Thread by @macauleylab

Coming off reviewing grad school applications for two programs at Wake Forest. Here are my PERSONAL opinions on applications in biomedical research if you are prepping for next year . #academictwitter #phdlife

A thread:

As reviewers, we have a checklist for what we look for. Each reviewer is different given our personal bias. Grades matter to some, experience to others. Highlight strengths, but don’t ignore weakness. Address and move on. 1/n

List why you're applying to that school and who you want to work with. Personalize your application to the program, school, and faculty. 2/n

Get personal. Explain setbacks, gaps, and why you should be given a chance. Not all backgrounds are perfect, that’s ok. Don't make excuses, but show us your grit and dedication. 3/n

Use an academic resume/CV template. Please. Get input on your resume from anybody IN SCIENCE or MEDICINE. Reviewers look for specific info. Fancy aesthetics are meaningless and slow down review. I hate 2 columns. Bullets are great. 4/n

List everything. No publications? Say if you contributed to a lab’s work. How a class fueled curiosity. Gave a talk at your school? Include it. If you don’t list it, it never happened. Sci comm = sci gold. Show us how you can sell you and your science. 5/n

Get advice on your application, personal statement, research experience, etc. As a reviewer, it’s hard to know whether an application is subpar or just poorly vetted. As reviewers, we do our best to infer but there are so few spots and so many applicants. 6/n

Proofread your materials. Then have a friend look it over. No friends? Use Microsoft Word to read it aloud to you… you’ll catch typos, syntax errors, etc. Great tip for proofreading grants and manuscripts later on. 7/n

Not a ton of research experience? Use your personal experience to show why you want to pursue a PhD. What about a class’ lab caught your attention? What problem do you want to study? Why do you want to dedicate your life to research, teaching, biotech, outreach, etc.? 8/n

Do you have your heart set on a specific program? Reach out to that program, faculty, and build a relationship in advance. You will leave a good impression and it goes a long way... even if you're nervous and your voice shakes. 9/n

If you’re a recent college grad or your application is imperfect, work in a lab for a year or two. You’ll learn what full time research looks like & have more to show. My GPA was appalling. 4+ yrs of hustle in biotech got me 5 pubs, a network, & ultimately, a top PhD program.10/n

If you are doing research but don’t have publications or posters as work product, ask your PI how to get authorship, where you can present your findings, etc. Success in science is initiative and execution. Work product is key. 11/n

Come from a background where you had NO idea that research was a career? (Ahem, this was me.) Programs exist to help. Check out PREP programs. They are an amazing opportunity! Many uni’s have them! nigms.nih.gov/training/PREP 12/n

Academia is intimidating. Make peace with it early. Showcase you, your talents, your grit. Persevere. Then, tell us all about it. I love enthusiasm. Also remember- if it’s not in an application, it never happened. 13/n

Good examples for academic CVs/resumes. Focus on format, not that these examples are for well established researchers. What can you put under those headers? What can you tell us about your work? 14/n ocs.fas.harvard.edu/files/ocs/file…

Personal statements let us know about you. Get examples. Here's a good article to start with. Search for other examples on line. sciencemag.org/careers/2006/0… 15/n