What committees look for
- A clearly defined research interest
- Evidence of research ability (projects, papers, theses)
- Fit with 2–3 named faculty members
- Resilience and motivation for a 4–6 year commitment
Structure
- Research question that motivates you
- Your research experience and what you learned
- Proposed direction for your PhD
- Why this department and these advisors
- Career goals after the PhD
Length
Usually 1,000–1,500 words, unless the university specifies otherwise.
Key takeaways
- Email potential supervisors before applying
- Be specific about methods and questions
- Show what you did, not just what you studied