how to become a phd guide

How to Get A PhD: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Design Questionnaire for Research

Doctor of Business Administration: Detailed Guide [2024]

PhD FAQs – A Complete Beginner’s Guide to Doctoral Study

Tempted to do a PhD but have lots of questions? Hopefully this collection of popular PhD FAQs will help you to tick a few off the list!

Note – If you’re already sure that you want to do a PhD, and are looking for guidance on the applications process, check out my post on How to apply for a PhD which includes advice from successful PhD applicants. My post-PhD reflections on the things I regretted from my own PhD may be useful for you too, you can find that post here .

Let’s start with the absolute basics of PhDs!

What does PhD stand for?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Doctor of Philosophy ? No matter which subject area your PhD is in you’ll become a Doctor of Philosophy because philosophy derives from Greek to mean “Love of wisdom” which make a bit more sense.

What is a PhD?

A PhD is a type of research degree classified as a doctorate. You get a PhD by doing original research into a topic, typically for at least three years.

There are loads of other types of doctorate and a PhD is simply the most common. EngD is another which is relatively common for industry-funded engineering students here in the UK.

PhD & DPhil what’s the difference?

There is no real difference between a PhD and DPhil, they’re both Doctor of Philosophy qualifications. A small number of historic institutions in the UK such as Oxford and York offer DPhils but the degree itself is equivalent.

How common are PhDs amongst the population?

Approximately 1% of the working population (25-64 years old) have a PhD. This varies a lot by country:

Can you call yourself Doctor with a PhD?

Yes you can. Though to avoid confusion with medical doctors, rarely will PhD-holders use the “Dr” title outside of their workplace.

Sometimes PhD-holders will add the abbreviation PhD after their name if they want to make it clear they are a non-medical doctor, for example “Jeff Clark PhD”.

What have I done about my title since getting my PhD? Nothing so far!

Why do a PhD?

Unlike a lot of other degrees, most PhD students get paid to study . Read more in the finances section below.

There are lots of potential reasons to want to do a PhD. The PhD students from our monthly PhD Profiles series said the following:

Sara found research the most enjoyable part of her undergraduate degree and a PhD was a way to carry on with research.

Ornob wants to pursue a career in evolutionary biology so began with a PhD in the field.

Vivienne has aspirations to be a professor so a PhD is a job requirement to progress in academia.

Jeff (me!) had an interest in the field and enjoyed research. I wrote a whole post with a deep dive on why I decided to do a PhD here .

Floor had enjoyed research during her Masters and didn’t think that she wanted a career in industry, so decided to do a PhD.

It’s important to mention that you don’t need to have a desire to stay in academia to do a PhD. In fact, even if you do want to go into academia afterwards, it’s probably good to know early on just how competitive it can be. Many people sadly cannot make a career out of academia long term.

Enjoy the subject matter and want to spend a few years researching it? That is reason enough to do a PhD. I’ve also now written a whole post about the benefits of having a PhD .

Applying for a PhD

Do you need a masters degree to do a phd.

No you don’t necessarily need a Masters degree to do a PhD as long as you can demonstrate you’d be suitable for a PhD without it.

For a more in-depth answer see the separate post here :

Can You Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

If you don’t have a Masters, I’d recommend checking out Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) which offer combined Masters + PhD courses. We have discussed CDTs with a graduate in Floor’s post here .

What grades do you need to do a PhD?

Entry requirements for PhDs can vary. In regards to the UK system usually you’d generally be expected to have at least a 2:1 from your undergraduate degree, plus some research experience.

My experience : I (narrowly) got first class honours in my undergrad (MEng) which certainly does help. But if you can demonstrate aptitude in research you usually don’t need a 1:1. It would be expected for you to have done well in any research projects. If you can get your name on a publication then even better!

The easiest way to find out what is expected is to check the PhD advert for entry requirements. For details on applying for a PhD, including how to find PhD adverts, check out my guide here :

How to apply for a PhD

I work in industry, can I come back and do a PhD?

Absolutely! I worked for almost four years between finishing my first degree and starting my PhD.

A PhD is more similar to a job than any other point in your education, so if you’ve spent time in a structured role it can provide you with a good work ethic. If your time in industry adds relevant skills and experience to your application, even better!

I’ve met loads of people older than me who are pursuing PhDs. If it’s your dream, it’s never too late to start a PhD!

What is the social life of a PhD student like?

Let me get this out the way first: PhD students should be able to have a life outside of the lab! If a PhD student has no time away from research I would personally suggest that they were doing things wrong.

Even if you really enjoy your project, it is good for your mental health to have a social life!

No matter the size of your research group there are often departmental and university-wide events. Plus, besides everyone you may meet through your research and department, PhD students can still join societies and sports clubs through the students’ union. I spent one of my birthdays during my PhD on the beach in Morocco with the surf club, don’t let being a PhD student put your off getting involved!

Check out the full post I’ve written: Do PhD Students Have a Social Life? Sharing My Experiences Making Friends and Avoiding PhD Loneliness

If you do go on to do a PhD, make sure to make the most of all the opportunities ! Your time as a PhD student is fantastic for personal growth.

How much holiday do PhD students get?

Sadly unlike undergraduates, PhD students don’t follow fixed semesters. This means no more three month long summer holiday, sorry!

However most departments recommend PhD students take 7-8 weeks of holiday a year , which is more than practically any job outside of academia.

I kept track of all the time off I took during my PhD and you can find the details here , including a month by month breakdown:

Do PhD Students Get Holidays? Sharing How Much Annual Leave I Take

Getting a PhD

How much work is a phd.

For a month I tracked how many hours I was working and what I was working on, so you can see a breakdown of my calendar here . I found I was working for roughly 40 hours a week. Now that I’ve recently finished my PhD, I’d say that that amount of hours was pretty representative of the whole PhD.

How Much Work is a PhD?

I do of course know some people who worked much longer hours, but most PhD students were on a similar schedule to me. Working roughly 9-5 on weekdays. Treat it like a job and you’ll be fine. PhD students don’t need to be slaving away long hours.

I managed to be strict with my time, largely avoiding work late nights or going in at the weekends. One of the main perks of doing a PhD is that you have autonomy and can be flexible with when you work. As long as you get the work done, any reasonable supervisor won’t mind when you’re there.

Yes I’ve heard stories of PhD students having to clock in and out with an expectation that they spend a certain number of hours in the office. I personally think this is stupid and doesn’t build trust. Try to speak to current PhD students from the group when choosing a supervisor .

How is a PhD assessed?

What you submit at the end of your research varies between universities and countries. Sometimes it’s a thesis and other times it can be a bunch of published papers. In all situations you give some kind of presentation and answer questions about your work.

In the UK you usually submit a thesis in preparation for a viva voce . The viva is an oral exam where you discuss your research with several academics and at least one will be an expert in your field. My viva wasn’t as scary as I thought it might be, but nonetheless it was five hours ( FIVE HOURS! ) long. At the end of your viva you’ll get told the outcome of your PhD with any changes to be made to your thesis.

There is often no requirement , to publish your work in journals during a PhD in the UK but it does help.

In other countries you may have to publish a certain number to pass your PhD and effectively these can be submitted instead of the thesis. This approach makes much more sense to me.

How long does it take to get a PhD?

In the UK, typically between three and four years to complete your research and submit the thesis. It can then take a few months for the exam (viva voce) to take place and then for any corrections to the thesis to be made.

Nosey about my PhD? For me personally, I started the PhD on 1st October 2016, submitted my thesis on 17th February 2020, had the viva on 25th March, submitted my minor corrections on 30th March and had the email to say it was officiated on 1st April 2020. Yep, April Fool’s Day…

When you realise your degree certificate will forever say your PhD was awarded on April Fools Day! #academiclife @imperialcollege pic.twitter.com/hKsGFyuc0x — Jeff Clark (@savvy_scientist) April 14, 2020

We cover all the stages of a PhD here, including putting the length of a PhD in the perspective of a whole career:

How Long Does It Take To Get A PhD?

Are PhDs really difficult?

No, well not how you might think.

You don’t need to be a genius, but you do have to be smart with how you work. Here I go into how a PhD is pretty different to all the prior years spent in education:

How Hard is a PhD?

Check out my new post covering academic challenges and failures relating to my own PhD: Overcoming Academic Challenges and Failure During a PhD

Money-Related Questions

How much does a phd cost.

If you have funding, which is explained below, all your fees are paid for by the funding source. If you are looking to self-fund, then you’ll have to pay bench-fees/tuition fees, which are usually approximately £4,000 a year for home students in the UK.

Fees vary massively depending on both the country the PhD work takes place in and where you’re from. For example, I believe Australian universities charge around $100,000 in fees to overseas PhD students. Of course ideally you have funding which covers both this and pays a stipend!

Do PhD students pay taxes?

In the UK, PhD students do not pay income tax, national insurance, council tax and student loan repayments. This means that if you can secure funding, even though you may earn less than friends in typical jobs, you get to keep all your earnings!

Do PhD students get paid?

Most PhDs, at least in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) get a stipend: basically a tax-free salary.

How much do PhD students get paid?

At the time of writing, most PhD students in the UK get around £16,000 a year . Doesn’t sound like a lot, but:

As mentioned above, you don’t pay income tax, national insurance, council tax or make any student loan repayments. My most popular post is this one , comparing the income of PhD students vs grad jobs and the difference really isn’t that big. Plus it’s only for 3 to 3.5 years!
You’re getting paid to learn science, working on something you’re really interested in. It’s amazing.
You have a lot more freedom than practically any “proper job”.
You’re getting paid, to be a student…

PhD Salary UK: How Much Do PhD Students Get Paid Compared to Graduates?

In summary, PhD stipends are really not that different to grad starting salaries. Please don’t be put off from a PhD simply because for a few years you might be earning a bit less than if you were working in another job.

Depending on what you want to do with your career, having a CV may lead to higher salaries. What is 3 years of lower wages out of a 40+ year career? The answer: nothing!

Where do I find PhD funding?

Getting funding will likely be the biggest hurdle for you to secure a PhD. I have a post here detailing the different types of funding and how you can find a project with funding attached.

How to Find PhD Funding in the UK

Can you self-fund a PhD?

Yes you can self-fund a PhD, and some students are in a position to do so. Just be careful that you account for university fees and not just your living costs.

Are you allowed to have another job at the same time?

Most universities encourage you to get involved with work within your department as a graduate teaching assistant (GTA). Some countries even insist that you work a certain number of hours as part of a contract for your monthly stipend.

Working as a GTA you might be invigilating exams, helping in tutorials, marking coursework etc and at Imperial you usually earn around £15-£26 an hour.

If you’re looking to work a full time job in tandem with your PhD (and doing the PhD full time), it is best checking your university’s policy. Some may have regulations against you working over a certain number of hours which could impede you from concentrating on the PhD.

There are extra ways to make money on the side which I address here :

How to Earn Money Online for Students

Can you get a mortgage as a PhD student?

Since I did my PhD in London I didn’t even consider buying somewhere during my PhD. I’m not interested in being tied into a massive mortgage for 25 years to buy a shoebox!

If I’d accepted my PhD offer for a CDT at Leeds I certainly would have tried to buy somewhere with my partner. I found this page useful when doing research. Buying a property with a partner who has a normal job would definitely make the mortgage application a whole lot more successful.

Will a PhD help your career?

This depends on what you want to do with your career. Some example scenarios:

Staying in academia – a PhD is usually required
Certain technical jobs in industry – a PhD may be required or a big bonus
Non-technical jobs – a bonus

I do not imagine any scenarios where having a PhD is worse than not having one. It is true though that for certain careers there may be other things you could do which would be a better use of your time, for example gaining more direct work experience.

If you want to do a PhD that shouldn’t stop you though, and considering the length of your career taking a few years out for a PhD is inconsequential.

Whichever career path you fancy taking, if you are at all interested in doing a PhD I think you should at least apply.

PhDs in London

Can someone afford to live in london as a phd student.

Yes! I lived in London for my PhD and actually was able to save money every single month while taking many holidays and not living in a tent.

I have a few posts sharing my experiences living in London which you may find useful:

For a month last year I tracked all my expenses to get an idea of my costs living in London as a student, you can find it here .

Sharing my monthly living expenses as a student in London: September 2019

Related to reducing costs, I learned to cycle in London and loved it. It saved me about £100 a month too!

Learning to cycle in London: my first 1000 miles

On top of that, for the whole of 2019 (third year PhD) I tracked my money, and the report is here :

My personal finances report for 2019

Where is good to live in London?

I’ve lived in three different houses during my PhD in London and have a pretty good idea now of good places to live in London. You can read this whole post talking about living in London as a student and the associated costs including a breakdown of rent :

London student accommodation: Breaking down the cost of living in London for students

Bonus: Read the journeys of PhD students

Before I started my PhD I had a ton of questions and nobody who I could ask about their experience. The reality is that many of these PhD FAQs have a variety of answers as everyone’s PhD story is different. Therefore if you’d like to hear first hand from people who are going through the journey check out my series of PhD profiles , with a new profile every month. You can also discover some of their top tips for applying!

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

Is there anything else you’d like to know to help with a potential PhD application? Let me know and I’ll write about it! You can subscribe to stay up to date here:

The Five Most Powerful Lessons I Learned During My PhD

8th August 2024 8th August 2024

5th February 2024 4th July 2024

The Benefits of Having a PhD

7th September 2022 30th January 2024

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Wharton Stories

How to prepare a strong phd application.

Doctoral candidates and departmental coordinators at the Wharton School outline a few tips to help you navigate the PhD application process.

It’s no secret the application process can be intimidating. Where do you start? What exactly are schools looking for on your application? What materials do you need to submit? Doctoral candidates and departmental coordinators at the Wharton School have outlined a few tips to help you navigate the process.

Don’t Delay the Process

A successful PhD applicant starts thinking about their application months or even years before the deadlines. For Alejandro Lopez Lira , a third year student in Finance, the application process began a year before he actually submitted the paperwork. He said, “I spoke to my advisors way before, like one year before, about my letters of recommendation, where to apply, everything involved in the process.”

Each program has different requirements, which can make for a tedious process. Karren Knowlton , a third year in Management, said, “I took a little while to draft a personal statement. I had my mom, who teaches creative writing, and a few other people that I trust just read over it. Then you have to tweak it for different schools because they want slightly different things.”

Taking time to prepare your application is critical. Starting the process sooner rather than later gives you several advantages:

It allows your letter of recommendation writers enough time in advance to thoughtfully prepare a letter that speaks to who you are as a PhD candidate.
It gives you more time to review your materials, fix any errors, and proofread, proofread, proofread.
Finally, it means a lot less stress when the deadline starts rapidly approaching. By planning ahead, you’ll have a much smoother process applying.

Get Letters of Recommendation

Prof. Matthew Bidwell , who previously served as the doctoral coordinator for the Management program , said a common mistake he sees are letters of recommendations from employers. Although he said it is impressive to see work experience, having an employer write a letter is not the best choice.

“We don’t pay very much attention to those because rightly or wrongly, we worry that they’re not looking for the kinds of things that we’re looking for,” he said. “If you have one, it’s not a disaster, but when you see people with two or three — most of their recommendations coming from their work — that kind of heightens our concern. You’re committing to a fairly specialized career, do you really know what that career entails?”

Instead, he suggests getting to know an academic who will be able to write a recommendation attesting to your ability to manage doctoral-level research and work.

Include Research/Work Experience in Your Field

Each program has a unique set of criteria to evaluate applicants, but several doctoral coordinators agree that some research and work experience in your field of interest will strengthen your application overall.

Prof. Fernando Ferreira , doctoral coordinator for the Business Economics and Public Policy and Real Estate programs, thinks work experience can be useful in demonstrating an applicant’s abilities. He said, “Any work experience after undergraduate school is important. If that experience is more related to research it’s even better, but work experience in general is always good.”

Prof. Guy David , doctoral coordinator for the Health Care Management & Economics program , thinks that work experience benefits applicants in terms of giving them a broader view of business. “Work experience creates retrospection about how the world works, how organizations make decisions, and how people function in various situations,” he said.

However, he warns that spending too much time away from an academic setting can have its drawbacks too. “It may lead people to start their PhD later when they are not in the habit of immersing themselves in rigorous studies and have a shorter horizons to develop a name for themselves,” he said.

Although having both research and work experience can strengthen your application, you will not be denied entry because you are lacking either.

Prof. Bidwell said, “I think research experience does give us some confidence that people have some idea about what it is that we do. In terms of work experience, I think we don’t have a strong view. We quite like work experience, but we also take people straight out of undergrad.”

Prepare for the Standardized Tests

Most PhD programs require students to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Having high test scores is a key part of an application as it tests skills learned over the course of many years in school. Quantitative skills are especially important when applying to doctoral programs in business areas. Much like any other standardized test, the GRE requires preparation.

Karren, who took the GRE twice to ensure her scores were high enough, offered advice to those who may be struggling. “I would absolutely recommend practicing the writing beforehand. Look up examples and have your outline structured,” she said. “So much of it is just getting the right structure and how you formulate your arguments so knowing what they’re looking for is key.”

Test prep can be time-consuming, but like anything else, practice makes perfect. There are multiple text books and online sites to help you prepare for the exam. Karren aimed to improve her math scores the second time she took the GRE and recommended this site to help strengthen math skills.

Taking advantage of resources to help you study can limit the number of times you need to take the GRE while ensuring you score high enough to remain in the applicant pool.

Watch a Webinar with Former Wharton Vice Dean Catherine Schrand

Posted: August 4, 2017

Admissions and Applying
Advancement and Transition

Doctoral Programs

Start your doctoral journey.

Whether you’re just starting your research on PhD programs or you’re ready to apply, we’ll walk you through the steps to take to become a successful PhD candidate.

Deciding to get a PhD

You might be surprised to find out what you can do with a PhD in business.

Is an Academic Career for You ? What Makes a Successful PhD Student

Preparing for the Doctoral Path

The skills, relationships, and knowledge you need to prepare yourself for a career in academics.

How the PhD Program Works How to Become a Successful PhD Applicant

Choosing the right program

What’s the difference between PhD programs? Find out how to choose one that fits your goals.

What to Consider When Choosing a Doctoral Program What Differentiates R1 Universities?

Starting an application

Tips for a successful application process.

Application Requirements Preparing Your PhD Application

How to Establish a Patent Strategy to Help You Get Funding

Dr. Ehab Hanna’s Logical Approach to the Wharton EMBA Essay

How Wharton is Adding Value for this Bank Regulator

Meet Seven New Members of Incoming MBA Class of 2026

Prof. Benjamin Keys on the Intersection of Real Estate and Policy

How Wharton’s EMBA Program Adds Value for First Generation Students

Why This Vet Brought His Family to Wharton and Why It Was the Best Thing He Ever Did

Prof. Arthur van Benthem Talks About the Intersection of Corporate Strategy and Government Energy Policy

How This Wharton EMBA Alum Pivoted from Tech to VC

EMBA Student Furthers Public Service and Music Industry Careers

From Attorney to Judge: Business Knowledge Enhances EMBA Alum’s Perspective in the Courtroom

Two Wharton Alumnae on Why They Applied

Managing the Dark Side of Workplace Friendships

How Private Companies Can Compete in the Market for Talent

Why this Student Sees the Wharton MBA as a Family Investment

PhD Admission Guide

Gain admission to your dream school, guide to phd admission.

While some students swear off further education after undergrad, some love the thrill of intellectual discovery and research. For these students, graduate school is a natural choice. Graduate degrees are separated into “professional” and “academic” categories. Professional degrees are JDs and MDs, while academic degrees are PhDs (literally “Doctorates of Philosophy” regardless of what field you actually study).

Whether or not you need to pursue a PhD depends entirely on what career you wish to have. Some require higher education, while many others do not. In this guide we’ll go over how to apply to PhD programs, what they are looking for, and how the application process works. This guide is focused on the US and Canada; Europe has a system which is simultaneously similar and very different.

What PhD Programs Look For

PhD programs want to make sure you are prepared academically for the rigors of the program, and that you have a concrete research goal in mind. PhD programs culminate with each student answering a research question they devise, contributing new knowledge to the world in the process.

Thus these programs seek to evaluate your intellectual ability, research goals, previous research experience, and how you will contribute to their program. To determine this, they ask for the following:

Letters of Recommendation

We’ll go through each of these in turn, and explain what graduate programs are looking for from each.

Your GPA in undergrad is the single most important factor in PhD admissions. If your GPA is too low your application will be dismissed out of hand. While there are no hard limits, we suggest a minimum GPA of 3.5 for serious contention, especially at top schools. If your GPA is below 3.0 then you will likely not get admitted into any PhD programs.

The reason for this is that PhD programs are a lot of work. Being intelligent is necessary, but is far from sufficient alone. Everyone in PhD programs is intelligent, and everyone is also willing to do the work. Your GPA is seen as the primary indicator of your willingness and ability to do academic work to a high standard, and your preparation for the rigors of a PhD program.

Along with your overall GPA, schools request your major GPA. This is your GPA when calculated only using courses in your major. This is usually expected to be higher than your overall GPA. Your major GPA should be over 3.5.

While taking harder courses in undergrad is a great experience, they can also harm your overall GPA. Of course, the best approach is to take very hard classes and do well in them, but this is not always possible. We recommend taking a blend of courses, so you are never overloaded, and able to give each the attention it needs to do well.

Academic Preparation

Your GPA and transcript is also used to judge your academic preparation for the program. You should have a solid grounding in the field, and have taken advanced courses as well. Taking graduate level courses in undergrad can exemplify this.

Some PhD programs also require research languages. This is more common in the social sciences and humanities, but all students will benefit from knowing other languages well enough to do research in them. You should look up language requirements when researching programs to apply to.

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test meant for students who intend to apply to graduate programs. Both MA and PhD programs ask for GRE scores. Much like the SAT or ACT in college exams, the test is meant to be a standardized measure of academic preparation and logical skill.

The test consists of six sections. The first is writing, next are two on verbal reasoning, then two on quantitative reasoning, and finally a research or experimental section, meant to test new questions. The entire test is offered on the computer, with one minute breaks after each section, and a ten minute break after the third section. While there is also a paper-based test, almost all testing is now done on a computer. Due to the pandemic, both testing centers and at-home testing are offered. The GRE is a multi-stage test, and how well you do on earlier sections determines the difficulty of later sections and questions.

The verbal sections each consist of 20 questions, to be answered over 30 minutes. The whole is scored on a scale of 130-170. The quantitative section is scored the same, and consists of two 20 question sections, each of which should be completed in 35 minutes. The writing section is scored from 0-6. For this section, you write an essay on a given issue in 30 minutes, and offer a response critiquing a provided argument for 30 minutes.

Your total score from the GRE is given from 130-170. While the exact scores you need to enter graduate school vary, higher is better. In addition, some programs only care about your verbal score, while others only care about your quantitative score. How much weight each program puts on GRE scores varies greatly.

We recommend studying for the GRE for some time before testing. You can take the GRE up to five times per year, but must wait at least 21 days between testing dates. Only scores from the past 5 years will be released or considered by graduate programs.

Curriculum Vitae

This is akin to a resume, but is dissimilar enough that the two cannot be used interchangeably. The purpose of a CV is, like a resume, to detail what you have accomplished academically and in your career. It is far more focused on academics however, and is widely used for academic careers.

We recommend finding a template for a CV online, or asking your college’s advisors for help in creating one. If you already have a resume, then you will easily be able to convert it into a CV.

What admissions officers are looking for in your activities is primarily signs of research. This should be in whatever field you intend to pursue a PhD in. Publications are also incredibly valuable. All of academia runs on publication, and getting an early start helps your career at every step.

You should try to do research while still in undergrad. What this looks like depends entirely on what field you are pursuing. While the research does not have to exactly line up with what you wish to pursue, it should teach you skills which are cross applicable. Higher level academic research has its own set of methods and language which must be learned, and students who are already familiar with the forms and structures of research have a leg up in graduate school.

Publication is not required, but is nice to see. If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have some publication history; of your thesis if nothing else. Speak with your academic advisors about getting your work published.

Each graduate school you apply to will ask for an essay. You will be able to use the same basic form for each, but will need to edit it to be about the particular program you are applying to. Most schools only require a single essay, although some programs ask for a second on diversity.

The purpose of this essay is to explain your research interests, what you have studied, your intended area of specialization, and what your focus will be on. Every PhD student is asking and trying to answer a very specific research question. This question forms the basis of their dissertation, and will be the focus of your life for several years if you are accepted.

Thus the essay is the most important part of your application. Your grades and GRE are required to see if you are academically ready for graduate school, but the essay lets readers know if you are a match for their program, and serious about your research.

Your essay should begin by stating which program you are applying to, and why. Next, go through your previous academic experience in the field, both coursework and research. You don’t have to go through every class, but cover the ones most relevant to your desired research topic.

You should discuss any prior research you have done in the field. If you completed a thesis for your undergraduate degree or a master’s program, cover that here. If you have any publication credits, cover those as well. This should relate directly to the field you are trying to enter. If you wish to pursue lab work, discuss your previous experiences; if instead you are pursuing field work, talk about your experiences there.

Next you should talk about the research you specifically wish to pursue through a PhD. You don’t need to have an exact research question worked out, but it is helpful to have some idea; you should at least know the subfield you will be focusing on. The more specific you are, the better. Having some discussion of methodology can be nice, but is not always necessary.

If there are any ongoing research projects ongoing at the school you wish to work on, cover those next. You should discuss how these projects specifically relate to your own research interests. Finally, you should talk about which professors you wish to work with. Professors take on graduate students to advise, and you ideally want one with a specialization at least tangentially related to your field of interest. The more closely related the professor’s studies are to your own, the better.

You will be able to leave much of this essay the same for each school you apply to, changing only the name of the program, the research projects, and the professors you wish to work with.

This essay should be a page and a half to two pages long, single spaced. You should go into sufficient detail for those reading it to understand the research you want to pursue. These essays are reviewed by the faculty who run the department, and they make the admissions decisions for PhD programs. There are many more applicants than there are spaces, and admissions rates are low. The more specific and detailed you are in this essay, the better the faculty will understand your research aims, and the better your chances will be.

Diversity Statements

Not all programs ask for these, but you will likely be able to reuse the same essay for those that do. The purpose of the diversity statement is to see what unique points of view and experiences you will be able to contribute to the program. PhDs are about learning, and the more viewpoints and ideas within a program, the broader the experience will be.

If you are a member of an underrepresented group, an immigrant, come from an underprivileged background, or come from an area which is generally underrepresented, we suggest discussing that in this essay. You should not write an essay about your interactions with members of these groups, or a study abroad experience.

Above all, this essay should be authentic to you and your experience. The goal is to show how your background has shaped you as a person, and how it impacts your view of the world.

As with college applications, letters of recommendation are required for PhD admissions. These tell admissions committees who you are as a student and researcher, and give their opinion on how you will perform when doing graduate level work. Academic fields are small and often insular, and the professors writing your letters will often be known by those reading them, either by reputation or in person.

Programs ask for two to four letters. These should primarily come from professors who know you and your work well. If you had a thesis advisor, they should write one of your letters. If you’ve worked doing research for some time, then a mentor or lab director can also be a good source of a letter, even if they haven’t taught you in class. Letters should not come from non-academic sources, unless you have worked professionally in that field.

While you have the option to read the letters that are written for you, you should always waive that right. If you don’t trust your writers to craft good letters for you, then you shouldn’t be asking them for letters. Asking to see letters is considered a sign of lack of trust, and is gauche. Many professors will decline to write letters if you insist on seeing them.

You should ask for letters well in advance of when they are due; we recommend at least a month or two. If you are asking non-tenured faculty for a letter, more leeway is recommended, as they have more on their plate, and are often more stressed. You may need to send a reminder as deadlines approach. You should also share a copy of your essay with letter writers, so they know exactly what subfield you intend to pursue, and can discuss this in their letters.

Finally, you should be aware of politics when asking for letters. Some professors do not like each other at all. If you are seen as the protege of a professor who others detest, this can impact your admissions chances. Always discuss which schools and programs you are applying to with your letter writers. You should also discuss your choices of writers with an advisor (for example a thesis advisor) familiar with the field. Academic politics are incredibly petty, but if you plan to pursue a PhD you need to be aware of the game, and how it is played.

If your application passes the first review, you will be invited to do an interview. This will be with faculty in the program you are applying to. This is to further get to know you, and to understand your research objectives.

You should be able to clearly explain what you want to research, and how this program will help you do so. The people talking to you will all be familiar with the field, though not necessarily your specific subfield. They are looking for your ability to communicate and explain your view. Be prepared to answer some questions about the specifics of your goals, though it’s ok if you don’t know everything right now.

Interviews are generally in person, though due to the pandemic, virtual interviews have become more common. This is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the program you were unable to find answers to online. You can practice for this interview with an advisor or mentor; many schools have career centers which hold mock grad school interviews as well.

When and How to Apply to Grad School

There is no unified platform for PhD applications. Instead you must apply to each program individually, through the school’s website. This will mean filling out information multiple times, but they fortunately don’t ask for much. Once you have your documents in order, the rest is personal, demographic, and contact information.

You will need to pay to have your GRE scores sent to each school you apply to. Even though this is all electronic, they still charge dearly for it.

Applications are generally due in December or January, with interviews held over the next few months. Applications open in September or October. We recommend getting your applications in before the due date, though most programs don’t use rolling admissions. Each program sets their own deadlines, so you should track when each of your applications is due carefully to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Paying for Grad School

PhD programs are for the most part fully funded. This means you will not be paying tuition, and will also get funding to live on. This funding is generally contingent on academic standing, and doing work TAing, teaching, or on ongoing research projects (or most commonly, all of the above). Many grad students also work full or part time to support themselves.

While you will not need to take on additional debt to pay for graduate school, you will not be well paid either. While the exact amount graduate students receive varies by school and program, it is generally in the range of $20-30,000 annually. This goes towards food, housing, and supplies.

While you are in a PhD program, you will not have to make payments on any government loans you took out to pay for undergrad, though they will continue to accrue interest. Making payments on them during grad school is difficult, but will greatly cut down on the amount you need to pay back later.

There are also outside scholarships available to help pay for graduate studies. While the amounts offered by these vary, most are small. They can help greatly with paying for the necessities however, and applying to them is usually worth the time investment.

Grad School Admission FAQ

Now we’ll answer some of the most common questions about applying to PhD programs.

Can older students apply?

Yes. Many professionals return to school for a PhD long out of undergrad. We suggest taking some courses at a local university in the field you plan on entering before you do this however. Academic research advances quickly, and this will familiarize you with the latest developments. Further, this will introduce you to professors who can provide you with letters of recommendation.

What are my odds of acceptance?

This depends on both your field and program. Generally, however, it is quite difficult to gain admissions to a PhD program, and admission rates hover around 10%. Only the best students get accepted, and this is even more the case at the top schools and programs.

When should I start thinking about applications?

When you choose your major, you should decide what level you want to reach within that field. Some majors lend themselves to PhDs if you want to work in that field, while others allow employment at various levels.

Where should I apply?

You should find programs with professors who are dedicated to your particular subfield. A prestigious institution which does not focus on your area is far less useful, regardless of how famous its name is. You are looking for someone who will be able to advise you, and help you perform worthwhile research. Further, professors are looking for students studying fields similar to their own when they admit graduate students.

How long are PhD programs?

Generally programs last 4-5 years, though this can vary based on field. The exact structure of the programs also varies a lot based on field and program.

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PhD Student Guides

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

If you’re wondering whether you should do a PhD, this page will walk you through a selection of the most common reasons for pursuing one, along with some of the benefits that a PhD can give you.

Getting ready to apply for a PhD? Our guides explain research proposals, references and entry tests for doctoral programmes.

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

Will a PhD help you get a job or earn a better salary? And what are your career prospects in and outside of academia?

Not sure how to fund your PhD? This guide answers some of the most common questions about PhD funding in the UK.

The seven UK Research Councils provide government studentships for PhD research in different subject areas. Our simple guide explains how this funding works, what you can get and how to apply successfully.

You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and repayments.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

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Graduate School

In Pursuit of a PhD: How to Get a PhD

Featured Expert: Dr. Benita Kapuku, PhD

Interested in how to get a PhD? Pursuing a doctorate degree is an exciting step in your educational journey, but learning how to get into grad school , how to apply to PhD programs and what to expect once you’re accepted can be intimidating, and you’ll have many questions. In this blog, we aim to answer all your questions about how to get a PhD, from whether a PhD is the right choice for you, how to choose and apply to a program, what your PhD timeline will look like and what resources out there can help you achieve your goal.

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Article Contents 11 min read

How to get a phd: decide if a phd is right for you.

Before we jump into the nuts and bolts of exactly how to get a PhD, you first need to ask yourself “ why do you want to do a PhD ?” and be sure that it’s the right path for you. If you’re still in the early stages of researching what it takes to get a PhD and whether you have the time, drive and commitment to go on this journey, first ask yourself this question. For those of you who are already sure of your course and need a step-by-step guide of how to get a PhD, feel free to skip to the next section on how to apply and what your PhD program options are!

If you’re still wondering whether a PhD is the right program for you, here’s a few reasons why you might choose to pursue a PhD:

You have a Master’s degree and you’re interested in furthering your education
Your chosen career path requires a PhD or advanced degree
You’ve completed a Master’s degree but a PhD will allow you to find new job opportunities, increase your salary potential or expand your network
You’re interested in a research or educational role in your field, or in how to find a job in academia
You’re interested in changing careers or your field of interest

Note that if you’re an undergrad or haven’t completed a master’s program, the question of whether you should pursue a master’s or PhD program depends on your goals. For example, if you want to change your career field, you’ll most likely need to complete a Master’s degree first before applying to a PhD. But it is possible to get a PhD without a Master’s degree in some circumstances if you’re interested in jumping straight to a PhD program.

Would you like us to help you with your grad school applications? ","buttonText":"Free Strategy Call","buttonColor":"#ffffff","bannerUnderText":null,"trustpilot":false}" :url=""https:\/\/bemoacademicconsulting.com\/contact-schedule-free-strategy-call"" code="banner1" background-color="#000066" button-color="#ffffff" banner-image> Also note the differences between doctoral degrees. No matter which path you choose, you will be considered an expert in your field, but the type of work you’ll be qualified for will depend on your program and career goals. There are two general “types” of doctorate degrees: the PhD and the professional doctorate. PhD

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy degree, is an umbrella term for a research-focused program that invites you to contribute meaningful advancements and new knowledge to your chosen field. Individuals usually pursue a PhD to become researchers, professors, consultants and sometimes even enter industry jobs after a PhD . These types of programs cover a wide range of careers, from psychology to public health, from economics to the arts.

Professional Doctorate Degree

A professional doctorate degree prepares you for professional jobs in important industries. For instance, if you want to know how to get into law school or how to get into medical school , you would actually graduate with a JD or MD, both a type of doctorate degree. Professional doctorate degrees also include a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), advanced Nursing degrees (DN) and even Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), to give you a few examples.

For those of you pursuing a PhD in your field, you may be drawn to a research or teaching role and want to get a tenure track position at a university, or maybe you want to transition from academia to industry once you’ve completed your studies.

Whatever your career goals are, you should think carefully about whether a PhD is either necessary or a worthy goal for you. Earning a PhD is a huge commitment not only of your time and money, but of your passions and efforts. If your answer is yes, a PhD is right for you, the next step is to figure out how to get a PhD.

First, we’ll look at how to find the right PhD program for you and how to apply to PhD programs.

How to Get a PhD: Find and Apply to PhD Programs

How do you find PhD programs? The same way you likely searched for the best undergraduate or master’s program. University websites typically have a separate section or even a separate website for graduate admissions, and you can find information on what PhD and advanced programs they offer. You can easily search for the options in your field—or the field you’re interested in switching to—and find everything from the most competitive PhD programs to the easiest PhD programs to get into .

You can also find dual degree programs which combine a master’s and a PhD, like MD-PhD programs for those of you who want to become medical researchers. There are tons of options out there, so it’s worth checking out different universities and the many types of programs to see what the right fit for you might be.

If you’re thinking about how long it takes to get a PhD and you want to speed things up a bit, there are a few different kinds of PhD programs out there:

Full-time PhD programs (typically 4-7 years)
Part-time PhD programs (6-8 years)
Direct entry PhD programs (4-5 years)
Online and Accelerated PhD programs (1-3 years)

The right kind of PhD program may depend on a variety of factors, including your schedule, personal and professional commitments, budget and desired career path. For example, an online program is usually much faster and you can do a PhD without a dissertation , but it’s available only for a few disciplines. You can’t complete say, a PhD in Engineering in such a short time period. Direct entry PhD programs might appeal to you so you can skip the master’s degree, but they are also naturally more competitive and have more rigorous admission requirements.

Once you’ve found and chosen a PhD program or created a list of programs you want to apply to, the next step in how to get a PhD is to tackle the application. As you can imagine, the grad school application is an involved process. Fortunately the admission requirements for a PhD are similar to other graduate school programs and undergraduate programs.

Here’s the shortlist of what you’ll need for your application to a PhD:

Transcripts from your Master’s program or Bachelor’s program
GRE test scores
Research proposal
PhD motivation letter
Graduate school statement of purpose
CV for graduate school or research resume , depending on the program
Letters of recommendation
PhD interview

This is the general list of requirements for a PhD program, but some may have additional requirements, such as asking you to submit a research interest statement along with your research proposal, or to take one of the GRE subject tests. Always double check what the admission requirements are when applying, since they can vary between programs.

Here’s a brief overview of how you can meet all of the PhD admission requirements listed above:

One of the best ways to prepare for this step is to use mock PhD interviews, where you can rehearse your responses to common questions, master your nerves and practice being confident and at ease in the interview room. ","label":"PhD interview","title":"PhD interview"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Funding for Your PhD

A crucial part of how to get a PhD is finding funding for your degree. Unlike a bachelor’s degree or a master’s, funding a doctorate degree is a little more complicated and a little harder to do. Some PhD programs are fully funded, meaning as a PhD student, your research, student fees and expenses are covered while you’re completing your program. Other programs are partially funded or self-funded, meaning you as the PhD student have to find the money to complete your degree. Most PhD programs offer research assistantships or teaching assistantships that help you pay for your education in exchange for participation in research or teaching responsibilities at the university.

This is also where PhD scholarships, grants, bursaries and other forms of funding come in. As a PhD student, you may also be eligible to apply for financial aid at some programs. It’s up to you to figure out how you will fund your doctorate degree and your research. Fortunately, this is a common requirement for PhD students and there are many options out there, from PhD loans to scholarships to assistantships and studentships to government funding.

If you like, you can also apply exclusively to fully funded PhD programs, but this might limit your choices. Some students also work during their PhD in a part-time program, but of course it’s better not to rely only on your earnings to fund your degree.

Once you’ve submitted your application or been accepted to a PhD program, what next? Here’s a look at the PhD application timeline and curriculum you can expect, from the first meeting with your program supervisor to your graduation and beyond.

1. Initial Meeting with Your Academic Advisor

One of the first things you’ll do as a PhD student is meet with your academic advisor or supervisor. This is the university faculty member who will act as your mentor and guide throughout your PhD program. You may have a faculty member assigned to you or you may be able to choose your own advisor. Choose your advisor carefully, since they’ll be a significant resource for you in the years to come!

2. Research Proposal

Writing your research proposal is usually part of the application stage of getting a PhD, but it is essentially the first step in this journey. Once you’ve chosen a topic, you’ll write a research proposal to submit to a PhD admissions committee. It’s basically your offer of what you’ll be researching during your time as a PhD student and what you plan to contribute to the program and the field of interest. It’s important that your proposal is unique and presents fresh ideas or will bring new knowledge to your field of study. If the topic you want to research has been done before and isn’t “new”, your proposal may be rejected, and you’ll be denied admission.

Some programs may ask you to submit your research proposal later in the program or submit an updated version of your research proposal once you’ve completed required coursework or your literature review. Be ready to answer research proposal questions from your advisor and make any necessary changes. From there, your PhD committee or academic advisor will need to approve your proposal and give you the green light to start conducting research.

3. Coursework, Electives and Exams

For the first year or two of a PhD program, you’ll be completing the preliminary work of your thesis or dissertation. You may also use this time to complete required advanced coursework in your degree or take electives that interest you.

Once you’ve completed the coursework required for your PhD, you’ll take a written examination (sometimes called the ‘preliminary’ or comprehensive exam ). This exam will determine whether you’ve successfully completed the coursework requirements and have the necessary skills to continue your PhD program. Once you’ve passed it, you’ll be able to move on to the next phase of your program, which is conducting your own research and preparing to submit your thesis.

4. Extracurriculars

During your time as a PhD student, you’ll be expected to participate in a number of activities and extracurriculars, in addition to your coursework and independent research.

Teaching Responsibilities

Many PhDs will have teaching responsibilities, including hosting undergraduate seminars or acting as a teaching assistant providing feedback and grading assignments. If you’re a PhD in a science department, you might work as a lab supervisor for undergraduate students. PhDs might take on these roles as part of their program or they may fulfill them through an assistantship program.

Attending Academic Conferences

PhD students also attend academic conferences and events in their field, which allows them to expand their professional network, socialize with their colleagues and discover the latest innovations and developments in their field. You may have the chance to present during these events, which is not only an excellent addition to your resume but another way to network, improve your presentation skills and introduce your own work to your peers.

Grad Student Publishing

PhD students publish during their program to increase their academic profile and gain some experience with the academic publishing and peer review process. It’s not always a stated requirement to graduate, but publishing is a vital part of academic, as demonstrated by the saying “publish or perish” in academic circles. Whether or not you’ve published during your time as a PhD student will also certainly come up during postdoc interview questions , and you’ll be expected to talk about your experiences.

5. Research and Data Collection

Around the third year, you’ll go through the process of getting your research proposal approved and start conducting your own original research. As you work, you’ll take detailed notes and begin drafting your thesis. This is where the research-intensive work of a PhD is centered. You’ll also be doing a great deal of reading in your proposed area of research for the literature review. The review gives you a solid understanding of your research area and background information that will inform your original research.

6. Writing Your Thesis

Your research will take place over several semesters, and as you work, you’ll start working on your thesis or doctoral dissertation. This period of research and writing will also include regular reviews with your advisor or PhD committee to update them on your progress and working on other projects. For instance, you may be expected to publish as a graduate student in academic journals or continue with extracurricular work in your department.

7. Thesis Submission and Thesis Defense

The final step of completing your PhD is submitting your thesis for edits and knowing how to prepare for thesis defense . Your advisor will be helping you with these steps, but you’ll also need to get ready for the formal, oral defense of your thesis in front of your PhD committee. They will ask you common thesis defense questions and you’ll need to take them through the entirety of your research project from start to finish. The committee will then ask you questions and make a decision on whether to approve your research or make suggestions for changes.

Once you’ve completed your defense and you’re approved, congratulations! You’re on your way to the last step of getting your PhD.

8. Graduation!

The last step of your PhD journey is graduation! Once your thesis is approved, you can apply for graduation and attend the formal ceremony if you choose to receive your degree.

From here, you’ll look at how to find a job after grad school , start preparing for job interviews and enter the workforce.

No matter which field you’re in, getting accepted to a PhD program is extremely competitive. The level of competition of course will vary by university, discipline and the type of program, but any way you look at it, getting into grad school is not super easy.

Once you’ve been accepted to a program, you’re in for many years of hard work as you complete your studies and conduct your research. This educational journey will be well worth it for you in the end, but there’s no denying it’s a tough process to go through alone. Of course, you’ll have an academic advisor supporting your throughout your PhD, but there are more resources that can help you on every step of this journey, which we’ll cover briefly next.

Of course, your university will have many student support services you can take advantage of, from career counseling to writing workshops to student family support and financial aid. When you\u2019re searching for a PhD program, take a look at the student support services available to you. "}]">

The journey to get a PhD is a long and complex road, but it can be well worth all the time, effort and hard work for those individuals who want to advance their education, pursue a specialized career or deepen their knowledge of their field. To learn how to get a PhD, start with choosing the right program for you and navigating the PhD application process. From there, it’s all about learning what to expect from your PhD program and the steps you’ll need to take to graduate. Explore the options open to you, find out what resources are out there to help you succeed, and plan out your pursuit of a PhD from start to finish.

To get a PhD, you’ll first need to research PhD programs in your field, check the admission requirements and decide which one is the right fit for you. From there, you’ll need to submit a PhD application, write your research proposal and attend PhD interviews. Once you’re accepted, you’ll meet with your PhD supervisor or academic advisor and get started on completing your program. This includes taking any required coursework, conducting your own research and compiling data, participating in extracurriculars, writing your thesis or dissertation, studying for exams and preparing for your thesis defense.

The admission requirements for a PhD are similar to the requirements for any graduate program. They usually include your transcripts and GRE scores, a grad school statement of purpose, a PhD motivation letter, letters of recommendation, a resume or research interest statement, and an interview. You’ll also need to submit a research proposal.

The general timeline for how to get a PhD is to start by deciding whether a doctorate degree is right for you, research potential programs, start applying, attend interviews, meet with your academic advisor and start diving into your research and coursework. After you’ve completed your program, it’s time to think about how to find a postdoc position and what you want to do with your new degree.

It usually takes between 4 and 7 years to complete a PhD, though there are some programs which are shorter and some that may take up to 8 years.

Yes, there are ways to complete a PhD without a master’s degree, including direct entry PhD programs. Note that these types of programs tend to be more competitive than average, and may have additional requirements.

Getting into a PhD program is quite competitive, depending on the university, the field of study and the type of program. However, you can increase your chances of getting into a PhD program by being well prepared, doing your research and creating an excellent application package.

It’s never too late to further your education. Some students may go straight from their bachelor’s to their master’s and on to a PhD, or some might even skip the master’s altogether. But there are plenty of PhD students who choose to go back to school after working in their field for many years, and there is no age limit on when you can go back and earn your PhD.

Applying to a PhD is a huge step and an important personal choice. Whether you pursue a master’s or a PhD might depend on what your career goals are, whether you have the drive, money and time to complete a PhD, and what you hope to accomplish with a doctorate degree.

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A Complete Roadmap for Degree to PhD

A journey from degree to PhD is full of hurdles and obstacles. One has to do many things starting from competitive exams to presenting the thesis. However, the journey indeed starts from the master’s.

PhD is the utmost esteem to a person henceforth don’t think it is easy to get! It’s a complicated academic process and one has to face problems, deal with stress & frustration and failures. And including me, everyone has faced these problems during their research tenure.

Nonetheless, it’s not always a case, you can do better if you follow some rules, a blueprint or a kind of roadmap that actually needed. The present article is a kind of “roadmap from degree to PhD” that I think helps you to better understand the process but before going into the topic,

Let’s first introduce a PhD.

The PhD is known as a doctor of philosophy and renowned as the highest level of academic honor. It can be given to any student of any subject. Once someone completes their PhD, they can use the prefix “Dr” and be known as a doctor of their subject.

A PhD person can become a research scientist or academician which probably are two evergreen, popular and suitable options with a decent amount of earnings. Notedly, a doctor in science earns more than any other doctorate.

Read further: Life after PhD- doctor of philosophy .

Pre-admission process:

Phd admission: , post admission process: , the phd tenure: , requirement for degree to phd: , time duration for degree to phd: , conclusion:, a roadmap for a degree to phd: .

To start anything, people always wonder where to start! And so it’s a question here also! Where to start for a degree to PhD. First, make sure you have completed your master’s degree or M Phil, or you are sure about it. Now start preparing for PhD. See getting admission into PhD is a lengthy and time-consuming process.

Even after getting admission, you have to complete so many formalities to actually get into PhD. So for that understand the PhD about the process, admission, criteria and requirements from your degree. It will eventually help you to get the doctorate smoothly.

How to start? We are dividing the roadmap into several milestones to understand it properly.

Process of Degree to PhD- milestones

Pre-admission process
Admission process
Post admission process
The PhD tenure.

In this section, we will understand what are the requirements for admission. key things needed in the post-admission phage, important takeaways for you as a PhD student and how to clear the PhD smoothly.

First, you need a master’s degree, with decent credentials, for instance, in India minimum criteria for applying is 55% which is compulsory. If you are sure about getting the honor, do not wait for notifications or examinations, immediately contact some expert, your professor or guide and start preparing a PhD project.

Start with an idea, do literature research and note things. Keep in mind to choose a topic as per your interest and knowledge. Look, the PhD project is the key thing that makes you stand above all! Make your entire research work ready before your admission. Decide which subject and topic you wish to do research on, the running title of your PhD, methods and techniques and other related things.

This article will help you surely: Designing a PhD Project from Scrap to Craft .

Some universities conduct an entrance exam while others allot students directly to the PhD based on their PhD project, merits of masters and personal interview.

The next thing is to select a university or college or place to do a PhD and the supervisor obviously. These have been done before admission, keep in mind. Even if you have completed the entrance exam and no PhD supervisor is ready to take you, you can’t do PhD, it’s a harsh fact! So immediately contact the PhD supervisor associated with the university with whom you wish to do PhD.

In this, your PhD project helps you a lot and will prepare a positive image of yours, because ultimately newbies don’t know these things at all. Now, you can contact them on LinkedIn or email them your Project, meet them and show your research interest. A guide will definitely take interest in you. We have covered an amazing article on how to select a PhD guide, you can read it here: How to become a PhD guide .

Meanwhile, you can prepare for entrance exams. Once A PhD guide will be ready to take you under them! Your admission will be almost stamped.

So during the pre-admission phase:

Prepare a PhD project
Design a research proposal
Form a working title
Contact guides and supervisor
Prepare for the entrance examination.

The second phase deals with the admission process, requirements and related stuff. So if are getting admission, surely you have completed the entrance examination. During the PhD admission process, you have to first submit your PhD proposal and your degree certificates.

A PhD proposal is the working, brief and summarizes draft of your entire research work . It comprises a 10 to 12 page long written draft, a working title, an overview of the topic and the budget information of the entire PhD.

Moreover, master’s degree certification, university transfer certificate and other related documents and their true copies are submitted to the university PhD cell. Meanwhile, you have to select your PhD guide, which we already had done. It’s just formality for you now.

To admit into PhD you need to submit this many documents:

A research proposal
A working title
No objection certificate from you
No objection certification form you guide
Acceptance letter from your guide
Your degree certificates
Certificate of clearing entrance example, if applicable
IELTS or TOEFL score, for foreign students
University migration certificate

Though till now your admission is confirmed you are yet not allowed to do research. For that, you have to fulfill some more criteria.

This phase is a bit tedious and boring as well, excluding research (what are eager to!) you have to and arrange so many other things, simultaneously. First, after getting admission you will enroll in the course work. You will have to study coursework for at least one year in which your major study subjects are related to research methodologies.

If you fail to complete the coursework, you can’t go further. Universities give 3 trials for completing course work with a minimum of 50% marks. Meanwhile, you have to design your entire research work layout for 3 to 6 years, keeping in mind that you will pass the course work. The research design is nothing new but the more elaborative version of your research proposal.

Furthermore, you have to arrange funding, scholarship or fellowship facilities to fund your PhD. So there are so many things for you to do during this whole first year of your PhD. Once you complete the course work, you will become a PhD candidate , an actual PhD scholar to do research. From the second year, you can actually start your research journey.

After the second year onward you can start your actual research work. But mostly lack of planning and plotting lead to deal the completion. Again, directly going further, plan things, what you will do daily, what goals you will have to achieve monthly, quarterly and yearly. Take your supervisor’s help to bifurcate your research work, lab or fieldwork, accordingly.

Give equal time to research and reading & writing. Try to stick with your plan always. Most works, largely done during this tenure are,

Sampling and lab work
literature review
Publication in the peer-reviewed journal
Thesis writing
Thesis submission and viva preparation
Doing a lab work

Lab work is something that is so important in the PhD. Failure results in thesis rejection. You may face failures, problems and hurdles in your theory, technique, method or hypothesis but that is the research. You have to work constantly on it. Identify the loopholes and problems, and try to correct them.

Read related articles, techniques, meet scientists, get suggestions from experts to complete your research. Your lab work should be performed properly and documented correctly.

Another important thing in the post-admission process is the PhD thesis. Your daily journal, documentations and indications help you to write a thesis. Thesis writing is not rocket science. Everyone wonders, it is the hardest thing in PhD, but trust me you need a little knowledge of English and the Grammarly software.

Grammarly is a software that will take care of all your writing errors, you can read our article on its benefits and how to use it. Grammarly: A PhD writing assistant .

If I describe a PhD thesis, comprehensively then a PhD thesis is a written proof or draft of your entire research work.

Elements of PhD thesis: Abstract, introduction, material & methods, results & discussion, interpretations and references.

Whilst you are writing a dissertation thesis, you should worry about your publication. One of the major criteria for appearing in PhD viva is the publication of your research work in the peer-review journal. With your thesis, you can write your research paper, simultaneously. You may submit it in different journals for publications.

After doing all these, a final stage will come when you will appear in your PhD viva voce. It’s a discussion session where you have to defend your thesis. The viva-voce session will be easy for you if you read this article of our: Preparing for PhD viva voce .

Hey there to the students of Genetics, biotechnology or microbiology and those who are working with PCR, RT-PCR, microarray or sequencing, we will help you to prepare a research proposal, thesis, research paper or even your entire PhD project from start to end. contact us: [email protected] .

A roadmap overview of Degree to PhD:

Master’s degree/ M Phil
Good research background and publications (option)
Entrance exam
PhD project
Research proposal
Course work
PhD title
Wet and dry lab work
Publication in peer review journal
PhD thesis
Viva voce

The PhD time duration varies from subject to subject, for instance, PhD in science or applied subject takes a long time in comparison with PhD in history or literature. Broadly it takes up to 4 to 7 years to complete a PhD (or sometimes 8 to 10 years!).

If we include the time duration after degree and take into account your preparation time of 1 to 1.5 years, the whole process of Master’s degree to PhD takes 4.5 to 7 years.

Related article: What is PhD?- History, Definition, Origin, Requirement, Fees, Duration and Process .

Undoubtedly, a PhD-doctor of philosophy is one of the hardest things to do in life. Notwithstanding, determination leads to success. If you, as a student will know these things before deciding to go for PhD, it surely, undoubtedly help a lot. And mark my words no one of your fellow students knows these things.

If you are willing to do PhD, start from today. Prepare for competitive examination and try to make a PhD project. I hope what roadmap I have prepared will help you. Thank you for reading this article.

Dr. Tushar Chauhan is a Scientist, Blogger and Scientific-writer. He has completed PhD in Genetics. Dr. Chauhan is a PhD coach and tutor.

About The Author

Dr Tushar Chauhan

Why is it called a Doctor of Philosophy?

Preparing for a PhD Viva

10 Tips For PhD Application: How To Pass PhD Admission

Applying for a PhD program can be daunting, but with the right approach, it can also be a fulfilling journey. The key to a successful application lies in thorough preparation and strategic planning.

In this guide, we provide 10 essential tips for aspiring PhD candidates. From starting early in the application process to thoroughly preparing for interviews, these tips are designed to help you navigate the complexities of applying and increase your chances of being admitted to the program of your dreams.

10 Tips For PhD Application – General Advice

Tips	Description
Start Early	– Begin a year before the deadline – Prepare CV and research proposal – Understand and meet deadlines
Decide Area To Specialise In	– Consider past academic/work experiences – Ensure viability and job market relevance
Look For A Potential Supervisor	– Read supervisors’ work – Send introduction and research interests – Consider their track record and mentorship style
Research Ph.D Programmes	– Consider research area focus and program structure – Align with post-PhD career aspirations
Apply To Many Programs	– Apply to multiple programs – Consider resources, connections, and reputations – Align with career goals
Search For Financial Aid	– Research funding from programs and external sources – Consider assistantships – Network for advice and opportunities
Work On Your Research Proposal	– Clarify research area – Detail research question, objectives, and significance – Include methodology and literature review – Tailor to program requirements
Highlight Relevant Qualifications	– Focus on academic background and research experience – Include relevant work experience – Align personal statement with research ambitions – Tailor to program requirements
Get Letters of Recommendation	– Choose appropriate recommenders – Approach early with detailed PhD plans – Show gratitude for their support
Prepare For Your Interview	– Research program requirements – Review application materials – Anticipate and practice responses – Prepare own questions

Start Early On Your PhD Application

Starting early on your application process can be a game-changer. Applying for a PhD program is no small feat, and the more time you give yourself, the better. Why? Because a successful PhD application often involves a lot of moving parts, some include:

Finding the right program
Contacting potential supervisors
Preparing a standout CV, and
Honing your research proposal

If you’re aiming for a successful PhD admission, begin at least a year before the application deadline. This timeline isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about crafting a compelling application that stands out in a competitive field.

Part of starting early also involves understanding the deadlines. PhD programs have specific deadlines, and missing these can mean waiting another year.

So, start preparing early, research the programs you’re interested in, and make sure you’re ready to apply when the time comes.

Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more effort you put into preparing your application, the better your chances of embarking on that PhD journey in the program of your dreams.

Decide What Area You Want To Specialise In

Deciding on your specialization for a PhD application is a pivotal moment in your academic journey. It’s not just about what interests you, but also about where you can contribute significantly to the field. How do you pinpoint the right area to specialize in?

Firstly, think about your long-term career goals. Are you aiming to become a professor, delve into research, or apply your expertise in the industry? Your PhD should align with these aspirations.

For instance, if you’re considering a career in academia, specializing in a niche area like social science or arts and humanities might be more beneficial than a broader subject.

Your past academic and work experience should also guide your decision. Reflect on the courses or projects that energized you the most during your master’s degree or in your job.

Perhaps you thrived in researching specific topics or solving particular types of problems. This introspection can be a powerful indicator of your potential PhD focus.

And don’t forget, your research area should not only interest you but also be viable in terms of available resources, funding, and its relevance in the current job market.

Researching and understanding the demand for specialists in your chosen field can significantly impact your career prospects post-PhD.

Start Looking For A Potential Supervisor

Finding the right supervisor is a critical step in your PhD journey. The supervisor you choose can significantly influence both your experience as a PhD student and your future career. So, how do you go about finding the perfect match for your PhD ambitions?

Firstly, delve into the work of potential supervisors. Read their publications and try to understand their research approach. This will help you gauge whether their interests align with yours. Remember, a good fit in research interests is crucial for a successful PhD experience.

When you find a potential supervisor, reach out to them. Prepare a concise and compelling email, and:

Introduce yourself
Your research interests, and
Why you think they would be a good fit as your advisor.

Attach your CV and a brief description of your research proposal. This initial contact can go a long way in establishing a relationship.

Also, consider the supervisor’s track record. How successful have their previous PhD students been? What do alumni say about their mentoring style? You might even contact current or former students for firsthand insights.

Think about the broader implications of choosing a particular supervisor. They should not only be a guide in your doctoral studies but also a mentor who can open doors in your future career, be it in academia or the industry.

Ask Yourself The Type Of PhD Programme You’re Interested In

Choosing the right PhD program is a critical step in your academic journey. There are various types of PhD programs, each with its unique focus and structure, and selecting the one that aligns with your goals and interests is crucial. Here’s how to navigate this choice effectively.

First, consider the research area that interests you. Are you drawn towards the arts and humanities, social science, or a more specialized field like economics? Each area has its own set of PhD programs, often with differing approaches and focuses.

For example, a PhD in economics might be more quantitatively rigorous and require a strong background in mathematics, unlike a program in the arts.

Look at the structure of the programs. Some PhDs are heavily research-oriented, requiring you to spend most of your time working on your dissertation, while others might involve a significant amount of coursework.

What suits you best depends on your previous education and work experience. For instance, if you have a robust research background from your master’s degree, a research-intensive program might be a good fit.

Think about your career aspirations post-PhD. Different programs have different strengths, especially when it comes to the job market. Some might be geared more towards academia, while others may offer better industry connections.

Apply To Many Programs, But Only If You’re Interested

When applying for a PhD, a key piece of advice is to apply to many programs. Why? Because the admissions process is highly competitive and often unpredictable.

By broadening your options, you increase your chances of acceptance and finding the best fit for your academic and career goals.

Consider your research area and interests. Whether it’s social science, arts and humanities, or a specialized field like economics, each PhD program has its unique strengths.

Applying to multiple programs allows you to explore these differences and find the one that aligns best with your research goals.

Moreover, different programs have:

Varying resources
Connections, and
Reputations

These differences can impact your job market prospects. By applying to a variety of programs, you can weigh these factors against your career aspirations.

However, do not simply go around and apply for anything you come across. make sure you only apply to places you can see yourself going. This prevents you from being seen as not serious, and jeopardise your other applications.

Search For Financial Aid For PhD Students

Navigating the financial aspect of a PhD program is as crucial as the application process itself. As a prospective PhD student, you must understand the various types of financial aid available and how to secure them.

Research the funding options offered by the PhD programs you’re applying to. Many universities provide scholarships, fellowships, or assistantships that cover tuition and provide a stipend.

These are often merit-based and may require separate applications, so pay attention to the deadlines and required documents, like your:

Personal statement, or
Research proposal.

Assistantships, whether teaching or research, are common in PhD programs, especially in fields like social science or arts and humanities. These positions not only provide financial support but also valuable work and research experience.

Reach out to potential supervisors or faculty members in your desired program to inquire about such opportunities. Remember, securing an assistantship often depends on your skills and background aligning with the department’s needs.

Look beyond the university for funding. Numerous external organisations offer grants and scholarships for PhD students, such as:

Foundations,
Government bodies,
Social charities, and
Corporations.

These can be research area-specific, like grants for a PhD in science, or more general.

Applying for external funding requires a strong application, often including recommendation letters and a detailed research proposal.

Don’t overlook the importance of networking. Connect with current PhD students, alumni, or faculty members for advice and insights on funding opportunities.

They can provide valuable tips and may even alert you to lesser-known scholarships or funding sources.

Spend Ample Time On Your Research Proposal

Crafting a compelling research proposal is a vital component of your PhD application. It’s your chance to showcase your academic capabilities and the originality of your research idea. So, how do you prepare a research proposal that stands out?

Be clear and precise about your research area. Whether it’s social science, economics, or arts and humanities, your proposal should reflect a deep understanding of the field.

Start by identifying a specific research topic that not only interests you but also contributes something new to the academic discourse.

Your proposal should clearly articulate the:

Research question,
Objectives,
The significance of your study, and
Limitation of the study.

Explain why your research is important, both within the academic community and beyond. This could involve addressing a gap in existing research or exploring a novel approach to an established topic.

A well-structured methodology is essential. Outline how you plan to conduct your research, including the methods and resources you will use. This shows that you have a realistic and feasible plan to complete your PhD.

Literature review plays a key role. Demonstrate your familiarity with existing research and theories in your field. This not only establishes the context of your study but also shows that you’re building upon a solid foundation of knowledge.

Be mindful of the requirements of the PhD program you’re applying to. Tailor your proposal to fit their focus and expectations.

If you have a potential supervisor in mind, make sure your proposal aligns with their research interests, as this can greatly increase your chances of acceptance.

Your proposal should reflect your ability for critical thinking and academic writing. Take the time to revise and refine your proposal. Seek feedback from mentors or peers, and ensure that your proposal is as strong as it can be.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications

Highlighting relevant qualifications in your PhD application is critical in demonstrating your suitability and readiness for the rigorous journey ahead. So, what should you emphasize and how should you present these qualifications?

Focus on your academic background. Include your:

Test scores, like the GRE,
Academic achievements,
Presentations, or
Publications.

Your research experience is a significant part of your application. Detail any research projects, dissertations, or theses you have worked on, especially those that align with your intended area of study.

This shows potential supervisors that you have a solid foundation in research methodologies and are capable of conducting independent research.

Work experience can also be relevant, especially if it’s related to your field of study. If you’ve worked in a role or on a project that’s closely tied to your proposed research area, make sure to include this in your CV and personal statement.

In your personal statement, articulate your passion for the field, your research interests, and how your background makes you a good fit for the program. This is your chance to connect your past experiences with your future research ambitions.

Be aware of the specific requirements of the PhD programs you’re applying to. Tailor your application to show how you meet these criteria. Show that you understand what the program offers and how it aligns with your goals.

Get Letters of Recommendation

Securing strong letters of recommendation is a critical part of your PhD application. These letters provide insight into your academic and research capabilities, crucial for the admission committees. But how do you go about getting these recommendations?

Firstly, think about who knows you and your work well. This could be:

A professor from your master’s degree,
A Supervisor from a research project, or
Even a professional mentor.

The key is to choose individuals who can speak in detail about your qualifications and potential as a PhD student.

When you’ve identified potential recommenders, approach them well before the application deadline. Give them enough time to write a thoughtful letter. Remember, a rushed letter is rarely a good one.

Be specific about your request. Inform them about:

The PhD program you are applying to
Why you think you’re a good fit.

This helps them tailor the letter to your application. It’s also helpful to provide them with your CV, personal statement, and a summary of your research proposal, so they have all the information they need.

If you’re applying to multiple programs, make sure your recommenders are aware of this. Some might be willing to write multiple letters, or you may need to seek additional recommenders.

Always express gratitude to your recommenders. They are investing time and effort to help you on your journey to becoming a PhD candidate.

Thoroughly Prepare For Your Doctoral Interview

Preparing thoroughly for a PhD interview is a crucial step in your application process. It’s your chance to make a strong impression and demonstrate why you’re the ideal candidate for the program. So, how do you prepare effectively?

Understand the PhD program and its requirements. Before the interview, research the program thoroughly. Know its strengths, the kind of research it supports, and its faculty members, especially if you have a potential supervisor in mind.

Review your application materials. Be ready to discuss anything from your:

Personal statement
Research proposal, and
Rest scores, like the GRE.

The interviewers may ask about your academic and research experiences, so be prepared to talk about them in detail.

Anticipate common interview questions. These can range from your reasons for applying, your research interests, to how you plan to contribute to the program. Practice your responses, but keep them natural and not overly rehearsed.

Prepare your own questions. This demonstrates your interest in the program and helps you gather important information. You might want to ask about the kind of support PhD students receive, the research facilities, or opportunities for collaboration within the department.

Remember that the interview is also a chance for you to assess if the program is the right fit for you. It’s not just about impressing the interviewers, but also about understanding if the program aligns with your academic goals and interests.

Wrapping Up

A successful PhD application hinges on careful planning, understanding program specifics, and presenting your qualifications effectively. These 10 tips offer a roadmap to enhance your application, showcasing your readiness for this challenging but rewarding academic journey.

Each aspect of the application, from choosing the right program to acing the interview, contributes to your goal. Stay focused, be authentic, and let your passion for your chosen field shine through to embark on a successful PhD path.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

We are here to help you navigate Academia as painlessly as possible. We are supported by our readers and by visiting you are helping us earn a small amount through ads and affiliate revenue - Thank you!

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How to Get a PhD

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Carrie Adkins, PhD . Carrie Adkins is the cofounder of NursingClio, an open access, peer-reviewed, collaborative blog that connects historical scholarship to current issues in gender and medicine. She completed her PhD in American History at the University of Oregon in 2013. While completing her PhD, she earned numerous competitive research grants, teaching fellowships, and writing awards. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 694,036 times.

A PhD, short for Doctor of Philosophy, may help you secure a position as a college or university professor, a researcher in a government or industrial laboratory, a consultant, or an independent practitioner. [1] X Research source If you have the curiosity to explore a subject in depth and the tenacity to do so for many years, applying for a graduate PhD program may be an excellent step in reaching your full potential. By learning the steps necessary to complete your prerequisite education, apply to graduate schools, and complete the work, you'll be well on your way.

Completing Prerequisite Education

Step 1 Complete an undergraduate degree in a broad field.

Generally, it's recommended that students interested in pursuing advanced degrees should develop a wide skill-base during their undergrad. In other words, while you may ultimately be interested in studying Zoology, an undergrad degree in basic Biology might provide you with a diverse base that you'll be able to narrow in your future studies.
Many universities offer majors designed to funnel you into an advanced degree. Pre-law majors and Pre-med majors are two notable examples of this. Talk to your academic advisor about your interest in pursuing a PhD after you graduate, if you've yet to select a major.

Step 2 Develop a close relationship with at least one faculty member.

A good way to develop a relationship with a professor is to take multiple classes with her and join her lab, or research team. Go to office hours, introduce yourself, and express your interest in advanced degree work. Most professors are more than happy to work with a talented student who shows a sincere interest in their work.
It's also a good idea to forge relationships with graduate students at your school. Speak to graduate students and faculty about their experiences at the school, even if you plan on going elsewhere for your advanced degree. Many will be happy to let you know about the advantages and disadvantages of studying for and obtaining a Ph.D. It can be a great way to get insider information and get ahead of the game.

Step 3 Obtain experience in the field with a research internship.

Work-study programs in your field of interest can also be extremely attractive of graduate applications. If you're studying English, try to secure employment in the Writing Lab, rather than the cafeteria to give yourself an edge and valuable experience.

National and regional conferences, such as the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), allow dedicated undergrads the opportunity to rub elbows with experts and contribute to the discussion.

Step 5 Start researching graduate programs in your junior year.

Look for programs with a good reputation, but give more weight to the faculty and the research interests of the other graduate students at prospective schools. What you're looking for in an advanced degree program is camaraderie and common ground, not an arbitrary ranking on some "prestigious" list.
The applications are expensive--sometimes $50 or $80 dollars each--so you won't be able to apply to all programs. Try to select a range of programs to apply to: choose a few big dream schools with great facilities and prestigious faculty and lots of competition to see if you can't get in. Apply to smaller programs that you'd also be happy attending. Apply to as many as you can afford to give yourself the best chance.
For some fields, a master's degree will be a more appropriate subsidiary or even terminal degree. At worst, a master's degree can be an excellent primer for the graduate school life, especially if teaching assistantships or fellowships are available.

Applying to Graduate Programs

Step 1 Take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general or subject test

While most Master's programs only require the general test, which is like an advanced version of the SAT, some Ph.D programs will require that you take the subject test, which is given in several sections, including biology, literature, and other fields. It's a much more difficult test than the general--the reading list for the Subject test in lit is several hundred authors from a variety of periods. Make sure you take the correct test for the program to which you're applying. [5] X Research source
Schedule your test early in the application season, to give yourself enough time to retake it, if necessary. The test can be somewhat expensive, more than $100, so start studying now with a good-quality commercial study guide.
When you arrive for the test, you can arrange to have your scores sent directly to the graduate programs you'll be applying to. This has the advantage of cutting out an extra step in your application process, but also ensures that the school will see your scores, good or bad. If you're worried about your score, arrange to have them sent to you instead.

Step 2 Secure letters of recommendation from people familiar with your work.

It's important to ask for these letters as early as possible, preferably at least 3 months before you need to submit your applications. Professors will be inundated with letter-writing requests at the last minute, increasing the possibility of them writing a poor evaluation. Don't be one of those students.

Carrie Adkins, PhD

" Ask well in advance, and supply any materials that might help them ," adds Carrie Adkins, PhD in History. "Professors can only write so many thorough, detailed letters of recommendation, so if you help them out by asking a month or two before the deadline and providing them with your CV and statement of purpose, you’ll be more likely to get their best efforts ."

If you're planning on applying to lots of schools, it can be a time-saver to write a "form" version of your letter, allowing space to customize the letter for more specific programs. It's very important to tailor each statement of purpose to the particular program to which you're applying. This demonstrates your seriousness and interest in the school. Each letter should read as if you're only interested in studying at that school.

Step 4 Assemble your application packets and submit them by the deadline.

a completed application form
Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume
Recent GRE scores
Statement of Purpose
TOEFL or IELTS scores (for international students)
2-3 Letters of Recommendation

Step 5 Apply for teaching or research assistantships.

Applying for financial aid will often involve supplementary application materials, like a teaching statement, research statement, or other short writing prompts. Research the specific requirements at each university for specific instructions when applying for financial aid.
If full funding isn't an option, consider applying for need-based scholarships. Often, these are available to minority applicants or students in financial straits. Likewise, the application fee can often be waived. Contact individual departments when you're applying to check about need-based application waivers.

Completing Your Degree

Step 1 Choose a major professor and committee.

Choose people who you can work with, and who share a common research interest, as well as people you get along with personally. Personal differences often pop up during these kinds of working relationships, making it important to avoid them in the beginning.
Your proposed academic advisor/research supervisor should ideally be named in your statement of purpose, with the reasons you want to work with that person. Those reasons should show that you know something about that person's background and why he or she would make an effective advisor.

The names and signatures of your committee members , the program director, and the student. You'll also need your student ID number and other personal information.
A brief statement of your academic and research goals . This will typically be a super-condensed version of your research question or thesis statement, probably no more than 50-100 words.
A list of the required courses you'll take over the next two years, listing course number, title, department, and instructor, as well as the semester you intend to take the course. Most programs require around 12 hours of required coursework for an advanced degree.
A list of the elective courses you'll take , with corresponding course numbers, titles, departments, and instructors, as well as the semester you intend to take the course. Most programs require somewhere between 20 and 30 elective hours for an advanced degree.
Dissertation hours . When you've passed your preliminary examinations, your coursework will change to independent research and dissertation work, but you'll still be registered for a course with a course number and a particular number of credit hours, with your major professor or thesis chair as the instructor. This information will also need to be included on the plan of study form.

Step 3 Complete the requisite coursework.

In graduate school, the course load is usually somewhat less than the undergraduate degree, because of the intensity of the coursework and other research or teaching responsibilities. A "full load" is usually considered 6 or 9 hours, though you'll be doing 20 or more hours of teaching or research in a given week. [6] X Research source
For a PhD student, a typical coursework semester might involve three courses: a required core class and two elective courses. Typically, elective courses will still be in the department the student is studying, if not the particular program. For example, a comparative lit PhD studying Medieval literature may take a 20th century poetry course in the English department as an elective, though probably not a biology class.

Step 4 Complete your written examination.

The written examination, sometimes called the "prelim," will typically be submitted to the department chair by your major professor, then administered to you toward the end of your second year of classes. When you pass the exam, you'll be considered "Post-Prelim" and may begin the process of completing your dissertation. [7] X Research source

Step 5 Begin performing research and collecting data.

Start with a research question. A research question is what you'll hope to answer over the course of your dissertation research. It needs to be narrow, but with broad-reaching implications. A starting research question might be something like, "How are women represented during the silver age of American comic book publishing?" or "What are the implications of spontaneous genetic mutation during breeding in drosophila, and what effect might this have on cancer research?"

Step 6 Explore the literature in your research field.

As you complete your coursework and add complexity to the topic in which you're interested, you'll likely change and add depth to your initial research interest. That's fine. Let the research grow your understanding of the topic, and change the way you approach it. That means you're on the right track.

Step 8 Prepare a doctoral dissertation/thesis

In the humanities , several semesters following your coursework and preliminary examination will be devoted to completing the research involved with your interests. During this time, you'll be expected to periodically update your committee on your progress, providing them with literature reviews and outlines, depending on your arrangement. You may also be expected to publish supplementary papers periodically in academic journals.
In the sciences , you'll spend your post-prelim semesters doing lab work, or other field work depending on your field of study. The time will be spent collecting data and performing experiments to move your research forward, to be collected in the dissertation, and probably published in peer-reviewed journals.

Step 9 Prepare for the oral defense of your dissertation

Most "defenses" are cordial affairs, not debates, though you should expect to be pressed and argued with regarding your methods, your conclusions, and other aspects of your work. The best way to prepare for your defense is to know your dissertation and your research inside and out.
At a successful defense, you'll need to present yourself and your work well both orally and in writing to earn recognition as a PhD candidate and a researcher. Practice delivering your main point quickly and your overall presentation or paper with confidence.

Funding Your Research

Step 1 Apply for departmental grants or additional appointments.

In the hard sciences , money is allocated to provide different labs, projects, and individuals money on a competitive case-by-case basis. To apply, you'll typically write a detailed proposal of your research goals and submit it to the department.
In the humanities , it's also common to seek subsequent teaching appointments in tangential fields: if your research involves the representation of women in comic books, and you've been teaching in the English department, why not pick up a special-topics course in Women's Studies?

Step 2 Apply for private research grants.

Surviving the Process

Step 1 Avoid petty competition and departmental rivalry.

Don't Try to do everything at once. Because you will spend several years to earn your doctorate, it's important to slow down and do everything with the attention to detail the process deserves. You don't want to get your dissertation hung up because of a silly documentation error you rushed through.

Step 3 Be tenacious and display initiative.

During the time you spend working on your doctorate, you'll face a variety of challenges. The lab's funding may be cut. You may lose grant money. Your paper may get rejected from a conference. Fail early and fail often. Create opportunities for yourself and work around the challenges.

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Before you can get a PhD, you'll need to complete your prerequisite education and take the GRE, or Graduate Record Exam. You will also need letters of recommendation from 1 or 2 distinguished professors in your field to submit with your application. Once you are admitted to graduate school, you should seek out funding opportunities, like grants or teaching positions. To earn your PhD, you will need to take courses, pass written and oral exams, conduct original research in your field, and write a dissertation. For more ways to get your PhD for free, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Complete MD/PhD Applicant Guide

How to Become a Double Doctor

© 2021
Jonathan Sussman 0 ,
Jordan Setayesh 1 ,
Amitej Venapally 2

Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

Emory school of medicine, emory university, atlanta, usa.

Explains the MD/PhD application process from the perspective of recent applicants who share their anecdotal experiences

Contains a collection of example essays

Delineates the important differences between an MD and MD/PhD application

Provides helpful suggestions and resources for every step of the application process

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About this book

Graduate Medical Education and Career Paths

Developing New Academic Programs in the Medical/Health Humanities: A Toolkit to Support Continued Growth

Application process

Table of contents (15 chapters)

Front matter, what is an md/phd.

Jonathan Sussman, Jordan Setayesh, Amitej Venapally

What Do MD/PhDs Do and Who Should Become One?

Prerequisite requirements, the md/phd application basics and timeline, researching schools: where to apply, the personal comments essay, the md/phd essay, the significant research experience essay, the work and activities section, secondary applications and the casper test, interview invitations: what to expect, interview types: preparation and strategy, the waiting game: it’s not over yet, acceptances, second looks, and matriculation, additional resources, back matter, authors and affiliations.

Jonathan Sussman

Jordan Setayesh

Amitej Venapally

About the authors

Jonathan Sussman graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2019 with dual degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Music Performance. He has conducted Systems Cancer Biology research at USC as an undergraduate researcher and Molecular Biology research at The Scripps Research Institute as a research assistant and is now pursuing an MD/PhD at the University of Pennsylvania in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology with an emphasis in Cancer Biology.

Jordan Setayesh graduated from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) in 2018 with a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. He conducted developmental biology research as an undergraduate researcher at Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine from 2016-2020. He is now pursuing an MD/PhD degree at the University of Michigan Medical School and Rackham Graduate School.

Amitej Venapally graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020 with dual degrees in Biochemistry and Computer Science. He has conducted RNA biology and origin of life research at Georgia Tech as an undergraduate researcher. He is now pursuing an MD/PhD degree at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Bibliographic Information

Book Title : The Complete MD/PhD Applicant Guide

Book Subtitle : How to Become a Double Doctor

Authors : Jonathan Sussman, Jordan Setayesh, Amitej Venapally

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-55625-9

Publisher : Springer Cham

eBook Packages : Medicine , Medicine (R0)

Copyright Information : The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

Softcover ISBN : 978-3-030-55624-2 Published: 23 September 2020

eBook ISBN : 978-3-030-55625-9 Published: 22 September 2020

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XXV, 189

Number of Illustrations : 1 b/w illustrations, 6 illustrations in colour

Topics : Medicine/Public Health, general , Medical Education

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The 7 Steps to Becoming a Doctor: A Complete Guide

Other High School , College Info

Medicine is one of the most challenging yet rewarding fields a student can enter. But before you decide whether becoming a doctor is right for you, it's important that you know every step you'll have to take along the way.

Here, I'll walk you through exactly how to become a doctor, starting with high school . This career is definitely not for everyone—it requires huge investments of time, money, and effort—but if this path is right for you, this guide is what you should read to start preparing yourself early for a successful career as a doctor.

What Is the Career Outlook for Medical Doctors?

Medicine is a super competitive and rigorous field: doctors have a lot of responsibility and must spend tons of time and money on their training. Healthcare is also a growing field , which means that the demand for doctors will continue to increase in the coming years.

As long as you do all the necessary steps below, you shouldn't have an issue finding a job as a doctor.

Let's take a look at the career outlook for physicians and surgeons using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics :

2020 Median Pay: Greater than or equal to $208,000 per year
Job Growth Rate (2020-30): 3%, which is slower than average

Note that pay and job outlook can vary depending on what type of doctor you want to be , so if you have a particular specialty in mind (such as dermatology or rheumatology), I encourage you to do your own research on that field's projected career outlook.

To lend you a hand, we've created the following chart, which presents the median salaries and job outlooks for various types of doctors (arranged in order of highest salary to lowest ):


	≥$208,000	4%
	≥$208,000	0%
	≥$208,000	13%
	≥$208,000	-1%
	≥$208,000	2%
	$200,890	4%
	$207,380	6%
	$177,130	-2%

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

As you can see from the chart, all of the above medical specialties make six figures a year. They do have some differences in terms of job growth, however. The job growth rate for psychiatrists is expected to be a well-above-average 14% in the next ten years, but specialties such as surgeons and pediatricians are expected to shrink slightly. There are a lot of jobs in each of these fields though, so don't think there won't be a need for them in several years, even if their numbers are expected to contract a bit.

How to Become a Doctor: 7-Step Career Path Overview

Becoming a doctor is a pretty complex, multi-step process. Here are the seven major steps we'll be covering in more detail below (you can skip around by clicking the links to each step):

Step 1: Do well in high school Step 2: Get into a great college Step 3: Take the MCAT (and get a good score) Step 4: Apply and get into medical school Step 5: Attend medical school and pass your boards to become a licensed doctor Step 6: Choose your specialty and complete your residency Step 7: Take and pass your final boards to practice independently

Still interested in how to become a doctor? Time to get into the nitty-gritty of each major step.

Step 1: Do Well in High School

If you're serious about becoming a doctor, you'll do yourself a big favor by getting focused in high school . As mentioned, this is a pretty competitive field, so the earlier you start distinguishing yourself as a great student, the easier the process will be.

Here's what you can do in high school to help prepare you for later steps.

Focus on Science and Math

To fulfill all pre-med requirements in college (I'll get to that in a bit), you'll have to take quite a few science and math classes. Lay a solid foundation by taking a science and math course every year, and make it a priority to take advanced and/or AP courses . You'll also want to keep your GPA (in these classes and all others) as high as possible .

This is an important step because it gives you a tiny glimpse into what college and medical school will be like. If you don't enjoy science and math courses in high school, it's unlikely you'll enjoy them later on. Use this as an opportunity to think critically about whether you'd like to pursue this career.

Do Plenty of Community Service

Being a good doctor isn't just about being a science and math whiz—it's about being invested in caring for other people. Show how you care about helping others by volunteering consistently in high school.

It's best if you can do volunteer work that's at least somewhat related to healthcare. You might see whether there are any opportunities at a nearby hospital or clinic (for example, I had friends in high school who helped escort people who were visiting family members in the hospital). These volunteer opportunities can also help you decide fairly early whether a career in medicine is something you're actually interested in pursuing.

Of course, you don't have to volunteer exclusively in healthcare environments—any community service opportunity in which you're helping other people is a good fit. Read more about the benefits of community service , and then check out our list of the best places to volunteer .

Is working in healthcare a good fit for you? Volunteering in the field is a great way to find out.

Get a Great Score on the ACT/SAT

To get into a great medical school, it helps to go to a great college. And to get into a great college, it helps to get a high score on the SAT/ACT .

Plan on taking your first test by the end of your junior year—this gives you time to take your test of choice again if you want to try to raise your scores.

Read these guides for more info on how to get a great SAT/ACT score:

What counts as a good, bad, or average ACT or SAT score?
How can you get a perfect score on the ACT or SAT ?
How long should you study for the ACT or SAT ?

Submit Stellar College Applications

Your senior fall will be all about researching and applying to colleges. You don't necessarily need to go to a school with a dedicated pre-med program, but it'll be better if your college or university has strong science and math programs , since these will be more helpful in preparing you for the MCAT and med school.

If you want to go to a top-tier private school, you'll have to submit applications with the following:

Impressive SAT/ACT scores
Strong letters of recommendation
Polished and thoughtful personal essays

Some great public schools might not require letters of rec or applications essays. Nevertheless, it's wise to start preparing these materials early on in the college application process if you think you'll apply to any colleges that do require them.

If you're still working on college research, I suggest checking out these guides:

The best pre-med schools for becoming a doctor
The best college ranking lists and whether you should trust them
Whether it matters where you go to college
How to decide where to go to college

Step 2: Get Into a Great College

College is where you really start focusing your studies and preparing for a career in medicine . Here's everything you should do as an undergraduate to prepare yourself for the next major step in becoming a doctor: medical school.

Meet All Pre-Med Requirements

Most medical schools require students to have taken a series of courses as undergraduates. This ensures that they have strong foundational knowledge in math and science and will be well prepared for the more advanced courses they'll have to take as med students.

Here are the core classes that most medical schools require :

Two semesters of biology with laboratory
Two semesters of inorganic chemistry with laboratory
Two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory
Two semesters of math (at least one in calculus)
Two semesters of physics with laboratory
Two semesters of English and/or writing

This comes to 12 course requirements at minimum, which doesn't give you a ton of wiggle room if you also have to meet requirements for a major without much pre-med overlap (e.g., foreign languages or studio art). Because of this, many pre-med students choose related majors such as biology or chemistry —this makes it much easier to meet both pre-med requirements and the requirements for your major.

If you decide later in college that you'd like to apply to medical school but you know you don't have time to fit in all these requirements, don't panic. It's fairly common for people to wrap up pre-med requirements by taking an extra semester or two in college (some schools call these students "super seniors").

You might also look into full-time post-bac programs if you have more than a few requirements left to fulfill. These options mean extra time and extra expenses, but they're helpful (and sometimes necessary) steps to take before applying to med school.

Keep Your Grades Up

Your transcript will be a very important part of your med school applications, so your academic performance should really be your #1 priority as you work your way through college.

Build Relationships With Professors and Mentors

You'll need a few strong letters of recommendation from respected faculty members when you submit your med school applications—use this fact to motivate you to network with as many people as possible.

Develop relationships with professors and mentors by going to their office hours, actively participating in class, and taking opportunities to work on research projects.

Your nerdy professors will prove to be invaluable resources when you're applying to med school, but only if you have relationships with them!

Get Some Research Experience

Having some research experience under your belt is a big plus for med school applications , especially if you can squeeze in a publication or two. Working in a biology or chemistry lab would probably be most helpful for medical school.

There are a couple ways you can get research experience as an undergraduate:

Work as a research assistant (paid or unpaid) in an on-campus lab or at an off-campus research institute. Look at campus job postings or approach specific professors in your department about potential lab openings. If you don't have time during the semester to take on extra work, consider summer opportunities.
Complete an undergraduate thesis, which involves research work. This usually requires a professor to officially take you on as their student. Each school (and each department within a school) will have its own procedures and policies for undergraduate theses, so educate yourself early on (i.e., during freshman year) if you're interested in this track.

Continue With Community Service

Medical schools are going to look at your community service record as an important part of your application. You should make time for volunteer work in college just as you did in high school.

The good news is that it should be easier to find relevant advocacy and community service clubs and organizations in college. Here are a few example activities you might be interested in (although this list is by no means exhaustive):

Volunteering at a homeless shelter
Joining a public health advocacy society or organization
Volunteering at a nursing home or engaging in other forms of elder care (e.g., Meals on Wheels)
Joining a peer counseling organization

It's better to stick with a few clubs or activities over the long term , as opposed to jumping around between activities year after year. This demonstrates that you're consistent and reliable; it also opens up opportunities for leadership roles, which will prove to be a big plus for your med school applications.

Step 3: Take (and Ace!) the MCAT

The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is used as a predictor of your success in med school, and as such is weighted pretty heavily when compared to other parts of your application.

Most students take the MCAT their junior year—this is arguably the most optimal time to take the test. Why? Because by this point you will have gone through many of your pre-med courses, making studying for the MCAT a lot easier.

MCAT Scoring and Logistics

In total, it takes seven and a half hours to complete the MCAT. The sections on the test include the following:

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems
Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems
Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior
Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

Each section is scored on a range from 118 to 132, with a median score of 125. You'll receive an individual score for each section in addition to an overall score. Total scores range from 472 to 578 , with the average score sitting at about 500.

This scoring system is still relatively new (since 2015), so there isn't much historical data available we can use to predict what a good or "safe" MCAT score will be for med school admissions. Current percentiles indicate that around 50% of test takers score 500, and 74% score 508, or what MCAT-Prep.com calls a "good" MCAT score . As such, the new MCAT encourages admissions officers to look favorably upon students who score around 500 or above .

The MCAT is administered 30 times per year , so you have quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to scheduling the test. Be prepared for some hefty expenses— it costs $325 to register for the test . There are Fee Assistance Programs available for students who might not be able to shoulder these expenses.

After your scores are calculated, they're automatically released to the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS); you won't have to submit them separately to any schools unless they don't use AMCAS .

If you're adequately prepared the first time you take the MCAT, you could save yourself the cost of an extra registration fee.

Studying for the MCAT

Plan on studying 200-300 hours if you want to do well on the test. Since it's a seven-and-a-half-hour exam, you really don't want to have to take it twice.

There are several different ways you can prep for the MCAT:

Independent study: This might work for students at schools with strong pre-med support who are also performing well in their classes. Solid foundational knowledge is the most important factor that affects performance on the MCAT, but students would still, of course, need to spend significant time preparing.
MCAT prep course: Pre-med students commonly take prep courses when they want a solid review schedule to keep them on track. There's a lot of material to cover, and a good course helps ensure that there aren't any major gaps in your content knowledge or strategy. They can be very expensive, unfortunately, with most costing several thousand dollars . Kaplan and The Princeton Review are a couple of the most popular options.
Online prep: Online resources can offer a great combination of structure and flexibility when you're working to cover a lot of material. Khan Academy provides some free study material if you're looking for a place to start, though it won't suffice if you're putting together a full study plan. Dr. Flowers Test Prep is another, more comprehensive resource for online prep.
Private tutor: Students whose grades aren't up to par or who have done poorly on the MCAT before might want to consider this option . If you decide to hire a tutor, pick someone with glowing recommendations and years of tutoring experience. They won't come cheap, but they're also less likely to waste your time and money.

You can also buy an official practice test for the MCAT through the Association of American Medical Colleges for $35, in addition to other official study guides and prep materials.

Step 4: Apply and Get Into Medical School

The medical school application process is extremely long . If you want to start med school the fall after you graduate from college, you'll have to start your applications your junior year.

Research Medical Schools

The average student applies to about 13 schools to optimize their chances of getting in —I wouldn't recommend that you put together a list much smaller than that.

The Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR) website is one of the best tools for looking into important medical school information. For a $28 year-long subscription, you can easily access the following:

Acceptance rates
Average MCAT and GPA of applicants and accepted students
Numbers of out-of-state students
Application requirements
Application deadlines

As with any school or program, there are med school ranking lists . Because US medical schools' admissions criteria and curricula are so stringent and rigorous, though, admission to any school in the country should be considered an accomplishment . If you end up in medical school and follow through with a residency at a good hospital, you'll have no trouble finding work as a doctor.

Know the Different Types of Medical Schools

There are two types of physicians in the US:

Allopathic physicians (MDs)
Osteopathic physicians (DOs)

Both types are fully licensed physicians and are often very similar in the way that they practice medicine—they just receive degrees from slightly different types of programs.

We're most used to hearing about doctors with MDs, so if you're not familiar with DOs, I encourage you to do more research on these types of programs. DOs receive additional specialty training in certain areas, including using the hands to diagnose/treat illnesses and injuries.

You can read more about osteopathic medicine on the American Osteopathic Association site .

Allopathic or osteopathic: which type of med school is right for you?

Put Together Your Med School Application

There are three parts of the med school application process.

Part 1: Primary Application

You send in your primary application by June the year before your first year of med school. Most med schools use AMCAS, which is like a Common Application for med schools.

This application includes official transcripts, a personal statement, your resume/CV, and your MCAT scores. Start preparing these materials a few months before submission.

Part 2: Secondary Application

This usually happens in July-August on a typical application timeline (i.e., one on which you submit the primary application in June). At this point, a school will either reject your primary application or ask you to complete its secondary application.

The secondary application will differ for each school you apply to. Sometimes, schools just ask you to submit an application fee to continue with the application process. Other times, though, schools send fairly extensive lists of essay prompts (e.g., "Why are you interested in attending this medical school?") for you to answer.

If the medical school is happy with your primary and secondary applications, you'll move on to the next part.

Part 3: Interview

If a school definitely does (or definitely does not ) want to interview you, you'll hear back from them pretty quickly. Some students are left in limbo for a while as schools deliberate over what to do with them.

Interviews are the final decision-making phase. Your interview will either make or break your application. Preparing for interviews is tough because each school (and each interviewer) will have its own priorities and questions.

Overall, you want to come off (1) committed to the medical track, (2) confident in your abilities, (3) eager to learn, (4) warm and empathetic, and (5) grateful for the opportunity to be there.

Step 5: Attend Medical School and Pass Your Boards

After fulfilling all the pre-med requirements and submitting all those applications, you finally arrive here: medical school. You'll spend four years here , but that doesn't mean the experience will be very similar to that of your undergraduate education—there are more decisions to be made, more opportunities for hands-on experiences, and more professional licensing requirements to worry about.

Here's an overview of what these four years of med school will look like:

Years 1-2: Primarily classroom-based courses
Year 3: Training in each major medical specialty (also known as rotations)
Year 4: Primarily elective courses based on preferred specialty

There are some other important steps along the way, such as board exams, that I'll address in this section as well.

Years 1-2: Classroom Work

You won't have much say in what courses you'll take during your first two years of medical school. Your education during this time will be an extension of your pre-med requirements —you'll take many advanced courses that will give you the important biological, anatomical, and chemical foundations you'll need to work as a physician.

These courses will obviously have an important impact on your GPA, which will affect how competitive you are when you're matched for your residency/internship (we'll get to that shortly). As such, it's important to keep your grades up—your future self will thank you!

At the end of your second year, you'll take the United States Medical Licensing Examination , or the USMLE-1. This test assesses your medical competency to see whether you should continue with your education and medical licensure (another name for the USMLE exams is "Boards").

At most med schools, you need to pass this exam in order to progress to your third year of school.

Year 3: Rotations

In your third year, you'll start working with patients in a medical setting (under a supervisor) within different medical specialties. This helps you gain hands-on experience as a physician, but, perhaps more importantly, you'll learn more about what sort of specialty you may be interested in.

After the bulk of your rotations experiences in your third year, you'll have to decide what sort of medicine you'd like to pursue . This decision will dictate what kinds of elective courses you'll take in your fourth and final year of med school, as well as how long you'll spend in your residency (we give more information on this in the Residency section below).

Med school rotations are a bit more productive than the one the hamster's doing on this wheel.

Year 4: Pursuing Your Specialty

As you now know, your fourth year of med school is dedicated mainly to taking elective courses to prepare you for your preferred specialty and continuing gaining hands-on experience. You'll also take the USMLE Level 2 (which is similar to the first examination, except that it simply tests more advanced knowledge); this exam includes a clinical knowledge part and a clinical skills portion.

Step 6: Complete Your Residency

Residencies, also known as internships, are supervised positions at teaching hospitals. You will be matched to an available residency position through the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).

You'll be able to note your preferences, but you won't have ultimate decision-making power over your matches. Once the NRMP sets you up, you sort of have to take what you're given.

You will spend at least three years in your residency program but may spend more time there depending on your specialty. In your first year, you'll be known as an intern and will be at the bottom of the totem pole—but not for long.

During your residency, you'll also need to pass your final licensing exam (USMLE-3). The third and final licensing exam is taken during the first year of your residency. It tests your ability to utilize your medical knowledge and provide care in an unsupervised setting, which is what you will have to do as a licensed physician.

You'll get a salary as a resident, but it won't be much. The average resident earns about $48,000 a year , which should cover living expenses and your minimum medical school loan payments.

Here are some example specialties and their respective residency requirements:

Anesthesiology: 4 years
Dermatology: 4 years
Emergency Medicine: 3-4 years
General Surgery: 5 years
Internal Medicine: 3 years
Neurology: 4 years
Obstetrics and Gynecology: 4 years
Pathology: 4 years
Pediatrics: 3 years
Psychiatry: 4 years
Radiology: 4-5 years

Step 7: Take and Pass Your Final Boards

Once you've finished your residency and passed all your boards, you can officially practice independently as a licensed physician! It probably won't take you long to find work. You might want to practice in a hospital, clinic, or private practice.

You'll have to keep up with Continuing Medical Education in order to practice as a physician, no matter your specialty; this ensures that you stay educated and up-to-date on the latest research and best medical practices.

Your education doesn't end here—you'll be working to keep up with new information and best practices for the rest of your medical career.

Summary: The 7 Critical Steps to Becoming a Doctor

This is a ton of information to take in at once, especially if you're at the beginning of this process or if you're still unsure about entering the medical field.

To recap, here are the seven major steps you must take to become a doctor :

Do well in high school
Get into a great college
Take the MCAT (and get a good score)
Apply and get into medical school
Attend medical school and pass your boards to become a licensed doctor
Choose your specialty and complete your residency
Take and pass your final boards to practice independently

You should also keep in mind two important takeaways:

You don't have to decide at the beginning of college that you want to become a doctor (although it does make it easier to fulfill pre-med requirements). The path to becoming a physician isn't completely rigid, especially if you're interested in other biological and physical science careers.
You don't have to think about all these steps at the same time. Once you're in medical school, your peers will be thinking about (and worrying about) the same things—there's no way you'll forget any important steps!

Becoming a doctor is definitely not for everyone—getting into medical school is really tough, and you still have a lot of training to complete even after you graduate. But if you decide you want to enter the medical profession, you now have the info you need to start off on the right foot!

What's Next?

If you want more info on what to do to prepare for med school while you're in high school , you're in the right place. Check out these great medical programs for high school students and our list of the best books every pre-med student should read .

Starting to research different college or med school options? Start off with this complete list of BA/MD and BS/MD programs in the United States . You might also be interested in our step-by-step guide on how to get into a BS/MD program .

Thinking of having a different medical career? Learn how to become a dentist or a veterinarian with our in-depth guides.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:

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How To Get A PhD

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

Do you want to study a PhD? Studying a PhD is a big commitment in terms of time and money – but is thoroughly worthwhile if it's the right path – and the right time – for you.

Let’s take a look at how to get a PhD.

Are you ready to do a PhD?

The first thing you need to ascertain is whether you are ready to study a PhD .

The usual first step in gaining a PhD is to have a relevant undergraduate degree completed to a sufficiently high enough quality. You will usually also have had to complete a masters-level degree in a related subject, preferably with a substantial piece of research included.

Can you fund your PhD?

PhDs in the UK are funded in two ways, and this pattern of funding is fairly similar around the world.

The first way to fund your PhD is through PhD studentships , these are part of larger research projects. In the UK there are seven research councils in the UK that can provide this type of funding for PhD students, these are:

Arts and Humanities Research Council
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Economic and Social Research Council
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Medical research Council
Natural Environment Research Council
Science and Technology Facilities Council .

The other way is by choosing your own topic of research and finding funding or providing funding yourself. And once you have been accepted onto a PhD you are eligible to apply for one of our Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries worth £500.

Applying for a PhD studentship

Studentships for doctorates are advertised on university websites and places where other academic jobs are advertised, such as the Times Higher Education website in the UK. Applications for these PhD studentships are in many ways similar to job applications . They are usually very competitive.

Find a PhD supervisor

If you are self-proposing your PhD, then you will have to write your research proposal, find an institution to support you during your research and an academic to supervise you. This is a difficult process and requires you to have spent time networking and meeting other people in the same field of research as you.

It's vital to the success of completing your PhD that you find a supervisor and institution that you will work well with.

PhD interview

To gain a place on a PhD course you are likely to have to attend a PhD interview .

At the PhD interview your potential supervisor(s) will ask you a number of questions to enable them to get to know you better and have a good understanding of your area of interest and research and ascertain whether you’d be a good fit for the PhD program.

The PhD interview will also give you the opportunity to ask questions about the program, department and university to make sure it’s the right place for you to undertake your doctoral studies.

Complete an MRes or MPhil firss

Most universities require their PhD students to complete an MRes (Masters by Research) or an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) in the first year and then progress onto a PhD. This provides proof that the PhD student is academically capable of high-level research and original ideas.

It also means that if after their first year the student decides that studying a PhD is not the right path for them, they will still leave university with a good qualification.

Choose your PhD study mode

Another decision that you will have to make to get a PhD, is whether to study full time, part time or via distance learning.

One of the main influencing factors in this decision is the amount of time the mode of study makes completing the PhD take.

Full- or part-time PhD study

Most PhD candidates study full time, this is mainly because if they opt for part-time study, it will make a three- or four-year process take eight years. This is a serious time commitment.

However, many students who are self-funding their PhD may undertake their PhD on a part-time basis before they get more funding in place so they can work alongside their studies.

Distance learning PhD

Many PhD students choose to undertake their PhD via distance learning .

This option can make the actual researching much easier, as the student can live near the source of their research while keeping in contact with their supervisor online.

Studying a PhD via distance learning is not usually available for those undertaking their PhD through a studentship as they will usually being lab work and have other academic obligations at their university department.

However, it is suitable for PhD candidates who do not need to regularly attend their institution.

Research your PhD subject properly

Researching into a PhD will involve many steps including reviewing all the literature written about your chosen research subject and exploring the intricacies of gathering the data that will ultimately form the basis of your research.

How you gather your research will depend greatly on your research subject – and this is something that you need to give a lot of consideration.

Writing up your PhD research

The PhD thesis is the research project that results from your research argument, data compilation and any conclusions you have come to after reviewing all of your research.

It will depend on your subject area and your research methods as to whether you have been writing your PhD thesis as you go, or if you have to write it up fully after all the research has taken place.

Once your PhD thesis has been written up it is likely to be between 70,000 and 100,000 words long.

Do you have any additional responsibilities?

Whilst researching and writing up your PhD thesis, many PhD students take on additional responsibilities in their academic department. These responsibilities can include helping professors and lecturers with their classes, or marking and evaluating undergraduate work.

If you are studying your PhD in the UK, then you will find there are regulations that govern what you must be paid for by the UK Research Council. In other countries, some PhD students can be asked to undertake a variety of tasks without payment.

If you are an international student studying your PhD in the UK, there may be limitations as to how much work you can undertake whilst living in the UK on a student visa. It’s important to check what your restrictions are, so you don’t break the terms of your student visa.

A PhD viva is an oral exam that takes place at the end of the PhD program, during which the PhD student will present, discuss and defend their PhD thesis with fellow academics.

Some students find this an intimidating prospect whereas others are excited about the possibility of discussing their PhD with professionals who are truly interested in their research.

There is no set time limit for a PhD viva – they can last anything from one to three hours, but to ensure success it’s imperative that the student knows their work inside out and is fully prepared for the viva.

The word ’viva’ is a shortened form of the Latin term ‘viva voce’ which means ‘live voice’.

Different ways of getting a PhD

There are several different ways to study a PhD – here is a summary of them.

1. PhD by Thesis

A PhD by Thesis is the most common way to study a doctorate program, and this will take three to four years to study full time at university and up to eight years if studied part time. Throughout your studies you will be supported by a PhD supervisor who will be there to advise you while you are writing your research-based thesis, which will be between 70,000 and 100,000 words long. Upon completion of the thesis, you will need to defend your research in front of a panel of academic experts in an oral examination known as a viva.

2. Integrated PhD

An Integrated PhD usually takes four years of full-time study. This timeframe includes studying a one-year MRes (Masters of Research) as part of the Integrated PhD program. Integrated PhDs are a particularly good idea for students who haven’t previously undertaken much research-based academic work, as essential research skills can be learnt whilst studying the MRes. The research undertaken during the MRes can then be used as the basis for the PhD research project.

3. PhD by Publication

A PhD by Publication is a postgraduate research degree based on previously published pieces of work, for example journals and articles. These are submitted by the student as a body of work. In addition to this, the student needs to demonstrate evidence of original thought and unique contribution to their specific field of study with an extensive supporting statement. A PhD by Publication is often the chosen PhD pathway by mid-career academics that didn’t undertake a PhD before embarking on their career. Some universities only accept academic staff or their own graduates for a PhD by Publication.

4. Distance Learning PhD

Online PhDs provide students with a good, flexible option as there is no need for relocation for their doctorate studies. As a large proportion of any PhD course is spent doing independent study and research, unless regular access to a science lab or other specialised facilities is necessary, PhDs are ideally suited to distance learning, with students able to maintain regular contact with supervisors online. Distance learning PhDs are a good option for people with family or work commitments, or for international students who want to study their PhD at a particular university without the upheaval or expense of moving overseas. When studying an online PhD, it is likely that the student will have to be onsite at the university for a few days each academic year to meet with their supervisor and get any necessary training.

5. Professional Doctorate

Professional Doctorates are aimed at professionals working in vocational sectors, for example those working in healthcare, education and engineering. Professional Doctorates are often accredited by a professional body, making them a great way to advance your career path. Professional Doctorates tend have a greater taught element and a smaller thesis than other types of PhD and will lead students in a career-focussed direction rather than along an academic pathway.

What countries have the most PhD graduates?

Universities on countries all over the world offer PhD programs. This table illustrates the countries with the highest number of PhD graduates in 2014 – and how many PhD graduates they had.

	PhD
USA	67,449
Germany	28,147
UK	25,020
India	24,300
Japan	16,039
France	13,729
South Korea	12,931
Spain	10,889
Italy	10,678
Australia	8,400
Canada	7,059
Turley	4,516
Indonesia	3,591
Russia	2,223
South Africa	2,060

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10 things you need to know before starting a PhD degree

So you want to do a PhD degree, huh? Here we've got everything you need to know about getting started.

So you want to do a PhD degree, huh? Are you sure about that? It’s not going to be an easy decision, so I’ve put together a list of 10 things you need to know before starting a PhD degree. Oh, and don’t panic!

I have recently graduated from the University of Manchester with a PhD in Plant Sciences after four difficult, but enjoyable, years. During those four years, I often felt slightly lost – and there was more than one occasion on which I didn’t even want to imagine writing up my thesis in fear of delving into fits of panic.

On reflection, I realise that – to quote a colleague – commencing my PhD was like “jumping in the deep end with your eyes closed.” If only I’d known to take a deep breath.

1. Are you sure you want to do a PhD degree?

Let’s be under no false impressions, completing a PhD isn’t easy. There will be times when you feel like Wile E Coyote chasing after the Roadrunner – a little bit out of your depth a lot of the time. It’s four years of your life, so make sure it is what you really want to do.

If you want to pursue a career in science, a PhD isn’t always necessary.

It is possible to make great inroads into industry without a doctoral degree. That said, a PhD can also be a very useful qualification with many transferable skills to add to your CV.

By the time you’ll have finished, you can include essentials such as time management, organisational skills, prioritising workloads, attention to detail, writing skills, presenting to an audience – and most importantly – resilience, to name but a few.

2. Choose your project, and supervisor, wisely.

This is very important.

Time after time, our experienced scientists at EI, including Erik Van-Den-Bergh (and I agree) say, “ make sure you’re extremely passionate about exactly that subject. ” When I saw the PhD opening that I eventually was offered, I remember being demonstrably ecstatic about the project before I’d even started it.

I was always interested in calcium signalling and organised a meeting with my potential supervisor immediately, which (to quote Billy Connolly) I leapt into in a mood of gay abandon.

Not only does this help you to keep engaged with your project even through the painstakingly slow times, it also greatly enhances your ability to sell yourself in an interview. If you can show passion and enthusiasm about the project and the science then you’ll be that one step ahead of other candidates – which is all the more important now that many studentships are competitive.

You have to be the best out of many, often exceptional candidates.

However, as important as it is to be passionate about your project, make sure that the person who will be supervising you is worthy.

Does your potential supervisor have a prolific track record of publishing work? What is the community of scientists like in the lab you may be working in? Are there experienced post-doctoral scientists working in the lab? Who will your advisor be? Is your supervisor an expert in the field you are interested in? Is the work you will be doing ground-breaking and novel, or is it quite niche?

There is nothing more frustrating – and I know many PhD degree students with this problem – than having a supervisor who is rarely there to talk to, shows little interest in your work, and cannot help when you are struggling in the third year of your project and some guidance would be much appreciated.

Personally, and I was very lucky to have this, I think it’s incredibly useful to have two supervisors. My PhD degree was split between the University of Manchester and the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth. Between my supervisors, I had two people with expertise in different fields, who could give me some fantastic advice from different perspectives. This also meant that I had two people to check through my thesis chapters and provide useful comments on my drafts.

PhD students networking during the last Student Symposium

Make sure you are passionate about your subject before taking it to PhD level. And by passionate I mean really passionate.

For a start, you will most likely have to write a literature review in your first three months, which if done well will form the main bulk of your thesis introduction and will save you a lot of stress and strain when it comes to writing up.

At the end of your first year, you will have to write a continuation report, which is your proof that you deserve to carry on to the end of your three or four years. This doesn’t leave much time for lab work, which means time management is incredibly important. If you think you’ll be able to swan in at 11 and leave at 3, think again.

Fundamentally, never, ever rest on your laurels! As tempting as it may be to slack-off slightly in the second year of your four year PhD, don’t.

4. Be organised.

This is a no-brainer but still, it’s worth a mention. Take an hour on a Monday morning to come up with a list of short-term and long-term goals. You’ll probably have to present your work at regular lab meetings, so it’s always worth knowing what has to be done (lest you look a pillock in front of the lab when there’s nothing to show for your last two weeks.)

It’s always good to have a timeline of what will be done when. If you have a PCR, maybe you can squeeze in another experiment, read a few papers, start writing the introduction to your thesis, or even start collecting the data you already have into figures.

The more good use you make of your time, the easier it’ll be to finish your PhD in the long run. Plus, it’s lovely to sit back and look at actual graphs, rather than worry about having enough to put into a paper. Once you’ve typed up your data, you’ll realise you’ve done far more than you had anticipated and the next step forward will be entirely more apparent.

5. Embrace change – don’t get bogged down in the details.

Felix Shaw – one of our bioinformatics researchers at EI – put it best when he said, “ it felt like I was running into brick walls all the way through [my PhD]… you’d run into a brick wall, surmount it, only to run straight into another. ”

You’ll find that, often, experiments don’t work. What might seem like a great idea could turn out to be as bad as choosing to bat first on a fresh wicket on the first day of the third Ashes test at Edgbaston. (Yeah, we don't know what that means either - Ed).

Resilience is key while completing your PhD. Be open to change and embrace the chance to experiment in different ways. You might even end up with a thesis chapter including all of your failures, which at the very least is something interesting to discuss during your viva voce .

6. Learn how to build, and use, your network.

As a PhD student, you are a complete novice in the world of science and most things in the lab will be – if not new to you – not exquisitely familiar. This matters not, if you take advantage of the people around you.

Firstly, there are lab technicians and research assistants, who have probably been using the technique you are learning for years and years. They are incredibly experienced at a number of techniques and are often very happy to help show you how things are done.

There are postdocs and other PhD students, too. Not only can they help you with day-to-day experiments, they can offer a unique perspective on how something is done and will probably have a handy back-catalogue of fancy new techniques to try.

There are also a bunch of PIs, not limited to your own, who are great to talk to. These people run labs of their own, have different ideas, and might even give you a job once you’ve completed your PhD.

Don’t limit yourself to the labs directly around you, however. There are a massive number of science conferences going on all around the world. Some of them, such as the Society of Biology Conference, take place every year at a similar time in different locations, attracting many of the leaders in their respective fields.

If you are terrified by the prospect of speaking at a full-blown science conference and having your work questioned by genuine skeptics, there are also many student-led conferences which will help you dangle your fresh toes in the murky waters of presenting your work.

One such conference, the Second Student Bioinformatics Symposium, which took place at Earlham Institute in October 2016, was a great place for candidates to share their projects with peers, who are often much more friendly than veteran researchers with 30 year careers to their name when it comes to the questions at the end of your talk.

Another great reason to attend conferences, of course, is the social-side too – make the most of this. You never know who you might meet and connect with over a few drinks once the talks are over and the party commences.

7. Keep your options open.

You should be aware that for every 200 PhD students, only 7 will get a permanent academic post , so it’s incredibly unlikely that you’ll become a Professor – and even if you make PI, it probably won’t be until your mid-forties.

You may also, despite having commenced along the academic path, decide that actually, working in a lab environment isn’t for you. Most PhD graduates, eventually, will not pursue an academic career, but move on to a wide range of other vocations.

It might be that Science Communication is more up your street. This was certainly the case for me – and I made sure that I took part in as many public engagement events as possible while completing my PhD. Most Universities have an active public engagement profile, while organisations such as STEM can provide you with ample opportunities to interact with schools and the general public.

You might also consider entrepreneurship as a route away from academia, which might still allow you to use your expert scientific knowledge. There are a variety of competitions and workshops available to those with a business mind, a strong example being Biotechnology YES.

I, for example, took part in the Thought for Food Challenge, through which I have been able to attend events around the world and meet a vast array of like-minded individuals. Many of the participants from the challenge have gone on to set up successful businesses and have even found jobs as a result of the competition.

8. Balance.

Remember that you still have a life outside of your PhD degree – and that this can be one of the greatest opportunities to make amazing friends from around the world.

A science institute is usually home to the brightest students from a variety of countries and can provide a chance to experience a delightful range of different people and cultures. Don’t just stick to the people in your lab, go to events for postgraduate students and meet people from all over campus.

There are usually academic happy hours happening on Fridays after work where you can buy cheap beer, or some lucky institutions even have their own bar. At Norwich Research Park, we not only have the Rec Centre, along with bar, swimming pool, calcetto, samba classes, archery, and a range of other activities, but there are also biweekly “Postdoc pub clubs” which are very fun to join on a Tuesday evening.

Maintain your hobbies and keep up with friends outside of your PhD and you’ll probably find it’s not that gruelling a process after all.

Plus, the people you meet and become friends with might be able to help you out – or at least be able to offer a sympathetic shoulder.

9. Practical advice.

If, after reading all of this, you’re still going to march forth and claim your doctorhood, then this section should be rather useful.

Firstly, make sure your data is backed up. It’s amazing how many people don’t do this and you’d be bonkers not to. Keep your work saved on a shared drive, so that if your computer decides to spontaneously combust upon pressing the return key, you won’t have lost all of your precious work – or have to go through every one of your lab books and type it all up again.

Secondly, don’t leave your bag in the pub with your half-written thesis in it. I did this, the bag was fine, I was in a state of terror for at least half an hour before the kind person at Weatherspoons located said bag.

Thirdly, read. Read broadly, read anything and everything that’s closely related to your project – or completely unrelated. It’s sometimes amazing where you might find a stroke of inspiration, a new technique you hadn’t thought of … or even in idea of where you might like to go next.

Finally, ask questions – all of the time. No matter how stupid it might sound in your head, everyone’s probably been asked it before, and if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

You’ll probably look far less stupid if you just ask the person standing next to you how the gradient PCR function works on your thermal cycler rather than standing there randomly prodding buttons and looking flustered, anyway.

10. Savour the positives.

At the end of all of this, it has to be said that doing a PhD is absolutely brilliant. There’s no other time in your life that you’ll be this free to pursue your very own project and work almost completely independently. By the time you come to the end of your PhD, you will be the leading expert in the world on something. A real expert! Until the next PhD student comes along …

A PhD, is it worth it? Just ask our students

The realities of doing a PhD

My advice for PhD students? See what bites

COVID and my PhD: to lockdown and back

How does a PhD work and how to find the right one

Becky Shaw, PhD student at Earlham Institute

Building the confidence to take on a PhD

PhD life, 10 things we learned in our first six months

What’s the third year of a PhD like? Tips for navigating your PhD

PhD by experience

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How to get a PhD: Steps and Requirements Explained

Interested in obtaining a phd learn more about the steps to earn a phd, careers with phd, list of colleges offering programs and more., college monk — how to get a phd, what is a phd, phd admission requirements , steps to obtain a phd, step 1: complete an undergraduate degree, step 2: complete a master's program, step 3: apply for a phd program, step 4: complete your coursework, step 5: prepare a research proposal.

A research proposal is a document that outlines what, exactly, a PhD student will focus on during their research.

Step 6: Complete a literature review

Step 7: research and collect results, step 8: produce a thesis and write a dissertation, step 9: viva voce, online colleges offering phd programs.

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Recognizing Red Flags in Teenage Behavior: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Teenagers can be moody. But sometimes these behaviors are more serious. Here's when to intervene if you notice red flag behaviors in your teen, and what to look for.

What Are Red Flag Behaviors?

Common red flags in teenage behavior, how to spot red flag behaviors in teens, keep lines of communication open.

Watch for secrecy

Note changes in baseline behaviors

What to do if you notice red flags.

fcafotodigital / Getty Images

If your teenager often seems moody and volatile, you might be tempted to dismiss it as normal teenage behavior that will eventually pass. But sometimes the symptoms that most parents and caregivers of teenagers deal with are not just part of the normal changes all young people experience. Sometimes they could represent a more serious change to their behavior and personality.

When it comes to recognizing whether or not your teen’s mental health is suffering, most experts we talked with say that if your gut is telling you something is wrong, then likely something is wrong. And the sooner you address the issue, the better off your teen will be.

This is especially true since 1 in 5 teenagers have an impairing mental health disorder , says Helen Egger, MD , a child psychiatrist and co-founder of Little Otter, a mental health company. “Parents and other adults in the teen's life need to be aware of red flags that may indicate that a child is struggling.”

Here is what you need to know about red flag behaviors in teenagers, including how to recognize them and how to help.

Red flag behaviors aren’t going to be the same for everyone, but generally speaking they are any observable change in mood or behavior that causes you concern, says Eric Wood, PhD, LPC , director of TCU Counseling and Mental Health.

“I know this is not a scientific answer, but many parents just know if something is off with their teen,” he explains. “What’s off may not be the worst-case scenario, but in my experience, parents—because of their history with the teen—are usually correct.”

To make the process of recognizing red flags easier, he suggests using the acronym BAES, which stands for behaviors, appearance, emotions, and situations.

For instance, changes in behaviors might include isolating oneself from peers, poor academic performance , or overindulging on social media. Other red flags might include changes in appearance can range from a sudden shift in style of dress to failure to maintain hygiene, says Dr. Wood. Changes in emotions might include intense anxious or depressed moods, and changes in situations can include interacting with a new negative social group or experiencing a sudden social rejection from peers, he adds.

Identifying red-flag behaviors for mental health disorders in teens is a crucial part of early intervention and support, says Dr. Egger. Too often, parents and other adults dismiss these red flags as typical of the teenage developmental stage .

“While it is typical for teens to have strong emotions, some moodiness, and wish for privacy , it is not typical for these emotions and behaviors to be persistent and to interfere with the teen’s functioning at home or school,” says Dr. Egger.

When looking at potential red flags, keep in mind that you’re looking for a change in your child’s behaviors, emotions, appearance, and situation that lasts more than two weeks, happens nearly every day, occurs during different activities, and is adversely impacting your child’s functioning or the family’s functioning. If a parent notices any of these patterns, then it’s time to consider seeking help from a mental health professional. In the meantime, here is what Dr. Egger says to look for.

Extreme fatigue: If your teen experiences persistent tiredness that is not alleviated by rest, this may be a sign of an underlying mental health issue like depression or anxiety.
Sleep disruptions: When your teen has difficulty falling asleep, wakes up at night, cannot sleep in, or experiences day-night reversal where they are up during the night and asleep during the day, this is a red flag. Anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, and other disorders are all associated with sleep disruption.
Excessive worry: If your teen is experiencing anxiety and panic attacks or cannot seem to relax, this is a sign of an anxiety disorder that needs to be addressed.
Persistent sadness: Irritability, hopelessness, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, and significant changes in appetite or sleep patterns are possible symptoms of depression that should not be ignored.
Suicidal thoughts or remarks: Any comments about self-harm, hopelessness about the future, or remarks about wanting to die should be taken seriously and addressed immediately by a mental health professional. That includes when a teen says or writes actual threats, such as “I can't do this anymore,” “I am done,” or “I don't want to live anymore.”
Appetite changes: Significant weight loss or gain, as well as changes in eating habits , can signal emotional distress and can be associated with depression, anxiety, or a primary eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia.
Extreme mood swings: Rapid and intense shifts in mood, such as going from very happy to very sad without an obvious reason, can be a sign of mood disorders.
Withdrawal from social interactions: Avoiding friends, family, and social activities can be a symptom of depression or social anxiety.
Difficulty paying attention: Attention difficulties can present as difficulties with school work, procrastination, unfinished tasks like homework or chores, extreme messiness, and commonly losing things or forgetting things. These attention difficulties can be a sign of ADHD , but depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD can also present with attention difficulties.
Sudden decline in academic performance: A noticeable drop in grades or a sudden lack of interest in schoolwork can indicate that a teen is struggling with depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Excessive screen time: Spending an excessive amount of time on social media or electronic devices, especially when it replaces face-to-face interactions, can be a sign of underlying problems such as anxiety, depression, or internet addiction.
Changes in appearance: Showering less frequently, changing clothing styles, wearing the same thing over and over, refusing to brush or style their hair, wearing long sleeves or heavy sweatshirts even in hot weather, and other similar behaviors also can be a sign that something is amiss that should be investigated.

Helen Egger, MD

“If any of these behaviors are observed, it is important to communicate with your teen and seek guidance from a mental health professional to provide appropriate support and intervention,” says Dr. Egger.

It can be tricky for parents to know when to be concerned versus what is normal teenage angst, says Susan Tellone, RN, BSN, CSN, MSN, the clinical director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide.

“My rule of thumb is to give your teen about two weeks,” she says. “Everyone has a bad day or even a bad few days, but if that bad, sad, or low mood lasts for two weeks or more, parents, guardians, and caregivers should engage in a conversation with their teen about what they are experiencing. I often compare it to a physical health concern. If your child was in physical pain for two weeks, most people would bring the child to a doctor. It should be the same with mental health.”

Another way to spot red flag symptoms is to keep the lines of communication open . In fact, the lack of healthy communication can often exacerbate problems or cause feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Addressing any issues early also is key because it helps you and your teen identify thoughts and behaviors before they become entrenched. It also can help keep mental health issues from becoming more severe or persisting into adulthood—especially when they get the help they need.

“If your child is not receptive to discussing what they are experiencing with you, encouraging them to talk to someone about it is a great alternative,” says Tellone.

Susan Tellone, RN, BSN, CSN, MSN

“Parents should always reach out to a medical professional or use the 988 national hotline if the situation reaches a point where they are concerned about the safety or life of their child.”

At the end of the day, the important action to take is nudging your child to open up and discuss their emotions with people who they feel can best support them, she adds. It also can be helpful to tell them why you are checking in with them and discuss the behaviors you are observing.

“When you do this, you are explaining why you have become worried enough to ask these questions and begin an open and honest conversation,” says Tellone. “Talking to your child about how they are feeling can be difficult, but these red flag behaviors should not be ignored.”

Watch for secrecy

Another way to spot red flags is to trust your intuition, says Dr. Wood. Also, be on alert if your teen suddenly behaves secretively or avoids you in some way. In fact, some research studies have found that depression can lead to secrecy.

“There is a big distinction between privacy and secrecy, though,” explains Dr. Wood. “Parents should decide how much privacy they give a teen, but when a teen absolutely refuses to share something with a parent, that is usually a red flag in my experience.”

“It’s impossible to monitor everything that a teen is doing,” he continues. “However, if parents feel like they have to monitor everything, then this is a red flag.”

If your teen usually behaves one way—for instance always showers in the morning—and then seemingly out of nowhere starts behaving in the opposite way—stops showering altogether—that could be a red flag.

This might also look like withdrawal from friends, isolating in their room, opting out of social situations that they have enjoyed in the past, changes in sleep or eating habits, or even a sudden change in mood improvement for the better, explains Tellone.

Although you might have trouble keeping up, try to pay attention to your teen’s academic and social life. Teens experiencing stressful situations, like an embarrassing situation at school, getting into trouble with a teacher, or feeling rejected by friends, may lead to mental health concerns.

“Pay attention if they have overwhelming emotional pain or distress, frequent visits to the school nurse, unusual patterns of tardiness, absences from school, irritability, and loss of interest in activities,” Tellone adds.

Even physical pain can be a sign that something is wrong. In fact, complaining of physical aches or pains, having headaches, experiencing stomach cramps, or having digestive problems without a clear reason—and that doesn’t go away with treatment—could be a sign of a mental health condition.

Another tell-tale red flag behavior is when a teen says or writes actual threats, such as “I can't do this anymore,” “I am done,” or “I don't want to live anymore.”

If you notice that your teen is displaying red flag behaviors, start by talking to them about their mental health in a way that avoids making them feel judged.

“It is so helpful to give your child space to talk and validate their feelings, even if we don't fully understand them,” says Tellone. “Take a moment to try and understand their perspective. Listen without judgment and try to refrain from giving advice or trying to fix it. It is important for children to believe that—with our support—they themselves can begin to problem solve.”

“[And] if others such as teachers, coaches, peers, or siblings are raising concerns about your child’s emotions or behavior,” she adds, “take these concerns seriously.”

Here are more strategies for addressing mental health red flags with your teen.

Seize the moment: When your teen provides an opening to talk, seize that moment and follow your child’s lead, Tellone says. “If you are being invited to talk with your teen, take it!” Give your teen your full attention, and listen without interrupting, she adds. “Show that you are genuinely interested in what they have to say.”
Choose the right time and place: Find a quiet, private, and comfortable setting to have the conversation, Dr. Egger says. “Ensure there are no distractions and that both you and your teen have enough time to talk. Sometimes teens are more open when you talk with them side-by-side while doing an activity together like cooking or playing a game rather than face-to-face.”
Be open and honest: Dr. Egger suggests approaching the conversation with sincerity and honesty. “Let your teen know that you are concerned because you care about their well-being. Use ‘I’ Statements and frame your observations in a way that focuses on your own feelings and concerns rather than accusing or blaming. For example, say ‘I’ve noticed you’ve seemed really sad lately, and I’m worried about you’ instead of ‘You’ve been so moody and difficult.’”
Validate their feelings : At the same time, “Let them know that it’s OK to feel the way they do and that their feelings are valid,” he adds. Another way to validate your teen is to emphasize that mental health is an important aspect of overall health and that it’s normal (not shameful) to talk about it.
Ask open-ended questions: Encourage your teen to share their thoughts and feelings by asking open-ended questions that require more than a yes or no answer, says Dr. Egger. “For example, ‘Can you tell me more about what’s been going on?’ or ‘How have you been feeling lately?’”
Offer support: Let your teen know that you are there for them and willing to help, Tellone says. Discuss potential solutions or resources together, such as talking to a school counselor or seeing a mental health professional. This step is especially important because one study found that nearly 50% of kids with a mental health disorder did not receive treatment or counseling from a mental health professional.
Follow-up: Continue to check in with your teen regularly. Let them know that your support is ongoing and that you are always available to talk.

Eric Wood, PhD, LPC

"Each red flag is a green light to say something,” says Dr. Wood. “The earlier you say something the better. Some parents worry about ‘making a big deal out of nothing.’ However, it’s not weird to check in with your teen, even if everything is OK. If the red flags continue to pile up, then intervene. Use all the resources that you have, including other family members, your church, counseling, their teachers, and their peers.”

Communication Strategies for Empowering and Protecting Children . J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther. 2016.

Early Intervention in Mental Health is Essential says NIMH Clinician: Research Studies & Novel Treatments in Youth Irritability Show Promise . Anxiety and Depression Association of America. 2023.

What Parents Don't Know: Disclosure and Secrecy in a Sample of Urban Adolescents . J Adolesc. 2016.

Depression . National Institute of Mental Health.

Study: One in Six U.S. Children Has a Mental Illness . American Academy of Family Physicians. 2019.

IMAGES

How to become a PhD guide
How to Get a PhD: A handbook for students and their supervisors
How Do I Get Into a PhD Program? A Guide for Aspiring PhDs
How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and their Supervis by Estelle
How to get a PhD: Steps and Requirements Explained
How to get a PhD: Steps and Requirements Explained

COMMENTS

How to become a PhD guide
As a PhD supervisor, a teacher can guide a maximum of 8 to 10 PhD students and 5 M.Phil students at a time. Criteria to become a PhD supervisor or guide in India, USA or UK: A PhD degree from a reputed university 5 to 7 years of postgraduate teaching experience or at least 10 years of undergraduate teaching experience. Broad research experience
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Once you've been admitted to a PhD program, the true adventure commences. Here's what you can expect during your doctoral expedition: 2. Choose Your Field of Study. The initial and pivotal step is selecting your field of study. Your choice should reflect your passions, interests, and long-term career aspirations.
Applying for a Ph.D.? These 10 tips can help you succeed
The key is knowing what to do to prepare and how to compile and submit a strong application. We hope these 10 tips will help you get started. 1. Be true to yourself: First and foremost, consider your goals. Many students are initially interested in pursuing a Ph.D. because they want to become a professor.
A Guide to PhD Success: How to Thrive During Doctoral Studies
You'll need to choose a research topic, design and conduct your research, compile and analyze your data, and then write, rewrite, and defend your dissertation. Plus, some classes may only be offered during a particular semester or in a specific order. In short, getting a PhD isn't a quick process. 4.
How to Apply For a PhD: Step-By-Step
Step 1: choose your research area. The first, and most obvious, step to applying for a PhD is to decide what research area you want to work in. Whether you're looking for an Arts and Humanities PhD or a STEM one, each individual subject is made up of a vast array of research topics. Most PhD courses will expect students to have a degree in a ...
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Hopefully this collection of popular PhD FAQs will help you to tick a few off the list! Note - If you're already sure that you want to do a PhD, and are looking for guidance on the applications process, check out my post on How to apply for a PhD which includes advice from successful PhD applicants. My post-PhD reflections on the things I ...
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Prepare for the Standardized Tests. Most PhD programs require students to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). Having high test scores is a key part of an application as it tests skills learned over the course of many years in school. Quantitative skills are especially important when applying to doctoral programs in business areas.
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The verbal sections each consist of 20 questions, to be answered over 30 minutes. The whole is scored on a scale of 130-170. The quantitative section is scored the same, and consists of two 20 question sections, each of which should be completed in 35 minutes. The writing section is scored from 0-6.
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Here's a look at the PhD application timeline and curriculum you can expect, from the first meeting with your program supervisor to your graduation and beyond. 1. Initial Meeting with Your Academic Advisor. One of the first things you'll do as a PhD student is meet with your academic advisor or supervisor.
Applying for a PhD: Step-by-Step Guide
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A guide will definitely take interest in you. We have covered an amazing article on how to select a PhD guide, you can read it here: How to become a PhD guide. Meanwhile, you can prepare for entrance exams. Once A PhD guide will be ready to take you under them! Your admission will be almost stamped. So during the pre-admission phase:
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Completing Prerequisite Education. Complete an undergraduate degree in a broad field. To qualify for a PhD program, you will need a solid record of undergraduate coursework from a reputable university. [2] This degree should demonstrate your potential for both advanced coursework and independent research.
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Step 1: Complete an undergraduate degree. Before you can take the next step toward your PhD, you'll first have to receive a bachelor's degree through an undergraduate program at a reputable university. This education will provide the foundation for your more advanced coursework later.
PDF PhD selection guide How to get the right PhD candidate
nded PhD candidate, propose the project to him or her. If this candidate is not interested, either alter the project to fit the candidate, or continue with placing a job offer (step 2.2a) ue section of this selection guide.phase 3: SelectionIn this phase you decide which candidate is most suited for the project, and.
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