How to Choose a PhD Program
Choosing a PhD program constitutes a major endeavor, with a significant impact on a graduate student's future career. A potential applicant must consider several key factors when making a decision, including the quality and specialization of the faculty, the specific design of the program, the institutional resources provided by the University, and other factors such as cost and location. A good choice will depend on considerable research into the various programs available, and consultation with trusted experts in the field such as undergraduate mentors.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet access
- College library card including inter-library loan privileges
Instructions
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Determine the program most closely associated with your intended career path. If you hope to engage in pure research in the sciences, look for a program with a consistent record of research innovation. If you intend to combine teaching with research, a program with a teaching practicum as part of the curriculum offers its share of advantages. In all cases, look for a program with a strong reputation for successfully placing graduates into careers. Be especially wary of programs with a vague or overly generic focus, or you may emerge with the title of Doctor without the specific training necessary for any given position.
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Identify the research interests and productivity of the faculty at the institutions you have selected. Check out their books (you will probably need to use inter-library loan to access the more specialized texts). Determine if they are pursuing fields that appeal to you. If the college provides the data, look up their teaching scores. You might even consider contacting recent graduates of the program to ask what it was like to work under their supervision.
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Assess the institutional resources provided by the universities you are considering. Variables include the size and scope of library holdings, technical resources and laboratory equipment. Stipends for student travel, participation in conferences, and the like are also important.
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Determine the real cost of attendance. Start with the base tuition, then speak with a financial aid counselor at the school to learn about graduate teaching stipends and other financial aid resources. Colleges with high tuition also have significant resources to support qualified students, so it's worth the research to arrive at a general figure (although the true figure will only arrive after the school makes an offer of acceptance).
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Consider all remaining personal elements, such as the location of the school. Is it close enough to family (or far enough from family)? Will the climate and community allow you to pursue extra-curricular interests? These factors can be especially important to stressed-out graduate students.
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References
Resources
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