ask for 2-3 reference letters for each applicant. 
  • You do not submit LoRs yourself, but you're asked to provide contact information (email) through which your references will receive a separate notification and a link to submit their letters without you seeing them.
  • While some applications may allow additional time for LoRs to be submitted after the application deadline, it is typically the case that the letters have the same deadline as the other application materials. This is why it is crucial for you to notify your references about needing a letter ahead of time, and keep them updated on different application deadlines. 

Who to ask for a LoR

  • Consider who can comment specifically on your skills and abilities related to your chosen career area. It is common to pick at least one person who can talk about one specific skill (teaching, research, academic  service) in detail.
  • Request letters only from people who know you well enough to write strong letters of support; you may wish to arrange a meeting with the writer to discuss your future plans for an advanced degree.
  • Consider the range of possible writers, and which writers might best serve your purposes. Writers could include faculty, teaching assistants, past employers, or supervisors from volunteer and leadership experiences. It is typically not appropriate to ask for reference letters from your peers.
  • Allow enough time for the letter to be written, keeping in mind that you may be one of several graduate/professional school candidates requesting a letter from a particular faculty member.

It will be extremely important that the authors of your reference letters understand the specific expectations that your targeted programs will have for these evaluations. For example, see these guidelines that the American Association of Medical Colleges has developed on how to write effective reference letters in support of medical school application.

The following resources are designed to support letter writers as well as students so that better information and preparation may lead to stronger outcomes:

Depending on the type of programs you will be applying to, you may be able to utilize reference letters that were assembled in the past and managed by dossier services such as Interfolio, or you may need to have your recommenders upload their letters directly to specific application services/systems.

Standardized Tests

Each program has its own requirements for standardized tests. You may not need to take any for some programs, and take several tests for others. Knowing what tests are required will allow you to prepare well in advance of the test date. 

  • It is common for PhD programs in the U.S. to require GRE test scores. 
  • If you’re applying outside of your home country, many programs also require language proficiency tests.
    • If you are applying to a program in a non-English speaking country, carefully examine the language requirements even if the program itself is in English. Some programs will still require a certain level of proficiency in the local language or require you to take certain language classes as a condition for acceptance.
    • If you're a prospective international student from a non-English speaking country applying to programs in English speaking countries, you will likely be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or other standardized language proficiency test results. Some programs also accept Duolingo English Test. Some programs may defer this requirement if your previous degree is from an institution where the language of education is English, such as U of M.

When to take tests?

It’s best practice to try to prepare and take the required tests approximately one year prior to enrollment. However, there is not one “right” time to take a standardized test. You are encouraged to take the test when you are most prepared. 

Last but not least, consider the cost of taking required standardized tests and the cost of sending them to schools on top of any application fees when setting a budget for your PhD applications.