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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) accepts applications for their post bac program all year round. You apply 6 months before your desired start date!

https://www.training.nih.gov/research-training/pb/pb/

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Admissions Information Session, October 16, 2025

Register Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemVaR5Jz9ouqqGNB0fWH0aQ0I-OihHWdaI3-dhsEnD8EtM2w/viewform

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For Financial Support in Graduate School:

Fellowships and graduate programs in a wide variety of STEM disciplines:

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Grad.aspx

For tips on applying and associated resources:

http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/toolbox.aspx

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Note: Some programs may have been terminated.

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What are PREP Programs?
Post-baccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP) are 1-year paid research programs designed to help recent graduates strengthen their admission to PhD programs.

See posts below for program locations and dates.

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Search the database for summer research experiences for:
- first-year, sophomore, juniors & senior students
- undocumented students
- international students

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Programs for Undocumented Students - REU Finder

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NEW PhD Program-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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NEW PhD Program-St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

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Biomedical Sciences PhD program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is now ~4 years old.

Our program has No application fee and does not require the GRE. I have summarized other key aspects of our program below, including NIH funding rates, stipend and support, and more.

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A PhD from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is like no other. With leading-edge science, unparalleled resources, and unique clinical experience, our graduate program is designed to create scientific leaders who will discover the next generation of cures.

Our innovative curriculum is for independent students who thrive in an interactive, challenging and creative research environment. Doctoral research can be pursued in diverse areas with top basic and translational research faculty supported by state-of-the-art facilities. Beyond our global leadership in pediatric oncology, St. Jude has superb programs in infectious diseases, genetic and blood disorders, neurological diseases and drug discovery, and world-class basic research in cell and molecular biology, chemical biology, developmental neurobiology, immunology, and structural biology.

Clinical care experience is a fundamental component of the program. Students interact extensively with medical experts and follow St. Jude patients from the beginning of their first year.

Throughout training, students are supported by generous benefits, extraordinary core facilities, and a collaborative, close-knit environment - all in the heart of the vibrant, musical city of Memphis.

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St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences

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A PhD from the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is like no other. With leading-edge science, unparalleled resources, and unique clinical experience, our graduate program is designed to create scientific leaders who will discover the next generation of cures.

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Ph.D. Program in Biological Sciences: https://www.cshl.edu/phd-program/

CSHL's School of Biological Sciences offers an accelerated Ph.D. program that features:
* A unique educational curriculum in an institution renowned for its pioneering research and training programs, where coursework and laboratory rotations are completed in the first year,
* 4-5 years on average from matriculation to Ph.D.,
* Stipend, tuition, research costs, and benefits provided fully by the School, giving students the freedom to join any lab irrespective of the lab's external funding,
* Subsidized housing and food, full health benefits, and
* A two-tiered mentoring structure with pre-scheduled thesis committee meetings.

The application deadline is December 1st. There is no application fee. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online.

Ph.D. Program Brochures & Catalog: https://www.cshl.edu/phd-program/brochures-catalog
Curriculum and Program Overview: https://www.cshl.edu/graduate-program-info
Career Development: https://www.cshl.edu/graduate-program-career-development
Life at CSHL: https://www.cshl.edu/phd-program/life-at-cshl

Postgraduate Short Courses and Workshops: http://bit.ly/cshlcourses

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Innovative Ph.D. program

Our innovative doctoral program includes the following key features:

Approximately four to five years from matriculation to Ph.D.

A broad representation of the biological sciences

A first year with course work and laboratory rotations in separate phases

Emphasis on the principles of scientific reasoning and logic as well as the importance of ethics and effective communication

Continued advanced course instruction throughout the graduate curriculum

Extensive mentoring and support in large part through our "two-tier" mentoring program

Admissions/apply now

The application consists of official transcripts, a personal statement, and three letters of recommendation. There is no requirement for the GREs, and no minimal requirement for GPA. Our application review is holistic-all components of the application are considered, including the types of courses taken, the applicant's research experience, and any challenges faced. Letters of recommendation are highly valued. There is no application fee.

The Ph.D. program matriculates approximately nine students per entering class. The average time to degree is five years.

Dedicated mentorship

Students at CSHL benefit from having numerous mentors during their time in the program. Within two weeks of their matriculation, students select a faculty member as an Academic Mentor who serves an essential role in providing student guidance before the selection of a Research Mentor, and continues as a mentor and a member of the thesis committee for the duration of the training.

Additional mentoring is provided by the Dean, Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs. These members of the School staff, whose offices are located in the same building as the personal study space provided for the first-year students, are available individually or collectively for each student on a daily basis to discuss courses, lab research, personal concerns, and professional and career development.

A thesis committee meeting is scheduled by the School for each student every 6 months. This provides students with valuable feedback on a regular basis, and extensive oversight of the student's academic and research progress, allowing them to complete their degree in a timely manner.

Curriculum/course of study

The Fall Term curriculum is designed to provide trainees with a broad-understanding across multiple disciplines in the biosciences. All first-year students, regardless of their scientific background and future area of thesis research, study the same, broad, full-time curriculum. The Core Courses that comprise the curriculum provide students with the skills to think critically and independently, and to be able to identify and address the important questions of each discipline. Trainees obtain a strong foundation in scientific reasoning, experimental design and methods, quantitative skills, and data analysis and management. Students are instructed in the ethical and responsible conduct of research, and means to achieve rigor and reproducibility in research through dedicated courses, and through components integrated into the core courses.

After completing the requirements of the first year, students select their Research Mentor and focus on their individualized training and doctoral research.

Career development

Our graduates are well prepared to enter a wide array of careers that include academic research, biotech, pharma, consulting, and publishing. Students at CSHL explore career options and acquire professional skills through several means, such as the Career and Skills Development Course, the Career Directions Series and the Bioscience Enterprise Club. The School of Biological Sciences provides students with opportunities for experiential learning and internships.

Student support

The School of Biological Sciences is committed to supporting its students through a generous stipend, full health, vision and dental benefits and subsidized housing and food. An on-campus Health and Wellness Center, whose services include on-site mental health counseling, is available free of cost to students. In the first year, students are invited to live in one of CSHL's on-campus properties reserved exclusively for students: either the Knight House or Cutting House, two 19th century, fully restored and fully furnished houses in Cold Spring Harbor.

Students are provided with relocation costs, and a laptop and other supplies upon matriculation.

An annual educational enhancement fund ensures that students have access to meetings, courses and other educational resources.

Affordable group childcare is provided for the entire CSHL community on the main campus through Bright Horizons.

Life at CSHL

Located on the north shore of Long Island, CSHL is surrounded by miles of beautiful beaches and hiking trails allowing students to easily escape the lab and immerse themselves in nature.

The warm weather months will find students enjoying volleyball games and barbeques by the beach, as part of the community events organized by the Laboratory. Students also have the exceptional opportunity to regularly meet and network with scientific leaders as part of the Meetings and Courses Program, where more than 10,000 scientists visit CSHL annually.

The nearby towns of Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington provide students with all the necessary amenities. Vibrant New York City is only 35 miles away, and its museums, restaurants, theaters and concert halls are easily accessible by train.

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Graduate School - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

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Our innovative doctoral program includes the following key features: Approximately four to five years from matriculation to Ph.D.

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© 2018 Institute for Broadening Participation

contactus@ibparticipation.org
IBP Staff List
Follow IBP:

This material is based upon work partially supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. 0646359, 1444498, 1139269, 0853147, 0827110, 0749544, 0703763, 0701472, 0549302, 0503536, 0456706, 0429048, 0954286, 0728588, 0834096, 1444382, 1037641, 1038809, 1315956, 1506040.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

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Scroll below to learn about PhD programs, bridge to the doctorate programs, PREP programs, and gap years. 

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Scroll below to learn about PhD programs, bridge to the doctorate programs, PREP programs, and gap years. 

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How to find a Research lab in graduate school?

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How to find a Research lab in graduate school?

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Why is choosing the right lab such a big deal? It's actually something you CAN choose and it will make a huge difference for your future career and life. You might see a lab head as choosing you, but in reality, you are giving your hard work and talent for many years (at a very low salary I might add). You have a right and responsibility to choose a lab where you can thrive and do your best work. This post is focused on choosing a lab, but almost all of these guidelines can apply to any workplace or job. It amazes me when the most analytic scientists seem to toss data-driven reasoning out the window when making decisions. We think scientists make choices based on logic and reason, but often our decisions are based on emotions and assumptions. I'm not just talking about simple things like "Which route should I take to get to work?"; we often make important life decisions without much logic - even choosing a training lab where we will spend the next 6 years.

Know yourself

I rotated in 3 labs before choosing a graduate school lab. All the lab heads were amazing scientists, but the labs were profoundly different. My first rotation was with a mid-sized lab with an experienced mentor. The lab was very, very quiet. Every time I asked a question, I felt like I was yelling. I imagined 6 years of biting my tongue and gratefully moved on. My second rotation was in a big lab with a famous PI who I was only likely to see once a year. There was lots of hustle and bustle, but the lab was very competitive and not very communal. That didn't suit my collaborative learning style at all. Finally I rotated in a small lab with a new PI. I realized that as a first born child, I would thrive on this level of attention and interaction (and I did).

Some of the information you will need is about you. It's worth taking time to honestly evaluate your own style of work and communication before making this important decision. I'll highlight some of these questions in the sections below. Mentoring relationships can help identify your priorities and needs, but sometimes it just takes introspective thought on what's worked for you and not worked for you in the past. For all of the factors I touch on below, the first question to ask yourself is "which ones matter to me?" and hone in on the factors that will make the most difference for your success.

Gather data on the lab choices

How do you find out what the lab is really like? Gather data of course. Ask questions. Prepare by going sleuthing on the lab website, publication records, LinkedIn, ResearchGate or Twitter. Be ready for the interview with a long list of written questions for the PI and lab members. Make coffee or beer dates to talk to as many lab alumni as you can or schedule video/calls if they are not local. Alumni meetings can be the most informative way of gathering data. Former lab members can give open, revealing information about the culture and lab head. While it's good to talk to new lab members too, they may not have had experience writing, publishing, or discussing career opportunities with the lab head. Former lab members can give you a fuller picture. Consider talking to people in the lab across the hall or in the same department as well. What do they have to say about this lab's reputation?

If you are choosing a training lab, I strongly suggest you complete a work rotation in the lab if at all possible. If not, see if you can spend a day or two hanging out around the lab and especially try to attend a lab meeting. Observe how the lab members treat one another (especially those low on the totem pole). Can you see yourself enjoying this atmosphere?

Lab size matters

Yes, yes it's all about the science but really it's not. It's about the atmosphere that will allow you to thrive. How big is the group? Has it grown over time? If not, why not? It may not be a bad thing if the lab has stayed that size on purpose, but it could also be a sign that the lab head has trouble attracting scientists. To get a better idea of why the lab is the size that it is and whether or not it will work for you, ask questions like:

Do lab members feel there are enough projects to go around?

What is the energy level in the lab? Does a frenetic atmosphere make you edgy or energized?

Are you an only child and used to a lot of attention? Or are you one of 8 children and used to getting the attention you need?

Are you good at asking for help? If you are good at asking for and getting help, size might not be a big factor for you.

Know who's boss

You sign on to a lab for the mentoring only to find out that the lab head is an absentee advisor. They are always traveling, or too busy to interact regularly with the newer lab members. You must get an idea of what to expect and decide if it is what is best for you. Some of these important questions will be easy to ask the lab head, and some are better asked of other lab members. Ask things like:

Is the lab head really around and accessible for advice and input?

Will a postdoc or lab manager be your actual mentor? Is there a chance the supervisor will be moving on soon?

Will you get to meet one on one with the lab head? Are meetings with the lab head regularly scheduled or only ad hoc?

Does the mentor keep appointments with group members or are they frequently cancelled?

Choosing a role model

Make sure the mentors you choose are teaching the stuff you want to know and display character traits and skills that you hope to grow. Find mentors who take their responsibility to train you seriously. Why work for someone who you don't look up to and who doesn't care about your career development? To get a better idea of whether or not a lab head is a good role model, consider questions like:

How long do lab members stay around? Is it too long or do they leave prematurely?

Do lab alumni stay in the same field taking projects with them and remaining close colleagues of the PI? Or do lab alumni leave the field or get pushed out by the PI?

What is the management style? How does the PI deal with conflicts in the lab? Do they motivate with the appropriate balance of encouragement and criticism?

Do they encourage diversity in all forms?

How are their organizational skills?

Are they involved with colleagues and the department?

Are they successful at getting grants and funding?

Beware of bullying

Your mental health and success in science will directly depend on your science mentor. One scientist who followed my advice to interview alumni of the lab was told that the PI removed a woman from the appropriate first authorship position on a publication of her project and made another lab member first author because they "needed it more". My friend didn't heed this warning and profoundly regretted it when the same thing happened to her a year later. I hear too many science trainees get warnings and still think "but that won't happen to me, I have a backbone". The sad truth is, if it happened before, it almost certainly will also happen to you. As you speak to lab members and alumni, don't ever disregard warning signs of unethical behavior, harassment or bullying.

Even with the rise of movements such as the Future of Research Symposium and #MeTooSTEM, academic bullies are hard to stop -they often have no boss or management structure to demand better behavior. I'm not saying you have no recourse if you end up in a bullying lab, but by far the best thing to do is not go into these labs in the first place. This is another reason to do your research and choose wisely.

From the Tenure She Wrote blog, Toxic Academic Mentors.

What is workplace bullying?

Threats to professional status - including belittling opinions, public professional humiliation, accusations regarding lack of effort, intimidating use of discipline or competence procedures

Threats to personal standing - including undermining personal integrity, destructive innuendo and sarcasm, persistent teasing, name calling, insults, intimidation, sexual harassment

Isolation - including preventing access to opportunities, physical or social isolation, withholding necessary information

Overwork - including undue pressure, impossible deadlines, unnecessary disruptions

Destabilization - including failure to acknowledge good work, allocation of meaningless tasks, removal of responsibility, repeated reminders of blunders, setting target up to fail, shifting goal posts without telling the target

Warning signs while interviewing: Lab members speak disrespectfully of supervisors and/or each other. You are not allowed to speak to lab members alone during the interview period. People seem to be hiding their work and are n ervous about discussing data. There's hesitation before answering questions about lab culture.

Support for diverse career paths

I hope by now you are aware that the majority of PhD scientists will not actually follow the academic career path taken by their training lab mentors. ~80% of you will be in jobs outside of academia 10 years after your training. You must ensure that you are expanding your options and preparing for both academic and non-academic career paths. I can't say this strongly enough - don't choose a mentor that sees you only as a paper making machine. Choose one that is a true mentor, supporting career development and growth.

Have lab alumni gone into both academic and non-academic careers?

Will you be encouraged to develop transferable skills by attending career events or being involved in a grad or postdoc association?

Will you learn how to run a lab if that is your aspiration? Will you help or at least observe grant writing? Get equipment quotes? Understand administrative responsibilities?

Is the work (topic and/or technical aspects) applicable to industry if this path interests you (e.g. human disease or models of disease, drug properties, etc.)?

Will this lab help you head for a career in drug/device development? Does the advisor have industry connections such as serving on Boards? Does the publication record show evidence of industry collaboration?

If you are considering a career at a small, teaching college you might want to consider less expensive, portable areas of research (transgenic mice-out, zebra fish-in)

Team attitude vs. dog eat dog

Which one is better for you? Maybe you like things a bit hectic and challenging and this drives your best work. Or is it teamwork that brings out your best performance and learning? Everyone's different so give some thought to what atmosphere makes you successful.

Collaborative

Competitive

Papers have multiple authors

One author plus PI on most papers

Productive external collaborations

Reputation for not being open

PI helps lab members determine project "ownership" and author order

PI lets lab members fight it out

PI intervenes if there are interpersonal conflicts

PI has no idea who is dating whom

Expanding your skillset

Scientists are lifelong learners. I believe we won't be happy if we aren't learning so before you take any position you must make sure there will be a way to grow and learn. Graduate students and postdocs in particular must care about this. The training you get now will have a big impact on everything you do in the future. Questions to ask:

Will someone(s) train you technically?

Will the PI/supervisor look at your data and suggest follow up experiments regularly?

Can you work on some experiments of your own choosing?

Does the PI keep up on the literature and pass on relevant papers?

Will you have access to information from other labs with skills that you can learn?

Do lab members work on more than one project at a time or over their stay in the lab?

Do all lab members attend scientific meetings (and present)?

Making the decision

Try to rotate or interview in more than one lab when you choose a grad school or postdoc lab. Having a comparison can be very helpful in uncovering strengths and weaknesses of the options. Use this blog as a guide. Start a document to record notes and observations so you have data to review when making a decision. If you don't see a culture you want to contribute to and learn from, keep looking. The right lab for you is out there if you take the time to evaluate the options critically. How will it feel when you find it? If you find the right lab, some days it won't even feel like work. Scientists love learning and science so find a place that loves you back.
Additional resources on the Addgene blog Resources on Addgene.org

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Is this the right place for me? 8 tactics for choosing a lab

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Why is choosing the right lab such a big deal? It's actually something you CAN choose and it will make a huge difference for your future career and life. You might see a lab head as choosing you, but in reality, you are giving your hard work and talent for many years (at a very low salary I might add).

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PathwaysToScience.org is an excellent resource for finding both paid summer research programs and fully funded STEM graduate programs. Use the website to search:

630 paid summer research programs for undergrads and grad students, including opportunities funded by NSF, NASA, NOAA, etc.

138 fully funded STEM masters programs

160 fully funded STEM PhD programs

For help finding programs, view this quick video tutorial on how to use the advanced search page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxKsAGk8dAw&t=16s

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Use our basic and advanced search options to browse over 1,200 funding, paid research, REU, internship, and educational opportunities in STEM, including programs for underrepresented minorities, women, and students with disabilities.

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Personal Statement vs Statement of Purpose

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Tips for Statement of Purpose Writing Process

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Tips for Statement of Purpose Writing Process

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Start 2-3 months before the application cycle.

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Tips on Writing Your Statement of Purpose

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Want the Inside Scoop on Grad Programs around the Nation?

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Want the Inside Scoop on Grad Programs around the Nation?

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Click the image to see what different schools offer, including:

Masters Stipend (academic year)?

PhD Stipend

Annual Tuition (in state)

Annual Tuition (out of state) International (can they get waivers)

Health Insurance

Other Fees

Tuition Waiver Cost of Living?

GRE required?

Other Notes

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For various reasons, students are not able to apply or get accepted into a PhD or master's program. Students may take a gap year to strengthen their applications and try again during the next cycle. During the gap year, students still interested in applying to graduate programs should either attend a PREP Program (information above) or apply for jobs in their fields. For more information, email Dr. Semarhy Quiñones.

If you are looking for a job, click here.

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What are PREP Programs?
Post-baccalaureate Research Education Programs (PREP) are 1-year paid research programs designed to help recent graduates strengthen their admission to PhD programs.

For a list of PREP programs, click image above.

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Apply to Bridge to the Doctorate Programs

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Apply to Bridge to the Doctorate Programs

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What are they? Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Programs provides fellowship support to students for two years while earning a Master's degree and preparing to apply to PhD programs. Programs provide opportunities, like workshops, research, professional development and planning for PhD applications.
Students receive an annual stipend & paid tuition/fees for two years.

There are LSAMP-specific BD programs, for which you, as CSU-LSAMP students, are eligible for. To see a list of current LSAMP BD Programs, click below:

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""Back to LSAMPandBD search page

University of Texas, Arlington

California State University, San Marcos

Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta Metropolitan State College
J.F. Drake State Community & Technical College
Lawson State Community College
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University of West Georgia

Cornell University

University of Mississippi
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Organization for Tropical Studies

University of Connecticut

Delaware State University
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University of Pennsylvania
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University of Georgia
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Madison Area Technical College

University of Virginia
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National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville
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University of Wisconsin, Madison
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University of Arkansas, Little Rock
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DePaul University
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Chicago State University

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Oklahoma State University

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Tennessee State University
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Syracuse University
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Rochester Institute of Technology
State University of New York (SUNY), Monroe Community College

University of Virginia
National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesville
Old Dominion University
Thomas Nelson Community College
Bennett College
Elizabeth City State University
George Mason University
John C. Smith University
Piedmont Community College
Saint Augustine's College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Commonwealth University

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""Back to LSAMPandBD search page University of Texas, Arlington California State University, San Marcos Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta Metropolitan State CollegeJ.F.

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A PhD is the highest degree awarded in academia.

How do PhD Programs Work?Generally, PhD programs start with a mix of classes & research work during your first year in the program. After completing the classes, students take a comprehensive examination and/or qualifying examination, depending on the program, which advances them into the PhD candidacy. After advancing, students focus on research under the supervision of a faculty mentor for the next 3-4 years. Some programs may also require teaching  during this time. To graduate, PhD candidate write a doctoral dissertation (thesis), which students must defend before a panel of faculty members.

Completing a PhD can take an average of 5-6 years. Students are financially supported by fellowships, grants or teaching assistantships, earning a salary and having their tuition/fees paid by the it too.

For more information, click below.

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DeWitt Scott received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University. You can follow him on Twitter at @dscotthighered.
After much thought and contemplation, you have decided to pursue a doctoral degree. You have visualized yourself 25 years into the future as a preeminent scholar in some discipline or field that matters to you. Or, you see yourself using a Ph.D. to make a difference in the world outside of academia. Either way, you are convinced that being regarded as "Dr. _________" is a part of your destiny. Congratulations, now the work begins.

Doctoral work and completion begins first and foremost with being accepted into a program, and no one is accepted into a program without first applying. Below are simple, straightforward tips to help future Ph.D. applicants. The advice given here pertains to a general Ph.D. application process and does not account for the discipline-specific needs of programs, such as in the sciences or arts.

1. Choose your program/institution based on the research interests of the faculty. A number of prospective Ph.D. students tend to consider the institution and its rank first and foremost when searching for a program. While these things matter, what is most important are the research interests and advising potential of the faculty. Your first objective should be to find a program that houses a faculty member(s) whose work you are interested in and whom you may want as an advisor or mentor. Aligning yourself with a scholar who is an expert in an area of interest of yours can pay dividends that can benefit you throughout your career. In addition, when seeking academic jobs, the reputation and influence of the person who chairs and serves on your dissertation committee often holds more weight than the name of the institution or program.

2. Start the application process early. Applying for an academic program that can take, on average, 6-8 years to complete, cannot be done adequately in 6-8 days. Allow yourself the greatest potential for completing a quality application by starting early. Most application deadlines tend to be in the fall before you start the program. This means you should begin gathering materials and working out a plan to apply the spring before the deadline. For instance, if you would like a start a Ph.D. in August 2018, the deadline for applying is typically in October/November 2017. Consequently, you should begin working on the application process in April/May 2017. Do not damage your chances for acceptance by rushing and submitting a mediocre application.

3. Ask for recommendation letters far in advance of the application deadline. Graduate programs will request recommendation letters from their applicants. Considering that most Ph.D. applicants will either be matriculating, or not far removed, from their master's and undergraduate days, recommendation letter requests will usually go to past professors. Please understand that professors are extremely busy people. In addition to being unwise, it is downright disrespectful to ask a professor for a recommendation letter two weeks before it is due. The average professor, or anyone for that matter, will not rearrange the short-term priorities in their life to accommodate your procrastination or unprofessionalism. Be courteous and give your former professors at least 3 months to provide you a recommendation letter. That will allow them to plan accordingly and gather their thoughts about you in a comfortable manner. Anything less than two months and you place yourself in jeopardy of receiving a mediocre letter or not receiving one at all.

4. Personal statements should show your potential to do original scholarly work. Applicants sometimes believe the personal statement is purely about expressing why you would like be accepted in the program and the goals you plan to achieve once you've finished. On the contrary, applicants should use the personal statement to show their potential as a scholar. Briefly discussing potential research interests, stating reasons for pursuing such interests, and describing how you hope to add to the discipline are all important ideas to elaborate on in the personal statement. You must show faculty in the program that you have the potential to develop new knowledge through the posing of an adequate research question.

5. Prepare for the GRE like you would any other exam. There are far too many people who do not take the time to review study guides, test questions, and exam preps for the GRE. Do not treat it like a general aptitude test that will measure your IQ just for the heck of it. Allow yourself adequate time to prepare for the test. Build time in your daily schedule to review math problems and study vocabulary and analogies. When applying for a Ph.D. program leave nothing to chance, including the test that can make or break your acceptance into the program.

Bonus:

6. You do not need a master's degree to be accepted into all doctoral programs. This one is not really a tip for applying to a Ph.D. program but is more a general FYI. Many people do not know that it is not absolutely mandatory for you obtain a master's degree before pursuing a doctorate. Some fields allow students to enter a Ph.D. program right after completing an undergraduate degree. If you are sure that receiving a Ph.D. is a goal of yours and necessary for your career path, you should seriously consider pursuing a doctorate after receiving your bachelor's degree. Going straight for the doctorate can not only save you time but also money considering that most doctoral programs are fully funded and master's programs are not.

Obviously, this list does not cover every aspect of applying to a Ph.D. program. These are just a few general pointers that may be helpful to those considering doctoral work. Again, many of these points may not apply to specific disciplines and institutions that demand particular requirements. Doctoral study is serious work. Approach the application process with the respect it deserves and prepare for excellence in every way possible.
Do you have any advice about the application process for prospective doctoral students? What are some things you have learned through your own experiences as a Ph.D. applicant?

[Photo by Google Images user Wikimedia Commons used under a Creative Commons license.]

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Applying to a Ph.D. Program | GradHacker

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DeWitt Scott received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from Chicago State University. You can follow him on Twitter at @dscotthighered. After much thought and contemplation, you have decided to pursue a doctoral degree. You have visualized yourself 25 years into the future as a preeminent scholar in some discipline or field that matters to you.

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Search for an REU Site | NSF - National Science Foundation

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NSF's mission is to advance the progress of science, a mission accomplished by funding proposals for research and education made by scientists, engineers, and educators from across the country.

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Welcome to our database of summer research programs for undergraduates!

Research experiences for undergraduates (REUs, also known as SURPs or SURFs) are paid summer internships, usually for 6-8 weeks (sometimes including housing) at research institutions. Undergraduates are paired with a lab and gain valuable research experience. These are extremely helpful for obtaining post-graduate jobs in STEM and applying to graduate or professional schools.

Our database contains more than 450 SURP programs. We encourage you to use the drop down menus below (in different combinations, if necessary!) to help you find a program that is right for you.

Is there a change we should be aware of? Please and let us know!

Our databases are maintained as a volunteer effort by our team.

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Welcome to our database of summer research programs for undergraduates! Research experiences for undergraduates (REUs, also known as SURPs or SURFs) are paid summer internships, usually for 6-8 weeks (sometimes including housing) at research institutions. Undergraduates are paired with a lab and gain valuable research experience.

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List of Graduate Programs that no longer require the GRE