Obtaining a Ph.D.

Entering into a Doctoral Program

Entering into a doctoral program entails thinking about which programs and schools to target, what questions to ask, how the application process works, and more.  The articles and resources below cover most of those Considerations.  The Search Tools and Resources further below will help with finding and evaluating different programs and schools.

Considerations

Advice for Undergraduates Considering Graduate School (Phil Agre)
http://dlis.gseis.ucla.edu/people/pagre/grad-school.html   Explains what graduate school entails and how the application process works.

Getting In: An Applicant's Guide to Graduate School Admissions (David Burrell)
http://dave.burrell.net//guide/  Much of the published guide is available here online; contents include deciding where to apply, how to apply, visiting schools, commando tactics while waiting.  This site also includes links to internet references covering all stages of the application process.

Questions to Ask When Pursuing a Ph.D. (Chris Golde)
http://www.phd-survey.org/advice/advice.htm  Offers to ask about the program and potential advisors, as well as collected advice from graduate students in eleven different fields of study.

Graduate School (Northwestern University)
http://www.stuaff.northwestern.edu/ucs/students/graduateschool.htm  Offers information about deciding whether or not to go to graduate school, the application process and timeline, interviewing with schools, and developing a backup plan.

Professional/Graduate School Information (UC San Diego)
http://career.ucsd.edu/studentsalumni/saahome.htm  Offers "Professional/Graduate School Information" about application essays, admission tests, schools, the nature of graduate study in specific fields, and links to more information about specific fields.

20 Relevant Questions to Ask Graduate Schools, Programs, and Departments (Re-envisioning)
http://jones.grad.washington.edu/envision/project_resources/obtaining_phd/program_questions.html  Re-envisioning offers its own list of questions prospective doctoral students could ask the schools, programs, or departments to which they're considering applying.

Search Tools and Resources

Business Grad Schools.com
http://www.business.gradschools.com/  Search for Ph.D. business programs.

Distance Grad Schools.com
http://www.distance.gradschools.com/  Search distance, online graduate programs.

Embark.com
http://www.embark.com/grad/grad_research.asp  Lets prospective students search graduate and law schools and offers advice on applying, financing and preparing for graduate schools.

Grad School.com
http://www.gradschools.com/  Lets prospective students search graduate schools and programs.

Grad School Fairs.com
http://www.gradschoolfairs.com/  Check the calendar for campus visits and events.

International Grad Schools.com
http://www.international.gradschools.com/  Search graduate programs at universities around the world.

Peterson's.com
http://www.petersons.com/  Lets prospective students search graduate schools and programs, provides program descriptions, offers advice for test preparation, and more.

Princeton Review
http://www.review.com/index.cfm  In addition to test preparation, this site has tools for calculating the cost of graduate school, advice for applying to and financing graduate school, a discussion board, and more.

USNews: Graduate School Rankings
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/beyond/bchome.htm  Gives "2002 Rankings of Best Graduate Schools," articles about "New Ideas in Academia," career outlooks, a graduate school forum, and more.