📋 Agenda

📌 Objectives

1. Organize and store thoughts, notes, data.
2. Compile research on applications and programs.
3. Track progress and next steps.

📆 Timeline

• 2019
• 2020

🧭 Strategy

• Point one
• Point two
• Point three

Programs List

1. University Name - Program Name
2. University Name - Program Name
3. University Name - Program Name
4. University Name - Program Name
5. University Name - Program Name
6. University Name - Program Name
7. University Name - Program Name
8. University Name - Program Name
9. University Name - Program Name
10. University Name - Program Name
11. University Name - Program Name

Phase 1: Research

• Schools and Programs
• City and State (Do I want to live here?)

Phase 2: Preparation

• Beef up CV! 🐂
• Optimize application materials
• Pre-application
• Letter writers

Phase 3: Submission

• Interview Prep
• Submission...and beyond! 🚀
• If admitted:
• Plans (B, C, the alphabet?)
• Moving? 📦

🚧 Action items

• [ ] Complete thorough school/program research
• [ ] Complete list of schools and begin online applications
• [ ] Research funding to apply to and make list with deadlines and requirements
• [ ] Apply for/obtain any applicable fee waivers
• [ ] Begin statement draft
• [ ] Compile spreadsheet for recommenders
• [ ] Make list of top programs and add to cards in overview section. Rank these as “safe”, “mid”, and “reach”. Try to have at least a few in each category!
• [ ] Fill in all program info & finalize list.
• [ ] Contact 1-2 mentors per program to express interest, introduce yourself briefly, outline your alignment with their work, and provide a CV.
• [ ] Plan/schedule any advance campus visits.
• [ ] Begin essay draft and ask for feedback from your college advising office or current mentors
  • [ ] Draft other essays as necessary (statement of diversity, etc based on the apps or college websites)

🎯 Goals

• [ ] ≥1 RAship
• [ ] ≥1 TAship
• [ ] ≥ 1 conference or poster presentation
• [ ] 3-4 strong letter writers
• [ ] Obtain conference funding
• [ ] Submit applications
• [ ] Obtain invitation(s) to interview
• [ ] Obtain funded offer(s)
• [ ] Acceptance and enrollment in PhD program - OR -
  • [ ] Plan B (etc)

🌏 Overview

Schools, Status, & Decisions

Fee Waivers

• Essay work ✍🏻
• Funding
• Helpful links