Applying to a doctoral program is a lengthy and time consuming process for prospective students. Either continuing their education or a professional going back to school, the decision to complete a PhD is a major step in one’s career and life. Within higher education, a terminal degree creates future opportunities to conduct research, seek higher administrative positions or become engaged in policy. However, a doctorate is not just a credential. Doctoral programs prepare future scholars to research problems using a particular disciplinary focus. To be successful in doctoral work, you will have to start thinking of yourself as a scholar within a particular discipline. Through this lens, you are able to view the issues and concerns in our society and find means to address them using specific methods.  Having a “life of the mind,” prospective students should have educational interests beyond higher education career advancement within their institutions. What interests you within the higher education field? What problems do you see in higher education? How can we identify and solve these problems? Studying for a PhD will provide you the tools to address these issues, but how do you apply and what should you consider going through the process? Below are some thoughts on the application process based on my personal experience and discussions with colleagues.

Before You Apply

Before you can apply to a PhD program, you will need to do some research. I would start by reading topics in your interest area. What is the current literature saying about your topic? If you were to study a problem, what would it be and why? By asking these questions, you will start to recognize authors who regularly write in that area. Look at where these scholars are teaching and begin your PhD program search there. I found it helpful to call faculty members to ask about studying within their discipline and discover their upcoming research agendas. This can be particularly helpful if a professor you are interested in working with is planning on going on a sabbatical, Fulbright or retiring while you will be in the program. Further, you may have a particular research interest but want to diversify your research skills so you may want to work with a professor who is proficient in another methodology. Before you contact them, you will want to read a couple articles by the professor and their dissertation to have a sense of their research agenda. In addition, review the curriculum of each program; what are the interests of the varying faculty at the institution? Background knowledge on the curriculum and the faculty will assist you later when you write your personal statement.

If you are a working professional, one consideration you may be weighing is attending a PhD program fulltime or part-time. Several institutions have tuition waivers and assistance programs that could help pay for your degree while you continue to work in the field. On the other hand, fulltime status allows a prospective student to gain new experiences as graduate assistants and participate in more research. Several factors can go into your decision so it may be helpful for you to sit down and think about what you want to achieve with your degree. Can you attain those goals at your current institution or do you need to enroll fulltime to get the most out of your program?

Most institutions will require you to take the GRE and submit official transcripts. Your GRE scores are good for 5 years if you already have a master’s degree. After 5 years, you will need to re-take the exam which has changed in the past few years. I had to retake the exam and found the test easier than the first time I took it based on experience of going through the test once. I would suggest buying a GRE study book, re-learn math formulas and take several practice tests. Further, you will need a transcript for each institution you have attended (even community colleges) to submit with your applications. Depending on your alma mater(s), this can take several days or weeks so plan accordingly. However, some programs only require unofficial transcripts until you have been admitted so look at the particular application requirements to save time and money.

Your references should be mostly (if not all) academics. Higher education appreciates work experience and some programs may even require a letter of reference from a supervisor, but for most academic programs, they want to ready letters from faculty members. Faculty committees want to see how you will perform in the classroom and in research so you should ask faculty that you know closely. If you have a publication with a faculty member, he or she should be one of your references so they can articulate your skills as a researcher. You can also ask current faculty at your institution if you are a working professional and you have taken PhD courses as a non-degree seeking student. This is a great way to connect with more faculty in the field and see if a PhD is right for you. Finally, if you are applying to higher education fields, at least one reference should be from a higher education professor. He or she will know the faculty at the institutions you are applying and can be a strong recommender on your behalf. Your faculty recommender may give advice on the best places for you to apply based on your interests.  Just make sure you give your recommenders plenty of time to write your references in advance so as you begin to submit applications, you will either have the required hard copies or they will be ready to submit an electronic version.

Personal Statements

Your personal statement is your opportunity to tell the faculty who you are, what your career goals are, why you wish to pursue a doctorate and why you fit in their program. I received a lot of advice on my personal statement because I let several people read it before submitting it to schools. I would suggest having people close to you read your statement as they will know if you are forgetting something or the statement does not sound like you. Your personal statement should showcase who you are and your personality. Why do you want to get a PhD? What opportunities open up to you after completing a doctorate? Faculty make a major investment when taking on doctoral students so they want to make sure you are fit for their institution and program. Your previous reading and research should be showcased in your personal statement to connect the institution to your goals. For example, how does the curriculum fit with your educational goals? Which faculty members do you want to work with and why? Mention recent books and articles that sparked your research interests. The previous research you completed before applying for programs should be highlighted in your personal statement as you are telling the faculty how your particular interest fits within their curriculum and research agenda. As some faculty may only read your CV and your personal statement when considering your application, you should focus on writing the best statement possible.

Deciding

After submitting (and paying) for your applications, you will start to hear from programs during the spring semester. Some offer admission early to start gauging your interest while others offer admission after you have attended a recruitment weekend. Visiting campus is a great opportunity to learn more about the institution and meet the faculty. Similar to picking your undergraduate college, or your first job, picking a program is about fit. Can I see myself at this institution? What opportunities do I have here compared to another program? Which faculty will I get to work with or what assistantship/aid am I offered? Campus visits provide you insights on the programs and the institution, providing a wider lens to make your decision.

Some decisions on which program to attend may come easier than others. If you are not offered aid than that program should be lower on your list. Several programs offer full tuition waiver and a stipend. If you are considering PhD part-time, weigh the costs of working full time (with potential tuition assistance) against attending a program fulltime. Depending on your life situation, one of these factors may weigh more in your mind than others. In an ideal world, choosing a doctoral program would be completely about connecting with faculty, fit and strong academics. However, doctoral students have to pay previous student loans, provide for their families, potentially move and have other work responsibilities to be carefully weighed. Faculty who are particularly interested in working with you will check in with you regularly to see how your decision process is progressing. Use this to your advantage to ask follow up questions and read between the lines about the different programs.

Programs offer different opportunities that may help your decision. One of the reasons I decided to attend NC State’s program was the opportunities to teach. In my current position, I have the opportunity to teach an Honors Seminar to undergraduates, connecting my research interest with the classroom. Further, the doctoral program encourages and promotes teaching opportunities for students to assist with master’s or doctoral level classes. Teaching opportunities can diversify your CV when you go on the job market and push you to do more research. Other opportunities may include assistantships, research centers, fellowships, job opportunities, government policy and access to other institutions. Consider your goals in your personal statement and how the programs to which you have been admitted will best prepare you.

Pursuing a doctoral degree is a major life decision. You will need to decide what is best for you after considering all the various perspectives and factors about each program. Reach out to faculty, students, family and peers to help you think about your decision. If you can see yourself at an institution and can map out how you will finish your degree, then you have your match. Hopefully you will have several great offers to consider and will start your doctoral journey.

Brian A. Peters is a doctoral student in the Educational Research and Policy Analysis program with a Specialization in Higher Education Administration. He works with University Housing and the University Honors Program as the Honors Village Community Director at NC State University.