"How do I approach a potential supervisor?"
Daunting Bits of the PhD Application Process
A few weeks back, Juliane reached out to me on LinkedIn. She's currently in the process of applying to the same PhD program I'm enrolled in and sought some advice. She then sent some intriguing questions via email. These were the same puzzles I wrestled with during my application phase. I think my answer could be helpful for many in the same position.
How specific does your research proposal have to be?
This question is tricky. There's no one-size-fits-all answer. However, I think that, ultimately, admission committees are looking for two things in your research proposal:
Ideas – Committees are interested in your ability to identify and articulate compelling research puzzles. They want to find strong curiosity and interesting questions. As my supervisor puts it, it is important to answer the question “What makes you get out of bed in the morning?”
How do you think about things? – Equally important is showcasing your thought process. How do you approach problem-solving? Can you effectively unravel your complex puzzle in a feasible way? Moreover, they are keen on understanding your ability to think holistically. Beyond your immediate case or research proposal, how do you conceptualise the broader picture? Show that you wrestled with this puzzle, demonstrate that you've grappled with its intricacies, engaging in thorough and prolonged contemplation on how best to address it.
The research proposal serves as a vehicle to highlight these qualities. It's an opportunity for you to exhibit your capacity for generating innovative ideas and your adeptness in navigating the intricacies of your chosen subject. It's worth noting that the proposal is not set in stone; rather, it serves as a starting point. You're expected to refine and develop it, (perhaps, like in my case, even discarding and starting anew) in your first year of the PhD program.
How did you approach potential supervisors for your PhD?
Approaching potential PhD supervisors involves a simple yet effective email. Start with a polite introduction, outlining your background and areas of interest. Inquire about their availability and willingness to supervise your PhD project. While you don't necessarily need a fully-formed research proposal at this point, I would still encourage you to get in touch with them as soon as possible with an idea of what your research puzzle would look like.
Customise your email to align with your prospective supervisor's research interests, demonstrating your awareness of their work.
This is what I sent:
Dear Professor X,
I am an MSc Social Research Methods student at LSE (You can my CV attached to this email). I am currently applying for PhD positions for next year and I would like to inquire whether you are accepting students for PhD supervision starting September 2023.
Through my doctoral studies, I would like to investigate how comparative identity-group dynamics play out in the European context, with a focus on individual perception of relative group size. To do so, I will first test whether there is a correlation between subgroup comparison and EU identification through a multi-level regression analysis of cross-sectional survey data from the European Social Survey and then test the causal claims of the theoretical framework adopted through a survey experiment design. I am still in the process of drafting the research proposal and I am happy to integrate any of your inputs.
Overall, I developed a strong fascination for social sciences and a deep dedication to research, and I believe that your supervision would be the perfect support and incentive for me to produce interdisciplinary and policy-relevant research. I would be very glad to have the opportunity to discuss this further.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Elena Pro
What was the hardest part of the application process?
Undoubtedly, the interview stands out as the most challenging yet rewarding aspect of the process. It required me to critically assess my proposal, acknowledging both its strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, I had to demonstrate how my research agenda aligns with the department's broader academic interests. You should have an idea about your future as a researcher, regardless if you plan to stay in academia or not.
How are you finding the supervision process in the PhD program?
In my PhD program, I benefit from dual supervision—one from the European Institute and another supervisor from the Government Department. This arrangement suits me well as I aspire to be a political scientist, allowing me to connect with both my intended audience and fellow political scientists. My program offers flexibility, permitting supervision from any department within the university, and occasionally, even from external institutions.
Both my supervisors are extremely available and at the beginning of the year just asked me what type of supervision I would prefer. I need a lot of accountability so I tend to meet them fairly often.
Overall, I would say supervision in my department is quite personalised and tailored to each candidate's needs. For instance, I asked my supervisors to plan together some deadlines to keep myself accountable, but I know my colleagues do not necessarily need/have this type of arrangement. To be sure, supervision varies a lot depending on the supervisor. It's crucial to have an understanding of their working style. I recommend reaching out to current PhD students under their supervision to understand whether they could be a good fit.
Personal addition: How many programmes should I apply to?
Last year I was told to apply to as many programmes as I could, and I did. I applied to 15 programmes, I got invited to 5 interviews, I ended up with two scholarship offers. What did I learn? Don't apply to places you wouldn't want to live or work. I got lucky, I had interviews and offers only from places I would have genuinely wanted to be. However, to be completely honest, I wouldn't have accepted an offer from a random university in the middle of nowhere in Europe.
I wanted to stay in the UK, even if I didn’t know that back then. I thought that my career came before anything else. However, if you are embarking on a 4-year long journey, you definitely want to consider being close to your loved ones. It’s about trade-offs. I didn’t know what really mattered to me back then, but now I know that friends and family are really important for my well-being and for my academic work to be at its best.
Why should I listen to you?
To be honest, you shouldn’t. I didn’t listen to any of the advice I got when I was applying. In the end, it's a process laden with trial and error. However, looking back, I realise the value of learning from others' mistakes rather than my own. And maybe you could learn from mine. It's faster and more effective, and saves you loads of time!