synbio Ph.D, host of /synbio 🧬, co-host /science 👩🏽‍🔬, genetically modified organism, blog: editlife.substack.com

i have an email in my drafts folder addressed to a university, requesting more information about a PhD programme

but i'm terrified to send it out LOL

anyone here have experience applying to doctoral programmes?

*cough* @gmo

₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊ writing about digital art & curating things 
₊‧°𐐪♡𐑂°‧₊ Artistic Manager @ Artpoint.
Building /lanparty 💾 Hosting /curation ✨

I promise academia needs you more than you need it! I think the most important part of this process is finding a supervisor and environment that will help you activate or fulfil whatever goals you have. Reaching out to ask questions is a great early step. 

I would find labs/groups/spaces you're interested in and try to reach out to the current PhDs/postdocs/researchers in that lab, they will have the real tea and can probably even give you an intro to the supervisor, which is a nicer way to meet.

If you're reaching out to the supervisor directly I would ask questions, but also you're a beautiful writer so write why you're interested in their work with specifics. 

Some bigger labs also have admin so an easy thing is to reach out to admin and ask your questions to them, they are usually super helpful and its way less pressure. 

Sometimes some institutes also have events & that's a good way to meet people in that space IRL. And useeee your nework!! Someone you know will know someone somewhere! you got this!!

scared of quitting my job to go back into academia ! the uncertainty ! the possible rejection ! the reaching out to suss out if they might be interested in me and not having the proper phd etiquette (?!) LOL i basically have no idea how to ask for a supervisor or anything i feel like such a noob loool

i miss you too!!

Omg benna my super accomplished creative visionary what are you scared of?? I technically didn’t apply to my doctoral program but I went through a post doc application process which I think has given me some insight! What are you weighing? Also miss you🌸🌸

building [redacted] | surfing @ venice, ca | eating @ gjusta / gjelina | “lucky me, lucky mud” 🤠

eee gonna force myself to send it latest by end of week!

and yeah, i think i need to remember that haha. my fear is that i’ll reach out to gauge interest and they’ll think i’m a joke LOL maddd imposter syndrome hahaha

send it!!! i have friends i can intro you too but also people are so friendly and generous with their time if you ask

Researcher at MIT Media Lab | Creating futures | https://cyrus.website/info

That’s probably good for getting basic administrative info if that’s what you need!

If it’s more getting on to a program by far the most important thing is an actual PhD candidate on the program to speak to or having someone trusted by the lab to intro you. The latter is best ofc.

For the former, they usually have emails listed and papers / work etc so you should be able to find affinity match

Then just write a nice short mail eg introduction of self + gushing praise of their work + synergy with your interest/work + ask to meet

ahh great advice thank u so much!! i think i saw a list of contacts on the lab website and one of them is like a ‘phd representative’ so i’ll reach out to them as well!

basically everything @gmo said and can’t overstate enough how important trying  to find the “side door” is 

What I mean by that is to get in touch and meet with a specific person on or as close as possible to the thing you want to do. Then connect based on affinity or network vs going through generic admin /admission stream 

Most phds will be happy to meet if you’re cool. You get the scoop and if you charm them they will usually also recommend you to a PI/Prof which is what you really need to get on their radar

artist 🗡️✨ https://www.tinyrainboot.com/ 🌀https://t.me/+RauWzzjNvTM4OGU8

setting myself a goal to send it out today or tomorrow !! it's really just an email idk why i'm being such a wimp about it LOOOL

there’s no harm in gathering information!!! send it!

📍🇮🇹
Love curating art ✨
Prev @transientlabs
Travels the world as a cardboard cut-out! Computer engineer in spare time 😅

hahahhaha in one sentence : if we can use the blockchain to create an effective autonomous knowledge commons

building reframescience.xyz neuroscience phd, buddhist chaplain, healthtech strategy consultant. co-host of the /okbanger show and vibe imagineer for /christin.

degensub

Just do it. You’re asking for info. You’re not even dating yet.