Getting into PhD programs in science and engineering is a surprisingly elaborate process, and I’ve seen so much advice out there that misses the point. Unlike for many professional degrees (think: MDs and MBAs), getting a PhD includes working very closely with a small group of dedicated experts for years. They’re not thinking of you as a student so much as a future collaborator whose performance will impact the future of the research group.…

Recent undergraduates have several advantages in applying to PhD programs, in that they’ve frequently just completed the expected coursework and often have active relationships with letter writers. But there are some significant risks too. If you’re currently an undergraduate, it’s good to start thinking about these tradeoffs, and I’ll give you some tips on becoming a stronger candidate…

Only seriously consider doing a PhD if you want to do excellent research in the next five years, and if the degree will likely be useful for you afterward. Strictly, the second part is optional. For instance, your goal might be to do expert research in underwater basket weaving and then spend the rest of your life as a professional cat masseuse, or maybe you’ve already had a long career and might retire after the PhD…

Some people ask if they should start with a masters instead. Unless a masters is a key degree for professional positions that interest you (as it can be in public health, for instance), I strongly discourage it. In many STEM fields, masters programs are primarily moneymakers for the university, and many faculty I know consider them vaguely unethical and fight hard to keep masters programs from forming in their discipline…

Don’t freak out if you are asked to draft your letter of recommendation for PhD admission. It’s not that uncommon…