Thinking About Graduate School in Biology: Our Tips for Success
Author(s): Catherine Early1, Adania Flemming2, Jeanette Pirlo3, Sorilis Ruiz-Escobar4
1. Science Museum of Minnesota 2. iDigBio, FLMNH 3. University of Florida, Florida Museum of Natural History 4. University of Florida/ Florida Museum
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Applying to Gradute School_iDigTRIO.docx
Applying to Gradute School_iDigTRIO.pdfDescription
As part of the iDigTrio 2020 Biological Conference and Fair we created this document to supplement our workshop on "Applying for Graduate school". This is a compilation drawing from the four author's lived experiences.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What to start thinking about as an undergraduate 4
Preparing for life as a graduate student 4
Finding an undergraduate research lab 4
Get to know professors you admire and get along with 4
Decide if you need a graduate degree 4
How to Identify and Contact a Potential Graduate School Advisor (Primary Investigator, PI) 5
Step 1: Research Interest 5
Step 2: Potential PI Research Interests 5
Step 3: Reaching out to Potential PIs 5
Step 4: Visiting Potential PIs and Programs 6
Picking the right program 7
Questions for Grad Students 7
about the student 7
about the lab/PI 7
about the program/department/university 7
about funding 8
about the location 8
Questions for Potential Advisors 8
about the lab 8
about funding 8
Example Email to Contact Potential PI 9
Video Calls with Potential PIs 10
Things to consider/do before meeting with PI: 10
Questions to ask during your video call: 10
How will I fund my graduate degree? 11
Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students 12
Not Institution Based 12
Institution Based 12
NSF GRFP 13
What is it? 13
Who can apply? 13
How do I apply? 13
How is the application reviewed? 14
How can I improve my chances? 14
What are the expectations of the Fellows? 15
Additional resources: 16
Authors contact information: 16
Cite this work
Researchers should cite this work as follows:
- Early, C., Flemming, A., Pirlo, J., Ruiz-Escobar, S. (2021). Thinking About Graduate School in Biology: Our Tips for Success. iDigBio, QUBES Educational Resources. doi:10.25334/QKVY-DS19