When I first started university in 2017 (feels like a lifetime ago) I never anticipated that five years later I would be pursuing a PhD. Never in my wildest day dreams, but here I am. Receiving the email to say I was being offered the studentship left an unbelievable feeling of accomplishment after putting in so much time and effort into finding the PhD project, preparing my application and attending my interview. Which bring me to the topic of this blog post. I am often asked, mostly by friends who are also passionate about pursuing a PhD, about the process of finding and applying for PhDs etc. because it is a bit more complex that what you would originally expect.
Finding:
At first, trying to find a project I was 110% interested in and passionate about took some time. I knew what subject field I wanted to focus on but trying to find a project was a very overwhelming process. I went down the route of searching for already established and funded projects as I did not have means to self-fund nor did I have a self-created project I wanted to propose. So I took to google and typed 'PhD programmes UK'. A website that frequently came up was findaphd.com, which proved to be a fantastic resource. By utilising the search filters I was able to find fully funded projects within the subject areas I was interested in. I would check this website FREQUENTLY to see if any new listings had been added. It took about 5 months until I found my PhD project, so being persistent when looking for a project is key!
Applying:
Once I had found what I deemed to be the perfect project, it was time to put together an application. PhD applications can take a while as each one must be specific to the project you are applying for. For mine, I prepared an academic CV and a personal statement letter. Academic CVs comprise a summary of academic skills, knowledge and experience to allow your potential supervisors to learn of your academic past and determine if you experience is suitable for their project. The personal statement on the other hand is your chance to sell yourself a bit more and prove why you are perfect for this project. Make sure to read carefully what is required for your application as this will differ project to project.
Interview:
We all dread interviews but the fact you've been invited to one implies that you look good on paper! I had one interview which I chose to do online due to travel issues. I was asked to prepare a powerpoint presentation to present which demonstrated my knowledge on Exercise in the Management of Breast Cancer. Prior to my interview, I practised some common interview questions and prepared a few example answers which I could refer to when asked. The aim of the interview is for potential supervisors to determine your knowledge base, your passion for the project, if you are suitable for the project and if you are someone they want to work with.
Persistence:
Being rejected after interviewing for any position is hard. But don't take it personally. The most important thing is to keep applying to more projects. Being persistent is the key to obtaining a PhD position. I applied to two different PhD projects, being rejected from both, before I found mine.
Overall, it was a long journey finding and securing my PhD. All in all, I'm glad I wasn't successful in my previous applications and attempts as I realised they weren't right for me in the end. If you are starting your hunt for the perfect PhD, stay at it and don't get disheartened - stay persistent and good luck!
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