<aside> đź’ˇ Please note that I am in no way an admissions consultant. I am only sharing the resources I gathered when I was applying. I credit the creators I have hyperlinked in this document for their content, which has helped me and countless others. I am only combining it together.
</aside>
📝 Usual Document Overview
Recommended Videos:
https://youtu.be/ji4A4xoo44U?si=upZDUnH9FQp7Z7--
https://youtu.be/kZyXOs1a6xM?si=jBCuH7f5uAB8HeGz
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpxS3UOdSmrq5nDHeVyFaMPLE2G6Sw22c&si=TdstGW3hOMReWTw1
Resource for candidates from India: (Students willing to help)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wIsmKixrKo0ELXUON91r6ZhcUskYgWLHCUYtGQLcYuw/edit?usp=sharing
🧠 Research your university before you apply:
Where do I start when I am considering PhD? The beginning is going to look different for different fields, this one will focus on humanities (literature), as I can only speak to my experience. Consider every advice on this page with a pinch of salt as I am not a professional consultant. Instead of instructing you with how you can begin, I am instead going to tell you how I did it and you can pick parts of my process that align with yours. I hope you can build your path with the help I am attempting to provide.
After graduating with a Bachelor's in English in 2020, I was eager to explore various interests, but uncertain which path to pursue for my Master's degree. I contemplated screenwriting, poetry, theatre, and even studying Creative Writing in the UK. However, I lacked a clear direction and felt disoriented, a sentiment many recent graduates can relate to. Through self-reflection, I realized my consistent passion for research and academic inquiry, which sparked my true interest in pursuing a scholarly path. After thoughtful discussions with family and friends, I decided to apply for a Master's in English in India. This period allowed me to reflect deeply on my intellectual interests beyond traditional English literature and align my experiences with my academic goals. Before committing to graduate school, I sought guidance from studytubers and studygrammers to gain insights into the lifestyle and ensure it aligned with my aspirations. This reflective process was crucial, as pursuing a graduate degree involves dedicating 5-7 years to a chosen field of study. Understanding one's motivations and aligning them with the demands of graduate work is essential before embarking on such a path.
In addition to self-reflection and understanding one's motivations, preparing for graduate school applications requires careful planning and organization. Each program, institution, and country may have specific requirements for documents such as transcripts, recommendation letters, personal statements, and test scores. It is crucial to create a comprehensive timeline to ensure all necessary materials are gathered and submitted well before the deadlines. For my applications, I developed a timeline spanning several months. This allowed me ample time to request official transcripts, reach out to potential recommenders, draft and revise my personal statement, and prepare for any required standardized tests. While timelines can vary depending on the country, program, and degree specifications, having a well-structured plan is essential to avoid last-minute rushing and ensure a smooth application process. Here is a sample of the timeline I used for myself:
Sample list of Universities/ table you can use (was included in this Notion template):
↓ Click [open] on the university name to see application checklist. You can duplicate one of the university on the list to copy application checklist.
↓ List general documents needed and upload them on your Google Drive Folder (make multiple copies).
đź“‘Â Documents
| Test Name | Test Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | November 4, 2022 | |
| GRE | July 5, 2022 |
đź–ĄÂ More Resources
https://youtu.be/m2Q8wErjVjs?si=fpulb0S8z_8_1w50
https://youtu.be/FZVFZURcIIg?si=P-Az0ozgLuxHE8Mi
Lastly, this document has come through after attending several webinars, meeting peers who share similar interests and strangers who became mentors and friends as they helped me unconditionally through this process. To name a few, Akshara if you’re reading this, there is no way any of my “gratitude showing,” will ever come close to the wonders you did for me. Thank you for walking me through this really stressful period a year ago. You must’ve already seen the number of Kaelyn’s videos I have linked in this document. Her ability to simplify this complex process is magical. Her videos have helped me from miles away and gave me the hope, foundation and direction to build a strong case for myself. The resources you see here are in no way, something I put together all by myself, it is a result of finding folks who were willing to help and provide value, without expecting anything in return. I only wish to the same for anyone who might come across it.
Do not hesitate to reach out to me, if you have more tips that you think can help others. You can bet, that I will keep updating this space. Feel free to reach out to me with questions, too. Taking care of your physical and mental health through this process is non-negotiable. I would not recommend sitting with this, till it hurts. There is always going to more information on the internet, there is no harm in looking for more, however take time-outs and hang out with friends who know you are more than your application process.
I am proud of you for taking this step! When you look back at this time a year later, I hope you find yourself smiling <3