The how to's of experimental set up, fieldwork, labwork and statistical analysis
Protocols and research methods that I have used during my Master's and Ph.D. to provide a guideline for new mycologists.
Resources for applying for grants and fellowships
Locating and applying for grants and fellowships is time-consuming. However, there are commonalities shared between "winning" grants.
I have compiled this information to help you with grant writing and access to grants and fellowships.
Guidelines and Advice
Graduate School Application Process
(Processo de Solicitud)
"It is a long process, so start early"
So you want to go to grad school, but you are not sure where to start and or when to start. Having navigated the system on my own, and learned important information after the fact, I want to make sure that others in my shoes do not have to struggle. I have learned that transparency is the best method to increase diversity. As such, I have created a "How-to" guideline below. I am also available to help you edit and talk if you would like additional help.
Application Process-Outline
The GRE test
In 2019-2020, various schools eliminate the use of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) in graduate admissions (Here is a list of life science programs that have eliminated the GRE). However, not all schools and or departments have done away with this requirement, so please verify if you need the GRE score before submitting your application. For example, my department (PLPA UCR) lists the GRE requirement under admission criteria
Preparing for the GRE
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Plan to take the GRE early, preferably during the Fall of your last school year.
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Remember, most applications are due in Nov/Dec, so you do not want to leave this for the last minute.
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Scheduling your GRE is easy (click here)
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Study, Study, Study
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The test is comprehensive, similar to the SAT, so it takes a lot of studying.
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Free resources
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GRE practice exams
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Books/Resources
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Paid resources include
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Hiring a tutor (very expensive)
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Purchasing study books
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Purchasing online subscriptions
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The cost of the GRE exam is about $205
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There is an additional cost of $27 for each additional score report (ASR) — per recipient (meaning per school). So please keep this in mind.
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Retaking the exam: If you are like me and you are not used to getting "average scores," please note that you can retake the test (up to 5x per year) for $205 dollars.
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Statistics show that, on average, "60% of those who retook the test scored better on their Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, 40% improved their Analytical Writing score, but 80% got the same score or better on the second exam" (more here). However, if you are not near the accepted score for your school, you might want to consider retaking the exam, but first, talk to potential PIs and get their advice.
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Good luck!!
Contact potential advisors
15% Off All Items
The P.I., lab, university, and town are all important factors when deciding where to attend gradschool
As an M.S. or Ph.D., you will be closely working with an advisor researching a system for 2-5 yrs. Thus ensuring that you select the correct advisor who fits your research of interest and the mentoring style you desire is probably one of the most critical aspects of the application process.
The second step in the application process
Contact a potential advisor early on (Fall of the quarter you are applying). This is not only beneficial to you, but if you build a rapport with the PI (principle investigators) also known as your advisor, and your research interests align, it can give you an advantage during the application process.
Steps
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Research for PI who are in your field of interest
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Write an email
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Set up a zoom or call interview, if possible
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See example email (here)
1. Before contacting a PI about joining their lab, you should
1. Know the lab’s research topics and methods
2. Have read the most recent publications from the lab or the publications which got you .........interested in their lab
3. Have an idea of how you fit the lab and what research you are interested i
2. Formating your email
Subject: The subject line is essential. Remember, professors constantly receive emails, so your subject line should be clear and concise. For example
"Prospective Ph.D. or Prospective Masters Student"
Salutation: Make sure to address the professors correctly; ALWAYS refer to them as Dr.
"Good morning Dr. XYZ,"
Email body:
1. Introduce yourself
"Your name, year, major, and university"
2. Explain why you are writing your email.
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Elaborate a little more on yourself, such as your academic/research interest and professional and research experience. Whatever details you provide must be relevant lab you are interested in.
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An easy way to start this section is by elaborating on your academic/research background and research interest related to the research performed in the lab of interest.
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Make a connection by stating that you "fit their lab"
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In this section, state what you want.
"While researching XYZ, I read your paper on XXXX where you found that ___and ___. I am interested in attaining a Ph.D. in _____ and researching ______, and I feel that our research interests are well aligned. Thus, I was writing to ask if you are taking a Ph.D./
Master student for the ___ year? If so, would it be possible to meet via (phone, video chat, or face-to-face) and discuss...
3. Attachments (optional)
If you have a curriculum vitae (CV) and would like to attach it to the email, go for it! It can only help as long as it is well-written and clear, but make sure to state that you are attaching a CV.
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Ask other students (Masters or Ph.D. students to help you edit)
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Ask someone to share their CV with you
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Edit, Edit, Edit (Makes sure there are no typos)
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This should be in the section where you thank them for their time. See below
"I have worked in the previous lab researching XXY and have experience in
XX. Please see the attached CV for more information."
4. Thank them for their time
You always want to leave an excellent first impression, so make sure you always thank them for their time.
"I would like to thank you for your time and consideration. I have attached my CV below and look forward to hearing from you."
5. Signature
Your signature should include the following
Thank you,
Name and last name
Title (B.S, Master student ....)
University name
Email address
Phone number (optional)
6. Sending a follow-up
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Professors are extremely busy, and they might have seen your email but forgotten to respond.
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In such a case, it is okay to send a follow-up email. Be courteous and professional. You can probably follow up after a week.
Funding
One of the most insightful things that I was told as a senior in undergrad was that if an advisor does not have money to support your Ph.D., then you will have a hard time finishing your degree and might not have access to all the tools you need and will have to TA. Not only did I not know that my Ph.D. is fully funded, but I had no idea that we received a stipend. So below is my advice on funding.
During the interview, you should feel confident to ask the potential advisor if they can fund you or what projects are funded. Sometimes they will tell you before you ask, but whether it's on the 1st face-face chat, phone call, or second chat, this question needs to be asked. You also can ask during the school interviews.
Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs
If you really want to work with a certain PI, there are other things you can do for funding
1. Apply for internal University grants
Many schools have internal grants and fellowships (apply for all the ones you qualify for)
2. Apply for National Science Foundation (NSF)
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You can apply before you start a Ph.D. or your first year in
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Talk to potential PIs; they can help